Albania was first a catholic country due to the Roman’s invasion, but in the 15th century after the Ottoman invasion it became Muslim. Since it shares a border in the south with Greece, many inhabitants of these areas are orthodox. From the end of the 1960s practicing a religion was forbidden by the communist regime. It was after the fall of this regime that the Albanians started to practice religion again.

April 18 through May 2 will be an extended mission combining evangelism and medical missions in Tirana, Albania and Thessaloniki, Greece. We’ll be returning to Albania to continue the work we began in 2021.

It is not a coincidence that the foundations of Christian faith in both nations were laid by the Apostle Paul. When Apostle Paul evangelized Europe, travelling westward on the Via Egnatia he preached at Thessalonica, the largest city on this great highway. This became the center from which Christianity radiated to Athens and Corinth, also to the province of Illyricum. Paul’s missionary journeys followed Roman highways, and along them extended the chain of early churches.  A trip of 150 miles along the Egnatian highway from Thessalonica westward would penetrate to the heart of Albania.

Though Albania is a Muslim country today, it is a safe place to share the Gospel.

The evangelical church in Albania is just 0.5% of the population. Many people have not heard of Jesus and the local churches need help to spread the Good News.

Our mission will focus on the most underprivileged communities, the Roma people, the Egyptian minorities, and the poor Albanian families from the North. 

During the outreach you will share testimonies of how Jesus impacted your life, help distribute food and other supplies, assist in the medical clinic, pray for people, distribute Bibles and Gospel tracts, engage youth and children in activities that will introduce them to the Gospel message and many other opportunities to show the love of Christ.

The medical clinic is a great way to attract people who are intimidated by the idea of church. We need medical and non-medical professionals to assist in the clinic.

Our work in Albania will be mostly in the capital city of Tirana, but we will also visit some of the surrounding cities.

From Albania we will travel to Thessaloniki with a stop in Meteora, one of the most unique and mysterious rock formations in Greece where in the 11th century AD monks made their dwellings in the caves and later a complex of monasteries was built.

The ministry in Thessaloniki will also focus on the Roma communities, many of whom moved to Greece from Albania.

Since May WMA has partnered with the Albanian churches in the child sponsorship program, to provide a better quality of life and education for the children from underprivileged communities. Our work will be helping further and solidify this work.

Through medical missions, orphanage support and partnership with local churches we have an unprecedented opportunity to safely share the love of Christ in Albania and Greece!

These are the ministry opportunities you will have.

  • Evangelism
  • Orphan ministry
  • Bible teaching
  • Medical missions
  • Bible Distribution
  • Gypsy community outreach

The cost of the Albania/Greece trip is $2500 (Due by 3/4/23)
Includes: lodging, 3 meals/day, ground transportation, itinerary planning and translator services. This fee does not include airfare. Our office can assist you with booking your flight out of your home airport and connect you with other travelers along the way.

The price for this trip is currently $2500, however due to inflation, may have to be increased. If you’d like to hold a spot on the 2023 Albania/Greece trip, you can do so with a $200 deposit. As long as your deposit is received prior to any announced price increases, we will honor the $2500 price.

Click the link to make a trip payment https://rfwma.org/make-a-trip-payment/

A deposit of $200 is required to secure your spot on the team. Your deposit is nonrefundable, but will be applied to the total amount due which is $2500, due by 3/4/2023.  

The price for this trip is currently $2500, however due to inflation, may have to be increased. If you’d like to hold a spot on the 2023 Albania/Greece trip, you can do so with a $200 deposit. As long as your deposit is received prior to any announced price increases, we will honor the $2500 price.

EXCEPTION: for first time travelers with WMA who are still in the application process please note, the deposit is refundable if your application cannot be approved. 

Please read our full cancellation policy, including information about deposits and refunds

Click the link to make your deposit https://rfwma.org/make-a-trip-payment/

If you need to raise funds for your mission trip to Albania/Greece, here is how we suggest you get started.

