One adventure to the next...

The week in the Republika e Kosovës (Kosovo) was truly amazing. I still have traces of the blue paint we used on my fingernails. Yes, I have washed my hands since (many times, actually, just to try to get the paint off), but I have come to find these remnants as a reminder of the place we left behind, a reminder to continue to pray for the work that God is doing there.  Throughout the week, we were able to form relationships and minister to the people of Kaçanik, the village that the school was in.  We were able to completely repaint the inside of the school, which was an amazing feat in itself, but that’s not all we were there to do.  I think the biggest influence we had was on the translators assigned to each of our crews.  Only one of the five or so translators was a believer.  The rest are each Muslims.  I know some of them were moreso Muslim by heritage than by actual faith.  This was an encouragement as we asked them questions of their own faith that they were unable to answer.  Hopefully as a result of seeing Christ in us, they will begin to seek the truth found in Christ.

It was humbling to see the many memorials to those who died and the rubble left from the recent war in the area.  In the school alone, there were pictures of three children who were killed in a bombing on their village.  The destruction is a reminder, to me, of the evil in this world that can only be overcome by the love of Christ spread by us as believers to the lost.  We were able to see one man come to salvation after reading the gospel of John.  Pray for Kosovar that he may be a light for Christ to shine in that village that others may be saved!

I think what was most encouraging for me was the crew that I was able to work with. God truly placed us each together.  That’s all there is to it. It was an amazing time of fellowship and worship working with each of the incredible people on my crew.  We were called “the wedding singers” and we lived up to our name by filling that school with the praises of God while we worked!

I am now en route to Africa. I can’t believe it’s really here. Leaving was bitter sweet and many tears were shed (I started it), but I think I’m okay now.  In leaving, I really realize just how blessed I am to have the amazing family and friends that I have.  Thank you to everyone who came to my going away party and for those who made me cards and things.  It all really means a lot.

I met a guy named Josh who will be in South Africa for the semester. We both flew out of Memphis, but we didn’t actually meet each other until we got to Atlanta. I am now in a hotel room in the D.C. area until I leave for my flight to Ethiopia in the morning. 15 hours and 15 minutes. It will be a new record for longest flight for me.  Still, I am looking forward to finally getting to Africa and being back with the people and the place that I loved so much last summer.  

While I am in Tanzania, I most likely won’t be able to update my blog. I will be there for 2 weeks (until the 14th  or so) so this may be my last update for a while.  I should have a chance to email my parents to let them know that I made it safely, so that is good.

Continue to pray for safety as I resume traveling tomorrow morning and get in to Tanzania sometime Saturday.  Please pray for me for the next 2 weeks as all 37 of the Hands On participants are training for the semester, that we might be prepared for the work God has prepared for us.

I’ll end this post the way I ended my journal entry coming back from Kosovo: I am amazed at how God is choosing to use me.  3 countries in 3 months. And that’s just the beginning...