Let me tell you about the most joyful night of my World Race journey so far. Let me tell you about Clyde. Clyde is a fourteen year old boy who has been hanging out with our group everyday since we have been in Albania. He loves fútbol. He and his best friend, Sullion, are the “church boys”. Sullion has great English and translates for Clyde most of the time. The two are inseparable. Clyde is the oldest of five children and his dad is not around. He helps to take care of his siblings, and they look up to him a lot. He has been at every church service we have had.
The church camp is this week. Most of the church is gone, about four hours away at a camp by the beach. The night before they left, around 8pm, some of my team and I were hanging out, talking and laughing with Clyde and Sullion. At one moment, we had a side conversation from the group.
“Are you excited for camp tomorrow,”? I asked.
“Yes,”! Sullion replied.
“What about you, Clyde”? Silence.
“He, uhhh…he is not going…” Sullion spoke softly.
I immediately knew why.
“Money,”?
“Yes,” Sullion replied.
Clyde had his head down in embarrassment. I was filled an uneasy feeling. God was asking me to do something, but it was the night before camp! I asked Sullion how much it cost to go. 3,500 Leke. Thirty-five dollars…
A few messages and phone calls later, I was able to tell Clyde he can go if he wants to. His eyes lit up!
Sullion translated, “Clyde asks, you talked to the pastor,”?
“Yes,”! I smiled.
Another question. “You pay?”
“It’s covered.”
Sullion hugged Clyde and picked him up off the ground. SO MUCH JOY. Jenn, my teammate and I told him he had to go ask his mom. Clyde sprinted away as fast as I’ve seen him run.
Fifteen minutes later he came back with a baby in his arms and his five and eleven year-old little brothers by his side. Behind them was a pregnant, tired-eyed woman. His mother. I did not expect his mother to come all the way to the church. I only told Clyde he needed to get permission. But his mother had one question for Jenn and I.
In a soft voice she spoke, and Sullion translated her question, “Why are you doing this,”?
I was taken aback by her question. I had to think. There were a lot of reasons. I am the fourth of five children. My family does not have a lot of money. When it came to extracurricular activities that cost money, most of the time it was a no. Once I got a job at fourteen years old, I had to pay for things on my own. Scholarships have been a huge blessing throughout my life. God has blessed my life with people who are generous and recognize need, and are obedient and compassionate. I can relate to Clyde on some level. God has given me a heart for ministering to teens, and hanging out with Clyde and Sullion has brought me a lot of joy. I did not mention any of that.
I answered , “Because we want him to be able to go, he’s a good kid, and because we love Jesus,”.
“Thank you.” She said. Clyde then gave Jenn and I the BIGGEST hugs ever and left with his family.
I never imagined how much joy would come from this. It made me think. How happy does it make God when we choose to accept his gifts of grace? There is so much poverty here, and I know that it is impossible for me to meet every tangible need. But this one was special and I am so thankful that God used my team and I in this way! Please, pray for Clyde and his family. Pray that God meets their needs, both physical and spiritual. Pray that his mother comes to know Jesus!
^^^Clyde (in the yellow shirt), Sullion (in the white shirt) ^^^
FUNDRAISING UPDATE: Please pray that God provides the $3,400 I still need to be fully funded! Please prayerfully consider giving as well! I need to be fully funded in order to complete this journey of 11 months and my deadline is approaching! Thank you to all who have given so far!
PERSONAL UPDATE: Please pray that God will help me to not be discouraged. It’s really easy to be discouraged and to want to come home, even though I’m just beginning this long journey. And it’s hard for me to be around people ALL THE TIME (introvert), so if you could pray that I can adjust to living this way. If you want to message me any encouragement that would be awesome! Also, for the rest of my funding to come in would be encouraging as well.
Thanks and love you guys! 
And enjoy the Lecrae song below, powerful lyrics if you listen! 🙂
