The H Word (plus Moldovan Vids)

At our first half in Moldova, we had the opportunity to
spend a day with a children’s camp. All of us were excited, but at the same
time, we were not prepared for the day. We did not have enough water, nor have mosquito-repellent or long
clothes. After a few hours, I started getting irritated with many of the
children. Towards the end of the night, I got to share my testimony and how I
was called into Missions. Cue the Hypocrite.

I put on a calm face, looked happy and began telling of how
wonderful our God is, and I love God and love everyone, and that the children
should too. For the most part, kids listened. After another hour, we finally
were heading back home. We had to walk in the dark, b/c we didn’t know we’d be
leaving so late. I was mostly quiet on the walk back, but I could hear Annie
teaching English words to a kid that has been grabbing me the most that day. We
came to a brief stop where the camp directors passed out gum to the kids (so
they didn’t have to brush their teeth when they got back), when the kid reached
up to my head, and grabbed my hat off my head.

I know he was trying to find out how to say “hat” in
English, but I raised my voice and said, “stop grabbing me!” I startled the
kid, and Annie for sure, and myself. Love patient, love is kind, right?

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In the villages, there are TONS of animals like geese,
ducks, horses, cows, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, and donkeys. There are also
lots of baby animals. And I love animals. At our second ministry, cats and its
kittens would come into the house at night looking for food. (We left the door
open to air the house at night.) One night, a kitten the size of my palm came
in. It was one I hadn’t seen before. I picked it up and took it outside, only
to have it come back in a few mins later. I held it on my lap while I read,
then later on my stomach.

I was getting tired but I couldn’t let it go. So I brought
it to my “bed” and laid it down. It kept sleeping as I fell asleep, hoping that
I wouldn’t roll over and crush it to death in my sleep. It was gone in the
morning, but left me a little gift in the form of a heart-shaped pee stain! I
wish I had taken a picture.

Next to the church construction, the neighbour had a dog. It was a very
sorry looking dog. It was tied down, the collar looked too tight, and it was
neglected. It was in the sun all day with a small shade from a car hood that
was eventually moved. The food bowl was rusty, crusted with food bits, and
never washed. Things like this would not go too well with the SPCA back home.
But this is village life in Eastern Europe. I felt really sad for this dog,
even if it barked its head off at anyone who went near.

After its only source of shade was taken away, I propped up
two pieces of roofing material for shade. Every chance I got, I filled its bowl
with cool water from the well. One day, I snuck out our leftovers from our
house and fed it to the dog. Just thinking back to the dog I get emotional.
This might sound stupid, but I think I have more compassion for a
neglected/abused animal than an orphan.

In a way, many children are like the animals. Many are
neglected and they long for any type of interaction and affection. When dogs
are hostile, it’s because they are abused throughout their lives. When their
owners go to the dogs, they wag their tails hoping for affection, only to be
pushed aside.

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Below are two vids from Moldova Tyson made. Enjoy!