Let Freedom Ring

After coming together as a squad at the end of the month it became very apparent that most of us had a really tough and exhausting time in Moldova. We were very glad to find out that our WONDERFUL logistics and squad leaders had planned a mini debrief time for us in Romania for the weekend! It was SO GLORIOUS to rest and recuperate from last month which looked a little something like this:

After spending all last month in Transnistria, a Russian controlled communist country, i definitely have a whole new perspective on FREEDOM. The importance and value in the freedom that we have in America and the freedom that Christ brings.

It was hard for me to spend a whole month forming such deep and meaningful relationships while sharing Christ's love and still see little fruit. I KNOW God is using it and placed us there to plant seeds BUT it was also discouraging at times to not see the change i necessarily wanted . We all fell IN LOVE with the people there. Our Russian friends were so extremely welcoming, generous, and hospitable. The country of Transnistria, however, as a whole is under such a heavy weight of oppression that they barely even understand freedom at all, much less a kind of freedom that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Throughout the month we taught English lessons three times a day every day of the week. Sometimes in between classes we would do street evangelism and outreach. At night we were able to make home visits and spend time with families we met along the way. It was always nice to go to someone's home and fellowship with them.

(Some of us enjoying a home cooked meal with Oksana and her beautiful family!!)

(Our morning English Club took us on a big picnic down by the river!! It was so wonderful!!!)

On Saturday's we did evangelism in the city and then had two youth services in the afternoon at the church. I loved spending time with the youth here! For me it was like being back home surrounded by youth all the time! :)) I loved it!!!

(My sweet little Russian brothers!! They loved to carry our bags for us and we loved to let them! Lol)

(Saying goodbye to our youth English class was so hard!!! Love them!!)

(We got to go to school with some of our students!!)

Every Sunday we went to Pastor Yuri's church at the Expo Center for both services and we all took turns working in the children's ministry there. Pastor Yuri was so good to us throughout the month. He literally took us in just like we were his own family.

(The team with Pastor Yuri!!)

His heart for people is inspiring and his love for Jesus is contagious! He is a man of very strong faith and Holy Spirit filled. He was such an example to my team and we were so blessed by his ministry. He has sacrificed much and paid a high price to be doing God's work in Transnistria, but his reward is much greater than worldly things have to offer! His church and ministry are growing and they are spreading the Gospel in a world that desperately needs it.

I pray that God will continue to bring freedom in the country of Transnistria one soul at a time. Please pray for the country as a whole. That light would shine in their darkness and that the seeds planted this month would take root!  That freedom would one day ring loud there. Freedom is such a GIFT!!