Enjoying God’s Creation In Our Last Days Here

Monday morning bright and early the team hustled to get all of our luggage out of the house and clean it by 6:30 am. It’s quite a feat to get that many people and things moving that early, but Praise the Lord, this team was fully trained and prepared in boot camp, and they have great attitudes and a mind to work! We took about a 2 hour bus ride stuffed to the brim with luggage and plants (more on that in a bit) to the city of Pogradec. The scenery changed on the way there as we drove around beautiful mountains and green hills. When the team wasn’t sleeping they enjoyed taking pictures from the windows. The third and final camp we’re at is a family camp run by the same pastor who has done the other two. The team is sleeping in cozy, roomy tents. They have a program we participate in during the day as much as possible. We’ve been working on building relationships with the others here and also praying for open doors for the Gospel with campers at the campground not in our group. Yesterday we walked a mile to Lake Ohrid and enjoyed swimming in the clear, cool water. The scenery is beautiful with mountains all around. We’re right on the border of Macedonia. Today we had the great pleasure of traveling to Macedonia and visiting St. Naum Monastery. While there we took a row boat ride through a large, crystal clear, cool spring. Then we walked to look out over the monastery grounds to the nearby mountains. Mr. Daniel taught our daily Bible study lesson of Psalms under a shaded pavilion. It was quite surreal studying the Bible in a place where others have for centuries. To conclude that time we lifted up a joyful noise of song. Unfortunately we forgot our lunch at the campground and had to eat lunch at a restaurant. Thank God for extra provision! One of the most rewarding times we had this week was beautifying the only women’s prison in Albania. It’s located right on Lake Ohrid and the pastor’s wife has an active ministry there. The team painted and planted flowers for 2 days. The women watched from their barred windows and heard our team singing praises to Jesus! What a gift this project will be to the families who come to visit their loved ones. It has also blessed the staff at the prison and encouraged them to elevate their level of care for what they do there. Today is amnesty day in Albania. Eleven inmates are being released. Their families and the media will be there, and they will see the road entrance wall painted with “Jesus Loves You” and the hand prints of American teenagers who gave up their summer to work in the hot sun and spread that love all the way in Albania. We’re so proud of them and so grateful to have this opportunity.

Ankita H. Pershendetia! Greetings from Albania! I’ve been having so much fun this summer. This team is so amazing and fun! We’ve been through so much together. God has done so many amazing things! My favorite part in Albania is seeing God’s amazing creation! Looking at the water with the mountains in the background was so gorgeous! It’s like a painting because the water was so still! God is truly an artist! I want to say hi to my family back home! I love you guys so much and miss you all! Mirë Pafshim!

Ava T. One thing God is working on in our team is pushing on till the end and not giving up but truly making the most of the time we have here. Love you fam!

Mr. Ben N. The start of Albania team’s last week in country has been unforgettable! Since Monday, we have been staying at a camp just outside of Pogradec. We got a wonderful opportunity to paint and beautify the only women’s prison in Albania, and the whole team has loved this ministry. I love you Mom, Dad, and Kennedy!

Mrs. Genevieve God has been working in this entire team to be fluid and flexible! The way these kids encourage each other and us leaders is humbling. I’m excited to be sending them back to you in over a week- not because I want to get rid of them (haha) but because I think you’ll see the difference God is making in them as their relationship with Him has grown big time!