1.Read Our E-book 10 Great Ways to Fundraise for Your Mission Trip. You can download it here

2. Send A Support Letter to everyone you know and ask them to send it to everyone they know. Remember to include a link in your emails and online posts to our “Give” page https://rfwma.org/give/ or to your personal fundraising page if you set one up so it’s very easy for those the Lord prompts to support your mission trip to give. We will send you updates on any donations that come in for your trip. Below is the support letter template we’ve written for the Albania/Greece 2023 trip. It’s completely editable and you may use it however you’d like to get the word out about the opportunity you have to join this mission and how anyone who wants to can support in prayer and financially.

Dear Friends & Family
You are among the first people with whom I share this amazing news in my life. I was invited to be a part of a mission’s trip to Albania/Greece, April 18-May 2, 2023 with World Missions Alliance. We will travel to Tirana, Albania as well as to Greece to partner with local churches in evangelism to the Gypsy communities, Bible teaching in the Bible school, orphanage ministry and medical clinic outreach. 

You can read more about the hosts of this mission here:  http://www.rfwma.org.

I am writing to ask for your help in 2 areas. First and foremost I ask you to pray for the success of this trip. We’ve already begun planning, getting passports, purchasing airplane tickets, etc. We need God’s guidance in every aspect of this trip. So your prayers are extremely important.

Next, I am asking you to consider helping financially if you feel lead to do so. I truly believe the Lord is directing this mission and your money will be sown into very fertile soil. Upon return, I will be excited to share with you about the Harvest that will be yours as well. I need $2500 for expenses there (hotel, food, transportation, cost of interpreters, etc..)  and my flight cost of approximately $1000.

Your gift is tax deductible and checks should be made out to World Missions Alliance (or W.M.A.) and designated to my missionary support.  You can send the funds to me or directly to World Missions Alliance at: P.O. Box 1067 Branson West, MO 65737. You can also make a donation by credit card on the WMA website: https://rfwma.org/give/. Any amount will be a huge help and will make you a vital part of winning souls for Christ in Albania.

Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance for your support. You will be a vital part of everything God will do in Albania. I can’t wait to share with you the incredible account of this mission!

God bless,
(YOUR NAME HERE)

World Missions Alliance
PO Box 1067,
Branson West, MO 65737
Website: www.rfwma.org

3. Online/Social Media Post Template

If you’re interested in running an online fundraiser for your trip to Albania/Greece , here is some info that you are welcome to use. You may edit the below paragraph any way you’d like or use it as is.

Friends, I have been invited to join World Missions Alliance on an urgent and timely mission trip to Albania and Greece April 18-May 2, 2023.  Our mission is to partner with the local church to reach the most vulnerable and underprivileged segments of the population through evangelistic outreach and medical clinic ministry. I will need to raise $(fill in the blank with the amount you still need to raise) to go and want to give you the opportunity to get involved in what God is going to do in Albania/Greece on this mission. I invite you to touch the heart of God today with your love and generosity. No gift amount is too small. Giving on the WMA website is safe, quick and easy. Just click here https://rfwma.org/give/  and remember to put my name, (Your Name), in the notes section. All donations are tax deductible. You can also support by praying for me, the team, and the mission as well as sharing this opportunity with everyone you know. Thank you in advance for your quick response and generosity. I’m so excited to see what God is going to do!!

4. Personal Fundraising Page on the WMA Website

With an approved application and $200 deposit you will be able to create a personal fundraising page on our website which can be easily shared in your letters, emails and social media posts regarding fundraising for your mission trip.  Please contact Denise at 417-231-4131 or [email protected] to request instructions for creating your personal fundraising page. 

Get acquainted with the country God’s called you to.

Here are some fun and interesting facts you may not have known about Albania:

1. In the evenings, the locals like to walk.  But it’s not just a walk.  Known as xhiro, it’s an official evening walk where every resident comes out to stretch their legs and catch up with their neighbours. 

2. When an Albanian is agreeing with you, he or she will shake their head, and when they are disagreeing with you they will nod.  Be warned and avoid confusion.  Yes means no and no means yes.

