So I’ve been in Albania for three months. In that time, I have done so much. I have been exploring castles, going to the beach, climbing mountains, and, of course, serving God. I have come to love a country that, honestly, I didn’t even know existed before I came here (sorry to my Albanian friends). Albania will forever hold a place in my heart.
In the last few weeks, we have continued doing ministry at the church. We have been teaching English lessons, helping with the kids program on Saturday mornings, and leading the youth service on Saturday nights. Each week in church, one of us shares some of our testimony with the congregation. Besides this, we just hang out with the people at the church. The kids are always outside our door, and we have gotten to know them quite well. We also spend a lot of time with the young adults/youth at the church, and have gotten very close with a few of them.
A particularly memorable moment was this past Saturday, during our weekly youth service. We were planning to just watch a movie, but couldn’t get it to work. So instead, we did worship, and then were going to play a game. Before we started the game, one of the girls said that some of the Albanians wanted to share their testimony with us. In reality, almost all of them shared parts of their pasts, and how they came to know Jesus. It was such a cool moment, and it made me realize that they aren’t that much different from us. We may have different backgrounds and struggles, but God’s redemption and love doesn’t means none of that matters. All that matters is our willingness to put all that aside and follow Him.
I will miss the people I’ve met and gotten to know here in Kombinat, and if it’s God’s will, I hope I can come back here someday. But I will forever be grateful for the people here, and for the amazing work God is doing here. I am humbled to have been a part of it, and I know God’s love will continue to spread through the people here long after we are gone.
So, on Saturday I leave for The Philippines! I am incredibly excited. Our team is working with Grow International Ministries, at their street kids camp called “Camp New Beginnings”. It is located in the mountains in San Mateo outside of Manila. I can’t wait to see what God does through our team here. We have been told that there is no Wifi at the camp, and that it takes a long ride by taxi to go somewhere where there is Wifi, so I won’t be as available as I have been here. Just a heads up!
On another awesome note, I am FULLY FUNDED!!! God is so good, and an anonymous donor made a donation for my entire remaining balance. I can now focus completely on ministry, without having to worry about fundraising. Thank you so much to all who donated, and also to everyone who is praying for me. Specific prayer requests right now are for safe travel to the Philippines, and that God would start preparing the hearts of the Filipino people that we will be working with. I will try to update you soon. God Bless!
P.S. Here is a picture of Walter White on an electrical box in Tirana. Absolutely no relevance to my post, but it’s cool. Enjoy!
