One of the things I loved most about Moldova was how sweet the people were. The Moldovans I came to call as friends are the most caring, attentive people I have ever met. They really wanted us to feel as honored guests in their church and have a wonderful experience in Chisinau, Moldova. The men worked in the backyard to clear all the junk away and prepare for the group of German men to arrive who would build a playground. Many on my team came on this trip prepared to do manual labor so it's been an adjustment realizing that isn't what ministry always looks like overseas. We tried to help move things in the backyard, but we had to have multiple people moving one log and we had to take "time-outs" every 30 minutes or so. Initially this is was so frustrating. We wanted to help, but it didn't seem like they wanted our help and that we were too weak to be any help. This was a big part of our frustrations our first week.
I constantly prayed for God's eyes in this; to understand them how he sees them and how they are truly treating us. After a couple days of continuous prayer regarding this, the Lord really did change my heart regarding our contacts. The Lord showed me how they really were trying to honor us, not disrespect. They valued us so much they didn't want us to get hurt moving heavy objects.
When the group of Germans came it was the same story. Many times it seemed like we were in the way more than we were helping. They would let us work for a couple hours then we would be done for the day. These guys tested my patience, especially in the beginning. Their English was not very good so they would say things like, "My woman…," talking about their wives. They were also so happy when they saw us in the kitchen cutting up apples for jam and juice. This is funny now, but at the time I wanted to say, "Hey! I've been liberated. My place is not in the kitchen!" I was proud and indignant. I liked these guys a lot, but they said things that made me swallow my words. I had to continue praying for God to show me their true intentions and not how their words were being perceived. I asked God to give me kingdom eyes to see them and how they were actually treating us. Well, God is faithful. I spent a lot of time with them and we established a relationship with one another. Because of this, we were able to learn from each other. I taught them words like, "wife," and they taught me how they want to honor women/their wives pertaining to work.
I'm behind Mary on the far right.
We also made a friend through English Bible Study whose name is Heath. Heath was the sweetest! He doted on us the whole month. At first it was a little difficult for me to not pay him back or pay for my own. We went to coffee, a symphony, and had dinner at his house. You may be thinking, "What the heck? I thought you were supposed to be roughing it, preaching Jesus to the lost." Well..me too. I wasn't prepared to leave home and family, live out of a suitcase, enter into ministry, and yet be so doted on. Heath was truly a blessing in my life! Everyone we met in Chisinau simply looked for ways to bless us and honor us.
Our sweet friend Heath and Tikkun Olam!
God grew me in so many unexpected ways this month. God gave me grace to see myself being valued in different ways, ways that sometimes initially rub me the wrong way. I needed to let all these people value me so that I could allow and receive God's honor – how much more magnificent will it be?! God also showed me some things I perceive as demeaning, which many people mean with the utmost respect. In those times, I am now more able to receive that honor and be thankful.
I am so thankful for all of my friends in Chisinau who taught me so much this month and loved me so well: Serge, Alona, Luida, Jana, Philipp, Vitia, Vasia, Papa Nikolai, Lydia, Arena, Vadim, Michael, Christian, Andy, Eckehart, Serge, Dima, Jeff, Robin, Paulina, Stephanie and Michael Ball, and Heath.
