Adventures in Albania
Funke Ayodele went on her first mission trip last month, and much to her surprise discovered it wasn’t what she expected – it was much better! She shares what happened in Tirana and beyond.
Before this year I’d always considered mission as being just for the gifted, called and favoured ones. And I certainly didn’t feel like any of those!
Decision time
Being a part of the church’s School of Supernatural Life* has changed all that. This year, it’s been sending out three teams on overseas mission. The praise reports I’d heard from the first team who’d come back from North Macedonia challenged my false perceptions about mission work. I felt a tug in my heart to explore further, while at the same time hanging on to my preconceptions about mission. But God was several steps ahead of me! One of the upcoming trips was to Albania to work with 180 Grade Church in Tirana, which New Life Church has supported and built a strong relationship with over the past few years. It’s led by Edi and Artina Morava. And I already knew Artina. She had been my small group coach on SSL the previous year. It was a no brainer! My stubborn misconceptions started to melt away. I knew now that I had to be all in for this mission, and prepare my heart in prayer for whatever was ahead of me.
Up and away
When departure day arrived, I quickly realised that mission is not just about what happens in the field, but it’s also about a journey shared with others. Russell, Pauline, Joan and I definitely spoke more to each other in the half-an-hour drive to the airport than all the years we’ve attended church together. It was beautiful… and then I started to get really excited.
Time in Tirana
Right from our first session on our first day in Tirana, an orientation time on the nation and people of Albania, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe for God, and a whole new appreciation of how he calls people from every tribe, tongue and race into his kingdom. Surely, ‘The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it’ (Psalm 24:1). We met Germaine, a missionary from Cameroon, at the orientation and she made a big impression on me. I was so inspired by her story; how she’d followed God’s call to go and serve him in Albania, even though she had no previous ties with the country. She had persevered in faith for a year before getting the connections to make her vision a reality. She was starting up an English class, and later that day we would help with recruitment on the streets. Sharon would receive an impression regarding the demographic to which we should give out leaflets. Soon after, Dave would get the first recruit, a lady who was out walking with her twin daughters.
Following the orientation session, we headed out to prayer walk the streets and squares of Tirana, taking in the sights and using every state building and monument as a point of contact for intercession. At one point, a souvenir hawker arrived in our midst by bike, having judged by our numbers that he could make a big sale. He ended up getting more than he bargained for, as we all ‘pounced’ on him prayerfully, in obedience to a nudge Sharon had received that we should pray a blessing of increase on his business and prophesy breakthrough in his life. Olsa, our Albanian SSL mission team member, helped us interpret, and though he spoke very few words, the visible change in the man’s countenance was priceless!
Events in Elbasan
The next day we spent time in Elbasan, an hour’s bus ride from Tirana, at Free in Christ Church, which Olsa and her husband Ilir lead. Sharon, Dave, Pauline and Joan shared their testimonies on how they came to faith, and Russell and EJ’s re-enactment of the David and Goliath story for the children was a real highlight. We then prayed for many church members for healing and comfort. One of the highlights came when Russell prayed and prophesied over one 16-year-old and could see the joy it put in his heart for him to hear from God. Russell spoke to him about the Holy Spirit and prayed that he would receive the gift of speaking in tongues. As soon as Russell had finished praying the young man began to speak in tongues.
Pray for the youth of Albania
EJ and Russell spent time with the church youth group in Tirana where they spoke and shared with them about worry and anxiety, praying with them over their fears about the lack of work opportunities in Albania. Many young people feel they have to leave their home nation to increase their job prospects. One big prayer request out of this is that you join me in praying that God will give purpose and direction to the lives of young Albanians that enrich and build up their own nation.
Germaine debuted another outreach initiative that evening, an Afrobeat dance club, which got us all moving and attracted even more interest, not just from us handing out flyers beforehand, but from the joyful vibes seeping out through the door.
Goodbye all too soon
By the last day, as a team, we had become a well-oiled mission machine, and that the bonds we had formed with Germaine as well as with Edi, Artina, Olsa and their families were very special. My first mission trip has definitely ignited a hunger in me for more. It’s also made me realise how integral mission is to our everyday walk with the Lord, and how very practical it can be. Above all, my life is richer for the experience and fuller for the relationships – the new ones forged and existing ones deepened.
* Please note that the School of Supernatural Life is changing its name to the School of Missional Life. The commitment to releasing students into Spirit-filled discipleship remains the same.