We arrived in Korce
(Core-cha), Albania less than 1 week ago and have already settled into Eastern
Europe quite nicely thanks to some new second hand items from the local bazaar.
Our team was split into three
separate living spaces. Emily and I are in
the apartment of three amazing Campus Crusade Staff members: Vasi, Juli and Anila (from right to left in picture below). Never having the opportunity to experience dorm life, here I feel like I
am back in college staying up late watching movies, drying our clothes above
the stove, making dinner on one hot plate, and maximizing the limited space we
all share.
This month we are working
with six Campus Crusade for Christ staff members on the campus of Fan. S. Noli
University. In this the second week of
school, CCC is just starting their efforts on campus. We set up a table next to the main entrance
of school to pass out “Student Life” magazine and ask those in their first year
to fill out a brief survey. In an effort
to engage the freshman, a quiz goes along with the magazine which if completed
gives students a chance to win a cell phone or other prizes.
After a few hours of passing
out “Student Life” in the morning, my team meets for lunch and some “team time”. Afternoons together have been a wonderful
opportunity to get to know both Korce and each
other through long walks around
town and visits to the many coffee shops typical of a college town.
At 4PM we regroup with the
CCC staff and head to the dorms to build relationships, which has proved to be
my most favorite aspect of this ministry so far. Like I said, I never lived in dorms, so I
love seeing how many of the girls are handling life on their own for the first
time. I’m hugely impressed by their
hospitality given their limited resources.
We are welcomed inside, given the best seats (usually a bottom bunk)
forcing girls to stand, offered yummy Turkish coffee (tastes like melted fudge
in an espresso shot), apples, Sambuca candies and a chance to share our
testimonies.
Last night we spent a couple
hours in a cramped dorm room talking with 6 freshman girls. I was reminded of the life changing choices
that come along with being away from home for the first time, formulating your
identity and picking a path for your life. Some of the paths I took in my life weren’t
ideal, including many heartbreaking trials but I am incredibly appreciative of
what God taught me along the way and where He has brought me. Serving here at the University in Korce, I
can’t help but think what my life would’ve looked like if I had crossed paths
with someone from CCC when I was at UCLA; someone who offered to listen, learn
and love me where I was at. I realized
quickly the unique opportunity CCC has to positively impact impressionable
lives by breaking the cycle of generational sin through unconditional
love.
The freshman girls expressed their
desires for independence and success then listened attentively to my testimony
of achieving much of what they aspire to have but still not being fulfilled. I told them how I knew deep in my heart life
is about so much more than what we can personally achieve or attain. I shared how giving up everything I strived
for my whole life in exchange for a life lived for God has brought me more freedom
and happiness than I could possibly dream.
And I was sure to emphasize that giving up everything and choosing God
didn’t come easily or quickly. God
pursued me for 30 years by placing many people in my life to guide and show me
the way. People who constantly offered
unconditional love, similar to the CCC staff that God has placed in their
lives. While it wasn’t CCC that helped
me to find the love of Jesus, I am honored to be part of an organization that
is impacting this generation and generations to come.
