October 20, 2016
Justin Speer, Deacon of WEI in Katy, Texas, made his first short-term mission trip to Fier, Albania last summer, and he returned home more excited about missions than ever.
Justin wrote, “That place and its people stole my heart. They taught me far more than I could ever teach them. I have a new respect for the work and the life of a missionary.”
The day Justin arrived in Fier, Esmeralda was baptized by Altin Koci in the Adriatic Sea.
Esmeralda is seventeen, speaks multiple languages, and wants to be a lawyer. Justin says, “I had the good pleasure of teaching this newborn Christian. She has known only deep poverty her whole life. Her voracious appetite to learn, and her ability to devour what I believe were difficult lessons, impressed me.”
“Esmeralda walks 2 plus miles to class through rough streets alone. One day she literally ran to class because she didn’t want to be late. This highly intelligent and kind girl was so excited before and after her baptism. She asked her Muslim father for permission to become a Christian.” He gave it, and he smiled as she was immersed.
By the end of the campaign, four young women had been baptized into Christ: Esmeralda, Xhela (Jella), Sara, and Keidji (Kady). Justin says that Alda, the eighteen-year-old young lady who was baptized last year, was more excited about these four baptisms than anyone. “She indicated it’s very hard to be a Christian in Albania, particularly if from a Muslim family. She was lonely, so God sent her four new sisters.”
Justin says, “I am so pumped for the church in Fier. I miss all of my friends in Albania. I didn’t want to leave, and that feeling hasn’t left my heart.”
