I think I have experienced EVERY possible circumstance imaginable and been used in ways i never dreamed possibly, and even in ways i never desired. . . so let me recap a little.... [i will post a video summary of life here at the end of this blog as well....be sure to watch it!]
i came to Albania at the ripe young age of 25 [well barely having turned 25]. . . thinking i knew it all.... as we do at that age. . . i was here to see this nation changed and to teach them the right way..... *insert appropriate laughter from the wiser generation here* . . . little did i know it was i who would change and be challenged and taught and shaped.
i came in as a non affectionate person into a nation of huggers, kissers and hand holders and had to learn to show affection, but now its the most natural thing in the world to do, and a very real part of who i truly am.
i came in saying to God, i want to work with broken and abused woman, but PLEASE no teenagers or children. . . and YES, God has allowed me occasionaly to minister to hurting woman but more often he has used me with youth and teens and street children, and orphans. . . and i love it.
and on and on the list could go.... i realised very quickly each time that God asked me to do something that wasnt on my "list" of what i felt called to... it was because HE TRULY DOES KNOW BETTER AND KNOWS ME BETTER AND HAS MY BEST INTEREST AT HEART! this has been one of my biggest lessons here....along with trusting that when i have exhausted all i can do and all my contacts, sometimes i just need to take my hands of and watch HIM do what HE can, and HE has never disappointed.
i wish i could paint you all a rosey picture of the glory of missionary life. . . i often joke about how its all cappucinos and souvlaci's... etc but its been anything but a rose garden, in fact its been as close to hell as i can imagine, alot of the times....so much heartache and tragedy and betrayal....and frustration and lack of results or changes etc.... and loneliness.... being a single missionary is one of the most difficult things out there.... i have shed more tears than i knew possible. . . but at the same time it has been worth it....each and every moment, even the difficult ones....because i have learnt so much more not just about who i truly am....but more importantly about who HE truly is. . . and also because THEY [the locals] are worth it. . . HE ADORES THEM AND IS DESPERATE FOR THEM TO KNOW HIS LOVE. . . .
so yes its been a long journey with many twists and turns and i dont know how much longer the albanian portion of my journey is.... but i know His hand has lead and guided all the way....and i am so grateful for that.....so without anymore more of my ramblings..... here is the last 10 years in review....
