A Feeding the Nations team just arrived back from Albania—the second poorest country in Europe. While there, they blessed many families and orphans with food and hope. Their arrival came at a time when the nation struggles with high unemployment and poor wages for those who do find work. The most common way to earn money is to send a family member to Greece to work. Due to the poor economic climate in Greece, most of the Albanians have lost their jobs and have returned home. To survive, some have turned to collecting cans throughout the city, while some women climb the mountains to pick herbs and children spend their days begging.

The team visited the three cities of Lac, Ljushna and Rreshen during their trip, feeding and praying with people living in slums and poor villages. They witnessed poor living conditions, such as homes with no floors and dilapidated ceilings that do little to keep the rain out. One woman asked for sand to help prevent her floors from turning to mud in the rain. They also visited a home where a family of 20 lived with sparse furnishings, one toilet and no shower.

The team worked alongside the church Fjala e Jetes that has started an orphanage that cares for 12 children. They would like to welcome more children, but don’t have the financial means at this point. They have also started the Hope for Children center that cares for children living in slums. Each afternoon as many as 70 children visit the center that offers them their only hope for an education. Some children walk over 4 miles to get there so they can learn to read, write, speak English and use a computer. They read from the Bible, play sports and receive food, while they are there.

We praise God for all the team was able to do in Albania. Thank you to everyone who has given to our efforts to make this trip possible. It impacted the lives of so many people there, giving them food and offering them hope. We look forward to reaching the nation with even more assistance throughout this year, but we need your help. Will you join with us?