Update from Becca

Ckemi! Me emrin e Becca.

Hello! My name is Becca. I was a part of the ministry team that worked at the Day Center. The Day Center works with at risk, gypsy children in Albania. The kids come from extreme poverty, and often face verbal, physical and intense sexual abuse. The kids come to the Day Center three days a week and they get to shower, receive clean clothes, eat a home-cooked meal and experience God’s unconditional love.

Our team week assignment at the Day Center was to spend time with the children. They loved to climb all over us and enjoyed playing Talaash (tag). The kids also fought over who got to give us the next hug and I don’t think I have every given so many piggybacks in my life, which is saying something because I worked at a Bible camp for two years. We also got to make crafts with them throughout the week. The kids got to make their own play dough, lava lamps and bracelets. At first, the kids didn’t know how to use the play dough, so they stuck it up their noses since they thought it smelled good.  The kids loved making the crafts and playing with us Americans.

Along with working at the Day Center, we also got to help paint some of the houses of the gypsies. In Albania, appearance is everything. Even when they live in poverty, they will always make sure that they look good and their house is presentable. By painting their house, we were allowing the families to gain a sense of pride in their homes. Most of the homes we painted were either abandoned communist apartments or neglected shacks. It was tough painting the walls since they often crumbled a part as we tried to cover them, but regardless of the quality, the families were so grateful for our work.

It was such a blessing to spend the week with the kids and I think leaving them will be the hardest part when we depart from Albania. I am excited to hear how God continues to work in Albania and I am so grateful for this opportunity.