Quick note...

Today a couple of my students did the most precious things. Firstly, Marinela and Vesjana are 13 year old new students that started last week. I call them my giggly girls because they are seriously the most gifted laughers I've ever heard. Anyways...we are just getting through the Garden story and the lesson concludes with how God will defeat Satan someday with the goodness and suffering of one man. So I asked them, "hmmm...who could this man be that died for all of us and showed a beautiful life of love?" They just stared at me (and giggled of course, those cuties). So I asked them if they have ever heard of Jesus, and the continued blank stares. We talked a bit about him, and how I really hoped they stayed with the course to hear how He shows God by the way He lived. This little event just amazed me though. Usually my students have at least seen a movie (that doesn't really show the essence of Christ, but at least it's a start) or heard about some weird manger story. But these girls really had no clue. In a way I see this as a gift to disregard  all the connotation and opinions of Him and see Him with fresh eyes...but it always makes me stop when I meet folks that truly haven't heard.

After these girls I meet with Albana. She is a bit older than me, and really insightful. I love talking with her because we go past the stories and games that I have with the kids (although those are a blast too). She really gets the application and depth of meaning behind what we read. Today we were able to put the WEI materials aside for a bit and read some of Romans 12, because it applied with our conversation on worship. I love when we just hold and enjoy the bible together. She was even more precious than usual today. After we read she couldn't stop sifting through the pages, glancing over what this New Testament is all about. I asked if she could sense truth in these words, and she nodded in wonderment. With her Muslim background, she hasn't been exposed to a lot of Jesus other than him as one of the many prophets (obviously), but it seems she is really starting to embrace what His followers stand for. It's beautiful to watch...

IT'S THE LAST WEEK!!!

I can't believe the last week is upon me! We have been extremely busy as we finish up our part of the teaching campaign with our students. Danah and I have been hosting a lot of friends, and it's been a great time of communion. I'm praying that I can spend each moment intentionally as we finish out. I also pray that impressions of our Servant King will be lasting, and that the church here in Korce will grow in number and also in vibrancy as time goes on. This is no easy place to live with purpose and love. It's all so foreign here. I have this deep respect for the folks that are willing to be Christians in Albania, and take hold of something with sincerity because it comes with pretty quick persecution (I have so much to learn from them).

I have gathered so much from this trip. A letter will be coming to everyone with more specifics on what I've gained as far as work in the future. I want you all to know that the trip doesn't end as I go home, and that so many Albanians and myself are encouraged and excited to continue living out lives of purpose. In short, for those of you who wonder about my long term "mission work" in the future, I am in waiting about locations and details. There is an organization called WEC I'm interested in working with internationally, the thoughts of India still come up through a social work master's program, and God has given me so many friends my age with similar mindsets that I could see myself striving to live intentionally as followers/relevant nonconformists/ Christians with them in the States. I am still really fascinated by Muslim culture, and Albania has only scratched the surface. The war-torn communist history of the land also adds new elements of working internationally that beckon me to stay. God and I will be talking about it, and for now I'm ridiculously excited to serve with some amazing women in Newberg, OR as I finish up school this year.

This has been the most humbling trip for me. I have seen hospitality beyond compare, and the face of Jesus where I least expect it sometimes (like in our 97 year old neighbor that Danah and I met last night. He has been a christian for years and had many connections with WEI workers. Who knew?). I find myself in a constant spiritual battle between the pharisee and tax collector of Luke 18. Serving humbly with true love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control it so outside of my (of our) nature. In my flesh truly dwells no good thing. This trip has brought me back to my knees and I am so thankful. Also, I am forever indebted to the following poets and writers: Rainer Maria Rilke, Mary Oliver, Anne Lamott, and Shane Claiborne. They have spoken so much to me through this trip, and I encourage you to read anything you can get your hands on by these folks. In closing, a poem...because poems are always good closings! This one is borderline cheesy...but I love Mary Oliver. I can't help it.

WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness,
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come into the world to do this,
to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”

- MARY OLIVER -

New folks and quotes...

I have really been enjoying my time with my students these days!!! Bruna, Eva, Artemis, Malvina, and Ines are probably the Albanians I am closest to, all beautiful girls with fantastic searching hearts. For Albania and many of my students I pray for the end of indifference towards religion, and a desire to create real change in themselves and the country. Muslims and Christians live in peace...but mostly because there isn't a driving passion behind either. There is so much worth in the Way when it is unmasked for what it really is. The aftermath of communism still sits on the streets, and I hope folks remember this so Jesus' new way of living as relevant nonconformists is still powerful.

Also, I ask that you are in prayer for the gypsy community here in Albania. They are tossed aside from society and have yet to find a home (but if we really are the church of "the least of these" they must find one with us). I met a bunch of these adorable beautifully dark skinned kiddos outside the Orthodox church where they were swimming practically naked in the fountains. They are ridiculously precious, always begging because many of their parent's don't have work (some by choice, most not). They have become some of my most precious friends. My friend Bruna (a 16 year old who has been coming to church here and learning English with WEI) helped translate games for the kids and I, and we also discovered bubbles at the market place. I can't wait to blow bubbles with them. These are the ways to break societal walls: with bubbles, potlucks, a reclaiming of humanity through friendship, and His love (and a few more complexities, I am aware). As someone interested in international social work, I cannot wait for the day when I will be able to invest a long term connection with these beauties. I cannot always give them money for fear they will attribute it all to me, the rich American. I try instead to give food and bubbles when I have it, but always a surpassing love and hope. I pray they gather this.

On a lighter note, QUOTES OF THE WEEK from my teaching time:
Me: "Malvina, how are you able to trust that God is real?"
Malvina: "Because He helps me, Lizz. Don't you see? I need help, so much help. I talk to Him about this and He always brings help to me. He is The Helper."

Me: "Ines, what do you think the world would like without sin?"
Ines: "That's heaven!"
Me: "Do you think we can be apart of bringing some of that heaven to this dead earth?"
Ines:"Yes. With love. It is always about love."

Me:" What do picture in the Garden of Eden?"
Ines: "Lizz, Do you like butterflies and bunnies?"
Me: "Of course!"
Ines: "Eden was full of butterflies and bunnies!!!!!"

And there we have it: butterflies, bunnies, and breaking down societal walls. This is the Albania I dream about.