Kotodesh, Albania.
A small village where we got to spend a whole month doing life. What a blessing it was.
Life was a slow pace in Kotodesh and we had a lot of down time. I’m convinced I’ll probably never have so much down time ever again in my life. This time definitely did not go wasted. I’d usually spend 3-4 hours every morning having my quiet time with the Lord and reading His word. That time for me was so needed and I didn’t even know it was. My teammates and I would study the Bible together and spend time in prayer daily. We’d ask questions and share with one another what the Lord was teaching us through what we were reading. I believe this down time was such a gift to us, from God. This was only one of the super sweet things about life here in Kotodesh.
We were partnered with a ministry here called Living Waters Adopt-A-Child. Wow, was it a BLESSING to get to be a part of. Living Waters is a sponsorship program for children and teens up to 18 years old. They provide them with basic necessities like food and sometimes clothes. They also provide them with programs and community that will feed them spiritually, too. The programs that Adopt-A-Child puts on, kids can attend weekly. They do a Bible study each week for both kids 12 and under and also teenagers. Another thing we did every day was play volleyball! The kids that were a part of the Adopt-A-Child program in Kotodesh could come to the church every day after school, if they wanted to and play volleyball. It was so much fun and such a sweet time to get to build relationships with the youth and our ministry hosts here.
Our main ministry here in Kotodesh was putting on VBS for the Adopt-A-Child members. This wasn’t only in Kotodesh but also in 3 other surrounding villages. During this time my team and I took turns teaching Bible studies, leading fun songs, dances and games. At the end of every VBS we would of course spend time doing traditional Albanian dances too… which we did not lead but learned from all of the kids. It was so much fun and we saw the Lord work in each VBS is so many ways. One of the most encouraging things to see was the attendance at each VBS go up each day. We went to 4 villages total and 3 of the 4 we spent a few days at. The first day of VBS always had a good turn out but the 2nd and 3rd day more and more people kept coming. In one village we had 120+ kids show up! It was so cool! There were also several parents who stayed for the VBS to listen and watch. God is moving in big ways in these small villages of Albania. I feel extremely blessed I got to see it first hand and walk alongside our hosts during this time. The people we got the pleasure of coming alongside in their ministry here were incredible and live their lives sold out to the Lord. Their faith and humility was so big and they LOVE their community so well. We never once felt like outsiders here. They welcomed us in with open arms and amazing hospitality. The language barrier was sometimes difficult but we were family and spending time with them was such a gift.
God, thank you for taking care of your people in all corners of the world. Thank you for showing me your love through the people and communities around me. You are such a big and powerful God and your army is almighty under your name. Thank you for this sweet time in Albania, where we learned the meaning of community on another level and got to see the love of a neighbor so present. Continue to bless these families. Amen.
Brianne, May Our God continue to bless you as you serve him in so many different ways!!