3. The majority of Albanians are Muslim.  About 70% at last count.  A 2011 census shows that about 60% of Muslims are practicing Sunni and Bektashi Shia, making it the largest religion in the country. 

4. You’re likely to notice a large number of scarecrows in odd places.  Albanians believe that a scarecrow placed on a home or other building while it’s under construction will ward off envy from the neighbours. Sometimes you’ll see a teddy bear serving the same purpose.  The odd part is that the scarecrow or the teddy bear will be impaled on a rod or hung by a rope like a noose.  Some also say that these talismans bring good luck.

5. When the communist era ended in 1991, there were roughly three million people in the country but only 3000 cars.  Communism isolated the country and for a long time, only Party officers were permitted to use cars. 

6. The heroine of Albania is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu.  Better known to the rest of the world as Mother Teresa.  She was born in Skopje, which is now a part of Macedonia, and is one of the most beloved religious figures of the 20th century. She is the only Albanian to win a Nobel prize.

7. Shkodra has no traffic lights.  It’s one of the oldest cities in Europe and the fifth largest in Albania.

8. The Albanian government has seen a lot of change.  The government declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.  Then, in 1939, the country was successfully invaded by Italy.  Shortly after that, in 1944, Communist loyalist took control.  For the next several decades, Albania aligned itself first with Russia (until 1960) and then China (until 1978).  Finally, in 1991, the people were able to end 46 years of strife when they once again declared independence and established a multi-party democracy.

9. The highest point in Albania is Maje e Korabit, or Golem Korab.  At over 2,700 metres, this peak sits directly on the border with Macedonia – making the highest point for both countries.

Here are some fun and interesting facts you may not have known about Greece:

1. Greece is made up of thousands of islands
You’ve probably heard of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete… But did you know that Greece is made up of thousands more beautiful islands? It is estimated that Greece is home to up to 6,000 islands and islets, with only around 200 of them being inhabited. 
 
2. Greece has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
If you love visiting heritage sites you’re in for a treat in Greece. The country is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including world-famous sites like the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Apollo, Meteora, and the Old Town of Corfu.
 
3. 80% of Greece is made up of mountains
When you think of Greece, you probably picture sandy shores, blue ocean, whitewashed buildings and blue domes. But one of the most surprising facts about Greece reveals that the majority of the country is actually mountains. It’s one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, with 80% of the country covered in mountains. Don’t forget to pack a good pair of walking shoes!
 
4. No part of Greece is more than 137 kilometers away from the ocean
Greece may be 80% mountains… But if you associate a beautiful Mediterranean coastline with Greece, you’re also right! Greece has an impressive coastline of 16,000 kilometers (9,942 miles), making it the 10th longest coastline in the world. Plus, no part of the country is more than 137 kilometers (85 miles) away from the ocean. That’s a lot of water!
 
5. Greece has a diverse array of wildlife
With all those incredible coastal and mountainous landscapes, it’s no wonder that Greece is home to some of the world’s most unique animals. Some animals are even found only on specific Greek Islands, including seals, turtles, frogs, lizards, snakes, fish, butterflies, mice, and even the Kri-kri (the Cretan Wild Goat). Some fun facts about Greece for birdwatchers – there are 240 bird species in the country. Consider planning your trip for winter as this is when over 100,000 birds and hundreds of birds migrate to the wetlands of Greece each year.
 
6. More tourists visit Greece every year than the entire Greek population
It’s no secret that Greece is one of the world’s most popular countries to visit. But did you know that over 17 million tourists visit Greece each year? That is almost double the total population of Greece. It’s one of the only countries in the world with tourist numbers that double its population (along with Malta, Cyprus and Luxembourg). Tourism makes up around 20% of Greece’s GDP, which is also one of the highest percentages of any industrialized country.
 
7. The capital of Greece is named after the goddess Athena
Athena is the Goddess of wisdom and warfare – and the Patron of Athens. According to Greek Mythology, Athena and Poseidon fought over the right to name the city, and the Greeks chose Athena to be the Patron of Athens. Both gods offered the people a gift, with Athena gifting an olive tree and Poseidon offering water, but the people chose the olive tree as it was of a higher value since it could provide oil, food and wood.
 
