I just wanted to share some information about the nation of Moldova and the town of Ocnita.
The location and national flag of Moldova…
The information below about Moldova is from CIA World Factbook.
History: Part of Romania between the 2 world wars, incorporated into Soviet Union after World War 2. Althoguh independent from USSR since 1991, Russian forces remain in Moldovan territory east of Dniester River. Became first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as President.
Economy: One of the poorest countries in Europe. Heavily dependent on agriculture. Must import almost all of its energy, especially from Russia. Reform has been slow due to corruption and political backing of more government control. Remanins vulnerable to political uncertainty, weak administration, high prices and presence of seperatists in Transnistria.
Problems: Shipment point for drugs. Widespread crime and underground economic activity.
Capital: Chisinau, population 650,000 (2009)
Area: 13,070 square miles, slightly smaller than the state of Maryland
Ethnic Groups​: Moldovan/Romanian – 78.2%, Ukranian – 8.4%, Russian – 5.8%, Gagauz – 4.4%, Bulgarian – 1.9%, Other – 1.3% (2004)
Languages: Moldovan, Russian, Gagauz [a Turkish dialect]
Religions: Eastern Orthodox – 98%, Jewish – 1.5%, Other – .5% (2000)
Population: just under 3.6 million (July 2012 estimate), 21.9% below poverty line (2010 estimate)
Age Structure: 0-14 – 17.5%, 15-64 – 71.9%, > 65 – 10.6%
Median Age: 35 (Male – 33, Female – 37)
Urbanization: 47% (2010)
Growth Rate: – 1% (2012 estimate)
Infant Mortality: 13.7 per 1,000 live births
Life Expectancy: 70 (Male – 66, Female – 74)
Literacy Rate: 98.5%
Unemployment rate: 6.7% (2011 estimate)
Governemt Type: Republic
Suffrage: 18, universal
Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $3,400 (2011 estimate)
Inflation: 7.6% (2011 estimate)
Currency: Moldovan Lei (11.7/US$1)
Our ministry host for the month is Andrei Luca, a history teacher and pastor of the local Baptist church. He and his wife Larissa live in the town of Ocnita with their 2 young boys. We will be by ourselves this month as we work to help clean up around their new house. We will also be teaching English to middle school students in a nearby village as well as working in the surrounding community doing kids clubs and participating in Sunday morning church services.
