Kosovo Travel Day — Part 3
If you are just joining us for this ongoing saga of a travel day let me set the scene. My team is currently posted at a Halal restaurant in Dragash. It is our first “Adventure Day” in Kosovo and we were on a hunt for WiFi and an ATM. So here we are, surrounded by empty coffee cups and dessert plates, each one of us on devices not to distract us from the present but to connect and share with all of you back home. The past few days in the charming mountain village of Restelicë have been nothing short of AMAZING! I rush to my journal every evening when we get home because I don’t want to forget anything. I want forever ingrained in my memory every sight, sound, smell, and feeling that each 24 hours holds; I have NEVER felt this way in my life. God has revealed Himself in so many creative ways so far that I never want this feeling to leave. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it GOD IS SO GOOD!
So, to pick up where I left off, our team loaded up on a bus from Prizren to Dragash. We had no plans, typical, once we got to Dragash. We thought, at best, we would find a hostel in Dragash and take the day to figure out our transportation and accommodations for Restelicë. Not surprisingly, the LORD was already in motion. Upon arriving in Dragash, we were IMMEDIATELY ushered into a taxi to Restelicë…we’re talking ZERO wait time. How crazy is that?!?
Team Bullseye: Michael, Natalie, Niecey, Bradon, & Claran
After a 40-minute bumpy taxi ride through winding mountain roads we arrived in Restelicë. During the course of our ride, our driver asked us where we were staying in an undetectable language and hand motions. We responded in the same manner that we didn’t know where we were staying. He stopped at what seemed like the nearest man and had a short conversation with the man. The man then hopped in the van with us and joined us for the remainder of our ride into the village “center” (one of the few words that all parties understood). They parked the van, unloaded our packs, and then ushered us into a nearby cafe. During our time in the cafe, we had people buy us coffee and line up our lodging for the next two weeks. We had numerous people approach us and ask us if we spoke German or Italian. This has been an ongoing question since arriving and we can only assume that it is because of the number of European tourists they get during the summer. Over the course of the 3 hours we spent in that cafe, we had several people filter in and out to take a look at the Americans. Everyone that passed through was asked if they spoke “Anglisht” (English).
Reflecting over this day brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes knowing that even in uncertainty, God had His sovereign hand in all of it.
This is the last of the seemingly never ending travel day blogs but I have an inkling that this is DEFINITELY not the last of the Kosovan blogs.
Please join me in praying for the people of this beautiful village:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You. Thank You for showing up consistently even when we don’t. Thank You for loving us and guiding us through all of life’s uncertainties. Thank not only for allowing us to live but for making life GOOD; You did not have to do that. Thank you for keeping us safe during travels and for showing us Your love that crosses all language barriers. Holy Spirit, we ask that You flood the streets of Restelicë. Stir the hearts of the people living there. Help us till the soil for those who follow in our footsteps to plant seeds. Guide them into Your everlasting, loving arms. Help us reflect Your light and love daily. In your Holy name. Amen.
Peace & Blessings,
Claran
