ALBANIA HOME OF HOPE VIRTUAL MISSION TEAM II

“Last summer was the first time in ten years that we were not able to host an OCMC Team to offer a summer camp for the children at the Home of Hope, orphanage in Durres. The children were quarantined and even during the summer, we were not able to have a summer camp or go to visit relatives. We are excited to be planning a virtual camp in August. Please join us to share your faith and bring joy and hope to the children!”

– Pamela Barksdale, long term Missionary to Albania

 

SHEN VLASH, ALBANIA – Do you love working with youth? Do you love teaching others about caring for our world and the impact of climate change?

 

The 2021 Virtual Albania Youth Team will offer lessons, crafts and short video segments on the impact of environmental issues and our role in caring for God’s creation. Team members are asked to create an awareness of how trash and waste impacts our water.  The youth will participate in a Beach Cleanup Day to reinforce the lessons and act on a personal level.  Join the summer Virtual Albania Youth Team where the youth who reside at the Children’s Home of Hope, will learn more about God’s Creation and our responsibility to help keep our water and earth clean.   

Under Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania and the Ministry of Social Work of Albania, the Children's Home of Hope opened in 2003 and since then has offered a loving, home model for children who have troubled home situations.  It is open to children that may be orphaned, come from single parent families, or families experiencing some type of hardship.  This home is a blessing and gift to the children, ages 4-14, who come from particularly difficult backgrounds. The Orthodox Church in Albania runs 28 schools - 20 preschools, 3 k-9th grade, 4 high schools and 1 2-yr professional school.  

 

After five centuries of Ottoman presence and five decades of communist rule, Albania suffered the most severe religious persecution in the world.  All forms of religion were constitutionally prohibited; most churches and monasteries had been destroyed, no Church infrastructure existed, and only a few clergy remained.  Today, under the guidance of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, along with the help of Orthodox missionaries and dedicated Albanian leaders the Church has been resurrected and continues to flourish.  Be a witness of the Faith in a country where 70% of the people come from a Muslim tradition by being a part of this teaching and outreach Team.   

 

In 2016, the Holy Synod met to approve the amendments of the Statute of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and established two new metropolises.  The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania consists of: Archbishop Anastasios; His Eminence Ignat, Metropolitan of Berati; His Eminence Joan, Metropolitan of Korca; His Eminence, Dhimiter Metropolitan of Gjirokastra; His Eminence Nikolla, Bishop of Apollonia and Fier, His Eminence Andon, Bishop of Elbasan; His Eminence Nathaniel, Metropolitan of Amantia; and His Eminence Asti, Bishop of Bylis. 

 

The Team will be planned by OCMC missionary to Albania, Pamela Barksdale.  Team members who have experience in youth work, camps or teaching (English, religious education) are needed.  

 

Dates:  September 42021 

Cost:  $45 registration fee 

 

Fund raising – As part of this event, the youth from the Home of Hope will follow the teaching segment of this Virtual Team with a Beach Cleanup Day. Team Members are encouraged to support this Beach Cleanup and fund raise to make this event successful.     

 

Share in a journey of faith… Orthodox Mission Team members are challenged to view the world with God's eyes and seek how He wants to use them to fulfill His plans. This cross-cultural experience, combined with outreach, offers participants a life-changing learning experience. This experience is about people, culture and missions. It is also about prayer, for you and others; it is about God, those you serve, and about yourself, as you serve Him.