8. Greece is the third largest producer of olives
The olive tree continues to be a big part of Greek culture to this day… The country has over 120 million olive trees and produces 2.2 million metric tons of olives every year. That makes it the third-largest producer of olives in the world, after Spain and Italy. Greece also produces more varieties of olives than any other country. One of the most interesting facts about Greece and olives is that some of the country’s olive trees that were planted in the 13th century are still bearing fruit today.

9. Athens has more theatres than any other city in the world
They say the world’s a stage – and that’s certainly true in Athens! With 148 theatrical stages, the city has the most theatrical stages in the world, even beating out London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. It’s fitting for Athens to hold this title since it’s the place where the art of acting and theatre was born.
 
10. There are more than 4,000 traditional dances in Greece
With all those theatrical stages, there’s bound to be some dancing in Greece. In fact, the Greeks love dancing so much, there are over 4,000 official traditional dances in Greece. They originate from all over the country and you’re sure to find a place where you can kick up your heels on your trip to Greece.
 
11. Greece is one of the sunniest places in the world
One of our favorite facts about Greece is that it’s one of the world’s sunniest countries, basking in more than 250 sunny days – or 3,000 hours of sunshine – each year. Some islands even see around 300 days of sunshine a year. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!
 
12. Greece has more archaeological museums than any country in the world
With more than 110 archaeological museums, Greece takes out the top spot for the most in the world. From the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum in Athens to the archaeological sites of Delphi and Olympia, you’ll find some of the world’s most important and remarkable collections of Greek antiquities here.
 
13. Greece has another name
A fun fact about Greece is that the country’s official name is the Hellenic Republic. Greeks are known as Hellenes and they call their country Hellas, an ancient Greek word. These original terms were used until the Byzantine period when Roman rulers named the Hellenes ‘Graecus’ from ‘Graecia’. Today, Greece is once again officially known as the Hellenic Republic.
 
14. Greek is one of the oldest languages still in use
The Greek language is considered to be one of the oldest written languages still in use today. Based on archaeological findings, it’s believed to have been used continuously for over 5,000 years. Greek has also had a huge influence on English and other Latin-based languages. Before you head off to Greece, try learning a few Greek phrases – it will be appreciated by the locals and is sure to enrich your travel experience in this amazing country.

1. Kosovo is the second-youngest country in the world, declaring its independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008. The only country to declare its independence more recently is South Sudan, formed in 2011 from Sudan.
 
2. While Serbia and a handful of other countries – including Russia and China – do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, the International Court of Justice ruled that Kosovo is a sovereign nation in 2010.
 
3. Kosovo, a landlocked country slightly larger than Delaware, is the smallest Balkan nation. About 40 percent of its land is covered by forest, and slightly more than half of its land is agricultural.
 
4. With a median age of 29.1 years, Kosovo has among the youngest populations in Europe. More than 40 percent of the population is under 25.

5. Kosovo is also the poorest European nation after Moldova, with a per capita gross domestic product of about $10,400 in 2017.
 
6. The majority of Kosovo’s population of nearly 1.9 million is Muslim, with Albanian and Serbian serving as the country’s official languages. Kosovo means “field of blackbirds” in Serbian.
 
7. The Ottoman Empire ruled Kosovo from the mid-15th century to the early 20th century, during which Islam grew in prominence and the number of Albanian speakers significantly increased, leading to tensions between the new Muslim ethnic Albanian majority and Eastern Orthodox Serb minority.
 
8. Tensions boiled over into conflict in the 1990s, when Albanians opposed both Serbs and the government of Yugoslavia – then a recently dissolved federal state – in Kosovo. Hundreds of civilians were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced before NATO intervened to resolve the conflict, though several thousand peacekeepers remain in the country today.
 
9. A statue of former U.S. President Bill Clinton stands on a street that also bears his name in Pristina, the capital. Clinton helped end the conflict in the late 1990s, and former President George W. Bush, who also has a street named for him in the capital, recognized Kosovo’s independence in 2008.
 
