Albania Nov 2026

We are going back to Albania ❤️🙏❤️

Flights are booked for leaving this Tuesday. We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and continued support. 

We are so grateful to be able to go back and serve again on the team helping at the local school to repair the grounds and sports field as well as evangelism and supporting the local families that are new to walking with Christ.  What a blessing ❤️🙏❤️

We pray God goes before us to prepare the way for those we meet and help preparing our hearts for His work as well as our obedience in truly following His purpose for us.  We pray God blesses you all ten fold for your love, kindness, support and prayers you have prayed into us as a family and the journey so far.

All our love ❤️🙏❤️

Day 1 - We had a wonderful day serving at the local school by continuing with the fencing project that the team had already started on Monday. 

The plan is to install a chain link fence around two football/basketball courts which will be 4m tall.

It was a busy day working until the sun set brought the day to an end and ready for us to start again at 8am tomorrow.

It was also a great opportunity to talk with the local kids during their breaks. They are so friendly and want to practice their English. This has also opened for the first time a connection with the church and the school - (from small acorns grow might oaks) - so it will be interesting to see how this connection develops in the future. Phrase God for this ❤️🙏❤️

Then it was back to the house for food, catch up with the team, relax and now off to bed.

Day 2 - Today was up early and back off to the school for…… yes, you guessed it….. more fencing.

The first court is done and we only have one run left to put up tomorrow, along with all the wrapping of the other top layers. So we will be back in again tomorrow to finish the job.

It was wonderful to hear today that the principle and leaders of the school have invited the team to speak about the project as to why they have done it. It is really not something they are used to here (any form of serving) as it was part of their life when it was a communist country. So now they don’t have to, they don’t and not many outsiders come to help so this has been huge in breaking barriers and opening doors for the furtive. To be invited to speak to the whole school is an honour and we are so proud of the team for this. Phrase God ❤️🙏❤️

Day 3 - 8am start on site to finish the fencing construction again for today.  What an epic project, that is incredibly rewarding.  The children at the school are so appreciative, running over to chat and practice their English as well as expressing gratitude for us just being here to help them. 

The team have worked so hard and are all truly exhausted, but everyone came together today for one big push to get the fencing on the second court finished, together with painting the school building previously this has been a huge task which will leave such a blessing for the children and also such a powerful example of Gods hand in their lives.

At lunchtime the principle of the school surprised the team with a prepared lunch in the school, each teacher had made a traditional dish to bring in for us all to share. They thanked everyone again for the efforts and it was so nice to try so many local treats and have an array of choices. Such a feast that we all struggled to continue but we did.  5pm came and went and the team was still going, head torches to get the last of the fencing up. But it’s complete a day ahead of schedule, which is wonderful.  

Back for dinner and a well earned rest  

Day 4 - Was a rest day for the team. We had an explore around town. Took the boys to a mini play park for bit of fun for them and time for us to pray and discuss all things life  ❤️🙏❤️. We got them icecream, lunch and then back to the house so they could finish their daily diaries and we all chilled for the evening.

Day 5 - Church service today, with a beautiful message of being under Gods grace and living by the spirit not by the laws: 2 Corinthians 3:6 Galatians 3:10 and John 3:6.  After service Jill and Cottie spoke about the school project.  

We then headed to play pool and table tennis for a bit, before heading to the shops to purchase food, then back to the house to prepare dinner for the team as we offered for dinner duty. Homemade veggie Lasagne, chips and salad.  Shared with the Albanian youth also. 😍🫶😊

The night was finished with games and then a movie for the whole team on a projector.

Day 6 - Such wonderful work the team have done and continue to do. We are blessed to have been a small part.

Such a blessed day - the theme today was giving back. Doing something for someone else!   We know from Jill that pastor Doug and the church would have loved more art work up so we decide to create a 3 piece canvass of a scene over Albania in abstract block colours to match in to the room colours and style - with a feature tree to which everyone could contribute with fingerprinting the top.  So after morning worship we headed to the shops to buy canvass and supplies then to the church where we spent the day.  We headed back for diner and then in the evening everyone met at the church to add the tree topper and also complete the sewing flags.

As a sideline we also took some time out today to take photos of the street dogs with the theme ‘all creation testifies’ these souls too matter.  We fed them and gave them cuddles whilst many looked on, some in disgust, others curious and one kind old gentleman even came back with some food for them also. Actions create change, sometimes no words are needed ❤️ we have been giving change to an old lady who begs on the streets daily and today we prayed for her after a really lovely encounter.  It’s heartbreaking to see the elders sitting begging.  We also had a very young boy, who was dirty beg for money, first time seeing this here but we helped him and he ran off with a smile on his dirty face bless him.  All glory to God, the father who will protect, provide and save by Grace ❤️🙏❤️

Day 7 - Wow what a day! We were woken early hours with the most epic thunderstorm with cracking lightening and gallons of rain which flooded the garage to the house and driveway.  The boys loved watching it though so that’s a plus! We all gathered for morning devotional and Bible study. Following that we headed back to the church to complete the artwork and sew all the flags together on the line ready. The afternoon was meant to be a group outing but due to the epic weather Jill and Scott’s road flooded and they couldn’t get the van out and we’re stuck at home with no electric bless them.  So Instead we had some prayer time and were able to prepare for the afternoon/evening ahead…………

