Well, I have successfully made it back into our country and have had almost a week to reflect on my time in Albania. All I can say is “wow”!  It is really hard to know where to begin communicating all of the things God taught me while I was there.  The conference went very well – thank you for praying for me.  My translator was brilliant, and did an amazing job.   It did take me a little while to get used to stopping after every complete thought; but God was good (as always) and the people loved and received His word.

That is really what impressed me the most about Albania.  Sure, there were some amazing sites and ruins, sure there was a restaurant that overlooked the city of Duress and the Adriatic Sea, sure the food was fantastic; but it was the people that impressed me the most.

Albania is a nation that has been torn apart by Communism, atheism, and a civil war just over ten year ago.  Now the country struggles to find its way in a capitalistic economy with unemployment and corruption being the norm.  Being the norm, of course, outside of the church.  The Christians in Albania were some of the most fantastic people I have ever had the privilege of meeting.

They were unlike any other group I have met.  Though we were complete strangers, they treated us like family.  I am a tactile individual, rather fond of physical touch – however, this trip was a completely new and wonderful experience for me.  In Albania, they not only greet each other with a handshake, but also with a kiss on each cheek, sandwiched in between two incredible hugs.  The depth of their social intimacy was unlike anything I have ever seen.   They are not just believers in Jesus Christ, they are a family here on earth – they treat each other with the same love and affection as they would their own flesh and blood.

I was in Albania for less than a week, yet I was able to build relationships with people that will last a lifetime.  I am very thankful for all that God did on this trip; but most of all for the privilege of building relationships with many incredible Albanian brothers and sisters in Christ.