10. Pristina is also home to a Roman Catholic cathedral named for Mother Teresa, who was Albanian and lived in a small village in Kosovo as a teenager.

Click HERE to download and print the Albania/Greece packing list

Practical travel tips to help make your mission trip smooth and efficient:
 

Travel Documents 

1. Is your passport up to date?  Do you have a passport?  I personally believe that once you have asked Jesus into your heart, you should follow up with water baptism. After you have been baptized, you should be given: a towel to dry off; and a passport application.   If you are a US Citizen and don’t have an up to date passport, start by filling out the proper form.   Detailed instructions are found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html

Form Used For
DS-11
DS-82
DS-5504
  1. Does the country you wish to visit require an entrance visa?  (Remember visa requirements differ based on the passport you are traveling with.  If you are living in USA but hold a Bolivian passport you will follow the procedures for a Bolivian citizen). 
  2. Once you have completed the proper application process for your travel documentation you will need to get there. 

Air Travel Tips

Most places we travel require air travel.  This can be tricky, unless money is no object.  We will go over some basic tricks to get a comfortable flight.  Know this, the best procedure today may not even work tomorrow.  Nothing we say will be in stone.  This will just get you started.  Creative thinking is the key.  

  1. Start with a flight search engine that searches many airlines.  I use Kayak.com and google.com/flights.  There are many others.  None are always the best.  Anyone can find the best route at the lowest price on one itinerary.  I have found Kayak and google are consistently good, so I would start there and experiment with others as you go. 
  2. Where do you wish to end up?  If you are flying to Paris or Moscow scheduling is pretty straight forward.  Start with your local airport and enter the airport you wish to fly to. 
  3. Small airport destinations become a little tricky since major carriers don’t fly there.  Trick, find the airport website.  Small airports generally list the incoming and departing flight schedules.  Work backward.  Find out from which airports flights depart to arrive at the airport you wish to go.  Then look for flights into that airport.  You may have to buy two tickets.  A round trip to that intermediary airport.  And the second-round trip from the intermediary airport to your destination.  There are many variations here.  Including open jaw (where there is a gap somewhere in the round-trip itinerary.  Example: ORD to AMM outbound and BEY to ORD return.  Here you have another flight from AMM to BEY.  This can get complicated but can save some money, with a risk.  If the flight on your first ticket is delayed or canceled and causes you to misconnect to your flight on your second ticket you are at the mercy of the airline.  They can have mercy and book you on the next flight, charge you a change fee and book you on the next flight or force you to buy another ticket.  If you chose to use two or more tickets be sure to get insurance.  Some credit cards cover you automatically.  But verify before you purchase the ticket. 
  4. Search with the three-digit airport code used by IATA (international association of travel agents) you can find the airport code list here http://www.airportcodes.org/
  5. Be careful of what countries you transfer in.  If you change planes in a country that requires a visa and you get stranded, you will not be allowed to leave the airport.  For U.S. citizens Russia and India are two that require visas to leave the airport.  It is a good idea to check if there is a hotel in the terminal.  Find out where the hotel is located and how much the rooms are.  Sometimes they are reasonable. 
  6. There is no apparent logic for the airline prices.  If you find a good schedule with a fair price book it and don’t check prices again.  Airline prices change faster than the stock market.  I have had an airline ticket go up $800 during lunch.  I have also had a ticket go down by almost that much after I purchased the ticket.  Don’t let this fluctuation stress you out.  It is a fact of life.  Your goal is to get to your destination safely. 
  7. Check all airports you are willing to drive to.  Sometimes very surprising fares or better schedules come from the unexpected areas
  8. Schedule.  This is a person preference.  I prefer a two to four-hour layover in an overseas connecting flights.  You will go through security which takes time and planes are often late.  When returning you must clear passport and customs.  Allow a minimum of 90 minutes for a connecting flight. 

Packing tips  (remember less it better). 

