Daniela, 37, and her husband Armado, 41, grew up in poverty in southwestern Albania. When they had two children and faced unemployment and further poverty, they made the brave choice to relocate in search of a better life.
To their disappointment, in Fllaka, a rural area outside of Durres, their problems continued. They struggled to find jobs and were plagued by fear about how they would provide their children, even basic necessities such as food and warm clothing.
Looking back, Daniela remembers finding it challenging even to smile. She was filled with anger and sadness and felt trapped in a seemingly never-ending cycle of hardship.
Their eldest son, Engjell, 15, said, "I don't recall much from my younger years, but the image of my mother in tears and scolding me when I made mistakes is a frequent memory."
Armado, 41, said, "As the head of my family, navigating through the challenges of unemployment and meeting our family's needs was a hard task that left me feeling disheartened. Daily arguments and disagreements became the norm, and the idea of being at home was not something I relished."
Everything began to change for the family when Mission Without Borders, who work in Fllaka to support families living in poverty, were alerted to the family's struggles.
"It was a sister in Christ who told me about a woman in her neighborhood who was really struggling and asked me if the Mission and I could help her," said Arjana, MWB's family coordinator in Fllaka.
The family began receiving regular visits from Arjana. She spent time with them, brought them regular food, hygiene items, and other necessities, and provided much-needed counseling and emotional support.
Arjana said, "As we gradually invited Daniela to come along to Bible studies and church gatherings, something profound started shifting within her heart and mind. At one meeting, Daniela found herself moved to tears and willingly accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour."
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