My time in Albania has been unlike anything else I’ve experienced thus far on The Race. Jumping from Asia to Europe provided a huge culture shock and it definitely took some time to acclimate.
This month, month 6... which is still INSANE to say, my team and I have been living at and serving with IPA Tirana (International Protestant Assembly). Ministry this month has consisted of engaging with 9th through 12th graders at a local school, and forming relationships with them as we help them practice their English. Volunteering with members of The Roma population here in Tirana, and having the opportunity to pray over and distribute food to them. Learning to boldly walk out our faith as we took time to street evangelize and participated in prayer walks across the city. And I even got to put my theatrical expertise to good use as I helped some of the youth at the church to prepare for their Easter drama.
The people of Albania are kindhearted and relation based. They want to take time to talk to you, and love when you want to get to know them. They have made me feel welcomed and right at home in their country, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Even in the midst of this though, it is still so evident that Albania is a lost nation full of hurt and heartache. There is a heaviness that I’ve experienced in this nation that is unlike anywhere else I’ve been.
I know that God’s heart aches for His Albanian children because He wants so much more for them. He loves them so incredibly much and I pray that I have been able to embody and be that love to these people in my time here thus far. I feel that God is going to do something mighty in this country and I consider it an honor to have been able to witness even a glimpse of what is to come during my time here. My team and I are in our final week of our time here in Albania; Friday we will be headed to Serbia to begin Month 7. I pray that as we wrap up ministry here, God will move radically so that the eyes of everyone we meet in these last few days will become opened to the truth.
Albania will always hold a special place in my heart, and it will forever remain a country that I so joyfully will delight in praying over. Wherever and whenever this blog may find you, won’t you take a moment right now to lift up the nation of Albania and its people in prayer? Thank you my friends, you all mean the world to me! Sending all my love direct from Tirana to you!!
-Meagan
