For how long?
We have been frequently and constantly asked this question.
For how long will you be in Albania?
It is a difficult answer. It is difficult to explain. Difficult to communicate.
We say indefinitely. Because that is the only way we know how to say it.
What does indefinitely mean?
It does not mean we will never come back. It does not mean we will be there our whole lives.
-It is not because we don't like America and we want a cross cultural experience. Been there done that. I think southern California is the greatest place on earth.
-It is not because we aren't close to our families. This, in fact, is the most heart breaking part. Our families are our best friends.
-It is not because I believe God will love me more if I go overseas to do missions.
It does mean that we are not planning when we will come back. We are not allowing there to be an end to our ministry in Albania in our minds.
Why?
There are many different ways we view this but here are a few:
1. By the time we are semi-fluent or functional (minimum of 2 years) in the Albanian language we will have technically (if you count Bible school) spent 8 years in preparation for the mission field.
3 1/2 years studying the Bible so as to teach and disciple others, 2 1/2 years preparing, training and raising support and 2 years learning the language. That is 8 years! Even if you don't count school it is still 4 1/2 years. That is a LONG time. In that sense once we decided on Albania it became a "career" for us. Missions is what we have trained and prepared to do. We want the best, healthiest years of our life to be devoted to this career, this mission.
2. Because (not if) we are going to learn the language, we want to USE IT. And use it for a long time. It's like a Master's degree. We want to learn it, study it and use it for the Kingdom.
3. Ultimately, this is how the Lord has directed our steps. We believe that he has guided us and led us to Albania. He has given us a passion to see Albanians come to Christ. He has given us a heart for the people. He has affirmed this plan all along the way.
4. Selfishly, I want to be there long enough to see the fruit of our labor. Fruit doesn't grow overnight. It takes years, decades. We want to see this generation saved and grow up to change the country for Christ. I want to watch that happen. I want to watch the Lord work.
5. Finally, I want to pour myself and give myself to this ministry and these people. If I knew it was only for a certain amount of time, or a shorter amount of time, I would have a harder time giving myself FULLY. If there was an out, nothing would be as heavy. If there was an end, nothing would be as vital. But if its "FOREVER" then I really have to figure out how to pour myself out.
Might we come back sooner than we thought? Absolutely. Health problems, children's needs, danger, could bring us home. We might be home in a year! But in my mind, those would be tragedies. Those would bring us back.
There may also be a time where we realize we could be better used somewhere else. Where it seems the Lord is calling us to a different ministry. That would take us away.
We want to be used. We want to serve Christ. We want to follow him as He leads us to Albania.
It won't be easy all the time. It won't be painless or trial free. It won't be all harvest and no hard work.
But it will be what God has. It will be where he has brought us. And it will be full of joy and peace because He has gone before us, and He will carry us through.
As we get on the plane tomorrow, our hearts are full of excitement for all that the Lord will do.
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