Albania
Where is Albania? If Italy were a boot and kicked back, it would hit it with its heel. As a Balkan country its history is rich, but to give you a perspective of modern day you need to know that it was under communistic rule until 1992, only thirty-two years ago. As one could imagine, rebuilding a country is no short-term task, but the Albanian people have done a tremendous job of taking themselves from being under the power of a dictator to establishing lives led by ones own direction.
In ways, it feels like the people of Albania are our siblings. They lead their country on their own, they have ways of life that bring peace and joy, but they could use the help of family, as we all could. We come around them, love them as Christ does, and help support the work they have done to establish their country post-communism.
We Can Serve
History shows that relationship acts as the strongest motivation. By building these relationships, supporting, and loving the community of Albania as Christ would, we can serve. Through showing that acts of love and help are not given in anticipation of return, we demonstrate the unconditional love of God. In friendship and community we work together, play together, eat together, and live out life together to see needs needing to be met and by responding. We support leaders in the community and display what it looks like to live in freedom without condemnation. We teach in relevant ways the examples given to us in the Word of God and meet needs where they are.
The Lord has provided an amazing location directly across from the church for the studio in 2024. In 2025 we hope to find a place allowing for more art projects for creative learning, as well as a computer lab with little library for adult programs such as business planning and career shaping that will allow an open door to walk in and work on little bits at a time. A place of community. In the same way friends meet for coffee, it will be a place to meet, talk, and live life together. Discipleship through actions of learning and playing.