Safety in Gjakova, Kosovo What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
We felt completely safe in Gjakova! One of our contacts, Jackie, is from the US and has lived here for 16 years, she told us she’s walked around the town until the middle of the night and has never had a problem. The main roads are lined with street lights and the locals are very quick to help with anything.
Gjakova is a pretty safe place. Not that you want to be completely off your guard, but even at night, families walk the street with their little children. During the day, you can walk most anywhere, but I would stay away from poorly lit areas at night, especially those that are not heavily populated. For instance, the walk from the church to the coffee bars where everyone hangs out is sometimes not very bright, but there are a ton of people around and that area is pretty safe. Side roads/alleys are not. Overall, our team felt very safe, even safer than a lot of places in America. Also, the people are very friendly here.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Gjakova, Kosovo Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
The church family is amazing! The only ministry we were given was daily prayer and church on Sunday. However, we became fast friends with members of the church and were quick to help them with ministries they are apart of. Jackie teaches English classes on Tuesday/Thursdays in Gjakova and Monday/Wednesdays in a near by town. Berat is always doing something around the church or with church families and loves the help. He, and the pastor’s son Elly, are also a great ministry! They tend to hang out at the church nightly and invite their group of friends over on the weekend. We tagged along with them most of our nights and weekends. — Take them bowling, they love it 🙂
4 – I would definitely recommend another team to come here. Ministry was a little shaky at first since we had almost no direction from Pastor Nike, other than the daily prayer. However, we quickly found out that a ton of people come out at night and so we made street evangelism our main ministry. The potential is huge in this city. About 95% are Muslim so there are a lot of people than need to know Jesus. And honestly, praying for the town and people are so important. It is a very tough area, spiritually so prayer and being a strong Christian presence is very important.
Lodging
Lodging in Gjakova, Kosovo Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We stayed in two bedrooms in the church, which shares a yard with the pastor and his family. Both rooms can be locked during the day and can sleep 8-9 people. The church is heated through a wood furnace that needs to be filled throughout the day. The kitchen is a galley kitchen in the main common area of the church, that is used before and after service. There are restrooms on two floors of the church, one shower in the basement, that tended to overflow, so they were quick showers, and a washing machine the pastors wife will gladly help you with.
We had a very nice set up. We stayed in the church. There were two rooms with more than enough beds for each of us, several bathrooms with toilets, a European shower, a kitchen with stove and refrigerator, and a washing machine for our clothes. We could also lock up our rooms when we left for longer periods (as well as the church). Lodging cost was 300 Euro.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Gjakova, Kosovo What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
You are on your own for food. The oven didn’t work, so we were limited to only making things with the stove. We tended to get cereal items for breakfast but then ate our, or grabbed snack items for lunch and dinner. Happy was one of our favorite places – you can get doners for 1.5 euros, macchiatos are .50 euro almost anywhere in the city, Pizza Cimi has amazing pizzas for 1 euro (its down the main road, right past Index 99 on the right). Honestly ask Berat or Elly to show you their favorite places and you’ll never be hungry. A lot of the places near by also deliver. Our budget was 4 euro per person per day.
We were on our own for food and quickly realized that we could eat out for much cheaper than buying food for each meal. Typically, we ate breakfast at home and ate out for lunch and dinner. There are many places to eat within walking distance and the food is pretty good and cheap. King Doner in the area with the coffee bars has gigantic chicken sandwiches for 1 Euro. Macchiatos are usually 0.50 at most places (Yay!) And at most restaurants you could eat for 2 Euro pretty easily. Viva Fresh (the huge store) also has a restaurant with a decent sized menu – that’s pretty good, and the chicken salads at Cacoo are awesome and cost 2.50 Euro. Tipping is also something that is not commonly practiced. We had several waiters refuse a tip, so that’s another cost saved. Our budget was 6 Euro per person per day.
Transportation
Transportation in Gjakova, Kosovo What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
We walked almost everywhere in town. It’s a very walker friendly area, once you get used to walking in the middle of the cars. Apparently, that’s very common here. There is a bus station in town if you want to take a day trip out of town on your off day.
Medical
Medical in Gjakova, Kosovo Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
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Communication
Communication in Gjakova, Kosovo Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Pastor Nike’s church has wifi as do almost every other restaurant/coffee shop. Everyone loves wifi (and Facebook) here so it’s pretty easy to find. We got SIM cards in Pristina as we were traveling through, but there is are several IPKO shops to get minutes. I think it was 6 Euro for 60 minutes.
Financial
Financial in Gjakova, Kosovo Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
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Translators
Translators in Gjakova, Kosovo List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
We didn’t have any specific translator, but almost everyone speaks English. Judita, pastor Nick’s daughter, his son, Elly, Berat, Pastor, they all speak English and are quick to help!
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Gjakova, Kosovo What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
There is a bowling ally/arcade on the other side of town. We wandered through the old part of town, and drank a lot of tea and coffee. We didn’t do much traveling outside Gjakova and spent most of our days with the guys.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Gjakova, Kosovo Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
Jackie – English Teacher/ Missionary from Wisconsin who has been in Kosovo for 16 years
Berat – local/ Children’s ministry leader
Nore & Matush – local CEF missionaries
Tips
People’s Opinions
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Gjakova, Kosovo Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?