So we left Albania and endured a 39 hour bus ride, followed by an overnight train trip into Moldova and into month 3 of this crazy journey. Despite the lack of running water (and countless trips to the well to cook, shower, or drink), this month is proving to be the best yet. Our hosts are beautiful people with beautiful hearts for the Lord and for their community. They make us laugh, make us tea, and make us forget that home is so very far away. Not to mention our gorgeous, bohemian-esque property we are living on for the month. Every time I shower out of a bucket in the moonlight, use recycled dish water to rinse the squatty-potty, or use natural well water to heat one of my thousand cups of tea, my inner hippy sings a round of “Kumbaya”
Commune Sweet Commune
We are stationed in Ocnita, a city that is less than 3 kilometers from the Ukraine border. Although we are very far from any of the hostility or conflict with Russia, the news obviously has an effect that is closer to home than it would for those in the States. For example, because of some political views of some Moldovan leaders siding with the European Union, the country has been embargoed by Russia, formerly one of their major export countries. The EU has only been able (or willing, it’s hard to tell) to absorb a small percentage of that and so the future of the economy of Moldova is still uncertain. In a couple of months, there will be an election that could help to sway things one way or another. Please be praying for this election, for this country, and for the people of Moldova.
While here, we have done a variety of tasks: some manual labor to assist in readying a building to be a retreat center, building a squatty potty for future World Race teams and volunteers, and teaching English to and playing with local kids in the community. It took about 2.5 seconds for the kids to steal my heart. A lot of my friends back home are under 11, so it was great to finally get with some peers again. It has been a total joy to see their faces light up over our thrown-together production of David and Goliath, or to talk about the stink of the elephant poop on Noah’s ark, or to learn some American slang when they should be learning proper English (however, the phrase “that’s cool” will be far more useful than “the boy will walk the dog”). Although it’s only been a bit over a week, I have already learned so much from these beautiful little people. It didn’t strike me until the second or third day that many of my new pals were so young to be out so late by themselves. A few of them couldn’t be more than four years old.
Discussing the difficult bathroom situation on Noah’s ark.
Our playtime/lessons begin around four and go until six, seven, or eight in the evening. As I said goodbye to two boys who particularly captured my heart with their big smiles and tender hearts towards the other kids, I inquired about their story. I was surprised to see them, one only 10 and one only 4, not even related, walk home hand in hand alone. It turns out that their home life (although they are not related, they live together) is without parents and without much adult supervision. Like many of the kids here, their life is difficult and carries more weight than a child should have to bear. It was then that I was struck with something- I think it was admiration (along with the desire to stick them in my backpack and bring them home with me).
Meet Sasha Meet Pasha
I once heard a quote about children that went something like this: “They dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music.” I forget who said it (I might have made it up), but it came to my mind as I walked home that day. I look at their circumstances and think about what a bummer it is, how hard it must be, and get frustrated. They, being kids who don’t know any different, come to play and laugh and end up being beacons of joy for others. I am reminded of that verse in 1 Thessalonians (this one I know I didn’t make up), which reads: “Rejoice always…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you..” There is obviously a lot more context to make this verse make any sort of sense to the human brain, but you get the gist.
Anyway, I think about how hard this is for me. When something doesn’t go as planned, my comfort is interrupted or even when I discover too little too late that the TP roll is empty, I find it of utmost difficulty to rejoice and/or give thanks. And here these kids are, living out incomprehensible circumstances, and finding joy and even happiness in the simplest things. I am so grateful I get to love and learn from these kids for the next month!
Starting this Saturday through Thursday morning, we will be camping in a tiny little town right next to Ukraine, called something I can’t spell or pronounce, but sounds sort of like “naslafjah”. We will be next to a river with very limited electricity, zero wifi , and this raised metal thing that you light a fire under to cook on. So don’t worry if you don’t hear from me…it should be an adventure!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. It is hard to believe that it has been two-and-a-half months since I left home….time is dragging by so quickly! Miss you all dearly and can’t wait to share the rest of the story that is being written this year and to hear all of the stories that are being written in your lives as well!
Love,