  1. Try to get everything in a carry-on.  For a 10-day trip it can be done but takes some planning.  I have some recommendations for you. 
  2. Clothes hamper for dirty clothes.  I have one I bought at dollar tree.  It is like this one from amazon.  I really like it. https://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Pop-Up-Laundry-Hamper-Eliminate/dp/B00HZ0IOJ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519268074&sr=8-3&keywords=collapsible+laundry+hamper
  3. Clear zipper bag for electronics.  I use the following:  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Modella-Transparent-Black-Make-Up-Bag/10315324
  4. Travel adapter.  I designed and made a travel adapter I thought met all my needs.  Left out in a German airport then discovered this adapter which is better than my design.  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Travel-Smart-TS238AP-All-In-One-Adapter-with-USB/23499900

The travel adapter above is great for a reason that is not readily apparent until you stay in some foreign hotels.  I have stayed in many hotels that have no free electric outlets.  So, if you want to charge your phone you must unplug the lamp.  Remember their plugs are different so you can’t plug in the lamp in the USA extension cord.  The plug above is universal.  Unplug the lamp, plug in the adapter, plug the lamp into the adapter and you still have two more plugs to use for your extension cord or computer.  
 
***Important note***
Transformer changes voltage.  Example a stepdown transformer will drop 220-240 volts to our 110-130 volts. 
Adapter only allows you to put your plug into a socket not designed for your plug.  Example an American plug (using two flat blades) into a German socket (one using two round holes).
An ADAPTER WILL NOT CHANGE VOLTAGE!!!!

  1. Extension cord.  Minimum 6 foot.  Generally, there are no outlets near your bed.  If you enjoy having your phone charge while on the night stand near the bed, then the extension cord will allow that.
  2. Travel iron.  I really like this iron.  Steam Bug Travel Steam Iron https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EXJ20G/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_wqoJAbP4CABP8. There are other brand names that look the same (and may be the same).  It’s size and function make it perfect for travel.  Many hotels overseas do not have an iron in the room.
  3. Hair dryer. (and curling irons).  Buy a hair dryer that is 220v if you travel overseas.  (Save Japan).  DO NOT WASTE TIME AND MONEY BUYING ELECTRIC CONVERTERS.  they generally don’t work.  The ones that do work are unlikely to last the entire trip.  If you have one that works well, you might consider buying a Powerball ticket also. (ha, ha!)  You are that lucky (blessed and highly favored) person, (and probably have a pet unicorn!)
  4. Curling iron. See hair dryer above.
  5. Chargers.  Most phone, camera, computer chargers are world voltage.  Verify to be sure.  It will say on item or on the plug or the transformer something like; input 100~250v 50~60 hz.  These you can plug directly into the wall without an electric converter (step down transformer). You may still need an adapter to get it to fit into the electrical outlet.
  6. Bring a backup phone charger.  (Yours could quit or, more likely, get lost).
  7. Mix and match clothes.  Appropriate for the people you are ministering to.  A little research is helpful.  You will generally be surprised by the real situation.  You need not dress like a local but dress appropriate (non-offensive) for the locals. 
  8. Medicine. All personal medications need to be packed in your carry-on not your checked bag. Many are of faith and rightfully believe that God is a better healer than medicine.  You are 100% correct.  My experience is, you will find many areas to test your faith while on the mission field.  If an aspirin will get you back to the mission quickly than take it.  Maybe you need to help another who has a headache.  If you pack a painkiller you can bond over providing a help in time of need.   Items I think are of vital importance.
    1. Pain killer, (Excedrin, Tylenol, ibuprofen etc. What works for you.)
    2. Imodium.  (Bathrooms are not that nice to spend your whole trip there.)
    3. Any prescription medicine you take. 
    4. Allergy medicine. 

There may be other things you may want to bring but these are important.  Generally, you won’t need anything, but it is nice to have it just in case. 

The big challenge of short term missions is reflected in the term itself. It is short. What can and should be done in a short period of time in a nation to make a lasting impact?

Another question that is frequently asked – am I qualified to make a difference?

Being called by God for a specific assignment is very humbling. We don’t want to mess up His plan. We don’t want to embarrass ourselves trying to achieve something we don’t have the ability or expertise to do.

