Our Teams left from Romania with heavy hearts. This was a place of true growth and love for the people and the ministry. Hope Church in Draganesti- Olt really helped me to see what it means to be kingdom focused and Christ centered. This was a place of darkness and because of that we prayed FAITHFULLY every single day. I can honestly say I will never forget our time spent there in our small village. A piece of my heart has been taken away and given to those people in Romania.
Driving 10 hours over night on a bus we headed into Moldova with our new teams and a new mission. Not knowing ANYTHING about our contacts, ministry, or cities. My new and beautiful team call ourselves “UNVEILED PURSUIT”. This name represents our current walks with Christ and how he has lifted the masks and veils we are so accustomed to wearing. We now are all on month 4 and very ready for MORE.
( Rebecca Spires, Dania Spillett, Becca Burger, Matt Blair, Me, Michael Jenson)
Upon arrival to the capital of Moldova we found out more about our ministry for this month. After sleeping for A VERY LONG TIME we regained our strength and gathered our thoughts. and I thought “IM IN A NEW COUNTRY AGAIN”. This realization never gets old for me because its always surreal. Not really knowing all the time specifics about our travels or missions you kinda just learn to trust, have faith, and listen for further instructions. Ya know “GO WITH THE FLOW” or “HAVE PATIENCE”.
“I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT LANGUAGE THEY SPEAK IN MOLDOVA?”
“Romanian? Moldavian? Spanish? Latin? TELL ME SOMETHING!”
On top of all the confusion from lack of listening “my bad” I then come to find out my new team and I wont even be staying in “Moldova?”
“WHAT IS GOING ON????”
We then find out we are in the car headed to a very small part of Moldova that is technically not a country but is independent of Moldova indefinitely. This region or country or territory is called Tiraspol, Transnistria/ Moldova. They speak russian, have their own money, have a legit boarder, our independent fully from Moldova but the U.N. does not recognize them as a “LEGIT COUNTRY”. So finding all this out after leaving for Tiraspol was kinda a SHOCKER.
But here is the best part of this blog……wait for it……wait for it…….
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!
The Lord is at work here in this city and “Pretend Country”. They all are such amazing and beautiful people. Once you look past all the Russian soldiers holding AK-47s you start to see the true spirit of this place and how the people influence the culture so mysteriously. We have a joke now on our team and call this place “Transmysteria” because its a mystery how and why God placed our team here.
We are teaching at incredible school classes and English Clubs. We have been busy since day 1 and continue to be pulled in 20 directions at once during each day because of where we grew up and what God has blessed us with. The people are so open to the Gospel and what we have to say about how Jesus changed all our lives forever! It is super cool when all your English students want your Facebook name and pictures after class. “I feel like Im famous”.
They listen to what our team has to say and really have a passion to learn more and better english. Tiraspol is a great city and I know only being 4 days into this month our lives will forever be changed again because of “What Jesus has done for us ALL”.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Just in Case you forgot…
This is
THE WORLD RACE!!!
School #17 My team and I teach English at in Tiraspol, Moldova
