Encouragement from Albania
A Weekend Marked by God’s Presence
After eight years, and a global pandemic that kept us apart, our church family finally came together for a long-awaited weekend retreat. It was a milestone moment — a gathering of 110 people, including children, where more than 70% had never experienced a church camp before. God’s faithfulness was on full display.
The theme of our time together centered around the apostle Paul’s teachings on living out the Christian life. Through worship, prayer, games, one-on-one conversations, and the preaching of God’s Word, hearts were stirred, lives were touched, and a deeper sense of unity was built among us.
We worshiped together, lifting high the Name of Jesus. We prayed together, interceding for one another with sincere hearts. We played and laughed, creating bonds that strengthened our community. And most importantly, we opened our Bibles and listened to the Spirit of God teaching us how to walk worthy of the calling we have received.
One of the most moving testimonies came from Ana Maria, a young girl who became a Christian earlier this year. After the retreat, she shared these powerful words:
“I realized something: living in this cruel world is very hard, but one thing is sure, God’s love for each of us never ends. He is our peace in the midst of the storm, He is the ground where we build our house. God leaves the 99 to find the one that is lost, and that one could be you or me. Love and seek God with all your heart because He is there waiting for you. Pray, seek, and you will receive what God has for you. Glory be to God! He is the Boss!”
Ana Maria’s testimony captures the heart of the gospel — the relentless love of our Savior, the peace He offers in a broken world, and the call to seek Him with all we are.
This weekend was more than just a retreat; it was a declaration of God’s ongoing work among us. Though the world around us grows darker, His light shines ever brighter. Though trials test our faith, His promises anchor us.
We return home renewed and reminded that Christ is our foundation and our hope. As Ana Maria said so simply yet so profoundly, “He is the boss.”
May we continue to build our lives on Him, seek Him with all our hearts, and never forget that His love never ends.
To God alone be the glory!