Debrief

We had our "debrief" dinner tonight since it was our last night together as a team... tomorrow is departure with some leaving as early as 6am and a group of us at 9:40 tomorrow night. It's so interesting to hear what some would change, skip or not do without as we look to learn from our experiences to plan future family mission trips. I think all of us would agree that it stretched us and gave us the opportunity to serve (even if not in the ways we perhaps planned.) I loved what Michael said tonight, as we talked about the relative luxury of our accommodations, food and experiences in Albania. In talking with Ylli Doci, the leader of the team here, Ylli had said that all missionaries need to be prepared to suffer, but not necessarily required to suffer. Serving Christ in this short-term mission trip has not been suffering at all, it has been a unique pleasure. It has required us to pray, sacrifice, depend on God and be flexible. But here in this wonderful city, surrounded by new believers who are passionate about spreading the gospel, ... we are already looking forward to our next family mission trip!