Why Tirana, Albania?

From August 20th through September 1st, I was privileged to be part of TELOS International's teaching team. The European Theological Seminary invited TELOS to train a group of pastors and youth workers from Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Italy in basic counseling skills. This team consisted of TELOS founder Dr. Rand Michael, and three therapists, Alma Gugushi (Albanian), Diane Moore, and myself.

Albania was a logical site. Because Albania is still outside of the European Union and disfavored by many European nations, the Albanians were unlikely to be able to get visas to go to Romania, Bulgaria, or Italy--but anyone can easily travel to Albania. Its infrastructure, roads, educational system, and economy--confirmed by responses from her citizens--desperately need improvements. Difficulties are not new for these people, who have been under almost constant foreign occupation throughout their history--by the Greeks, Romans, Turks, Communists. Nonetheless, Albanians are deeply proud of their ethnic heritage. The original Albanian peoples occupied an area much larger than the current nation of Albania. Alanaian communities still live in Kosovo, Macedonia, and Greece.

The Romans called this land Illyricum, and even the Apostle Paul personally spread the Gospel there:

For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished
through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, by the power of
signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and
all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the Gospel of
Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the Gospel, not where Christ
has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is
written, "Those who have never been told of Him will see, and those who have
never heard will understand" (Romans 15:18-21 ESV).

The land itself is rich in beautiful settings. Unfortunately, its rivers, fields, and roads serve also as landfills and garbage dumps. They seem to lack an appreciation of their beautiful natural resources (sounds like a great spiritual analogy). Nonetheless, their appreciation for family and social relationships is one of their great civic treasures. Americans have much to learn from these wonderful people.