Moldova is a pretty legit place. The hospitality and generosity of people I've met around the world is always so humbling. (I just received the best bracelet ever from 4 girls and their mother…the secret surprise they have been working on for the past couple of days. priceless.)
The email about our contact we received before getting here said we would be living in the church for the month. My mind immediately went to training camp sleeping on wood floors with our sleeping mats. I've been told Moldova is fairly rustic…. (It sounds like some of the other teams are out in the boonies)
However, we were greeted this month with the best beds I’ve slept in all year, flushing Western toilets with soft toilet paper, warm showers, excellent food, wifi, and an awesome family of God to partner with (a kid named Marco who already responds with Polo….playing Marco-Polo all month long)…the little things in life. It's a big deal people!
Life changes on the daily. We wake up and find out what we are doing for the day. We have been painting a large soon to be conference room inside the church (mom it's orange;), leading a woman’s bible study, loving on children (I get tickled daily, lotion wars are common, laughs are a must). There is an Awana game circle on the church premises and children’s programs will start soon.
We went around the town today passing out flyers for the free English lessons we will be doing. We were received coldly by some – warmly by others. We walked with a group of kids around the age of 12 for a little bit, but then one of the boys started flicking us off and yelling all the English he knew (cuss words). We soon realized he probably wasn't helping us recruit possible students, so we stepped out of that group. I hope he calls for an English lesson anyways.
Moldova is a poor country and generally work is found outside of the country. Children are being raised by grandparents or by a single parent, the effects of this is apparent. Girls are being tricked into the sex trade by promises of better employment in the city or abroad.
I asked the pastor what he wanted to see at the end of the month (he will be going to the states soon and will get back after we are gone); He only said he wants the Lord to surprise Him. So that's what I’m praying for: That His unfathomable love would surprise them (Ephesians 3:19).
In the mean time, I am trying to learn the Romanian language while I'm here. Romania I'm coming in 27 days! Completely humbled with all that God is doing.
Be blessed family. I love you.
