Hi Everyone!

We’ve been in Albania for less than a week, and already I can see how powerfully God is moving here. The Holy Spirit is here. He is at work, not just around me but inside of me, and it’s more than I could have ever imagined. In these few days, He’s already been building new friendships and relationships that I know will last a lifetime.

This past week, He made something very clear to me, I’m not just here for a short trip, He’s calling me to stay.

This past week, we had the opportunity to be part of a girls retreat called Beauty for Ashes, which is a ministry through Adventures in Missions. The heart of Beauty for Ashes is creating a safe space for women to come together, share their stories, and encounter the love of Jesus in a powerful way. I didn’t fully know what to expect going into it, but I quickly realized God had something very personal in store for me.

Even before the retreat, I had this feeling deep down that God was nudging me in a direction I wasn’t expecting. I sensed that He was asking me to stay longer on The World Race, to really plant myself in Him and allow Him to work through me in ways that a short trip just couldn’t. But along with that sense came nerves and doubt. Was this really God speaking? Or was it just me overthinking? I prayed, “Lord, if You want me to stay, make it clear. Give me a sign that I can’t miss.”

And then came the moment at the retreat that I’ll never forget.

During one of the sessions, we did an exercise with notecards. The instructions were simple. Pray about what God wanted us to write, write it down, place it in a hat, and then later pick a card at random. Whatever card we picked would be a message God wanted us to hear, whether for that day or for the future. At first, I thought the whole thing seemed a little silly. But as I sat there praying, God put something on my heart so strongly that I could not ignore it.

When it was my turn to pick a card, I reached in and, without realizing it, grabbed my own. They told us if that happened, it meant what we wrote was exactly the message God wanted us to hear.

Here’s what my card said:

“Go and make disciples of ALL nations. Trust that God has a plan for you and He has already paved your path.”

The second I read it, I knew. This was my sign. The very thing I had been praying for was right there in my hands. God didn’t just whisper, He gave me a clear answer: stay.

So that’s exactly what I’m doing. Instead of just being here for a short season, I’ll be staying on The World Race through April. After our season in Albania and Italy wraps up I’ll head to Mexico and Guatemala in the spring to continue serving. It still feels surreal to write those words, but I can’t deny what God has spoken.

I won’t lie, it’s scary. Stepping into the unknown, being away from home for so long, and trusting God for the financials of this season can feel overwhelming. But at the same time, there’s peace. I know He has already paved the path before me, and all He’s asking me to do is trust Him and walk it out.

I would love your prayers as I step fully into this calling. Prayers for courage, provision, and for God to use me in ways I can’t even imagine yet. And if you feel led to support me financially, the link to donate is below. Every prayer, every gift, every word of encouragement, it all matters, and it all helps me continue saying yes to what God is doing.

God is working here in Albania. He is moving, and I’m so grateful I get to be a part of it, not just for a week, but for this entire season.

https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2025-gapless-gap-year-25js0829gap/participants/emma-villani9

Venmo: @emma_villani