This year, Reach A Village has been blessed to begin a new ministry partnership in Albania. The opportunities for sharing the Gospel are great in this nation. About 70% of Albanians are Muslim with smaller groups being non-religious or Catholic. Many people are leaving the country to seek greater economic opportunity, and other Islamic nations are pouring money into Albania to influence the people. Please pray for the safety and protection of our ministry partners there.
Born in a remote village in southern Albania, Islam grew up in a poor family, helping his father take care of their farm animals. When he was eight years old, his parents moved their family to Albania’s capital city, Tirana.
Some children from their neighborhood invited Islam to attend a summer camp. He went because he wanted to make new friends. “The first day of camp was like a dream for me,” he says. “There were a lot of kids, and I was happy that I was among new friends. But what really touched my heart was the love, compassion and kindness our leaders showed to us all the time. They told us about Jesus and how He loves the children so much that His Kingdom belongs to them.”
That was the first time Islam had ever heard about Jesus. After the summer camp ended, Islam continued to gather with other children in Tirana to hear more about Jesus. Just two years later, Islam’s mother wanted to know more about Jesus. Local believers welcomed her to a group for Bible study, prayer and worship.
“I am so blessed that God is at work in my life,” Islam says. “I was lost, but now I am found. I am salt and light. I love God’s Word, and I want to keep going deeper and learning more of what God says.
