Donations to an Educational Fund for Albanian Orphan

Two years ago, I (Elaine Raw) traveled on a mission team with Operation Renewed Hope (https://www.operationrenewedhope.org), founded by Jan Milton in 1991 in Fayetteville, NC. I was introduced to the name of Konstantina Babuli, or Ina, a young high school girl from Albania. In hearing her story, I soon learned that she was an orphan, having lived in the Hope Center, Hope of the World Foundation in Tirana, Albania, for five years. Her prayer has been, "Three years now I have been praying to study somewhere in America, even though I never thought I would get such an opportunity. I trusted God with all my heart, and I put everything in His hands so His will would be done in my life. I can't thank you enough for what you're doing for me! I will only do my hardest and best to earn this opportunity."

Ina's pastor and wife are Michael and Jennifer Fiocchi with Baptist World Mission. Pastor Michael says that Ina translates his sermons for him each week. The report is that Ina is a remarkable young 18-year-old lady, deeply loves the Lord, readily serves in the orphanage and elsewhere, has studied five languages, translates for visiting teams, has a high academic record, and is a godly role model for the other 23 in the orphanage. She desires to attend Bob Jones University near us here in Greenville, South Carolina, but we must raise the funds to make this miracle happen. Her application is in, and she has been accepted. Please join me, my husband Hal, and loved ones in helping to fund the expenses of this year's tuition, lodging, academics, and airfare. The following is her story:

“Kostandina’s Story

‘Ina’ (nickname for Kostandina) was raised by her mother, who became a widow when she was just twenty-three years old. She had two children: a son, three years old, and Ina, who was just one year old. They lived with the grandparents on the father’s side for a number of years, but her mom later decided to move to Tirana, the capital city of Albania, because of better opportunities for her to provide for her children by finding work and housing of their own.

While there in Tirana, they found it very difficult and struggled economically, moving from place to place trying to find work and a home they could afford. Fortunately, there was an owner of one of the apartments whose family could see her situation, and they were kind to her. They gave her jobs to do at the property where she was living so she could pay her rent. This was in addition to her other jobs.

Ina and her mom started going to a local church where they both came to know Christ as their Savior. Ina was a sweet girl, an excellent student, and a faithful believer. Her brother was more difficult for her mother, as he had been raised without the influence or presence of a father figure in his life.

Some years later, Ina’s mother got in touch with my cousin through working for the same company. She shared with him her concern for her children and for her own situation, in that she had to work many hours and had not been able to take care of Ina as she should. She was growing up, and her requirements were higher. Ina, being a very good student, wanted the opportunity to take private courses for languages. It was through my cousin that they heard about our Hope Center and made application to come to us.

Ina has been at the Hope Center now for five years. She speaks five languages: English, Greek, German, Italian, and, of course, her own language of Albanian. When she came to us, she had nearly nothing except a few pieces of worn-out clothing. Language studies are encouraged in Albania, and we can make it happen at the Hope Center. This helps them to find jobs, because many foreign companies are in Albania, and there are more options for employment if you are multilingual.

As soon as Ina moved to our Hope Center, she really began to feel like a normal teenager. She began to laugh, to hang out with friends, to dress up like a young lady, and to participate in all of the activities.

When Ina had been at the Hope Center for a while and her mother came to visit, she was in tears and telling us, ‘I found my daughter now… she had been lost in my struggles as I did whatever I could for her, but she had to live like a little woman, not a young girl. She could never go out to buy any clothing for herself or go on any of the school trips or activities. Never go on a vacation or do something that would be fun for her. Thank God for the church activities, which were her only light to enjoy at her age.’

Since Ina has been with us at the Hope Center for five years, many things have come into her life to help her grow in her relationship with God. Last year she translated in church for our American pastor in every service. She is truly a role model for our girls. She worked during the summer vacation to help her family. She continues to translate every night for devotions led by our Hope for the World missionaries. She has a very lovely voice and sings in the choir. She has had a role in each drama and has even been a translator for a medical team three different times—teams who have come to Albania with as many as 50 American medical personnel—named ‘Operation Renewed Hope.’ She is always a great help every summer when the Americans come and hold Vacation Bible School at the Hope Center for our whole community.

There is one particular thing that stands out about Ina in my eyes: she is never afraid or too shy to share the Gospel in her school or in the community where the Hope Center is located. She is a strong Christian witness.”

Ledina Rabdishta – Administrator and Director of Hope Center for Hope for the World Foundation

Her full name: Kostandina Babuli

Please show your support for this GoFundMe or give directly to BJU.

https://gofund.me/8d23460c

Any amount will be most appreciated. If you give directly to Bob Jones University, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29614, Financial Services, to be put on her school account with cash or check, all funds will go directly in support of Ina’s schooling. (Otherwise, GoFundMe takes a small percentage.) Thank you!