Three and a half weeks later and we are still here in Shkodër. My team will be in this city for another two and a half weeks doing ministry before we move on to the next month of ministry. And I am not complaining whatsoever! We had been doing ATL in this city, and now we are partnering with a church here in the city. The church in Albanian is “Kisha ‘Guri I Themelit’ Shkodër,” which translates to “Evangelical Church ‘Foundation Stone (or Cornerstone)’ Shkodër.”
This church is a sweet little community of believers that have a heart for the Lord and for those around them to also know the Lord. Working with this ministry, we get to work in a variety of different ministries. We get to be apart of weekly prayer meetings, youth events, kids ministry, Sunday morning services, helping with worship, and even an outreach ministry specifically geared towards the youth of the city.
We have been working with them for just one week and in that week we have done so much and will continue to do so much more!
Wednesday afternoons there is a prayer meeting where we gather for a time of worship, a short devotional, and then we spend the rest of the time in prayer for the community and any specific prayer requests people have. It’s just a sweet time of fellowship where people can be found praying in English, Albanian, Spanish, and Portuguese!
This last Thursday was a youth event where we sang a couple of worship songs, I got to share a short version of my testimony, we played games (which got so intense I almost peed myself from laughter), and then we spent the rest of the time planning with the youth for the next two weeks of outreach we will be doing.
Me giving my testimony at the youth event with help from my lovely translator/new friend
Playing a fun game where we had to stomp out other people’s balloons, which I somehow won
Saturday morning they have kids ministry and we had an absolute blast with the kiddos. There were about 15 kids ranging from 5 to 10 years old. We started by dancing and singing some fun, upbeat Albanian worship songs. Then we transitioned into a short devotional about trust where I got to tell the story about Jesus walking on water. Then Clara and Paula led the kids in a craft where we made little paper boats. Then Matt, Travis, and Elizabeth had some games that they had prepared. It was such a sweet time. There was so much laughter. One thing that I learned was that I am not as fast as a bunch of 7-year-olds as they all kept tagging me in duck, duck, goose. But I was also reminded that kids are kids no matter where you are in the world. They are full of life and laughter and lots of hugs.
The kids making their paper boats
Me, Elizabeth, and one of the boys showing off our paper boats (he 100% took Paula’s and did not make that boat whatsoever)
A fun little obstacle course we set up with jump ropes; the fastest time was done in 14 seconds
This morning, Sunday, we had a church service and it was a really cool experience because currently there is a YWAM team from Barcelona here partnering with the church as well. We had people from all over the world (at least 10 different countries were represented) in church this morning and it was a sweet reminder of what heaven will be like.
This week, on Tuesday, we begin the outreach for the youth. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week and the next, we will have different events that we will be hosting for the youth in the community. We have events like game nights, a picnic, a scavenger hunt, and so much more! While we host those events, we will also be able to share about Jesus and what we believe while they attend the events.
These next few weeks of partnering with Cornerstone are going to be so sweet! Here are a couple of ways you can pray!
Pray for Cornerstone church as they continue to grow and reach out to their community.
Pray for the outreach that will be happening in the next couple of weeks and that youth will come to know Christ.
Pray for boldness in the youth from the church inviting their peers to these events.
Pray for our team as we partner with Cornerstone and continue to do a little bit of ATL as well.
I am excited to update you all on what God has in store these next two weeks!
