Back to Simplicity

While on the race, you never really know where you will end up, or how you will get there. ‘Open Hands‘ I would say is one of most used phrases. What a beautiful thing to carry on with life; it is certainly biblical. Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thy self of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” 

Prior to entering into a new country each team from our squad receives a set-up sheet for their next ministry: telling about the ministry, about the area, the safety, and various other things. After receiving my teams set up sheet for our ministry in Albania, I was honestly overjoyed. Our ministry was only half a mile from the beach which our current ministry host had said this city was “basically Greece.” Needless to say my expectations were built up.

After traveling through 4 counties on a very long bus ride, my team made it to Albania. We traveled to the capital city, Tirana, and then from their our teams dispersed. Shortly after arriving, my team found out that we would not be meeting our ministry host until the 1st of September in Vlore. For the rest of this month we are staying with the sweetest lady, Aferdita, and helping the pastor of this village host different events for the kids of the villages. 

Oh, how the Lord has brought me back to the joys in the simplicity. I did not realize how much I needed this: to be excited over running water, a flushing toilet, a sink, a bed..things we do not have here in the village. 

Also, none of these people speak English. So we never actually no what is going on until it is happening. It has been such a sweet time to see the Father’s love, once again, overcome language barriers. Aferdita’s home is simply beautiful and she has welcomed us in so intentionally. I swear this woman never sleeps. Her home is cultivated by love; it is filled with beautiful flowers along with tasty vegetables. God has given us the most beautiful space on the roof to watch the sun go down, communion, and worship Him.

I find myself falling in love with the place that I am at; Not because it is fancy or the most beautiful place, but because of the simplicity of loving God, His people, and having eyes to see His beauty through it all. 

Jesus, thank you for Your beauty that is literally visible through every living thing.

Thank you for bringing me back.

Jesus, You are everything.

Your Beloved, kel