Even When We Don't See It, God is Working!

We have now reached the halfway point of our time in Tiranë and only have three weeks to go before returning to London. It has not always been easy. There have been many highs and many lows, but God is so faithful and good. 

When we first arrived in Tiranë it was such a change of pace. We went from doing a lot of activity-based ministry, where we were consistently on the go, to doing a lot of evangelism-based ministry. At times, it has been very difficult, but the biggest blessing has been joining the shared community of Fire and Fragrance Albania and a local church in the area. We have partnered with a team of long-term missionaries here in Tiranë, and we had the opportunity to work alongside YWAM teams from Pennsylvania and Hawaii. We have been able to come together for weekly intercession and worship, as we have been contending for the nation of Albania.

Many of our days have consisted of prayer walks, leading worship, evangelism in the streets, healing ministry, praying for worship, and I have even had an opportunity to preach on the transforming love of God. At times, it has been discouraging because despite boldly preaching the Gospel it often has felt like we are planting seeds, but not seeing no tangible fruit. But despite the disappointment and difficulty, God has been so good. Up to that point, we had seen 1 salvation, had many opportunities to encourage and uplift numerous believers and churches, and witnessed God perform a handful of healings. One of the miracles we experienced was during a worship night when one of the girls in my team felt pain in her arm, that was not there when she arrived. So, prompted by the Holy Spirit, she approached a woman near her and asked if she had any pain in her arm. To her shock and surprise, this woman not only had pain in her arm but it had been caused by a chronic bone disease that had been generational in her family. After praying for this woman the pain was completely gone! A week later she came back again, and publicly testified of the healing miracle and how God had completely set her free! 

A week later another team from California, YWAM Circuit Riders, joined us for a few days in Albania, as spontaneously prompted by the Holy Spirit (they were not supposed to come to Albania). While they were here we joined them for evangelism, their preaching time, and their men's and women's night. During this time our teams saw 12 salvations and a demon cast out! And God was not done there! The very next week I experienced God use me to heal 4 people! As I prayed for the first man, I watched as the wounds and sores on his leg began to shrink. Unfortunately, he did not allow me to continue to pray for complete healing, as he was more interested in money, but it was still wild to see God work. Then an hour after that encounter, God gave me a word for a woman in our prayer meeting, and as I shared this word, I felt a pain in my arm and the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for her. She had been experiencing chronic back and nerve pain that had also been affecting her arm. So, we prayed and God also set her free! Then later that afternoon, I had another opportunity to pray for a gentleman with shoulder pain, and God healed him as well! Then the following morning, one of the guys on my team was experiencing pain in his eyes, and both eyes were completely bloodshot. After we finished praying the pain and the redness in his eyes were gone! 

Aside from many of the cool things that we have witnessed, I have had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to many men, get to know and go for coffee with a handful of others, pray and give words to many, and I have even had the chance to use my apologetics degree in many conversations and reason with those looking for answers.

God is just that good! Even when we don't see it He is working! Despite at times, it feels like we may just be planting seeds, God is moving in the hearts of the Albanians, and calling people to Him! It has been such a pleasure to have the opportunity to partner with God in His glorious work of calling the lost and strengthening His church. 

Please continue to pray that God will soften the hearts of the Albanians to receive the Gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to fill us with boldness and faith to preach the Gospel with power. Lastly, pray that our team may continue to be rooted and grounded in the love of God, united as one, in one accord with Jesus.

Thank you again for your continued support and prayers!

Grace and Peace,

Cameron