One week down in Anenii Noi, Moldova. I have loved it here so far. We are living in the church we are doing ministry with this month and the accomodations are quite simply a blessing. We each have our own *comfy* bed in a room that we all share. We have hot showers and a nice bathroom. We have a big kitchen downstairs and a super market just a short walk down the street. it's a mix between simple and modern accomidations, I don't feel spoiled but I do feel blessed and taken care of. I'm thankful that this is the environment our team and I have been given for our last month. I'd venture to say it's perfect… though I know we could find some way "it could be better", I think that would be a fault more in us than in the place. God knows exactly what we need; this place is perfect.
Like I mentnioned, we are working with a church this month. Pastor Igor, his wife Mariana and all of his children (especially his son Marco who has become a team favorite) are some of the sweetest people I've met along the way. I won't lie right now and say that it feels like every contact we've ever been with is "sweet"… they are all blessings and all have cared for us in some amazing ways while we've been with them for sure, but I would not at all classify them all as sweet people… Igor and Mariana are just that though. They have incredibly gentle, yet bold for the gospel, spirits and have considered us and taken care of us in ways that remind me of the culture we are taught about and try to create in our squad while on the world race. Just being around them is edifying and it makes me want to be like them.
So far our ministry has included helping clean out and paint the walls of a room that will soon become the church's conference room. Ha we were allowed to pick whatever color we wanted for the room, which we soon learned was more like create whatever color you want for the room since in Moldova you have to buy the paint and the color for the paint seperately and mix them yourselves. What was intended to be burnt orange turned more into a taupe apricot color but it looks pretty good and Igor said he likes it… which I suppose is all that matters really. Yesterday we handed out fliers for the free English classes we will be starting tomorrow, which will be what the majority of our ministry for the rest of the month consists of. Or at least the planned part of ministry. Who knows what surprises may come our way in the midst of it all.
I can hardly believe that this is the beginning of my last month on the world race. It seems like forever ago that I was sitting in Kenya thinking the complete opposite, "I can't believe this is the beginning of my world race", but it still seems like the end of things (no matter how anticpated) always has a way of sneaking up on you. I'm sure you all will be the recipents of many blogs full of reflection and thought through out this time… it's been quite the journey and its not even over yet! just about 4 weeks left and plenty more to experience, but 44 weeks down and definitely plenty to refelct on.
thanks for joining me in it all. seriously.
