Here is a quick look at our first travel day(s) and a bit about our ministry for the month!
I managed to pack everything for 11 months into 2 bags, weighing 70lbs!
Flight #1- Atlanta to Miami [2 hours]
Layover #1- Game Time! [11 hours]
The [gigantic & luxurious] plane for the 2nd flight
Flight #2- Miami to Istanbul, Turkey [11 hours]
Gourmet dinner- salmon, salad, hummus & chocolate cake.. YUM!
Layover #2- Nap Time! [4 hours]
Flight #3- Istanbul, Turkey to Tirana, Albania [1.5 hours]
And… 3 days later my feet are still swollen… EEEKKK!
But on the bright side… WE. ARE. HERE!!
My team, along with the other two all girls teams, arrived safely Albania earlier this week. For the month August we are living in Tirana, the capital city. My team has the pleasure of partnering with Erion, a local pastor, for ministry this month. Originally, we thought we would be primarily be doing prison ministry, but since Erion’s contact’s at the prison is on vacation, we haven’t been able to get approval to go to the prison yet.
Instead, our main focus is to build relationships with older teens in the community, think 15-17 year olds. Erion told us the youth aged generation is missing from their church and he hopes our team can help bridge that gap. With the help of Erion’s partners and previous World Race teams, his church has established a youth center. Next month, the center will begin offering programs after school, like guitar and piano lessons.
To prepare for that, in the mornings we will be going out to the community, handing out flyers, and inviting those we meet to come to the youth center in the evenings to hang out and play games. Luckily, we will have one of the youth from the church to help us. His name is Brendi. He has been beyond friendly and helpful in just the one day we’ve spent with him so far! His passion for people and for the Lord is obvious. He also loves movies and basketball. [Side note, he and I got to talk about how incredible Russell Westbrook is! HA]
We are praying that this month is one of great harvest!
Would you pray that we are able to meet and make great relationships with youth in this community and then connect them with Erion’s church?
