Albanian Nights – Part II

Chapter 6

Ministry started out rough at first in our beach town of Vlore. The weather was really rainy the first week we were here and when it rains, no one goes anywhere (except us crazy World Racers! We’re like the postman, we share the Good News whether there is rain or shine!)

My team was able to minister to the local baristas at the coffeeshops we would seek refuge in the inclement weather. One of them shared he had a dream about Jesus! He also shared that he was atheist and Muslim (yeah, don’t ask me to explain). 

Once the sunshine came out so did the people. We were able to meet up a few times with my friend Nardi that I met on the bus and go on some adventures with him around the city. It was great to learn more about the place from the eyes of a local versus what we see as a tourist. 

One day my entire team went to the beach with him and he asked them all to share their testimonies about why they love Jesus and why they would go on a trip like this (praise God!) I know we made an impact on his life and that the Lord will continue to minister to him long after we are gone. It’s been a pleasure getting to be his friend and get to know him better and introduce him to my best friend: Jesus.

Chapter 7

Time in Vlore has looked like a lot of internal team ministry. The Lord has been growing us individually and as a team. I think our biggest learning curve is learning how to communicate what we need from each other (and figuring out what we need). 

A simple act of making a plate of food for someone or just asking ‘how you doing?’ outside of scheduled team time or hanging up someone’s clean laundry for them can be such a simple and sweet ministry to a person to make them feel loved and valued. Sometimes it happens naturally, but sometimes we all need coaching because we can’t read minds (at least not yet…maybe Zuckerberg has something in the works).

Chapter 8

Time has absolutely flown by! I have five weeks left on the field with my team, but I’ve already started concocting a plan when I get back on American soil.

Something I’ve always wanted to do was road trip out to Montana and see that area of the country. Even though I’ve driven all over the USA, I’ve never been able to make it there. Usually it’s because the mountain passes would be covered with snow and there’s no way my baby Buick could ford through those. 

I’m an ideal world I’d build out a van, but with vehicles being so expensive I’m just going to take my car, a tent, and a cooler and see where the tarmac takes me. It’ll be a sweet time of processing with the Lord and figuring out where he would lead me to next.

Chapter 9

This is our last week doing ATL in Vlore. Next week we are heading to Lushnje to connect with our ministry host. At this time, I don’t have any other information other than that, but here is how you can be praying for us.

• First, praise God for all the seeds we got to plant here and the healing that is taking place in our team.
• Continued prayer for BANJO as we figure out how to love one another well and call each other higher.
• Smooth travel and transition as we go from ATL to ministry host.
• Nancy is leaving for a wedding. Pray for her as she temporarily leaves the team to continue ministry at this event.
• That we would continue to see ministry opportunities all around us and be bold with the gospel.