Leilani took a year from studying at her university to become a student missionary. She knew she wanted to serve overseas but didn’t know where God wanted her to go, until the opportunity to go to Albania opened up!
Leilani took a year from studying at her university to become a student missionary. She knew she wanted to serve overseas but didn’t know where God wanted her to go.
I was just looking for a position I could teach English in a country I had never heard of. So I prayed to God, asked him to give me a place I had never been to. Now I’m here and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
Leilani was nervous when her plane touched down in Albania. But now, just one month later, she’s discovering both the joys and challenges of being an Adventist Volunteer.
She’s volunteering at this kindergarten, which is run by the humanitarian organization ADRA Albania in cooperation with local church leaders. The school was started with the belief that investing in the community’s education will create happy, healthy children and families, contributing to a stronger society.
“I’m the kindergarten ESL teacher. I teach three classes and all of them are in English.”
Her classroom is bursting with energy as the kids engage in fun activities.
Being a volunteer is not always simple or easy. Leilani has had to adapt to a new language and culture. When she arrived, she couldn’t speak Albanian.
“And then I come here and I don’t understand a thing and everybody’s translating for me.”
Another challenge is being so far from her family and friends in the United States. But the loneliest times have only reinforced her trust in God.
“My spiritual life has definitely become stronger just being here for a month. I didn’t even expect it.”
“God is there every single day. I came here and my first day here I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’ But through this whole process you can see God .”
“And so being here I’m like, ‘Whoa, You do have me, You do take care of me.’ It just shocked me. It’s pretty cool. It’s actually really cool to know somebody’s watching out for you.”
Please pray for Adventist Volunteers like Leilani, who have accepted God’s call to serve. You too can visit AdventistVolunteers.org to see a list of current volunteer opportunities. Thank you for supporting the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work around the world!
