What difference can a small light make in a very dark place? Follow one family’s journey from Brazil to Albania as they discover that faithfulness—not numbers—is what truly changes lives, and how your mission offering helps keep that light shining.
Would you serve as a missionary in the first official Atheist country in the world? Delmar, Nati and Clara moved from Brazil to Albania to pastor a church in the city of Korce [kor-chah]. For years, they have been discovering God’s purpose for their family.
Sometimes it’s not that the Lord has prepared a place for us, but that He is preparing us for His mission.
In 2021, Delmar was asked to move to the capital city, Tirana, to serve as president of the Albanian Mission. The transition was unexpected, but it opened new ways for the whole family to serve.
Every morning I have the privilege of opening the Bible and teaching more than 40 children about Jesus’ love. Many pastors don’t even have that many in their churches.
Through the Adventist kindergarten in Tirana, Nati shares Jesus with children who are eager to know more.
During our Easter lesson, the kids tasted the bread and juice and started chanting, ‘More of Jesus! More of Jesus!’ That’s what I want my ministry to be—helping them want more of Him.
Even Clara has been enjoying the mission field while she learns the language and makes new friends.
I think it would be great if more families and kids became missionaries, because then we could share Jesus in other countries too.
But mission work in Albania is not easy.
Albania is very secular. People enjoy social activities, but when the Bible is mentioned, many lose interest. Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated when you don’t see results.
At one point when Delmar was struggling to stay motivated, he asked his father—an experienced church leader in Brazil—whether it was time to leave.
My dad visited and said, ‘This church is too small. Maybe it’s time to go somewhere you’ll see results.’ I understood his heart, so often we measure ministry by numbers. But as we talked, I told him, ‘even a small, weak light can make a big difference in a very dark place.’
Delmar knew his family was right where God wanted them, but he longed for his father to understand as well.
My father came back and said, ‘You’re right. You should stay. Keep doing the work God called you to do.’ That was the last deep conversation I had with him—he passed away three months later. I took his words as God’s reminder: be faithful where He calls.
That affirmation reshaped the family’s focus.
“If someone asks me, ‘Why send more people where your church is not growing? Where there are so many challenges?’ Well, I think that is exactly why we need more people — because it’s more difficult.”
“When you become a missionary, your focus is no longer on the place, but on the people. Mission changes everything—it even changes us.”
From Korçë to Tirana, through challenges and opportunities, the mission continues. Please pray for Delmar, Nati, and Clara, and for the people of Albania. When you give to the mission offering, you’re supporting missionaries around the globe. Thank you for giving.
