Lost in Albania

It was June, 1999. We had just arrived in the northern Albanian city of Shkodra in the aftermath of the Kosovo civil war. Our medical team was part of a huge humanitarian effort, seeking to help the many Kosovar refugees displaced by the war. Each day, our team met at a hotel in a central location to catch our ride to the refugee camps where we provided medical care, organized activities for the children, and just provided support and encouragement in any way that we could.

Several of us stayed at the same home about a 20-minute walk from the hotel. We would sometimes walk to the hotel in the morning to have breakfast and meet our other team members.

For some reason, at the end of one of the days, the van driver dropped me off at the hotel by myself. I guess my other housemates were involved in some other activities. Even though I had walked to the hotel several times before, I had never walked back to our place from the hotel. Everything looked different. I set off in what I thought was the right direction, but soon realized I had no idea where I was going.

As I wandered aimlessly down the streets of Shkodra, I remembered our team leader warning us not to be out on the streets at certain hours. As I looked at my watch, I realized that I was out and about during the most dangerous part of the day. Not only was I lost in a strange city, I was in a dangerous situation. It was then that I saw a most welcome sight – two very heavily armed NATO soldiers. I felt safe again.

Within minutes, I found the restaurant where our team often had dinner. I sat down to a nice meal, hoping that the rest of my team would show up for their evening meal, as well. They didn’t, but my server knew enough English to understand that I did not know how to find my way home. He happened to know where our van driver lived and drove me to his place. Thankfully, the driver was home and drove me back to my place.

As I think about getting lost in Albania, I see evidence of God watching over me: the NATO soldiers, finding the restaurant, and the waiter knowing our driver. As we face life’s perplexities, it is comforting to know that God is watching over us. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Note: The picture of the lighthouse was on my office wall for many years as an ongoing reminder of God's ever-present help.