One of the distinguishing sights you’ll see on your first visit to Albania are the numerous concrete bunkers or pillboxes dotting the landscape. During Communism over 750,000 of these bunkers were built to provide protection from potential enemy invasion.
As an American living in Albania I’m continually fascinated by these bunkers. Whenever I travel to different cities, I’m enraptured as I gaze on them, sometimes surprised by their placement, high up on mountains tops, or their arrangement, seeing several in a row just a few feet apart. I’ve seen the creativity of Albanians who have put them to good use– building a garden around a bunker or with the very large ones constructing a coffee shop, restaurant or night club.
I asked TCLH how he viewed the bunkers when he was growing up and he said they were a “child’s playground” in which he and his friends forged their childhood memories.
For the older generation, these bunkers at one time symbolized strength, protection, refuge, indestructibility…
But with the passing of Communism, they serve only to remind Albanians of a past era ruled by a dictator who sought to keep them isolated from the outside world and fearful of imperialistic enemies.
When I reflect on a true refuge and source of protection in today’s world of conflict, war and natural disasters, verses from Psalm 46:1-2 bring comfort and encouragement to my heart:
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”
Unlike the bunkers of Albania that lie in waste scattered across the country, God is an ever-present fortress and sanctuary for us… He is eternal, His power is awesome, His promises are true. He invites us daily to take shelter in His presence and receive grace and strength for all of our needs.
“O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Ps. 62:8)
