Gas Station Ladies
While working with refugees in Greece, these ladies overwhelmed me with kindness. They invited me into their makeshift tent home, offered me coffee, handed me their children to hold, told me jokes, and taught me to dance. It was as if they were there to help me.
These ladies taught me Joy and the power it has to change an environment and a heart.
Ghassan & Hala
Walking into Idomeni for the first time was anything but overwhelming. I was shocked with the amount of people, tents, and needs I saw. I walked consumed with concern, until I heard a friendly, “Hello.” It was Ghassan and his family. My team visited his tent everyday after that and listened to the stories and tragedies that came with the war. I watch Hala, his daughter, cling to his side and share sweet giggles and smiles from his lap.
Ghassan & Hala taught me the beauty of father- daughter relationships and how love holds fast to joy, peace, and hope no matter what life brings.
Ritaj
I met Ritaj in the refugee gas station camps where her family sleep up in the forest. She would sit in my lap, sweetly giggle while playing, always have pigtails in, and smoothed her younger baby brother in kisses continually. Mira was kind and absolutely precious.
Ritaj taught me beauty and confidence, and to love wholeheartedly and sweetly no matter your age or capability.
Daniel
While leaving in Macedonia, my team and I worked a lot with the local church and a man named Daniel. Daniel was from a small village called Marvinici and had bright eyes with a jolly, pure Spirit. He was always kind and led with immense grace and faithfulness to God and people. He also made me laugh frequently with His naive, kind thinking.
Daniel taught me how to walk in God’s faithfulness and explore life with a childlike heart and faith.
Brian & Colleen
Brian and Colleen were our ministry hosts in Macedonia while we worked with refugees and the local church. They had years of wisdom and were full of stories reflecting God’s faithfulness and goodness. They lead with strength and courage and were warriors for the kingdom.
Brian & Colleen taught me how to hold fast to God’s promises and walk by the Spirit.
Sara
Sara was a young Syrian refugee traveling with her mother and brother. They had lost everything in the war and slept on the ground in a community tent in Idomeni. When the tear gas went off at the border, they were some of the first refugees to leave Idomeni. I never got to say goodbye or give them the items they needed. It crushed my heart and was one of the hardest parts of my month.
Sara taught me pure love and kindness. Her eyes reached deep into my heart and I had a Christ like love for her before I even knew her. I hope to see her in Heaven one day.
Brittany
On the Race we have alumni squad leaders and Brittany was one of them. During her World Race experience and after Brittney discovered her story mattered and had value; thus, helping led my Race she wanted nothing more than to see my team and I come into who we are and realize our stories matter.
Brittany taught me courage to embrace who I am and my giftings. Brittany gave me an example of freedom.
Phil & Tanya
Phil & Tanya were our ministry hosts in Montenegro and were absolutely incredible. The Lord exuberates out of them and they walk with a hunger to see Kingdom come. They love wholeheartedly and shepherd people with the Lord’s perseverance and endurance.
Phil & Tanya taught me the love of the Father for His children. They showed me what it looks like to walk with the Spirit and in Freedom. They gave me a wisdom and thirst to pursue the word of God and His kingdom.
Lijljana & Marija
I met Lijljana & Marijain Montenegro while my team and I stayed on their property. Marija was my age and full of life and dreams. It was refreshing to have a new friend for the month who enjoyed exploring and chatting. Lijlijana, Marija’s mother, was filled with warmth and kindness. She was quick to take care of us all and her family, loved people sweetly, and had a laugh that brought so much joy into a space. I felt a part of their family within days and know I will have them if I ever return to visit.
Lijljana & Marijareminded me about how special and strong mother-daughter relationships are. They reminded me about love and grace and the beauty of family.
Blerta
I met Blerta my last two weeks in Albania for ministry, when helping with the children programs and youth group. Her heart for God’s Kingdom to come and her heart to see a future generation rise was remarkable. She knew the promises God had spoken to her and held steadfast to them in prayer.
