“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28 NIV
When Lachie was at university, his life took a sharp turn — he met Tiffany and he gave his life to Jesus. Together, with Jesus at the centre, the young couple would go on to create a new life in Albania.
“Looking back, I am amazed at how God impacted each of our hearts in the way we needed to be ready for His call to missions,” says Tiffany.
While Tiffany was studying Visual Arts and Lachie Anthropology, the pair went on a short-term mission trip to a country in South East Asia. It was a powerful experience for both of them.
“When I was growing up, my parents were missionaries locally in Australia, my dad has been a Rodeo Chaplain since before I was born and has been sharing his faith and being Jesus to that community for as long as I can remember,” shares Tiffany. “I had kind of disqualified myself for missions because I’m not naturally gifted in evangelism, but [on the short-term mission trip], God opened my eyes and my heart to the normalcy of the missionary life. It’s not for the ultra-evangelist or one who can memorise scripture, the call to reach people is for every believer.”
For Lachie, the trip sharpened his focus: “I knew God had a purpose and a plan for my life, and I was determined to discover what that plan was. What was the point of my course? Was I wasting my time at uni?”
Lachie came to know Jesus at OM’s TeenStreet camp when he was 17. As God drew him deeper, he prayed for direction. “Then I got to serve in another country and learn about new people. I could see parallels with my course, studying cultures. It was the confirmation I needed to pursue cross-cultural ministry,” he says.
Now, the couple, still in their 20s, have two small children and two big jobs. “We’re doing life here, living, working and raising a family. We’ve grown up a lot in the past six years when we moved fresh out of uni,” they share.
Tiffany juggles caring for Caleb, 4, and Micah, 18 months, while working in personnel. The OM team in Albania is large, with 40 adults and 25 kids from 15 different countries. “We’re such a diverse bunch, which is an incredible blessing as well as a big challenge! And each new worker adds something special to the team. My job involves all the planning and logistical support to prepare newcomers, and that they’re doing well here.”
“I want to see teenagers grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Lachie coordinates TeenStreet in Albania, the same youth discipling movement that led him to Christ in Australia. His focus is to help the Church offer youth discipling in small group settings. “I want to see teenagers grow in their relationship with Jesus. Small groups provide something unique; it’s a safe space for teens to go deeper, connect with others and learn their identity in Christ,” he says.
It’s not without its challenges, and Lachie is working from the ground up. “I understand the impact TeenStreet can have,” he shares. “There are fewer than one per cent of Evangelical Christians in Albania, so the need is huge here to share the Gospel and support young people to follow Christ.”
That need means Lachie and Tiffany plan to stay in Albania for the time being. They share, “We try to live in the purpose He’s given us and not to focus on what we can’t see because God is always at work and His purpose is worth living for.”
