Back from Albania, but emotionally still there.

I don't even know where to start. Honestly, I think it was one of the best experiences of my life. God really blessed me with amazing friendships with the Albanian students. I was the only teacher their age, so I got to get to know a lot of them pretty well.

The schedule went a little like this: Team meeting 7:15am. Breakfast 8:00-8:30 (which was almost always bread, salty Albanian cheese, and jam) - I actually really got used to their cheese. I got so used to eating their breakfast, that I wanted cheese and jam with bread for breakfast this morning. Class started at 9:00 and ended at 12:30, with a 15-20 minute break. And then lunch at 1:00, which was a small meal of some meat and rice or something liek that. ( I lost close to 7lbs just being on their meal plan). And then it was off to the beach, which was litterally 100 yards from our hotel. Our room actually had a view of the beach, and I could see our students playing volleyball or swiming in the ocean from our balcony. During this time, we just got to build awesome relationships with the students. Dinner was at 6:00pm and after dinner we had a discussion/reading time, which consisted of reading English out of the Bible. I was teamed up with Mark, a jr. high history teacher, who coincedently, also attended seminary in his past. Let me tell you, that is a killer combination. He led all the discussion and he did an amazing job. The students asked so many questions about God, Jesus, the trinity, Christianity. I really think seeds were being planted. One student said that he didn't know there was so much about Jesus, and that he would have to think more about it. Another student made a decision to accept Christ. 3 Students were already believers, and the remaining 55-56 students were Muslim. Many of them took Albanian Bibles home with them. I got to share my testimony with 3 students within the first 3 days.

After discussion we had a group event like talent shows, or game night, or girls night... and then the hotel had an outdoor dance floor and all the students would go dance. They would hold hands and dance in a circle. It was traditional Kosovar dancing. Kind of like Greed dancing, but not. It was awesome. We got to dance with them and it was so fun. Then eventually as the night went on, they would just dance normally, the same as you and i would dance.

God really blessed me with my ankle too. Each day it got progressively better, and I wanted to thank you for your prayers. i was even able to go swimming in the ocean with it. The water there is calm, warm, and blue/green. There are a few jellyfish, but I didn't see any except for the one that washed up shore and died. A few boys were poking at it with a stick, and said it was sylicon. I guess there are some things that cross all culture barriers. There was one girl that got stung though. On a different night that we were there, a 13 year old child drowned and swept up on shore. that was kind of crazy.

The culture there is really cool. One of the biggest things I noticed was that boys and girls don't really like each other, or date. They would dance with each other, but when I asked if any boy liked any girl, they said no. Many of them stay single, and serious dating almost always leads to marriages.

All these students are soooo smart. You have to be in the top of your classes to get into the university, and all the students were from the university. The sad thing is that even though they graduate with a degree (sometimes more than one degree), the economy isn't that good over there, so it's really really hard to find a job for them.

I feel so incredibly priveleged living in the U.S. I don't know why God has blessed me with soooo much, but I am grateful for it. I miss the students soooo much, more than I can tell. Some nights I'd stay awake and just wonder what they're all doing. God sent us to teach them English and to spread His word, but sometimes I feel like they teach me more about life and myself than I teach them.

It was such a blessing to be there. If my plane wasn't leaving Albania, I'm telling you, I would have been perfectly happy staying with them longer. I still miss soooo many of them. I was in tears the night we left. I'm still a little jet lagged, and part of my heart is still in Albania with the students, but some have already emailed me to let me know that they are home safetly. A few students have opened up their homes to me, and invited me to stay with them if I ever come to visit Kosova. If God provides, i am so there.

I just wanted to thank you all for your support and prayers. I encourage all of you to go on similar mission trips. You never leave the same person as when you first came. Praise God for all he has done and will continue to do through us all.

Off to another mission!

Dear Friends and Family,

I have an amazing opportunity this summer to be part of Richfield Community Church’s outreach team, to the Kosovar Albanian people. As you are probably aware, these people were attacked by Serbians in 1999-2000. Since that time we have be reaching out to these people with the good news of the Gospel and the church is beginning to be built. We are continuing the work this summer and I believe that all of us will be used by God in ways that we never knew were possible. This will be an adventure, and I am sure that I will learn more than I will teach. I believe that God will meet us there, as he will the Kosovar students of the University of Prishtina and I want so much to be a part of that.

My honest feelings as of right this minute:  At this point I am both anxious and excited about what God is going to do. Personally, I never quite feel that I am prepared enough to do God’s work. Last Friday, my church just got back from a 1-week mission trip to Mexico, and I feel like I’ve had very little time to rest before jumping back into everything, but I am so grateful for what God has allowed me to do with my time before school starts, and I trust He will stretch me and give me more joy in serving him than I ever imagined.

I am writing to you because I thought that you might want to be a part of this as well.  While it is not the same as going, I believe that God will meet you as you follow Him, in regards to participation in this project He has called us to. Your financial support will provide a subsidy for Kosovar University students to come to this camp, provide curriculum for the camp, and airfare for the team. Unemployment is very high and only the top few percent of students even make it into Kosova’s University. I have just found out that all 60 spots of the classes that we will be teaching have been filled. These students are dedicated and hard working students and there is high hope this year for several students to receive Christ. We are praying specifically, that 7 would profess faith in Jesus. Will you join us in prayer on a regular basis from now until the camp? The camp will take place from July 15-22.

Just a few special prayer requests: For the hearts of the people, and that God would keep us safe, and use us all. And that God would take care of my ankle and not let it become any kind of hindrance or drag. We are staying off the coast of Albania, and crutching in the beach can be somewhat frustrating.

Thanks so much for sharing in my life and this ministry we have the privilege to participate in. If you can contribute please send contributions to:

Richfield Community Church-
Kosova Project (Annie Tran)
5320 Richfield Rd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Please write your name on the lower corner of the envelope as well and make checks out to Richfield Community Church.

Oh my goodness, I sincerely thank each and everyone of you so much for your time, support, and prayers… I appreciate it more than words can tell. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

His,
Annie Tran

So tomorrow morning, we're going to a Mexico mission trip and are coming back on the 1st. It has been a very hectic week, but God has been faithful. GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD. (Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and your protection. Watch over us as we do your work... all for Your glory, and our pleasure). It's like 11:30 pm, and i just finished packing. Most of the leaders have been up since 5am this morning. I am tired... like... about-to-pass-out="tired". I can't wait till tomorrow though. VBS with kids and construction in the towns, crafts, rec games, wearing sun dresses to fit into their culture, a whole other world, worship, chapel, no showers, a bunch of out-houses, tents, it's hardcore camping styles... it's gonna be tyte. It'll give us a taste of what it feels like to be a missionary. Keep us in your prayers. I'll update soon.

wow, it's been a long time. I'll update soon.. just not now.  have a great day!

"The Christian belives that in Christ he has died, yet he is more alive than before and he fully expects to live forever. He walks on earth while seated in heaven and though born on earth he finds that after his converstion he is not at home here. Like the nighthawk, which in the air is the essence of grace and beauty but on the ground is awkward and ugly, so the Christian appears at his best in the heavenly places but does not fit well into the ways of the very society into which he was born."

wow, wisdom pouring out everywhere. I love it.