We are 3/4 of the way through our time here in an area of Moldova called Transnistria. It declared its independence from Moldova years ago, but isn't recognized as a country by the international community. When we were told we were coming here, I was a little freaked out – the mention of words like Mafia, KGB, Communism, etc. were a bit scary. It hasn't turned out to be so frightening, but there is definitely a sense of oppression over this place. Aside from the government's heavy hand here in Transnistria, Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, and it's also the biggest European contributor to sex trafficking (I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere).
Center of Tiraspol
We are working with a charismatic church this month, and I can't put into words how much I love it. It's ironic that we are in arguably the darkest area of Moldova, but the church here worships the most freely. As far as I know, teams in other parts of Moldova are working with much more conservative and traditional churches. The worship at our church on Sundays is what I imagine heaven to be like. Although I can't understand the words, I feel the Spirit moving so powerfully. The moment I walked in the church for the first time, I got chills. God is definitely at work here.
Pastor Yuri – my second Dad
We have been incredibly busy this month! Every weekday (except Monday, which is our day off), we help teach morning and evening English classes as well as an afternoon English club specifically for youth. On Wednesdays and Fridays, we also walk around the university campus inviting students to a gathering in the park, where we play games and practice English. Some of my team members also help with a sports ministry on Wednesdays and Fridays. We do youth evangelism and youth clubs on Saturday, then attend both services and help take care of the children and lead worship at church on Sunday.
Playing games in the park
Our team along with Team Duolos has been staying at a currently unoccupied orphanage in a town nearby Tiraspol (where our church is located) this month. About a week ago, I got "adopted" by Pastor so Robin and I have been staying at his house and I am absolutely loving it. We are practicing English with his kids and learning Russian from their family. It's been so awesome to feel like a part of a family again in the absence of our own families here. We play card games and ping pong, have family dinners, and listen to all of Pastor's crazy life stories. I am in LOVE with this family.
Robin and me with our sis Kristina
Me and my brothers Pasha, Bogdan, and Valik
Please keep the church as well as Pastor and his family in your prayers, as they have faced great government opposition in the past, and were even forced to close the doors of the church for a period of time a couple of years ago.
It's pretty cool that God is doing so much work in a nonexistent country. We were supposed to be in Russia this month but God apparently had other plans for us to be here. And I know there was great purpose behind that change.
Both of the WR teams
