After we left Prague, we headed to Moldova to finish out the rest of the month. I don’t even think I had heard of this country prior to the World Race. I’m so glad I went there. Once again, I fell in love with a nation. We had an orientation day. Moldova is the poorest country in Eastern Europe. Apparently it sends the most women into the sex trafficking industry. Most people in Moldova claim to be Ukrainian, Russian, etc. even if they were born in Moldova. Most people speak either Romanian or Russian. There is a form of Moldovan language, but it seemed most people speak the former languages. The identity of this nation is hard to find. A huge percentage of the population has left this nation in the last few years. In most cases, families are split up because they are trying to find jobs and income. One day I met an older man whose wife is in Italy working as a housekeeper, and whose sons are off working or going to school in other nations. He says he only sees them all once per year. He only sees his wife one time throughout an entire year. It seemed so common and normal as he spoke reflecting most other families in Moldova, yet you could still sense a longing deep down to be with them. We prayed for provision and for them to be reunited. Where we stayed we were told was considered “nice.” To me it was very similar to the projects in the U.S. The effects of wars and oppression stared me in the face. It was all around, even on our train ride into Moldova. The train’s wheels had to be changed as we entered the country. Moldova’s train tracks were designed so the Russians could not invade via train. So still in 2010, we waited on the border of Moldova until the wheels were changed so we could enter the country. This gave me some perspective.
We stayed in a city called Ungheni. Our contact Vadim was awesome. He and his wife have a music and
sports ministry. Vadim told us his testimony one(pic: Vadim in middle with my two teammates) day. Most of his family left for the U.S. and told him he could come too. He had a ticket out of the poorest country in Eastern Europe to what most see as the land of opportunity. Yet, he stayed. He stayed because he loves his nation and he has a heart for it. He knows God called him there. What he potentially gave up, but what he’s gained in return. He’s so joyful and full of God. His life alone and the decisions he’s made were a testimony to me. This speaks to me once again that being in God’s presence, his will, is worth more than what we could gain from all the comforts and freedoms of this world.
Vadim loves sports and God gave him a way to reach people in his city through sports ministry. We went almost every night to play basketball, soccer and volleyball with people that are already a part of his ministry and with local kids and teenagers. We would play with them and often our interaction was on the field laughing or just having a good time. Sometimes we shared and prayed with them. But, most often we, and our men especially ministered to them simply by their actions, having positive attitudes and showing love to them and to each other on the field instead of fighting or getting angry like some of them did. Word would get out on the street that Americans were here. So as time went by more and more people showed up. One of my favorite times was when we were asked to play volleyball with some locals. They said Russians versus Americans. So we had a two night battle that felt like the Cold War Olympics. We had fun (we won by the way).
We had an interpreter with us during our time. Vica was amazing. She lived with us and we grew to truly
love her. Where we lived also became a place of ministry. It was like a youth hostel. We were watched curiously. Eventually we grew to be friends with some of the people. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is a very big thing in Moldova and Eastern Europe. It seems that’s all young people have to cling to. Identities are wrapped up in having a boyfriend or girlfriend and in how you look. Most of the women dress to the nines. They may have little money, but most of what they do have is spent on clothes. They dress up and walk around. Often everywhere you look you see couples or pockets of guys checking out the girls who are dressed up. So you could just sense all that comes with that in the atmosphere, especially at the hostel. We were asked one day, as we ate in a common area, if we sleep with each other. To them, everyone hooks up. We explained to them we are just friends and Christians. Vica said a lot of people that say they are Christians still sleep around. It’s their lifestyle. Our team interacted with each other like we normally do. But, it was awesome just being in this hostel and seeing them watch us with the knowledge that we don’t sleep together, but just love each other as sisters and brothers, friends.
Towards the end of our stay we had a picnic. This is one of those moments I’ll always remember from the race. It seems the moments that stick out to me the most are the times where we break bread and fellowship with people from other cultures. It is like a taste of heaven. We went to a park and had amazing food served to us. We all gathered around and sat in a circle on blankets, passing food amongst each other and trying to communicate as best we could. It was great! Afterwards they asked to teach us a game they play in their country. We played and laughed. Then a water fight broke out. Fellowship, so simple, yet often it’s neglected. I’m learning more and more the importance of fellowship and not just doing ministry together, but taking the time to just be with one another.
On our last night in Ungheni, Vadmin and his band, Lines of Heart (Christian rock), put on a concert. They
are good. Some of my teammates participated. Mike, Nicole and Sage played a few songs alone and then Vadmin and his band joined them for a few more songs. Seeing two cultures melding on stage singing to God was awesome. They invited us all on stage at the end and presented us with a present. It is called gugutsa and is the Peter Pan of Moldova. It’s awesome…We loved our gifts. We just have to get them home in our packs safely!
We left Moldova on a 12 hour overnight bus headed to the Ukraine. And then a 16 hour overnight train ride the next day to bring us to our final month and our final ministry site: Lutugino, Ukraine.
