International Service Camp in Albania- Shkodër
“I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15)
From August 23 to 30, Shkodër welcomed the International Service Camp, a special experience that brought together young people from Albania, Kosovo, Poland, Slovenia, Greece and Spain. For one week, 70 young people came together to live an experience rich in service, prayer, friendship, sharing and fraternity.
Coming from different cultures and countries, they discovered that what unites them is much greater than what distinguishes them. The camp was not only a gathering of young people, but an opportunity to step outside themselves and approach others with an open heart. Through service in centres and structures where people in need live, the young people had the opportunity to give their time, energy and love. In meetings, prayers and moments shared together, they understood that service is not simply an activity we do, but a way of living love towards others. One of the greatest beauties of this camp was unity in diversity. Different languages, different cultures and different stories came together in the same place. But smiles, prayer, working together and the desire to serve created a common language. Many languages, many cultures, many faces… but one heart. Each day brought new moments: work and service, prayer, songs, games, conversations, dancing and simple moments of joy. Precisely in these ordinary moments, extraordinary friendships were created.
At the heart of the entire experience was Jesus, who teaches us to see others not as strangers, but as friends, brothers and sisters. The Gospel’s words, “You are my friends,” became an invitation to live friendship not only among the participants but also with every person they met during their service. The camp ended, but the experience does not end here. The friendship we received becomes mission, service becomes a way of life, and faith becomes an encounter. Everyone returned to their countries with beautiful memories, new friends, and, above all, a desire to continue what they had begun during this week: to be close to others, to serve with joy, and to be witnesses of hope. A week has ended, but what was planted in the hearts of the young people continues to grow. Thank you, Lord, for every face we met, for every hand we served, for every smile we received and for every step we took together. Thank you to the young people from Albania, Kosovo, Poland, Slovenia, Greece and Spain who made this camp an unforgettable experience. One camp, many hearts, one mission: to serve with love and to build peace and hope.