...... which was to go with a translator to have dinner at a local families home.  We gathered some gifts and got ready for collection.   We were driven 25mins to a family, husband, wife and 7 year old son, where they welcomed us with homemade grape juice, and Turkish Delight.  After some translated conversation, getting to know each other by sharing our journeys with  the lord and life they presented dinner of rice in a vegetable broth, okra veg and bread.  After the children all played chess (Albanian style) which actually ended up with everyone enthralled too. With time together to sharing areas needed for prayers and then praying together before heading back.  Whilst we were at the house we had the return of the epic storm so the drive home was crazy, hailstones and rain with lightning all around, pastor driving so fast I was praying in the back with the boys.  But we made it back and now watching a film together before bed

Such a blessed evening ❤️🙏❤️ the couple were incredibly warm, welcoming and true hearts for the Lord ❤️🙏❤️

Day 8 - Still heavy rain today but no storm so that’s a plus side.   Up for Bible study, worship and devotional.   Today was covering highs of the week and also preparing the team’s spirits for going home. Trying to see how their new normal can be entwined with their old normal. They spoke of fears / challenges and how they didn’t want to slip back into old habits but to stay strong with the Lord without the bubble of YWAM.  We injected insights of our journey and how once you walk with God he changes you and that they should know us by our fruits, so rather than fearing going home and trying to fit back in, use your story / journey in how God has shaped you to actually stand out. To love those you maybe dreading seeing again, and rather than praying for change, be the change you want to see and walk strong everyday with Christ.   It was a really wonderful time together and we offer to chat again with anyone if they felt it would help.

After the devotional we all met at the school again as they had prepared some food and a ceremony with the teachers to thank us again for all the help and share the impact made to them and the children/parents.  Everyone shared words. (Some I recorded and have attached, gutted I missed the head teachers one) we ate and chatted with them cementing relationships.  Scott even got to share scripture, Gods word in the school! A beautiful moment that felt very embracing…. Isn’t God good ❤️🙏❤️ all the time 😊

At 2pm the team headed to the trampoline park for an hour of fun before heading back for dinner and men’s Bible study at the church.

Whilst the men were at Bible study. I met with Jill for a debrief of our visit, and a chat about what lies ahead and how their experience could help us moving forward, like how we navigate funds and fundraising (it’s been a tight trip) as I am not good in this area at all and will have to become good as missionary is something we are stepping into.

Whilst we chatted the boys played games with the Albanian girls and the team girls, which is so lovely to see those relationships bloom and all the boys grow in confidence.

Really sad that we are coming to the end of our second blessed visit to Albania. But also so grateful for what we have experienced and for what lays ahead, even though it is unknown to us and completely in Gods hands we know it is going to be incredible and all will be ok because we walk with Him ❤️🙏❤️.

Day 9 - After morning devotional where I shared the tribe words with the team which Kerri shared with the contenders this morning as it was so apt for those here. 🙏❤️🙏 we spoke on judgement, roles (graces) and the next steps for them as they are preparing to leave next week and return back to reality out of the YWAM 5 months bubble.

Following the devotional we headed to the church to put up the paintings and flags.  Then Dee recorded our next podcast interviewing Jill whilst I took the boys to feed/cuddle the street dogs 😍 then we headed back and set up the church for the evening as we were having a games night / party for it being our last evening with the team and them wrapping up the programme

We then headed back to the house and Adrian would be proud as I made English scones for everyone as a treat for the party.   They got pizza and ice cream and we put some snacks out as we welcomed so many faces we have met over the last several weeks of visiting here.  We mingled and played games as well as having some serious time/conversations with some peeps here that asked for advice.

We were blessed with Pastor Dag praying over Dees health and anointing oil over his joints to remove the pain and so much more in that special time together. 

On the way home we fed every dog in the high street (it felt like it 😂) and gave some who asked for cuddles affection 🐶😊.  Back to the house to pack and prepare for our last morning here which is already a packed  schedule.  Time for sleep!

God bless you all and I pray peace and joy over you all ❤️🙏❤️

Last day - Up this morning super early to all have showers, pack and strip the beds, put a wash on and sort the boys.   During devotional a couple of days ago we shared about some of our life experiences and after a wonderful conversation with the youth we offered up if any of them wanted a chat again in groups or 121 we would be happy to before leaving.  Well last minute indeed but today we did just that.  I had a brekkie tea date with one of the YWAM girls.  We headed back after for a wrap up meeting and prayers, which was incredibly humbling as everyone shared what an impact we have had on them all. How they have loved having us and would welcome us back anytime, plus all of the youth wanting to stay in touch.  following this I then headed off for cake and chat with another of the youth. I have to say both conversations were a joy to have.

Whilst I was on these two dates ollie and Jake got to go with some of the youth /Jill and Scott on a climbing adventure up a rig line they had installed earlier. Dee hung back with Tobie at the house and as soon as I was back he headed out with two of the YWAM fellas for lunch and chat date to help them.   We now fully know the reason for God leading us back here a second time.  Today’s conversations and relationships were special and I know will have an impact to help them with their walk with Christ.  I finished packing with Tobie, headed into town as we had to feed and cuddle as many dogs as we could before leaving 🤪🐶 and then everyone returned. We said our goodbyes, gave hugs and gifted Abi some treats for his family and an envelope with the collated donations.  He said he would open it later but gave us huge hugs and blessings.   But we are the blessed ones! We then headed to the airport (where the boys took full advantage of the massage chairs with their last bit of change 😂 before boarding.  

Again we cannot say it enough.  Thank you so very much for all your support, love and prayers. Forever grateful and very blessed ❤️🙏❤️