We had a day of adventures together! Our first stop was visiting a building that had been donated to Emanuel Church by a Korean church that had previously used it as both a place of worship and a medical clinic.
When Emanuel received the building, it was in very poor condition. But Zef found a wonderful contractor who is doing amazing restoration work, and we were all delighted and impressed as Zef shared his vision for the property.
The building has three floors. The first could house a medical clinic, with Emanuel renting space to doctors. The second floor is a huge apartment, and the third offers a large open space suitable for church services. Then there’s the rooftop, where people could gather for coffee after church, enjoy dinners, listen to music, and more.
It’s a valuable property with so much potential, and it will be exciting to watch Zef’s vision become a reality!
Then we drove to Kruja, a historic mountain town best known as the home of Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg, who led the resistance against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Kruja is an important symbol of Albanian identity and independence. Its old bazaar, with cobblestone streets and traditional shops selling local crafts, is a wonderful place to explore. Above the town sits Kruja Castle, where Skanderbeg made his stand against the Ottomans. And the views are stunning, with breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding countryside and, on a clear day, the Adriatic Sea.
The next event was the church’s monthly book club. In our honor, they had chosen Of Mice and Men, which is set in California. We had a good discussion about the importance of having a dream and the human need for community and connection.
Afterward, Dr. Edvin and his wife, Dr. Bona, invited us to a special dinner—one of the best I’ve ever had. It was part meal, part performance, and part art. The four-hour meal lasted past midnight. Some dishes were served amid clouds of decorative dry-ice fog, while the fish, encased in rock salt, arrived flaming. There was also handmade pasta and an array of amazing desserts.
While we were eating peacefully, large protests near our hotel had escalated into violent clashes. Police eventually used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds. We had no idea any of this was happening until it was all over! The protests have been happening peacefully for several months. This was the first time they had become violent.
