Tirana!

Catch up time!  From the minute I arrived in Tirana till the minute I left, it was nonstop!  I so wish I had had time to blog while I was there as it was so fascinating.  The culture is more southern mixed with Arabic.  The ways this was evident was in the weather, the mentality, and way of life.  It was funny because even the Ukrainians commented that it was dirty. :). Many streets were paved, but some were not.  Rules are more like suggestions, and you can't really take people's word on things.  It's not that they're being dishonest or deceptive; they just don't always follow through or have the same priorities or concept of time.  That can get interesting when you're running a conference!  Wi-fi was so spotty, which made communication and tasks difficult.

The first half of the trip was our tri-annual continental conference.  It was such a joy to be together.  Each nation shared their challenges and successes, and we spent time praying together for each.  This was so encouraging so see all that is happening through each nation's ministries, but also an opportunity to fellowship.  Each meal became a meeting, which made for long, draining days; and I so believe that the prayers of others carried me through!

This last meal was a non-meeting!  You may remember Valerii (from Ukraine!) to my right.
Also with some from Team Finland, Switzerland, and a guest from Colombia.

Immediately after the conference, we held a training for a new tool.  This was a smaller group, and it was nice to be able to participate and learn how to share with those who have grown up in a religion very different from ours.  Each afternoon, we had our outreaches; and we met some very interesting people!  Some were more open than others.  Come to find out, Albania is very open and pride themselves that they have churches alongside mosques and all get along.

Perhaps the tolerance comes from their historical background.  This iconic statute of Albanian hero Skander Bei is a former prince who was Christian, converted to a Muslim, then re-converted to a Christian!

One young man who my partner and I shared with said that if this were true--Jesus actually raising someone (Lazarus) from the dead--then he would give his life to him.  We were able to share more and prayed for him after he left that He will encounter this same power that is true.  While Jesus Himself said that those who believe without seeing are blessed, He also performed so many signs and miracles which were the means for those to believe.  

Please do pray for the many we had conversations with as seeds were planted.  Please pray for the church in Tirana to be committed and strengthened.  Also, since this is the location of the next Congress of Nations and another meeting next year, many on the team will return and be able to follow up with some of those we have met.

Much smaller group for the Come & See training. We're celebrating
that we completed the training in 3.5 days!