There were 10 of us standing in a circle holding hands. The tall field grass tickled my legs, and the hot sun beat down on my back. Words flowed steadily. English, Romanian. American speaker, Moldovan speaker. As usual during prayer, my eyes fluttered open. An overgrown field of grass to my left. The remains of a low stone building to my right. And directly in front of me, my Moldovan ministry hosts. Tears streaming down their faces as their hearts poured out to God.
Team Sojourner has been incredibly blessed this month to live and work with Stefan and Veta in Porumbesti. They have imparted such wisdom and love into our lives even though Veta’s English is slow and Stefan’s is nonexistent. It comes in the way they serve us, each other, and their community. It is like witnessing a living definition of a man and woman after God’s own heart.
Since we arrived in Moldova, Veta has been sharing with us about the camp she and Stefan want to purchase. There was always the promise of a possible visit during these conversations. A week after our arrival the big moment came. When we pulled up to the gate, the rusty cross beams and large sign high above reminded me of the camp gate from a favorite childhood movie, Heavyweights. Borrowing the camp’s name from the film, I immediately nicknamed the place Camp Hope.
As we walked around Veta began to share more of the plans and passion for this camp. Stefan and Veta’s church has many members, but most are older. They see the need to reach the children of Porumbesti and the surrounding villages. With her signature sound effects and hand motions, Veta explained, “If the Christian and the non-Christian children come, they go home and tell parents. Then everybody knows and comes to church.” This couple understands the importance of children- how their faith can bring them and others close to God, and that they are the future of Moldova.
Before we began to pray, Stefan asked Veta to translate for him. He then unfolded the history of this camp. Its original use was in fact a children’s camp, but it was used by the Russians to teach the local children about Communism. That big sign at the camp entrance has a faded and rusted picture of the Russian Communist flag. No wonder none of the remaining buildings looked remotely camp like. They all spoke of the Communist style they were meant to represent.
The nickname Camp Hope once again rolled around in my mind. This camp now represents the hope of redeeming the Communist past, the hope of transforming a new generation of children, and the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
I would like to ask that those reading this would join in the prayers that the 10 of us said that afternoon. Please pray that Stefan and Veta would receive the funding to purchase the camp. Please pray that the hearts of the government officials who own the camp will be softened into selling to Christians. Please pray that workers will be available to fix and run the camp.
Please pray that Camp Hope will one day help change the lives of Moldovan children.
**All Photos by Sam Kolden. samanthakolden.theworldrace.org**
