My three weeks here in Moldova have opened my eyes a lot to the fact that Christian men in America are pretty stinking AMAZING. I don't know if it's because my two male teammates are learning to love us ladies better and better each day or if it's because of how poorly females are treated here in Moldova…I think it's a combination of both.
Here's the situation, women in Moldova are treated as second class. There is a lot of focus on 1 Timothy 2:11 – "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission", forgetting 1 Peter 3:7 -"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect..." Yes women are the weaker partner, I'll take that, it's fine with me, I want to submit to my husband, but I darn well expect him to love me and respect me back. As a matter of fact, I expect any MAN to treat me with respect because I am a DAUGHTER of the KING!
I've really struggled with this for the last three weeks because I've formed a really close bond with a young lady here names Ana. She is beautiful and her heart for the Lord is ridiculous! She has gone to seminary and DESIRES to stay in Cornesti to spread the gospel here even when everyone else is trying to migrate out. To be completely honest, I promise you that if she wanted, she could move to America and marry a World Race man because they all think so highly of her, but she wants to stay here in Moldova.
Her biggest passions are for the children of the community and for visiting those that do not know Christ to love on them and share His name with them. She serves us every day, cooking three meals a day for us and spending probably 8 or more hours in the kitchen each day. Then even with that busy schedule, some nights she comes over to our house to give us massages because she wants to make sure we aren't stressed!! A giver to the extreme!
It sucks though because with all her gifts, she is told to stay in the kitchen. Her children's program is handed over to some World Racers, she is told "no" when she asks to go to pray over a friend who is paralyzed and not a believer, she is told that she can't sing or play guitar for church because she is no good – let me tell you what, the girl is amazing at the guitar and her voice is like an angel's! So I've really struggled for her, but I tell you this not to complain and pout about how bad it all sucks, but to tell you what a woman of God truly looks like.
When she is hurt or sad her response is always, "People don't know, but God knows." She has stolen my heart by asking how she can pray for my family, telling me she is constantly praying for my future hubbs (which I've tried to tell her not to worry about), by giving to me constantly out of her lack, she gave me two sweaters and a scarf to keep because I was cold. She gives of her life, every day, knowing that God is bigger than any circumstance. That God is the reason she lives, no matter what happens, she serves Him and not man.
She calls me "Sister Teacher" and I call her "Hardworker"
And don't worry, I'm working on a video of her! Should be posted sometime in the next week!
