My time in Moldova was nothing special… yet everything was special. As my time in Cahul, Moldova has come to a close and all six teams on my squad have come together for our final four days in Chisinau, Moldova to rest and de-brief about the past month with our new teams and four months down on the race, I am listening to other people's stories about the amazing work that they did and am finding it hard to come up with “amazing” stories to share. I have been trying to manipulate my thoughts to make something more of them than what they really are. But looking back, my team and I simply lived life with Moldovans. Because that's what the team that we were with did with each other, what they do with each other… live. (Imagine the TV show “Friends”, but the missionary version.)
They prepare lunch and dinner meals together to eat together. The study the bible together and teach one another the wisdom they have been given from God. They pray together, not only for their own ministry and country but every Thursday morning they come together to even commit themselves to interceding in prayer for two other countries (Acts 2:42). They are together often, take care of each others children when helpful, and open up their homes, showers, washing machines, kitchens, and beds when any one is in need (Acts 2:44). I have seen them give to each other and to others when they are in need (Acts 2:45). They meet together daily in private and in public, share meals together, and pray with glad and sincere hearts. They praise God together (Acts 2:47). I realize I don't have any past tense in my memories because this is the present state of community that I was a part of in Moldova.
My team and I lived with Virginia and Lilia. We talked about ministry, gifts of the spirit and discomforts, discipleship, and how God has changed our lives since becoming Christians. I learned much from them what life was like growing up in the aftermath of Communism. We even talked about boys, health practices and food of the country, as well as wrapping up the month with a late night pajama party getting our Cupid Shuffle and Penguin Dance on.
Our main contact Fanel gave my team and I much food for thought in regards to American vs. Moldovan culture. He explained to us how to show another culture our respect and explained cultural norms that we did not previously understand. He became a part of our lives for the month… late night Phase 10 card games, coffee and tea, practical jokes, picnics, gardening, hitch-hiking, chasing him around the city (because he walked super fast), bus rides, a day in Ukraine, and pretend-teaching him how to do an American smile. Our sarcasm translated to him and even through humor, there was much joy and respect between us all… to the point that we knew we would be missed and miss them in return. Moldova was a month of living. Togetherness. Living in the midst of a model of what biblical community looks like. What my team and I can take lessons from to live this community amongst ourselves.
THINGS I'M ASKING YOU TO PRAY FOR:
– My team and I sincerely ALL desire to become the women that God desires us to be; to be stretched, pushed, pulled, broken, mended, and lifted up. And in having that desire, we give each other permission to point out characteristics and issues in us that we need to work on, change, grow in, or stop doing altogether. My team is full of amazing women of grace and we have developed a safe community that fosters all of this. Pray that as we leave debrief in Moldova after numerous sessions, meetings, and much processing and praying about personal and team things that we would not only continue to do this, but be even better for each other. I praise the Lord for putting me on this amazing team of women and just pray that we will grow even closer to God and to each other. That we would sharpen each other and foster holiness in one another… especially as we go to Africa.
– Pray for my squad as we will embark on about 48 hours of traveling from (American time) Thursday morning to Saturday morning. 4 different countries. Planes and buses.
– Pray for my team as our ministry in Chockwe, Mozambique is going to be visiting homes and loving on people with AIDS and HIV, orphans and widows and preaching at churches. The people are known to believe that many are dying from a curse rather than from a disease, so spiritual warfare is great in the area I'm going to as well. Pray for our clarity, to use discernment in all situations and conversations. Pray for spiritual, emotional, and physical strength as well as to feel the prodding of the Lord when it's okay to cry in front of the people we'll be with and show emotions and when it's the right time to be strong for the already weak.
Off we go again… Month 5 here I come.
