First Impressions: Travel & Arriving in Albania – Mark Bennett
After a long journey, many of us have now arrived safely, with more friends and missionaries coming in tomorrow. It has already been such a gift to meet brothers and sisters in Christ from across the world, Turkey, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, The Netherlands, the United States, Holland, and Albania. The global nature of the family of God is on full display here, and it is encouraging to see how the Lord brings people from different nations together for a shared mission.
Our bodies are still adjusting to the time change. We managed to stay in bed until 6:00 a.m., though in truth we were awake by 3:00 a.m. and watching the city slowly come alive outside our window. It will take a few more days before our rhythm matches the Albanian clock, but we are hopeful tomorrow will feel more natural.
To make the most of our first day, we explored the coastal city of Durrës. We dipped our feet into the Adriatic Sea, walked through the several main sights of the city, and discovered pieces of history both beautiful and sobering. We saw remnants of bunkers from Albania’s communist past, and we toured the home of King Zog. Though much of the marble from its walls has sadly been stolen over the years, it was still well worth the 3€ entry fee to step into a place with so many layers of history.
No day of exploration is complete without food, and we were blessed with what our taxi driver called “true Albanian home kitchen” cooking. The meal was simple yet bursting with flavor—one of those experiences where you know you’re tasting something made with care. Later in the afternoon, after so much walking and new sights, we found ourselves falling asleep in beach chairs outside the hotel, lulled by the warm sun and the sound of the waves.
Tomorrow the conference begins, and with it the true purpose of our journey. We are eager to see what God will do as His people gather to worship, pray, and learn together. Our prayer is that we adjust quickly to local rhythms, both physically and spiritually, so that we may serve well and be attentive to all that the Lord has in store.
Reflection on the Day
Being here reminds us that the kingdom of God is far bigger than the places we know or the people we usually see. In Albania, among friends from every corner of the globe, we catch a glimpse of that eternal picture of the church gathered in worship. It’s a humbling reminder that even in our tiredness and cultural adjustments, God is already at work, and He invites us to join Him.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” — Revelation 7:9
