I never saw this month coming. In Romania I was struggling to think of Moldova has anything but one month in between me and the infamous Africa.
At Training Camp and Launch for the World Race we all heard the horror stories of Africa. I, personally, am stoked for Africa. God had laid a burden on my heart for Africa before I knew about the World Race. The fact that we get to spend 3 months there makes me ecstatic. What I am trying to say is that I have Africa on my mind and there is one thing between Me and Africa…that is Moldova.
What started to be a “gap month” for me became a place that I love. God has been at work in me this month through the trials and frustrations and the sunshine and freedom.
The beginning of the month started out with doing work with a youth group in Chisinau. Almost every day of the week there is something planned for these youth, evangelizing in the park, playing sports, or small home groups. The first day of ministry we were picked up by our contact and immediately went to a small home group which consisted of about 8 youth who were hungry for the Lord. It was an amazing experience seeing these young people gather with such an interest in the Gospel. A few days later we went to their Alpha Course which is for people who are searching for truth, it is a basic intro to Christianity with topics such as sin, prayer, spiritual gifts, repentance etc. The small cafe was overrun by, again, teens hungry for the Lord. After hearing about what Moldova has been through as a country it was so encouraging to see the ways in which God has moved in the hearts of the leaders and how He is totally rocking the worlds of the youth. On Saturday my team and I led a program for the youth which included testimonies, a skit (Everything by Lifehouse), and a sermon. I can’t help but believe and trust God that hearts were moved and if nothing else the youth were encouraged.
In Acts 15-16, there are young converts that were in need of encouragement. Paul takes the time to visit them and strengthen their faith through encouragement. I believe that was our mission here to encourage and strengthen the youth of Moldova’s faith and to reach out to them with a hope like they have not experienced before.
It was very hard to say good-bye to the youth who had inspired us. It is such a God thing to put people in your life that you think you are there to encourage but in a matter of fact you encourage each other.
