"Many Meetings"

It is amazing to watch a community build itself together in a couple of weeks.  There is something very special about seeing people of different cultures and different languages grow together, pray together, laugh together, learn together, and love God together.

Of course, it's not easy, and it's far from perfect.  In fact, it's often downright frustrating.  Will you pray for unity between the students?  With 15 different students there are 15 points of view, 15 personalities, 15 senses of humor, 15 worldviews, and 15 different reasons for being here. 

I'm reminded of some reading that I did in Ephesians in my first week or two here.  It's probably the book of the Bible that I've read the most, yet God showed it to me in a new light this time.  Try reading through the whole of Ephesians and looking for all of the references to UNITY (also think: body of Christ).  Here are a few:
1:22, 23 - And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
2:13, 14 - But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.
4:2, 3 - [Walk] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

On to a few introductions!  I'll try to respect the privacy of the other students while still giving you a decent introduction  :)  I don't have pictures of everyone, so I've scattered a few random pictures throughout too, just for fun!

Turtle...  Isn't it cute???

Three students are Canadian, two are American, one is German, and the other nine are Albanian.  Some are just beyond high school age, and some were born in the same decade as me. 
There are three other girls in my room: Zhuli, Sonila, and Elisa.  Zhuli is outgoing and fun, AND she speaks great English, which is really a blessing!  Sonila is a few years older then me and quiet, and very caring and concerned for others.  I feel crippled by the language barrier more with her than with any other student.  Please pray for me and the other students as we learn to show God's love to Sonila.  Elisa is another Canadian.  She's another extrovert, and is creative in many different ways.

Elisa

Lydia is German.  She plays guitar, and we lead the music for the student service on Sunday nights together. 
Rozela is Zhuli's sister.  She has a big heart and is always willing to help me with my Albanian in exchange for some help with English!
Fiona is from Florida.  She is lovely and fun and always willing to challenge herself, no matter what anyone says!
Natasha is from a city north of here.  She has a musical laugh and like me, she uses it when words fail, which is fairly frequently!

Natasha, Zak, and Andrea

Zak is getting up at 2am tonight to watch the Giants play.  (That should help you figure out which state he is from.)  He knows when to lighten the mood and when somebody needs to lean on him.
Mitat grew up here in Erseke.  He is the joker of the group.

Caleb and Mitat

Marjus is very serious in a funny way.  Or very funny in a serious way.  I'm not sure which.
Caleb grew up in northern Alberta.  He's doing a really great job on the unity front.  He's also secretely a super-hero, but it would be unwise to give you any more information than that.

Visi and Caleb

Visi spent quite a few years working in Greece.  He's a drummer, and I'm betting that he's got the fastest double-kick chops in Albania!  We occasionally have a little jam session on the wall that separates our rooms.
Valter and Manjola are married.  Valter is boisterous!  Manjola is very sweet, and we've had a few really fun walks together exchanging words and phrases.

I can't leave out Andrea.  She is the Resident Assistant (or, the one who keeps us all in the loop and in line!).  She's an encourager, and she cares deeply for everyone.  She has been a huge blessing to me during my time here.

Well, that's all folks!  Fifteen individuals united in Christ.

Dumpster diving

Finally, random fun fact of the day about Albania:
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.... usually.  Of course, any number of things might change that - potholes, pedestrians, sheep, donkeys.... :)