Here I am. Keeping cozy in my new home with my feet up on the brick fireplace and some food in my belly. After a few hands of liverpool and the smell of the fire it's as if I'm back in Texas at my Nonnie and Papaw's house. The realization that I'm winning a few hands brings me back to Moldova.
So what is life like here?
First. Cold. Very gosh darn cold. After traveling on a 14 hour train ride from Romania to Moldova, 3 teams hopped another 6.5 hour train heading north. After that my team piled into two very small cars and drove further away from civility. (I have a video to come) The nearest town is Octina (approximately an hour away) and we live in a village that I can't spell. We chop our own wood for fires, pull water from the well and of course, use a squatty potty outhouse. We live in a two room building with a brick stove and six beds tucked away in a valley that could not be any more beautiful. Our first day we climbed up the mountain in Art's (our contact) backyard to see the cross he built a year ago. The view is incredible (pictures to come I promise). It's amazing to see the contrast between living in the town of Bucharest and this tiny village. Stillness, quiet and beauty. I think I'm in love.
Sunday was church. A very full day of church. We started walking to the bus stop at about 6:20 to catch the 7:00 maxi taxi. Thawed out for about 15 minutes then walked another 15 minutes through town to get to church. It didn't start until 10 and lasted about 3 hours. Did I mention there wasn't any heat? Needless to say, it was kinda cold. I was humbled in realizing the dedication Art has to go to church. Sometimes it's hard for me to wake up and drive 15 minutes for a 10:45 service, especially if my bed is nice and warm and there's football to look forward to (btw, someone please update me on the Cowboys). But God redeemed the early morning, cold weather and exhausted waiting. He showed His love in a friendly smile and acknowledged giggles through complete strangers, His joy in the sunset rising as we reached the top of the hill at 6:45am and the warmer weather on the walk back. His light was shown as our eyes were opened to the scenery we missed while walking in the dawn. His laughter in the creek bubbling nearby, His smell in the smoke drifting out of chimneys across the village and His beauty among every step I took.
God is good.
This month I hope to learn how to be. To simply be in the presence of God. To welcome Him into my life. Whether it be resting or working. Learning how to be still in a place that doesn't understand the concept of a "rush hour." A month of soaking in the indescribable beauty that surrounds me. Staying warm through a fire within me and keeping full on the Bread of Life. The pace is slower. The work is required. The lifestyle is completely different. Did I mention that I think I'm in love?
