I love that relationships are highly valued here
Originally, I came to Albania with the intention of starting a youth group in a particular church over three months time. My plan was to raise up two of the youth to lead after I left. In reality, this plan never even really got off the ground. Interest was little, and I am still not sure exactly why everything happened the way it did, other than God had a different plan than all of us. So, after three months of trudging and trying (all in our own power) the youth group idea was given up, and I began to seek God's face about how to continue.
In the end, I felt God leading me to get involved in a church that is a little closer to where I live here in Albania, and so I made that very difficult move in July or August of 2011. Even though the move was a separation from the people I have always worked with here in Albania, I knew from the beginning God's hand was all over it. This new church quickly became like family to me, and I began to get plugged in there, playing the drums and doing media/graphic/video design for them. Here is some of the work I have done for the church so far:
A bookmark for all the ladies on Valentine's day. 1 Corinthians 13
Above is an invitation to an outreach. The church hosted couples to see the movie "Fireproof", complete with Albanian subtitles.
March 8th is Woman's Day in Albania. We will celebrate the ladies in our church on March 9th. Above is the invitation.
My roommate Kerri Nixon, boldly leads the youth and young adults group in the church, instilling a fire for God and firm foundations of discipleship in their lives. Above is the youth/young adult schedule of events for February and March.
Another venture I have taken on is teaching. When school began this fall I began teaching English in a Preschool here in town. It was a challenge for me, because I have no training at all as a teacher, and most of the kids knew no English at all. After a few weeks of teaching English, I was offered a volunteer position doing the same thing at another Preschool in town. So, I quickly got over my fears and learned how to teach! It has been a fun experience, working with the children of both of these schools. I find many of them to be very very bright for their age.
Home of Hope Preschool
Church of the Resurrection Preschool
At this point in time I am only teaching English at Home of Hope preschool. The Church of the Resurrection preschool has gone through a staff change and I am awaiting the opportunity to discuss with the new teacher how we may continue with English classes.
Now as my first year comes to close, I can honestly look around and see what God is doing. There are many opportunities, right at the fingertips of those who are called to work for Him here. I am currently praying over three situations, one of which will involve working with street children inside a program that the church is looking to start, one will involve teaching English to some university students and one will involve teaching disabled or underprivileged children within a church in the Roma gypsy community. My hope with all these ventures is that God will be glorified in Elbasan, whether that is because the children have been shown a Love they haven't known before, or if it is because a student starts coming to church because of the relationship they made with their English teacher. Pray for a great awakening in Elbasan. Pray that the first generation Christians can be equipped with the knowledge and understanding it takes to raise strong families.
Pray for our street boys along with some of our underprivileged young boys
Clement and Fiona Hunte are pastors in the Roma gypsy community here in Elbasan, Albania.
Living in Albania is wonderful to me, because it is what God has called me to do. It is a very different, very difficult lifestyle full of hard work. That being said, I have never found a place where I feel more at home. God's grace is sufficient for every situation, and I believe He equips us to do the work He gives us to do.
I think the question I have been asked most frequently by family and friends is, "When are you coming home??". I will answer that as honestly as I can right now. I do not know. God has called me here for such a time as this, and when He sees fit, I am sure He will provide the time off and whatever else is needed for me to make a visit home. Until then, know that I do love you all and your support over the past 12 months has meant a lot to me. Working together, I am sure we can keep bringing Jesus to Elbasan.
As for YOU, if you want to come visit, feel free! I am open to having visitors of all types. If you want to come take a European vacation and see where I live and what I am doing, that is awesome. If you want to send your youth on a missions trip and shake their world up a little bit, I am open to that as well. Just contact me for all the details. In 2011 I was blessed to have two visitors:
Lindita (above) is an Albanian who has emigrated to the States. She came to spend a week at the beach with us in the city of Vlorë and then went on to visit her family in the city of Korçë.
Amy (above) came to visit and spend a week in Vlorë with us. After that she spent a week in Elbasan seeing the work that goes on at the Church of the Resurrection and spending time with me at my house.
Spring and summer are a great time to plan trips like this. Here are a few photos of my house in Albania:
I share a one bedroom apartment (with my roomie, Kerri) in the bottom floor of a private house
Thank God for western bathrooms! Most places in Albania will have them now.
Our living room, although it doesn't look like this anymore since we painted!
The bottom line is, you KNOW you want to come visit me!!! Even if you don't, you can always show your support through prayer and finance. I am blessed to have numerous people praying for me and this call of God. Although life has been tough in many areas at times, I will testify to His perfect plan and His faithfulness by saying that I have not had one day where I went without basic necessities.
Through the ups and downs, this has been a radical journey over the past year. I have struggled to adapt, but clung to Him. When all else fails, I can rely on this: I am still the Julie HE created me to be. No one else had a say in it, and He made me who I am for a reason. For those of you back home, I am still the same old me, just with some upgrades in my walk with God. Here I am over the past year:
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