Well, I have a lovely view of Albanian mountains out the front windows of the apartment where I'm staying.
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I arrived in Tirana last Saturday to begin 2 1/2 weeks out of the Schengen in order to have days left on my 90 day tourist visa to get me to April when my long-term visa was supposed to be ready. Ironically, I got an email my second day here that my long-term visa is ready - 4 weeks early! So logistically, this trip is pointless. However, I can see God's hand in getting me away from Prague in order to rest and refresh better to start classes again at the end of the month. A few other areas that have already been a blessing:
- The 3 hour van ride from Tirana to Korce is mostly windy roads through mountains. And I tend to get carsick. Before leaving, I looked up natural remedies for motion sickness and therefore at the first hint of a headache on the ride, pulled out ginger root and sucked on it almost the entire ride. Amazingly, I felt fine upon arriving in Korce!
- Time away from the to-do list at home and spend time studying Czech
- A city small enough that I can walk everywhere. I've enjoyed the sights and exploring part way up the nearby mountain.
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| WWII memorial |
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| Orthodox cathedral in the center of the town |
- A glimpse into the Albania team's lives and enjoying their hospitality. Also, a tour of the milk processing plant started by workers here. Pray for them as you think about it - it's been a very rough couple of years for this team and because of government corruption and cultural attitudes/differences, they have faced so many obstacles along the way.
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| Albanian team meal |
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| making butter |
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| Kosti (on the left) is a native Albanian working with the same organization I am. With the team here, he started a milk processing plant to provide quality products (better than you can get here) and a consistent, fair income to the farmers he works with. Pictured with his right-hand man. |
- Space to read, worship and connect with God. I haven't had time like this since January (I know, not that long ago, but when you also don't connect with a church service in English, it feels long), but I feel like I need this time to be reminded of who I am as I seek God for areas of freedom. I confess, fear keeps me pretty anxious - of my health getting worse, of looking like an idiot (or a failure) trying to speak Czech, of not living up to what I think others expect of me... In the words of the song, I'm dwelling in what "I'm no longer a slave of fear; I am a child of God" means. It's a daily battle, but hopefully one day I will be able to recognize the freedom I've gained.
