For the first four months of my race I will be in southeastern Europe, traveling to Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. I feel really excited for this first leg of the trip because of the fact that, initially, it did not excite me. From the time I first heard about the World Race I wanted to go to Asia and Africa and Central America… but Europe? Not so much. Part of this was because I wanted to go to the worst places and help the poorest, saddest people I could find and I just felt like anywhere in Europe wouldn’t accomplish that.
Then I happened upon a documentary on Netflix called Children Underground (go watch it!) about orphans and runaways in Romania. The movie is a few years old but I’ve done a little bit of research and it seems like the problems presented in the film have not been solved. 20,000 children are homeless in Romania and the resources to help them simply aren’t there. I started to realize that I honestly didn’t know much about these southeastern European countries. Maybe God had plans for me there. And then a friend of mine really challenged me with something important… Even if it’s a comparison between destitute orphans struggling in Africa or comfortable teens living in Bulgaria, both groups have the same desperate need for Jesus. That being said, the highest poverty rates in all of Europe are found in some of the countries that I will be working in. I have a huge opportunity to help meet not only spiritual needs but very real and desperate physical needs as well.
Please pray that God would open my eyes to see everyone I meet the way He sees them! With love and a vision for His plan for them. I can’t wait to see how He is going to surprise me.
And without further ado, a little about the first four countries I will be serving in.
Albania (Month 1 – July)
My first month of my trip! In the past, WR teams have visited and shared in prisons, partnered with summer camps, and worked with church plants… but I really don’t know what to expect until I get there! With about 60% of Albania as adherents, Islam in the largest religion. I am really excited for the opportunity to shine for Jesus by befriending, loving, and sharing with the Muslims I meet. Here is something surprising and heartbreaking that I learned: Albania has the second highest rate of sex-selective abortion in the world, between India and China.
Turkey (Month 2 – August)
Turkey really isn’t part of Europe, so this one actually kind of stands alone. The more I read about this nation the more I can’t wait to get there! It’s like a kind of crossroads between Europe and the Middle East/Asia. I’ve read that it is the least evangelized country in the world (I’m not sure how accurate that is but, being in the 10/40 window, it is definitely one of the least.) Between 96-99% of the population are Muslim.
Bulgaria (Month 3 – September)
Bulgaria is one of the largest European nations in terms of population and land, but the lowest in the EU in terms of income. As Adventures in Missions put it, Bulgaria is a country in the process of transitioning from “developing” to “developed.” The people in this nation struggle with social issues like organized crime and human trafficking. In the past, teams have cleaned, painted, and done repairs for local churches, visited and shared at nursing homes, and cooked for a Christian camp.
Romania (Month 4 – October)
Romania! The country that made me question what I thought I knew about Europe. I can’t wait to go here. Though improvements have been made since the fall of communism, there are still thousands of mistreated orphans living in grave conditions. In John 14:8 Jesus promised His disciples, and all of us, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” I am so eager to bring the news of Jesus to Romania. Past WR teams have ministered in gypsy communities- doing street evangelism, village outreach, teaching and preaching in local churches, and more.
–
I am going on an adventure. Thank you God for giving me this gift! He has been faithful in opening doors so far and I know He is faithful to provide financially… Maybe through you? If you are excited about this journey I am embarking on, please, join me! Be a part of my team, I can’t go unless I am sent! I am almost $4,000 to raise before I can launch in July. Thank you for praying and giving.
