We’re Hired!

Kosovo ATL Ministry, Part 2

Thank you all for your prayers as ministry in Kosovo continues! Here are some recent updates from what has been happening in the capitol of Pristina- where we are serving for the month.

A couple weeks back, Jordan (a missionary working for A Jesus Mission) discussed the possibility of my team working at the coffee shop (Newborn Brew) while here. This was especially going to be helpful since their team attended a retreat outside of Kosovo while we were working for the week.

And so, we were hired! Each day, we marched into the coffee shop and began our day with Team Time around 9 am. We would read the Bible, discuss business, and prepare for the workday. The workday lasted four hours- with two people taking each shift. We would do tasks such as making waffles, washing dishes, and busing tables. It was a terrific way to get to know the people in the coffee shop, and continue to build relationships with them. Because many of the Kosovar people that enter the coffee shop are repeat customers, we have been able to deepen these connections.

The Christian Kosovar staff that we got to work with is super special, and they began to share their stories with us. This provided a deeper look into Albanian culture- and what life is like in Kosovo. While at the coffee shop, things were super chill at times. I would read books, catch up on tasks, and sometimes just relax. Because our team visited the coffee shop almost every day, we had a lot of time to ourselves to relax and talk to people. Meanwhile, games are super popular at the coffee shop. We played Ticket to Ride, Uno, Secret Hitler, Mexican Train, and others. Learning new games can be fun- especially with playing them with the team.

Meanwhile, in Kosovo we also got to tour a place called House of Hope. House of Hope works to empower and educate young children and adults in areas such as sewing, English, German, and others. So far, we have been out there twice. Getting to dance with the children, jam out to music, and learn about the program has been very fun. It’s also a fun outing for us as we venture out of the city each time we are there.

Although we have been in the city this month, the opportunity came to explore a fortress on the outskirts while the AJM missionaries picked someone up from the airport. As we hiked up to the ruins, I spotted a faint trail that further led up the mountainside. As I kept going up the mountainside, I felt myself in God’s presence with a deep rooted joy. The views of the Pristina Valley were spectacular. It was a wonderful moment- and getting to know the AJM people as well. We stopped by an old tunnel, which turned out to be a mine shift. Wow! I turned on my flashlight and went inside- peeking into the passages carved into the rock. Getting back underground (I am a caver but for the most part stopped caving because of the pandemic) was amazing. Getting to do it with friends was even more special. We got into the car just as a huge dog with a broken off chain attached to his collar was approaching us. Fun times!

God also continued to provide even more connections- which was terrific. I met missionaries from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Albania, and the US. Additional connections also came with getting to chat with people who are ministering in Ukraine. The thought continued to dawn on me: Europe was a dark continent; overcome with post-Christian sentiment due to its past, correct? Yet my time in the Balkans has challenged me to look deeper. Seth Barnes once said (when he was recalling an experience from being in England, I believe)- to look for the Remnant- clear followers of Jesus who serve Him and cherish their relationship with Him. It’s been awesome to get to know some of the European remnant- especially with so many young people living their lives out on mission! I for sure will be praying into this as the church in Europe continues to labor for the Gospel!

Please continue to pray for our ministry and what is taking place in Kosovo. As of this writing, we have just a few days left. We are at Debrief and then- guess where we are going next? Ukraine! I do not know a lot about what our month will look like in Ukraine, but it will be awesome to see what the Lord does while there! From what I have learned from those who are ministering there, there are a lot of opportunities to serve God in Ukraine in different ways in different places. Going to place this in open hands as God directs us!