Hello everyone! I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted, and I haven’t shared much. I could focus on the disappointment of not being more disciplined or let fear and perfectionism keep holding me back. Or I can choose to move forward with humility, stay present, and give myself grace as I continue learning and growing through life.

To sum up the past three months, we finished our time in Albania at the end of October. While there, we partnered with Living Water, an adopt-a-child program focused on helping children and youth learn about who Jesus is. Albania is primarily Muslim and only emerged from communism about 30 years ago, which made adapting to the culture both challenging and eye-opening. Even so, building relationships with the kids felt natural, at least, no different than connecting with kids back home.

Our days serving were filled with volleyball games, dancing, music, and laughter. Learning guitar, singing, and playing games like Duck-Duck-Goose and Bubblegum Bubblegum. I was reminded that connection doesn’t start with something grand. Sometimes it begins with a smile, shared joy, or a simple hug. From there, trust grows, and space is created for deeper relationships and conversations about faith.

Throughout our time, we served alongside local churches, sharing our testimonies during Saturday services and youth gatherings, supporting children’s ministry, and helping plan a couple of youth camps.

As we moved into November, our journey continued to a quaint countryside town in Italy, surrounded by olive groves and refreshing views. We lived in host homes, fully diving into authentic Italian culture. Our days began early with school in neighboring towns, followed by embracing the slower rhythm of life through afternoon siestas, and ended with evenings spent together as a team, preparing for the next day of outreach.

I was blessed to stay in a warm and hospitable host home, where we learned to salsa dance, made tiramisu, and shared about our faith. For outreach, doors were opened for us to enter local high schools and speak in religion classes. We shared what we believe, what love means to us, and answered any questions the students had. They were deeply curious and hungry for more.

During this time, I experienced the Holy Spirit moving through me in a powerful and sustained way. My mind was filled with peace and clarity, and words and illustrations came so naturally. All I had to do was pray and trust the Lord to move, and He did just that. Through me and everyone else on our team.

God is doing so much in the hearts of young people, not only in Isernia and Venafro, but throughout Italy. Moving forward, I will continue praying for what He is doing there and for His name to be proclaimed and praised throughout the streets of Italy.

Though our time was short, Macchia d’Isernia will always hold a special place in my heart. The pace was fast, yet I left deeply encouraged, grateful, and eager for more.

After a couple of weeks there, we traveled to Sorrento, Italy, for a week-long debrief. It was a time to take a step back to see the bigger picture of all the Lord had done. We said goodbye to many teammates who had become family along the way. Those goodbyes were hard, but filled with both gratitude and tenderness.

I’ll continue sharing more about the impact of this past month in the next blog post, but for now, I’m holding the fall semester with thankfulness, trusting the Lord with what was planted and expectant for what’s to come in the spring.