Four people from Albert Lea will soon travel to the Balkan region in Europe on a mission trip, and they need help.

The Rev. George Marin of Grace Christian Church will take Summer Sorum, Whitney Roche and Daniel Hanson to Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Greece starting April 9.

“This is an annual mission,” Marin said. “We go for a minimum of three weeks.”

The group is hoping for donation of medical supplies or funds to go toward medical supplies that will go to a clinic in Macedonia. Marin said any supplies are needed but especially wound care products, tongue depressors, rubber gloves, face masks, diabetic supplies, bandages, blood pressure monitors and more.

Marin said each person traveling fundraises to pay for the cost to travel, which is about $2,700 per person. He said while they’re over there they have a very tight budget and stay in homes rather than paying for hotels.

“We run on a shoestring budget,” Marin said.

Sorum has already been fundraising in various ways. Marin said she makes excellent banana bread, and five loaves of it auctioned for $150 at their church recently. She also has been painting rooms for people, and can be reached through Marin at 507-473-0376 for a quote. Marin said all four who go will be preaching to people, and Sorum will work closely with women.

“I’ll be talking to them about daily things that people struggle with in their faith,” Sorum said.

They also hosted a sloppy joe luncheon fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the chapel in St. John’s Lutheran Home. The suggested donation was $6 and included a sloppy joe, sides and drink.

Marin said the group will spend as much time as possible ministering to people about Christianity. They’ll often have two sermons in two different towns and minister at 8 to 10 homes along the way.

“It’s a beautiful mission that God allows us to be a part of,” Marin said.

Marin said the areas they travel to are very poor, and the dominant religion is Muslim. He said since they stay with locals they usually try to bring a small amount of groceries and help out how they can with those who take them in.

“We try to be a blessing to them,” Marin said.