Day 12

Wow! It's my last day in Tirane!!! It went by way way too fast :(

Friday morning we all went to the prison here and spoke to some of the women there. Their "cells" do not seem at all like what we have in the states. They live in what looks like a little neighborhood. They have bedrooms that are decorated and they all have their own clothing. Also, most of them were wearing make up and had done something with their hair, which I wasn't expecting. They also had a little outdoor area that they all met in. We didn't find out what any of them had done to be sent there, but something tells me it has to do with the repressive nature of women in Albanian culture. The women were all really happy to see us and we had a time of worship with a pastor that Eljon and Jennifer know and then we all shared a little something with them. It was definitely an emotional time, but also really really good.

Yesterday we had a full day of sight seeing. We went to this functioning monastery that had some really interesting history. Again we could see the damage that communism had and that this country now doesn't have the money to restore. We also went to Appolonia which is this old city that was built during the Roman occupation. It was really cool, but again, would be so much more amazing if there were the funds to do further excavation.

So after Appolonia, we went over to this quiet beach for a couple of hours and relaxed. Then we came back to the apartment and watched the intense game between Ghana and the U.S. which unfortunately did not end well for us :(

This morning Jennifer, Courtney and I went out early to meet this girl that we've befriended who works at the bakery by the apartment for coffee and then to take her to church. Thanks to Albanian time, we met up an hour later than we had planned to, but we still made it to church. She had never been to any kind of service before, but loved it and actually went up to the front when the Pastor asked if anyone wanted to give their life to Christ. Unfortunately however, there was no mention of repentance or doctrine or Jesus on the cross but she connected with a few of the girls who attend there, so hopefully she'll learn more and still be confident and excited about the gospel.

I am so excited to be in Paris tomorrow! I my flight leaves at 5:10 so that means a 3:30 am wake up call, but it'll be worth it :) Je viens Paris!