The Far Side of the Sea

8 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me

Psalm 139: 8-10

And if you're curious how that verse would look, artistically, in Shqip:

During the week that we worked in Vlashaj on this mural, I couldn't stop reading this Psalm during my own devotional time.  We're entering into our last month here in Albania, and I am overwhelmed when I think back on the past seven months.  There have been wonderful experiences, and God was there.  There have been difficult times, and God was still there.  The line that I am constantly drawn back to is "even if I settle on the far side of the sea".  It kept giving me the reassurance that God is here with me, in Albania, during times that I have felt farthest from home and alone.  He is always in control.

Creating this mural with the kids of Vlashaj was such a fun experience!  I was able to use my language skills, more than I ever had before, and I finally got to work in a situation that I love: as an art teacher.  Seeing the kids here get excited to paint and take pride in their work was the most rewarding aspect of the entire project.

I only hope that this mural can be a source of encouragement for the people of Vlashaj as much as it was for me.