My visit to the Balkans James Vaughton shares highlights of his recent visit to the Balkans.
I have not been to the Balkans for two years and with the virus, lurking like a bully who has faced a setback and trying to make a comeback, I headed to Albania. I was greeted at Tirana Airport by the smiling faces of Hervin Fushekati and Erion Cuni and whisked off to visit Erion’s church and have lunch. I met TEN friends; Fetije at Riverbank Church, Edijola and Gjeorgji from Mission Possible Albania and Turi and Noku. Ignoring childhood advice, I talked with strangers too.
The hotelier in Tirana met my need for a cup of tea one afternoon and fascinating conversations with new ISTL lecturers from Hungary, a young Albanian couple watching football and missionaries from El Salvador were enlightening. As we visited a museum in the mountain town of Kruje, Hervin, ever the tourist guide, (as well as church and theological college leader) told the story of Skanderbeg, a Christian Albanian hero. Mountains were our constant companions as we drove through Albania on into North Macedonia. Erion broke the journey for me to meet new TEN connections, Ardit and Ranja. They are ISTL students sacrificially giving themselves to ministry in rural borderlands. I was picked up in North Macedonia by Petre Petrov, leader of the Evangelical Church in North Macedonia. We stopped by the exquisite Lake Ohrid in Struga and met with local pastors, Emil and Vesna. Over four days we drove through apple orchards, vineyards, tomato plantations and tobacco farms.
SERBIA MONTENEGRO
TIRANA
KOSOVO
PRISTINA
NORTH MACEDONIA Bitola
ALBANIA
GREECE 4
