December 12 - But I Don’t Speak Albanian

Leilani took a year
from studying at her university

to become a student missionary.

She knew she wanted to serve overseas

but didn’t know
where God wanted her to go.

I was just looking for a position
I could teach English

in a country that I had never heard of.

So I prayed to God,
asked him to give me a place

I had never been to.

Now I’m here, and it’s
the best decision I’ve ever made.

Leilani was nervous when her plane
touched down in Albania.

But now, just one month later,

she’s discovering
both the joys and challenges

of being an Adventist Volunteer.

She’s volunteering at this kindergarten,

which is run by the humanitarian
organization ADRA Albania

in cooperation with local church leaders.

The school was started with the belief

that investing
in the community’s education

will create happy,
healthy children and families,

contributing to a stronger society.

I’m the kindergarten ESL teacher.

I teach three classes,
and all of them are in English.

Her classroom is bursting with energy

as the kids engage in fun activities.

Being a volunteer
is not always simple or easy.

Leilani has had to adapt
to a new language and culture.

When she arrived,
she couldn’t speak Albanian.

And then I come here
and I don’t understand anything,

and everybody’s translating for me.

Another challenge is being so far
from her family and friends

in the United States.

But the loneliest times
have only reinforced her trust in God.

My spiritual life
has definitely become stronger

just being here for a month.

I didn’t even expect it.

God is there every single day.

I came here,
and my first day here I was like,

"What am I doing here?"

But through this whole process
you can see God.

And so just being here I’m like,

"Whoa, You do have me,
You do take care of me."

It just shocked me. It’s pretty cool.

It’s actually really cool to know

somebody’s watching out for you.

Please pray
for Adventist Volunteers like Leilani,

who have accepted God’s call to serve.

You too can visit AdventistVolunteers.org

to see a list of current
volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for supporting
the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work

around the world!