This summer we had the joy of sending a team of nine people to Albania for two weeks. Some of the team had been before and for others, it was their first time. Enjoy these reflections from some of the team members. 

Gary and Pam Sells

What joy it was to see some of the folks that we got acquainted with 18 years ago on the trip to Albania this summer. The church there has grown tremendously and there is no doubt that the Lord is working mightily in the camp and the church in Erseke. Gary got to renew a friendship with Tanie who Gary had met when Tanie was twelve. It was sweet fellowship!

Both of us were so moved by the authentic worship of the young people at the camp. Their joy to be together was contagious! People from all over Albania who are visually impaired came the first week of camp. A highlight for us was to be the human handrail on the staircase each night and greet those coming in and going out! I can’t tell you how delighted we were to feel the love of the Lord even though the language was not the same!

It was also a highlight to see Linda Osborne, the Stochers, and the Gundys ministry in a place that they now call home. Our trip was a chance for us to reflect upon the goodness of our Lord. We felt blessed beyond words to witness and minister with our sister church overseas.


Chester Goodale

He was a 22-year-old American-born Albanian, newly-graduated from college, who was touring the country his parents had fled from in the mid-1990s. On a Sunday afternoon in July, he and his cousin went to the town square in the small Albanian town of Erseke to sip coffee and relax. They heard people at the next table speaking English, so the young man asked, “Are you Americans?” When he learned that they were indeed Americans, his next question was, “Why are you here in Erseke? This is not a typical tourist destination!”

That was the beginning of our conversation with Antonio. He said he had studied Economics and Medieval Warfare at Fordham University, and when he learned that we were Christians who had come to Erseke to work alongside the Albanian Christians, he announced, “I am an atheist and a materialist.” He outlined some of the ways his university had taught him to disbelieve that the Bible was of divine origin. “Well,” I responded, “there really is only one question that a materialist needs to find the answer for: Did Jesus Christ really rise from the dead? If he did, then there is much more to the universe than just the material world. And if he didn’t, then your materialist views are just fine.”

Before going to Albania I sometimes wondered, “What can we possibly accomplish in just two weeks?” Now, looking back, I realize that we serve a God who is Awesome enough to bring a young man thousands of miles from his home so that he can have a conversation with a stranger. 


Meagan Bergem

It has been a privilege to serve alongside so many people who love Jesus and desire for his name to be glorified beyond all else. We worshiped together in song, studied scripture, prayed, laughed and cried. 

We experienced the unity of the global church and learned so much from one another. Albanian culture values relationship above any checklist. I learned the importance of holding each other’s stories as a gift. Especially as we reflect on what God has done, is doing and will do in the future. Two words come to mind as I reflect on how God showed up: humility and loving-kindness. I was humbled in my lack of language skills, being sick, not being able to climb a rock wall and so many other ways. Yet Jesus reminded me that we are made strong in our weaknesses, and we are on a lifelong journey to become more like him.

Going outside, taking a deep breath and seeing the beauty of nature is core to my relationship with God. Nature reflects God’s glory and it reminds me that I am very small and God is very big. Albania is one of the most beautiful places on the planet in my opinion. God met me in deep ways through spending time admiring his handiwork and being reminded that he is working in our lives intentionally. On Sunday morning before church, I had hiked to Rehova for a bit of solo time with Jesus that was much needed. (Rehova is a small village about 2 miles east & uphill from Erseke.) I sang the song “Lord I Need You” a few times on my way up the mountain as a declaration of my great need for Christ, for I labor in vain if the gospel message is not the foundation of my life. Jesus is the one who is faithful and gives life to those who were dead. He truly is doing a new thing in me.


Terry Jaurena

I have literally lost count of how many times I’ve traveled to Albania. It calls me back with dear friends, refreshing beauty, and the hope of some rich new experience or relationship. This summer’s trip was full of all of these.

I’ve heard all about the “Light of Life” camp for the sight Impaired for years. What joy to experience it and celebrate its 10th Anniversary. (Read about its history here.) More like a family camp with all ages of sight-impaired campers and their sighted helpers or family members. They did it all: canoeing, football; (a.k.a. soccer), human foosball; ropes course, gorge hike and so much more. It was sort of like a family reunion, vacation, and sweet supportive community all in 5 days. A new experience and new relationships.

Steve got the very new and unique experience of working alongside the kitchen staff. It’s not common for Albanian men to cook or to clean up, but that’s what Steve (and Helena) did for two weeks. 3 meals a day for 100+ people as well as the church’s “meals on wheels” delivery to about a dozen elderly people. Like a lot of restaurant staff, the cooking team took their meals together.

What joy to see the building that once was a cheese factory and is now the main hall used for all the worship and whole-group gatherings for the camp. The hall portion was finished just in time for the Abi Stoscher’s wedding in May, with other rooms still in process. Two years ago, our church invested $ 50,000 which helped them start the renovation process. We were in the main hall daily and Mark gave us a tour of the work in process spaces.

I continue to be amazed and impressed by the caliber and commitment of the young adults that God keeps bringing to this small little community. Many come for Bible School and stay to work at camp from Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the UK, Kosovo and of course other communities in Albania. They gather for worship and prayer before the day starts. They work hard and they represent Christ and the gospel really well. They fill me with hope that the gospel is in good hands.


Thank you for your continued support of sending serve and learn teams. It is wonderful to share stories about how we experience God and the ways that He is working in far away places.