Soooo…It has been quite a while since my last blog, and so much has happened! We finished up March in Bucharest, Romania with a big rummage sale at Casa Shalom (our contact). We sorted through a barn FULL of clothing and put it out for the community to come and shop. The clothes are sold for a very cheap price, which helps a ton of people in the Bucharest area who are in need. And the ministry takes the opportunity to invite shoppers to church and explain what their purpose is as a ministry.
It was very hard to leave Casa Shalom and the people there. We miss Becky, Rodika, and all of the girls VERY much!
This month we have been in Moldova. We took a night train from Bucharest to Chisinau (the capital of Moldova). Our team’s first week of ministry was in Chisinau. We worked with the youth group from a church called “Savior Christ”.
The group of teens that we had the privilege to work with really stole my heart. They have so much passion and dedication to God and to ministry at such a young age. Also, they have an amazing youth pastor named Julia. She brings so much energy and life, but also wisdom and direction to the group. She was so much fun to work with!
We spent the week talking at small groups, sharing our testimonies, playing sports, and inviting local youth to ministry events. We also spoke at a detention center and the new-Christian class. During this time, our team was planning and preparing for a program that we were in charge of putting on. That has been my favorite ministry that we’ve done so far! We planned out a service order that included worship, testimonies, a skit, and a message. Then, we spent a few days practicing the skit. (YouTube “everything skit”) One of the girls from the youth group (Jenny) joined us for the performance, because we were one character short. She was amazing! She is so talented in the arts, and motivated our group to another level of performance…Some of the youth that we invited from the community came to the program, which was encouraging. We are praying that they continue to join youth events, and that the teaching that were shared that night continue to circulate in their minds and soften their hearts.
Then, on Sunday the 10th, our team moved locations. We went to a small village about an hour and a half outside of Chisinau. Here life was drastically different!! Our ministry was a children’s program followed by a youth program that we had every night. And, during the day we went door to door and introduced ourselves to the neighbors, told them why we were there and what we believe in, and asked if they needed any help with anything. Needless to say, the neighborhood did not mind putting us to work. We spent the majority of the week plowing fields with shovels, and chopping firewood. We also helped the lady that we were staying with as much as we could.
Her name is Marina, and she is amazing! Never have I seen such strength and such servanthood combined. She was such a pleasure to spend time with. Marina is 21 years old and takes care of the household, the outdoors chores, and has a precious 4 year old daughter named Mihaela.
Mihaela, by the way, was a God send to me! I was feeling bummed that we had to leave the Chisinau youth group, and was tired from frequent travel when we arrived in the village. I was lying on on the bed (everyone slept in the same room) while everyone made small talk before dinner. All of the sudden, Mihaela climbed up on the bed and gave me a big hug around the neck. She just laid there and cuddled with me for a few minutes. It was EXACTLY what my heart needed, and cheered me up so much. 🙂 She and I became good friends for the rest of the week, and it was very hard to say goodbye.
So, on Sunday the 17th we came back to Chisinau to meet up with our new contact. He and his family are missionaries in their village. They are school teachers, and teach extra classes and camps using text and stories from the Bible as the material. Because of the shortage of jobs in Moldova, many people learn another language so that they can leave for a time to make money and then come back home. Arthur and Natasha meet this need by teaching English with the book of John as the textbook.
Our team has been teaching conversational English at school in the morning, and having a kids camp in the afternoons. We have been teaching basic English and playing sports at the camp.
And that has been our month! In a very abbreviated form.. We leave again for a new house on Sunday, where we will join in ministry until the 28th. Then, we take a train back to Bucharest, spend a few days there with the squad, and from there is off to AFRICA!!
Thank you for you interest and support. Our team continues to appreciate everyone’s prayers and encouragement!!!
