Sorry for the lack of blogs, internet is very hard to come by in Ocnita Moldova. For the last 2 plus weeks I have been living with a young enthusiastic pastor. He is a Middle school history teacher by day and a pastor/family man by night. For our “ministry” this month he put in charge of an after school bible program. We were instructed to play with the kids, teach them songs, and stories from the bible. I was put in charge of teaching kids how to play American football. (I brought an old football from home in my pack) This was the first time that any of the kids had seen a ball like this before. After seeing the American’s play catch with the ball the kids joined in. We were playing a mix if smear the queer and soccer before I knew it.
We have had a great time interacting with all the kids and I was amazed with their English skills considering it is the 4th language they learn behind, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Here are a few highlights from the last 2 weeks. We chopped firewood by hand for a full day then we swan in the river that boarders Moldova and Ukraine. The water temp must have been around 45 degrees it instantly took your breath away. We ran from Ocnita to Ukraine where we illegally crossed the boarder. I helped repair a building at the local rehab center using only cement and rocks. I also experienced the Russian bath (a wood fired sauna situated near a creek). I spent about 20 min the sauna then jump in the freezing cold river. Just when I though it was over we got back in the sauna again and repeated the process. 4 hours later I was officially cleansed and had fully experienced the Russian bath. Overall, I have toughly enjoyed myself and I am glad I am spending a month in this tiny republic.
P.S. Thanks for all of the birthday wishes! I had a great birthday. I was able to reflect and write some goals for the coming years. We also had a feast for my birthday dinner that included rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. And to top the night off I was given the best birthday present of all smoked salmon.