Setting a realistic objective helps to eliminate the initial concerns. God chose you because He has determined that your life experience, your gifts, your story are going to be useful for this place and time. Do you lead a Bible study in your church? Do you enjoy playing with children? Do you have a beautiful voice, play instruments, love to worship? These natural gifts and affinities will be used during your time in the country. From the moment you have felt the call start asking God what is the subject that He wants you to prepare to teach on, what songs you should rehearse, etc. Always be prepared to share a personal testimony. We all have many experiences in our lives of God’s favor, provision, deliverance, rescue – these are your best tools to introduce someone to Jesus. Pray and seek which story you should share during the trip. You may not know all the people you will encounter on your journey but God does. He prepares divine appointments for us – if you consult Him in advance, He will help you be prepared.

 In Luke 10:1 Jesus had several practical reasons for sending His disciples in teams.

1. The power of the message you proclaim on the mission field is solidified by having at least one more person who is an agreement. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 Cor 13:1
2. Being able to agree in prayer with at least one other person creates God’s presence and activates His answer. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

The power of being a team is something that we have witnessed through the decades of doing missions work. It creates a pool of multiple talents, personalities, ages groups and makes us relevant an appealing to a larger segment of the local population. It keeps each person challenged to maintain the focus of big vision and willingness to sacrifice personal needs for the sake of the success of the entire team. In short, it creates a favorable environment for God to move and perfects the vessels that he has chosen to use. The people who have traveled with WMA missions teams make life long friendships during the trip because the desire to spread the Gospel is an excellent common ground for a lasting quality relationship.
An important aspect in setting your objectives is recognizing that in missions work there will be a time to sow and a time to reap. The first should always the objective of a successful missions trip. The second is more of a reward that God grants us to encourage us to continue.

“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” John 4:35-38

Reaping is rewarding, sowing is done by faith. The fruit of your sowing may become someone else’s reward, but the Lord of the Harvest rejoices over both – the sower and the reaper.

Three key elements to prepare for your mission trip are:
1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Enlisting partners to cover you and your mission in prayer

TRAVEL/HEALTH INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing travel/health insurance to protect your mission trip expenses. Even if you are in perfect health and do not expect a change in your plans, unexpected things happen.
While WMA has no affiliation with any insurance providers, we have successfully used the insurance companies mentioned below for our staff and missionaries. However, you may pick any other provider of your choice.
AVAILABLE COVERAGE PLANS
COMPREHENSIVE TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE is available for purchase within 20 days of you making your first trip payment. To get more information or to purchase trip cancellation insurance please contact Adam Bates at 800-647-4589 or [email protected]

AFTER 20 DAYS FROM MAKING YOUR FIRST TRIP PAYMENT there are still many other customizable insurance coverage options available such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and cancel-for-any reason insurance.. While your airline may offer insurance for your flight, we have found private insurance companies such as these listed below often offer comparable if not better coverage options at similar if not lower prices.

Adam Bates
Vice President
Insurance Services of America
[email protected]
(800) 647-4589 – Work | (480) 821-9052 – Work
www.InsuranceForTrips.com

James Pruss
Agency Director – Devoted Father, Fan of all Boston Teams, Global Citizen
NOAH JAMES INSURANCE 
Katy, TX  USA
Mobile: (617) 676-7858
www.noahjamesinsurance.com
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Be prepared for an overseas medical emergency or illness with travel medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation benefits, terrorism coverage, and more.SHELVIE’S STORY
Prior to going on a mission trip to Ireland, Shelvie purchased travel medical insurance through one of our recommended insurance providers. During her trip she fell and broke her and had to have a hip replacement surgery. The insurance covered all her medical expenses while in Ireland, it also covered the upgrade to first class with a personal medical travel aid for the trip home. During the flight home Shelvie was able to share the Gospel with the medical aid. This was God’s way of helping Shelive to accomplish her mission in spite of the accident. We believe in God’s protection and provision for every WMA missionary!

