In January of 2022, Rob and I watched a video SON network played in the Praise and Worship service that tugged at our heartstrings. We heard an Albanian couple talk about not having parents and grandparents who told them about Jesus because of the decades of communism in their country. Seeing their faces on the video made the words of Romans 10:13-15 come to life: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Our family of five went to Albania for the first time the summer of 2022. We took a step of faith in fulfilling what God calls each of us to do: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Little did we know that in obeying God’s commandment, when we thought we were going to be a blessing to others – we would be the ones receiving the abundance of blessings. It was a blessing to fast from our daily routines in Ashland, our work, even our ministry, to focus on sharing the word and showing Christ’s love to a people group that is predominantly Muslim in culture. It was a blessing to be able to solely focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus and loving the kids and local ministers for two weeks. We were touched by the overwhelming hospitality and kids’ enthusiasm to participate in the English Bible Camp activities. They captured our hearts, and it was an easy choice to return in 2023 and again this summer to continue developing relationships. One of my favorite things about serving on a mission team is seeing God at work – both in the Albanians and in the lives of the other team members.
This year, we witnessed the Holy Spirit enlightening our students as they began to ask deep theological questions. “Did Jesus have the power of God when he was a baby? If Jesus could heal the soldier’s ear, why did he not stop the people from crucifying him?” It was a privilege to share about Jesus’ choice to go to the cross because of his love for all of us. I love listening to the students and understanding more about their culture. I also enjoy getting to know the other Americans on our team and learning how God uniquely designed them. Witnessing each team member carry out individual responsibilities and pitch in as a group helped me understand more about the body of Christ and how each part is important in God’s kingdom work.
Every year our team forms a special bond because as brothers and sisters in Christ we have a unified mission. Nightly team devotions give us a glimpse into how we are all experiencing God on the trip and how He is working in our lives. It was a blessing this summer to have a front row seat to watch my kids and the other teens and 20-year-olds on the team, serve and grow in their relationship with Christ. John tells us in Revelation 7:9, “I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and in front of the lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands, and they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the lamb.”
We know how the story ends – those who confess that Jesus is Lord, will enjoy him forever! I don’t want anyone to miss out on the greatest blessing I have received, being a disciple of Christ. And I want to continue to do my part to fulfill our calling:to make disciples of all the nations.
-Kim Pool