Albanian Ministry Recap:
My new team, SDR (Stop. Drop. & Roll), did ministry for a little over a month with Kiesha Eagles (Eagle Church) in Tirana, Albania. We got to do both scheduled and independent ministry in this time. We spent some time on the university campus, getting to know some college students, I got to organize a women’s ministry event (with the tremendous help of my team!), and we got to build relationships with people and share the gospel all over the city.
After doing a little over a month of ministry, we had a short time altogether to honor our alumni leaders and say farewell to them as they head on to what the Lord has for them next. Then, our squad separated again for a 2-week stint of ATL (Ask the Lord).
My team prayed, and many of us felt that we should stay in Tirana, where we had been since coming into Albania. My adventurous side really wanted to explore mountains, remote villages, national parks, or even venturing further afield – to Greece or Italy – as some of the other teams had done. But, as I prayed, I felt the Lord calling us to stay settled and to be rested where we were. Albania is a culture full of people who value community. Relationships are very important, and it means a lot to them when you take time to sit and visit and share life. Having been in Tirana for our scheduled ministry time, we already had friendships that I thought God was calling us to continue to pour into. I also felt God saying we would be doing some ministry with kids with special needs, to read from the Bible publicly, and to grow in: silence, stillness, hospitality, and radical generosity.
Others also felt we were called to stay. However, not everyone in the team. That naturally led to some frustration, but ultimately good conversations that highlighted where we were missing each other, how we were all doing spiritually, and where we could come together in compromise. Another thing that we all were learning together was finding balance between outward ministry and ministering to our team. This season allowed us to begin growing in deeper unity and vulnerability. All to say, I am so grateful for more time with these girls. I want us to know and see each other well. I want to love each other well. I want us to call each other to look more like Christ, and to step more fully and more boldly in who we are in Christ.
The Ministry:
Right before ATL, our team made connections with a Christian organization who runs the Jonathan Center in Tirana. This center puts on programs for kids with Down Syndrome. During ATL, we got to volunteer with them for the “Night to Shine!” This annual event, which creates a special evening for people with special needs, is spearheaded by the Tim Tebow Foundation, and now has events all over the world. We also got to help out with an art class and basketball program. Doing the basketball program as so much fun, and one of the highlights of my whole race! They have my whole heart!
We went out as a team with an intent to do public prayer in Scanderberg Square – a huge public square in the city center. Most of our time, however, was walking to different people. Because Albanian people are very friendly, it is very easy to strike up a conversation on the street. We got to meet a number of interesting people, including a new friend from Finland who is helping friends in Durres, Albania to establish a church.
Throughout our time in Albania, some of our team began to pray for Muslims every time we heard the call to prayer. We continued this during our time of ATL. This was further spurred on by a book we read together as a team, called Dying Out Loud by Shawn Smucker (I highly recommend). The book is about Stan, a missionary, and his family who move to Turkey to share the gospel with his new community. Their family embraced Turkish culture and became a part of the community they transplanted into. Living life with their new family, they were invited to worship and pray to Jesus in the local mosque their friends attended. They were able to show their Muslim friends how a Christian responds to everyday struggles. However, as much as they prayed for hearts to come to Christ, and as much as the Lord granted miraculous healings in Jesus’ name, people were largely unresponsive. That was until Stan found out he had late-stage colon cancer. God gave him and his family peace as they found out he would die, because they say that God planned to use this as a way to bring their new family to Him. Their friends took the news very hard, and prayed that it would be Allah’s will that Stan would live. They didn’t have any comfort around death because in Islam there is no assurance they will go to heaven. But Stan and his family got to share the peace and hope they have in Christ. As Christians, we don’t have to fear death. Christ defeated death on the cross (Colossians 2), and we believe that just as Christ was raised, so we will also be raised (Romans 6:4-5).
Part way through our time of ATL, I saw through social media that a friend of mine, from Romania, was hospitalized and her life was on the line. My heart was heavy because of this news. We were really close when I was in Romania. As we were hearing updates, I was reading through Exodus 17 and the account of Amalek attacking Israel in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. As Joshua leads the people in battle, Moses stands on the mountain and intercedes for Israel. When he holds his staff up, Israel begins to win in battle, but as he lowers the staff – due to fatigue – Israel starts to lose. Aaron and Hur come to help Moses as the day drags on. They hold up Moses’ hands until Joshua and the Israelites win. After I read this, I began to pray and felt that we should do a prayer burn for my friend (this means to pray non-stop for a set period of time – in this case, 24 hours). And just as Moses had Aaron and Hur to help him, my team and I reached out to P-Squad and family/friends back home to join us in prayer. The response was so encouraging! We had people in multiple countries and time zones praying all throughout the 24-hour period on behalf of my friend. To all who participated in this prayer, I would like to give you a heartfelt thank you! Your prayers mean a lot, and they are powerful! During the first hour my team prayed all together, and partway through the hour we heard that she came out of her coma and was responsive. Throughout the time of prayer, she had all of her medical costs paid for, had a successful surgery, and was continuing to be responsive. I don’t have any other updates to report at this time, but I am praying and believing God for a full recovery.
I also got to follow up on our many friends that we’ve had a chance to make while living in Tirana. The Lord also graciously continued to open up even more doors. We got to hang out with a new friends from the States who is looking to do long-term missions in Albania with the organization, Young Life. We met another believer from America who is currently doing student teaching here at international school and is interested in missions oversees. We made a new friend who was painting in an outdoor café. We got to paint with her, share some of our stories and give a gospel presentation. She shared that she was exploring Islam, and I asked her if she ever heard from or experienced God. She said no, and then was really intrigued by what we had to share. Another friend of ours introduced us to her sister, who loves the Lord. She invited us to her youth group where we learned traditional Albanian dances, experience some Carnival celebrations, and play volleyball (with nuns!). And last, but certainly not least, all of our friends at Mon Cherie Café (the 3 Sara’s!)!
Needless to say, our time of ATL in Albania was sweet, stretching, and full of God’s handiwork (big and small)! I love never knowing where you’re going to end up at the end of the day, what you’re going to end up doing, or who you’re going to end up talking to.
Prayer:
- In conversations we learned that there is prejudice towards people with disabilities, and there aren’t always resources available to help those with special needs and their families.
- Please keep my friend in your prayers. We recently learned her family is blocking all contact with the church – because they’re not believers – so we don’t have a way to communicate now.