APRIL 18- Traveling day
APRIL 19- Arrive in Tirana, Albania our partners will be at the airport to pick you up to take you to the hotel
APRIL 20
– Orientation for the team
– Discuss mission opportunities available

APRIL 27-travel from Albania to Greece
MAY 2
– Travel home day- from Thessaloniki, Greece

Does the entire team meet and fly overseas together?

  • No, each team member will fly out of his or her own hub city and fly individually unless it’s requested and possible to coordinate their flight itinerary with another team member’s. In that case, it may be possible for team members to fly all or at least part of the way together.

Our staff is happy to assist you in finding a flight and coordinating your flight itinerary with other team members when possible. However, generally, the team members are responsible for booking their own international flights. Download our free FLIGHT BOOKING GUIDE for a step by step guide to booking an international flight. Included are important and helpful instructions, reminders,tips, suggestions and more. 

FLIGHT BOOKING ASSISTANCE REQUEST

WMA and the staff at WMA are not licensed travel agents and only offer flight booking assistance to help those who are not seasoned travelers and need assistance with navigating the flight booking process. Click the link to request assistance with booking your flight https://rfwma.org/flight-booking-assistance-request/

TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL DATES

You will fly from your closest international airport on April 18th and arrive in Tirana, Albania (airport code TIA) on April 19th. You will fly home from Thessaloniki, Greece (airport code SKG) on May 2nd. 

SEND US YOUR FULL FLIGHT ITINERARY 

You can send it to [email protected] or email your booking or confirmation code (6 letters or letter/number combo) and the airline you are flying with and we can look it up online.

Albania does not require an entry visa

  • Vaccines and covid tests are NOT required to travel to Albania or back to the U.S. at this time

ALBANIAN EMBASSY  – https://al.usembassy.gov/updates_covid19/

  • Vaccines and covid tests are NOT required to travel to Greece or back to the U.S. at this time

GRECIAN EMBASSY  –https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Please bring with you at least 2 masks as back ups for any places that may ask or require you to wear a mask.

MANDITORY:

Click the link to fill out the responsibility and emergency contact form. We must receive your completed form prior to the trip for you to be eligible to attend. 

https://rfwma.org/responsibility-passport-emergencycontact/

MEDICATIONS FOR CLINIC
The medication for the clinic has to be purchased in Albania, we are not able to being the medicine in with us this trip.  
We are looking for donations to help us be able to purchase these medicines.  If your family, friends, church, etc are looking for the ways they can help, this would be a great need that can be fulfilled.

MEDICAL ITEM LIST
(Many items can be brought by non medical team members if you want to help with supplies for the clinic)

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

•   glucometer

•   otoscope (and covers)

•   oximeter

•   sphygmomanometer

•   stethoscope

•   thermometer

SUPPLIES TO BRING

•   clipboards 

•   hand-sanitizer (lg pump-style bottle)

•   index cards

•   plastic containers (to hold liquid meds, topical creams)

•   scissors

•   scotch tape

•   sharpies (thin and thick point)

•   wall organizer (clear plastic ‘over-the-door’ shoe organizer…great for meds, etc)

•   writing pens 

•   zip locks: small, snack, sandwich (to hold all meds given to pt), gallon (to organize pharmacy), extra large zips ($Tree…3/$10)

***Several printed copies of the WMA drug formulary***

MEDS TO BRING

•   Folic Acid

•   Inhalers

•   Iron supplements

•   Kaopectate / Pepto-Bismol

•   MVI:

•   adult

•   pre-natal

•    children’s

These medications are sometimes not as easily found or are more expensive in foreign countries. 

SUGGETIONS FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL: 

•   Monitoring # of patients that are checked in according to number of providers available to ensure that all patients can be seen and given quality care from the beginning to the end of clinic 

•   Having a short medical team meeting before starting clinic to get to know each others clinical strengths, determine assignments: intake, triage/people mover, pharmacy, provider assistant, to discuss flow, etc 

•   Asking translators (at the beginning of the 1st clinic) to please not use their cell phones while translating (unless it is an emergency or for translation purposes)