17 July 2024| Tirana, Albania [Sarah Henke]
Welcoming volunteers has always been a part of the Albanian Mission’s history. The tradition continues this year with the arrival of seven volunteers serving in churches and areas countrywide. Playing crucial roles in children’s activities, communication projects and local community initiatives, four of the seven volunteers are in Albania from Brazil through the One Year in Mission and Service (OYIMS) project. The groups sent by the South Paraná Conference (SPC), is part of a global youth initiative aimed at sending teams of young people around the world to volunteer. For the SPC this the first time they have sent volunteers abroad.
Pastor Jairo Souza, SPC Youth director and OYIMS coordinator explains that sending young Brazilians overseas is an act of gratitude, as the Adventist Church in Brazil has historically received much support from missionaries. “We are very grateful for what they did for us, and we feel the need to follow their example by helping other regions of the world.” He also noted that this year marks 150 years since John Nevins Andrews was sent to Europe, making it especially meaningful to send volunteers to a European country within the 10/40 window, where there are many challenges for preaching and sharing the gospel.
Valentina Weck, one of the volunteers, shared that going on mission service overseas is a dream come true, “I am sure that it was God who placed Albania in my heart. Today I see that I couldn’t be anywhere else this year.” Among the other volunteers, one works for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Albania as an English teacher at the Adventist Kindergarten in Tirana. The others are involved in the General Conference ‘Youth Alive’ project in the city of Korçë, working with teenagers and young adults, and also helping with the communication department and other local church needs.
A Transformative Mission
Prior to this year’s OYIMS project during the autumn of 2023, a team of volunteers journeyed across the ocean from Brazil to Albania, bringing their dedication, skills, and financial support to carry out transformative work. This group of 35 employees from the SPC arrived with a clear mission: the complete renovation of the church in Durrës. The mission undertaken by this group exemplified the significant impact of international colaboration. With tools in hand and hearts full of goodwill, they dedicated their time and efforts to renovating the church, making it a more welcoming and functional space for the local community.
The volunteers’ presence had a positive and lasting effect on both the church and the Community in Durrës. The renovation improved the infrastructure and revitalized the congregation’s spirit, creating a renewed and motivating environment. Marko Frashëri pastor of the Durrës congregation explained with a grateful heart, “The arrival of the group was a great blessing for the Durrës church. The innovation brought by the Brazilian group made the church look amazing and provided inspiration and hope for the members”. Delmar Reis, president of the Albanian Mission, further added, “These volunteers bring motivation and a desire to serve wherever they are needed. It is the exchange of experiences between volunteers and locals that makes this opportunity transformative.”
Volunteer work, both local and international, in partnership with local members, is crucial for a thriving Albanian Mission. The stories of the seven current volunteers, the 35 who served last year, and many others before them highlight the positive impact achieved when people unite in the spirit of service and solidarity for Christ and His kingdom.
Photos: ALM Photo stock. Featured image: A busy picture with volunteers working on the complete renovation of the church in Durrës.
