Hello everyone!

This past week has been one of the clearest reminders that God’s plans are always better than my own. There’s been so much good that He’s been doing here in Albania, and honestly, I could write about so many moments. But today I’m gonna share two stories that really stood out to me, both of them reminded me what it means to trust, obey, and listen for God’s voice.

Last week, my ministry group was reassigned to a brand-new ministry. We had been traveling every week to Tirana, the capital city, and I loved it. We got to explore, meet new people, and experience the city life. But because of how expensive the travel was becoming and because our previous ministry in Tirana started shifting focus, we could no longer go.

When I found out we had been assigned to a small village about twenty minutes away, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t thrilled. The village doesn’t even show up on Google Maps, and it’s literally in the middle of nowhere. I felt disappointed and a little nervous. I was afraid of the unknown, of what it would look like to start over somewhere new, and of all the little details that felt out of my control.

But of course, God knew exactly what He was doing.

The first time we arrived at our new ministry, we started with women’s ministry. A group of older ladies came in, and right away you could feel the love in the room. They were so kind and welcoming. Each one came up to us and gave us a big hug, smiling from ear to ear. You could see the excitement on their faces as they settled in to hear our testimonies. Even though we spoke different languages, there was such a strong sense of connection and joy. As each of us shared about what God has done in our lives, they listened closely, nodding along, and you could tell they were encouraged. Their hearts were so open and full of love. It was one of those moments that reminded me how the presence of God bridges every gap and makes strangers feel like family.

After spending time with the women, the children began to arrive for the next part of ministry. The moment they saw us, their faces lit up. They were so eager to spend time with us and tried so hard to communicate. Some of them spoke a little English, enough to make us laugh and connect in the sweetest ways. You could tell how much they wanted to learn and be understood.

We played simple games like Duck Duck Goose, Down by the Banks, and other hand games that had everyone smiling. The kids never got tired of playing the same ones over and over. They just wanted to be with us, to hold our hands, to sit close, and to feel seen. It didn’t matter what we did; what mattered was that we showed up for them.

Sometimes ministry isn’t about the big moments or fancy plans. It’s about presence. It’s about being there, showing up, and loving people the way Jesus would.

As the day went on and I thought about both the women and the children we had met, I felt God stirring something in my heart. He reminded me that His Spirit moves wherever there is a willing heart. Whether it’s sharing testimonies with women who don’t speak the same language or laughing with kids who just want to be loved, He is always at work. That day showed me that ministry is not limited by language, age, or place. It’s about being obedient and letting Him guide every moment, even the ones that feel small.

A few nights later, our group had a Bible study. We were reading Acts 2, and the conversation kept circling back to the Holy Spirit and how to invite Him in and what it means to let Him truly work in our lives.

I’ve heard about inviting the Holy Spirit in many times before, but this time it finally clicked. I realized I had never fully surrendered every part of my life to God. I had never completely said, “God, have all of me.”

After our study, we entered into a time of worship. Surrounded by thirty others, I made it my goal to truly invite the Holy Spirit in, to be open, obedient, and ready for whatever God wanted to do.

As I sat there singing, I whispered, “God, whatever You want me to do, I’ll do it. Use me as Your vessel.”

Immediately, I felt chills all over my body. It was like the Holy Spirit was wrapping around me. In that moment, I heard God’s voice so clearly telling me to go pray for my friend Glory.

I didn’t question it. I got up, walked over to my friend Glory, sat beside her, and began to pray. I didn’t even know what to pray for, but words just started flowing out of me. The Holy Spirit completely took over.

When I finished, Glory had tears in her eyes. She told me that right before I came over, she had been praying for God to reveal her purpose to her. And that’s exactly what I had prayed over her without even knowing it.

How cool is our God?

Every day, every hour, every minute here, I’m learning what it means to step out of my comfort zone and trust Him fully. God keeps reminding me that His plan is always better, whether it’s being rerouted to a new ministry or being called to pray for someone in the middle of worship.

I’m so ready for God to keep using me, to expand His kingdom, to touch lives, and to keep teaching me what true obedience looks like.

Even when it’s uncomfortable.

Even when it’s uncertain.

Even when it’s not what I planned.

Because His plan is always worth it.