It All Started with a Christmas Package!
By BESA SHAPLLO, Albania
The Hope Center in Albania
Mission Possible operates Hope Center in Bathore, a poor suburb near Tirana. It is there that we hold regular Bible clubs for children and teenagers and host summer camps full of food, games, activities, counseling, and the gospel message. It seems everyone is excited to come and participate.
One of our helpers is an 18-year-old named Ardit. His story is a wonderful example of how vital connections are made when locals are recruited to help. And we see how God works in His time behind the scenes.
A shy boy in the corner
We met Ardit for the first time six years ago while distributing Christmas gifts to families in need. He was living at his grandmother’s house along with his parents and younger brother. His family could no longer afford the rented house in the city where they had lived. Cousin Ronaldo and his parents also stayed in Grandma’s small house. The Christmas gifts were a very happy surprise for the family.
PHOTO: Besa Shapllo, director of Mission Possible’s work in Albania, gives a Christmas present to Ardit when they first met six years ago
We saw Ardit again when we visited his grandmother, who was sick.
I remember how he stood in the corner,
following us with his eyes
and listening to our conversation,
as if to say, “I am here too! What about me?”
We later went to spend time with Ronaldo, who needed help, and still missed the opportunity to engage Ardit, who again listened to the conversation from the corner.
Joining the youth work
What Ardit saw and heard as a silent observer during our visits made him curious. So curious, in fact, that two years ago he unexpectedly showed up for our Miracle Bible Club at Hope Center!
Ardit is very shy by nature, so his involvement took place little by little. Today he now helps with our clubs and camps. He has many God-given gifts. We were amazed by his voice when we asked him to sing during a worship time at the Bible Club. This year he impressed us when we were doing short Bible dramas with some of the teenagers and he played the role of Paul the Apostle.
God had known Ardit before we did and drew this boy to Him.
We are so thankful to have made this contact,
and it all started with a Christmas package!
PHOTO: Today Ardit is our helper. In the picture, he is leading the singing at a children’s event at Hope Center.
OUR WORK IN ALBANIA BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE OPENING OF THE COMMUNIST COUNTRY
Mission Possible has been working with children and teens in Albania for almost 30 years - since the fall of the communist regime.
Our Hope Center is located in the Muslim-majority suburb of Bathore.
It is a base for Christian activities and courses for children, young adults, and families
