✈️ From Guatemala to Albania: A Journey Marked by God’s Hand

✨ Guatemala Debrief: Rest, Reflection & Reset

Before heading to Albania, our squad spent a week at Parramos, on the AIM (Adventures in Missions) base, for debrief—a time to rest, reflect, and reset. Our mentors and coaches came to pour into us, praying over our journeys, encouraging us, and helping us process the highs and lows of our first three months on the Race. It was a sweet space to pause, worship, and let the Lord refresh our hearts.

This week reminded us that ministry isn’t only about what we do for God, but about how we carry Him in our hearts. By the end of our time at Parramos, we felt re-centered, strengthened, and ready to step into Albania with expectant hearts—excited to see the ways God would continue to move in this next chapter.

✈️ From Guatemala to Albania: A Journey Marked by God’s Hand

After an incredible season in Guatemala, our squad officially began the long journey to our next country. When I say long… I mean long. From Guatemala ➡️ Canada ➡️ Greece ➡️ Albania, it took us around 40 hours to finally arrive. By the time we landed Saturday evening, we were exhausted—but even in the fatigue, God was weaving divine moments into every step of the way.

🙏 A Divine Appointment at 35,000 Feet

Our first flight from Guatemala to Canada was where we experienced one of those unmistakable God moments. As a newly formed team for Albania, we decided to pray together on the plane—covering our ministry, our hosts, and our time in this next country.

What we didn’t know was that a flight attendant nearby overheard our prayer. A few minutes later, he approached us with the kindest smile and told us that he had just recently renewed his faith and was seeking the Lord again. Seeing us pray stirred something inside him and reminded him that God was pursuing him.

We talked with him throughout the flight, listened to his story, and got to hear his testimony. Before we knew it, he was blessing our whole squad with free snacks and drinks. But the sweetest part came when we got to pray over him—interceding for his walk with Jesus, his calling, and the boldness to keep pursuing the Lord. It was one of those moments where heaven felt so near, even at 35,000 feet.

🏡 Our New Home in Albania—Above & Beyond What We Prayed For

When we landed in Albania, our hosts took us to our new home for the next month and a half. We walked in expecting something simple—but God outdid Himself.

Our team had been praying specifically for:

• hot water for showers

• our own beds

• a heater for the winter

• a kitchen and stove of our own

We opened the door and were shocked to find:

• cozy bunk beds (no more tents!!!)

• a heater in our room

• a full kitchen with a stove and refrigerator

• a warm bathroom with hot water

• a common area for eating and fellowship

• a washer AND dryer (a true miracle on the Race)

• and most importantly… a safe, peaceful space for our all-girl team

It felt like God whispering, “I care about the details. I see you. I delight in loving you well.” He is such a girl dad 💗—the kind who loves exceeding expectations simply because He cherishes His daughters.

💍 Another Answered Prayer: An Albanian Wedding

One of the random things our team has been praying for this year is to attend a wedding in each country—mostly a fun dream, but not something we really expected.

The next day, we met our ministry hosts for lunch. This husband and wife are some of the kindest people we’ve met, and they welcomed us with an elegant multi-course Albanian meal. They shared about their ministry: they started and lead ICF Albania (International Christian Fellowship) and founded the Jonathan Center, which serves children with Down syndrome while also sharing the gospel with their families.

Then they casually said:
“Oh, and tonight a couple from our church is getting married—you’re invited!”

We were in awe. Another small—but deeply personal—prayer answered.

🌙 Sharing the Gospel in a Predominantly Muslim Country

Albania is a country where the majority of people identify as Muslim, and while there is religious diversity, Christianity is not widely embraced or welcomed in many areas. It’s a place where sharing the gospel requires gentleness, discernment, and a deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

And yet, even here, God is moving.

Our team has already seen how open people can be when love comes first—when compassion, service, and kindness pave the way for conversations about Jesus. We know this month won’t look like open-air preaching or loud evangelism. Instead, it will look like:

• friendships

• intentional conversations

• small acts of service

• listening well

• loving people purely

• living in a way that reflects Jesus before we speak His name

We believe God has gone before us, even in a place where the gospel is not always welcome. And we’re praying boldly that He will continue to soften hearts, open doors, and move through quiet obedience.

🌿 Fundraising Update 

I also wanted to share a quick update on my fundraising. By God’s grace, I am currently 67% funded! My hope and prayer is to reach 80% by the end of December.

Your support is never just “giving money.” It is a true investment into the Kingdom of God. Every dollar sown into this mission becomes a seed that the Lord uses — in ways far beyond anything I could ever do on my own. I simply get to be a steward of what He entrusts me with and play a tiny part in the greater work He’s doing around the world.

If you feel led to partner with me in this next stretch, you can do so here:
👉 Click here to support my World Race journey

More than anything, thank you for praying, encouraging, and walking with me in this season. I truly couldn’t do this without you.

❤️ Encouragement for You: God Cares About The Details

One of the biggest things the Lord keeps teaching me on this journey is this:

God cares about the tiny desires of your heart just as much as the big ones.
He sees you.
He hears you.
He loves showing up in the details—because He loves you.

If you’re reading this, I want to encourage you:

• Pray boldly.

• Bring your small desires to Him.

• Be expectant—not demanding, but trusting.

• Look for Him in the ordinary moments.

• Believe that He is a Father who delights in exceeding expectations.

The same God who met us on an airplane, in our apartment, and at an Albanian wedding is the same God who is present in your everyday life—right where you are.

🙏 Ways You Can Pray For Me

If you feel led to pray, here are specific requests:

• For our ministry with ICF Albania — for Spirit-led opportunities to connect with people and serve well.

• For the Jonathan Center — pray for the children and families they reach, and for the gospel to be shared with love and boldness.

• For opportunities to reflect Jesus — especially in a place where Christianity isn’t widely embraced.

• For unity and joy for our team — that we would be rooted in love and humility.

• For physical health and strength — especially after long travel and adjusting to a new climate.

• For the flight attendant — that his renewed faith would grow deeper and he would find discipleship and community.

Thank you so much for reading, praying, and following along on this journey. Your support—whether through prayer, messages, or simply showing up here—means more than you know. I’m so grateful to have people who care, who intercede, and who celebrate God’s faithfulness with me.

I love you all, and I can’t wait to share what God continues to do here in Albania.

With Love,

Amanda🤍