Walking alongside the Church!

A day in a beautiful neighborhood away from city buildings. 

What a wild and beautiful ride the months of the latter part of December through the first few days of February was! It was interesting to see the unique perspective of living in Triana, the capital of Albania. Most days we took a 20-minute bus ride to our location of ministry at one of two churches on either end of the city. 

Waking up in the morning I would sit with the Lord, and just be in conversation with him. Overlooking the city building as the sun slowly became high enough in the sky. It would soon cover the tops of the mountains, that were seen in the distance, and spread over the face of the mountains. 

Soon everyone else would wake up, get ready and we would rush down the steps to catch the bus a few blocks away. Most days when we had ministry at Fatia’s church it would be a beautiful bus ride from the heart of Tirana to the outskirts of the city. Past big office buildings, 2-3 coffee shops on the left and right side of the street per block, and flower shops galore!! So many bakeries that sold Byrek. To describe byrek it is philo dough filled with different types of fillings. These include meat, spinach & feta cheese, onions & tomatoes, or cottage cheese, which is the most popular of them all.; along with random shops. The further out of the city we rode the building changed to single-story homes, guarded by gates with yards filled with persimmons and clementines trees. 

Soon to the North, there became a vast open field with the mountains in the background, where a shepherd was tending his flock of sheep. Right next to the field there was a home that was a reminder that we were not in a first-world country, due to the way their home was constructed with sheets of tin and pieces of wood to hold it together. Driving further on we past unfinished apartment buildings, here stood concrete and brick only, no windows, doors or railings. Albanians used this place for drying laundry, but not living, as there was no protection from the elements. The bus would also pass the daily market where there would be everything from clothes, to kitchen items and everything in between. Getting off the bus at the orange coffee shop that was almost always empty, we would walk through the market and streets. The sidewalks were set up like a flea market, people were constantly trying to sell whatever resources they had, from freshly cooked foods to durable goods as they were trying to earn a daily income. My favorite part of all of this was when God would highlight somebody such as a shop owner or lady passing by on the street and ask me to share the simple phrase of “God loves you” in Albanian that says “zoti te do” along with a warm smile.  

Upon going to the church we would meet Fatia and then head down the streets of the community. This became one of my favorite parts of the month! I loved spending time in the presence of families within their homes. 

Those who welcomed us into their homes were filled with the Lord in ways that their neighbors stopped and noticed. Walking through the neighborhood there were gates that enclosed each home. Soon you would see small smiling faces peek out from behind the gates. Eagerly with a lot of excitement, you would hear in Albanian “Ejani!” or in English “Come!” Through their yard and up the concrete stairs our team would follow the kids into theirs homes. As we followed them laundry was hanging from lines, strewn across the entire yard. We had to duck underneath the clothes in order to make it to the front door.

One home that sticks out in my mind is that of a sweet sister from the church and her husband who works in another country to help support her family. The sister is in charge of all the kids that live with her. The living room where we were invited into was furnished including a decorated Christmas tree! She was very loving and caring. Hearing how she is a believer in Jesus, along with her husband. She shared some prayer requests with us that her husband needs help from the Lord to give his wife the freedom to go and connect with other believers that will encourage and uplift her. She shared that we can be praying for her children in school. It was a beautiful reminder of how we need Jesus for everything! In the ways that we move, in the ways that we love on others, and being reminded that He always has what is best in mind for all of His children. Right in this moment that was to be uplifting our sister within this Albanian community

One home we went into was another lady from church, who used to be Muslim. In this culture, it is not uncommon for multiple family members to live in the same house. This mom, her kids, and her grandkids all shared the same space. It reminded me of being on the race and constantly having to share a small space of square footage with my teammates. As we walked into her house going up the stairs onto a porch, through a door, and coming into her living room, my team, Ilda, our translator, and I all found a seat on the couch. The woman began to share her story. Her story of how the Lord worked as she gave her life to Jesus and now as she needed the Lord in each moment. It was a testimony to the Lord to that He is our strength and our provider. 

After spending the afternoon loving on people in Fatia’s community we had the joy of walking back through the neighborhood streets. Over time we got to know the people who would be walking home simply by asking them ‘How they’re doing?’ Or asking ‘How we could pray for them?’. It might have taken us twice as long to get home, yet it was more about the connection to the people and how our hearts responded. 

The bus ride back home was more time to connect with locals, giving us the opportunity to invite them to church or out for coffee to share Jesus with them. To share what Jesus did as he died and rose again for each individual human’s sins so that we can go to heaven with Him for eternity.  

Concluding our days in Albanian we would go and get souvlaki from some of our favorite people. This is a pita with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, tzatziki sauce, ketchup and mustard. it was one of my favorites! Then we would head home and have team time and just hang out until bedtime.

Will you find time in your day to take someone out to coffee this week? Will you make time to get to know a new friend that could end up being a lifelong friend all because you said hello? This is my challenge for you in today’s blog. I hope you accept it. 🙂 Blessings! Katie