A Beautiful Thing: Albania Reflection

My team and I have been in Albania for about 7 weeks now. And let me tell you, this country is beautiful and the people are lovely. I have had an amazing time exploring the different breath-taking cities and meeting such welcoming and sweet people. At the same time, there have also been some personal struggles, team challenges, and attacks from the enemy trying to stop our joy, our worship, and us from sharing the gospel message with others. 

This morning at church, through a translator, I got to share a passage and a brief reflection about my time here. The Lord put the story on my heart to share of the women who broke her alabaster jar of perfume and poured it out anointing Jesus. I read Mark 14:3-9 which says, “While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly. ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.’”

I love this story for many reasons. The women did not have much to give, but as Jesus says, “She did what she could.” And while the world wanted to judge her for her act of love poured out to Jesus, Jesus says, “She has done a beautiful thing to me.” This serves as a reminder to me that Jesus doesn’t expect me to give Him extravagant things, I just have to give Him what I can! I may not have a whole lot of money or belongings, a lot of time in each city, many talents, and I might not speak the same language as the people I am serving and ministering too. But I do have the gospel message to share! And all Jesus wants me to give is what I can for Him, using what He’s given me. Some days it does not feel like much, but when I give what I have to Jesus and keep serving Him regardless of how I feel, I believe He says over me, “She has done a beautiful thing to me.” The same is true for you wherever you are and with whatever you have to offer.

Despite the challenges, the Lord has been faithful to continually remind me of His goodness and that He holds the victory. As my team and I have given and served where we can, we have seen the Lord move! Some of the ways ministry has looked for us has been playing games with children and youth, packing and delivering food, chatting with the baristas in coffee shops, filming a cringey Easter skit for our church host, and so much more. But one of my favorite activities has been going on sweet house visits to sit with and listen to women who are hurting and lonely. Many of the women just wanted someone to listen to them, encourage them, and pray for them. 

The Lord is certainly on the move in Albania! I will miss this amazing country and the beautiful people here. Up next, my squad will be heading to Kosovo! We will be having team changes this week as we begin our time in Kosovo. You can be praying for the Lord to continuing working and moving in Albania, for our new teams as we adjust to serving and living with new people, and for the Lord to lead our time in Kosovo.