Blerta taught me about hard work and prayer. She worked has if it depended on her and prayed as if it depended on God. Blerta was a woman of courage, strength, beauty, and boldness.
Latif & Fero
My team and I met Latif and Fero during our first week in Albania working in a Roma Village. They were our host for the week and helped lead the Roma church in their village and region. During their day though they would tend to their small farm milking Laura the cow, feeding the chickens and ducks, weeding the garden, and taking care of their two grandkids. They welcomed us into their life so generously and treated us like family. It was one of the hardness goodbyes. Fero called us, “the daughters she never had,” and cried as she told us.
Latif and Fero taught me gratefulness in the long, hard work, and generosity. They also reminded me how important it is to come alongside people and be willingly to learn and help.
Fier’s Roma Kiddos
Working in the rural Roma village during my first week in Albania was probably one of my favorite weeks in Europe. I loved the countryside, farm life, and I loved the kids. Each night after VBS I would go out to keep playing with them and explore the fields. One night they lead me to a plum tree to pick plums. Probably 15 stood picking and eating plums, when before I knew it the owner of the tree came with a stick yelling and screaming at us. The kids took off down the road and unsure what to do I followed. I got to the end of the street laughing and in disbelief I was just stealing and then caught stealing some old man’s plums.
The Fier Roma Kiddos helped bring me back to a place of childlike joy, laughter, and goodness.
Agron & Anila
I met Agron and Anila in Albania as my team and I worked with their ministry. Throughout the month they helped get us places, translate, and took care of us. Their marriage and walk with Christ was an example of goodness and kindness, and they both worked so hard to see the kingdom come.
Agron and Anila gave me an example of what a Godly marriage can do in the Kingdom and how to work hard for the Lord.
Klodi
I met Klodi with my teammate Ally after the Albania vs. Romania Euro Cup futbol game. The city was madness after the victory, and we were unsure if the bus was still going to run, so turning to ask someone I asked Klodi. Then, Ally recognized him from the Christian restaurant my whole squad ate at frequently over the month. We laughed out how small of a world it was and he helped get us home safely.
Klodi showed me how God can use anyone to help His kids out and bless them in return. Bob also reminded of God’s protection, faithfulness, and goodness.
Memli & Luiza
During our two last weeks in Albania Memli & Luiza opened their home to my team for wifi, rest, laundry, and showers. Luiza was quick to feed us and get us laughing, while Memli was quick to listen, teach, and declare God’s faithfulness. They took care of us so well those last two week and helped us leave Europe feeling refreshed and full of peace.
Memli & Luiza showed me the power of generosity and trusting in God’s provision. They reflected rich kindness, goodness, and love, and I left feeling very well loved.
Natasha
Natasha was with my team most of the month in Albania helping translate and serve. It was always a party if Natasha was around and filled with laughter, joy, and the Lord’s goodness. I got to connect with her throughout the month and really grew to care deeply about God’s work in her. The Lord even used a part of my World Race story to speak to Natasha.
God used Natasha to remind me that my World Race journey has power and is changing Kingdom lives.
Ylli
Ylli was our official ministry host for the whole month in Albania and he was always ready to joke. He was willingly to work hard for the kingdom and empower people around him to do so. My team and I also joked he was the real life , Grude of Despicable Me.
Ylli reminded me to make jokes of life and not take life so seriously: to look for joy daily and be thankful.
Klodi & Flori
I met friends Klodi and Flori during our week in Peqin, Albania doing VBS. They stuck with each other the whole week and had the most beautiful eyes. Throughout the week they continued to standout to me and I loved watching how they interacted with each other and others. They both carried so much kindness and goodness in them compared to the other kids while reflecting so much Christ. They may have been my favorite boys of the month.
Klodi & Flori reminded of the beauty of the Lord in us and how we stand out in a crowd. They also taught me of the beauty of friendship and brotherhood.
