Well, on Thursday June 25, seven of us left from Columbia for a journey that none of us would have expected or believed even after all of the "training" involved. There was nine of us total on the team, but two were already in Moldova waiting for us to arrive! Saying goodbyes are never easy, but the assurance of obedience and the Lord's sovereignty was the strength we and our families needed.
Travel
Our flight schedule took us from Columbia to Washington, DC to Frankfurt, Germany and then to Chisinau, Moldova. It was also the same coming home (just in reverse!). Well, our plane was delayed a few hours in Columbia which made us miss our trans-Atlantic flight from Washington to Frankfurt. After arriving in Washington at about 10:30pm we stood in lines, rode trains all around, made what seems like a million phone calls to United Airlines and then finally made it to our hotel for the night at 2:00am. We were all bumeed that we would lose time in Moldova but were praising the Lord that we were able to sleep in the next morning, as our flight didn't leave until the afternoon! We were re-routed from flying to Frankfurt and were put on a flight to Moscow, Russia. My prayer was that catching the flight in Moscow would be smooth and painless, as none of us had a VISA to be in that country! We were able to make it through and made our flight to Chisinau!
On the day we were schedule to come home we all got up at 5am and made our way to the Chisinau airport. Upon walking in we see on the screen that the flight to Frankfurt was delayed for about 3 hours. We knew then, again, that we would miss the trans-Atlantic flight and would likely end up staying in Frankfurt. After much waiting and confusion a random flight popped up on the screen and was going to Frankfurt and we all were able to get on it. The Lord was with us and comforted us through a lady who was trying to get to Geneva. No one would tell us (the Americans) waht was going on, but this lady kindly translated all that was happening and we were able to make that flight because of her. When we got to Frankfrut we were immediately told that there were no more flight that day to the States except one and it was full. We decided to put Tina and Gerald on the standby list since they both had spouses and kids to get home to. Not only did they make the flight, but there were bumped up to BUSINESS CLASS!!! Those of us who generously sacrificed getting home were not too happy with that news :) The remaining seven of us stayed the night in Frankfurt and were able to get home the next day, with only a few mishaps and scary moments!
Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28
Because we arrived in Moldova a day late our scheduel had to be revised. We went shopping downtown in the city on Sunday morning, ate at McDonalds, and to my surprise, we go to go to Lord's Resurrection Church!!! That is the church I have been going to/working with the last 5 years. I was really sad that we were not scheduled to go this year. It was wonderful to introduce the team to some of my greatest friends who God continually uses to encourage me with their lives! Right after church we left Chisinau and drove to our first village, Cornesti. The ride out to the village was interesting and beautiful. When we arrived we were greeted by smiling faces and a large spread of food (the Moldovan way!). We ate, had great conversation, met our host families, and made our way to our host homes for the night. None of us were really expecting the journey and adventure that was actually getting to and from our host homes! The roads were uneven dirt and hills (and LOTS of animal droppings)! Draggin over 100 lbs of luggage through all of that was interesting to say the least!
Cornesti, Monday-Wednesday, June 29-July 1
Monday morning began our construction/repair projects. Vitalie, the church planter, went through the village prior to us coming and found some families that needed help. The girls mostly painted and cleaned at different houses and the guys were given the task to build a toilet! I was blessed to work at the home of Natasha and her family. Natasha is 19 and has many responsibilities to her family and her home. She loved having her picture taken and wanted Tina and me to take pictures of all her animals! After lunch we had about an hour break and then the plan was to have a Vacation Bible School type event for the kids in the village. Well, a monsoon decided to arrive and so we had to cancel it. The phrase "when one door closes another one opens" takes on new meaning in Moldova. Within a matter of minutes Vitalie had a new plan for our evening and took us to a boys shelter (ages 15-17) that he started. Not having any of our supplies or props for a youth meeting, we just relied on the Lord to convey the points of our skits and the words we spoke.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were similar to Monday. Tina and I were given the task of planting cabbage right behind the church. Neither Tina nor I have ever "gardened" before so it turned out to be very interesting. I have a new respect for people who garden and their leg/thigh muscles! Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon we were able to have our VBS. We taught the kids "Father Abraham" and then told a Bible story. We then split them up into groups and sent them to different station (Crafts, Health, and Games). Wedensday afteroon as they were leaving we gave each of them a gift bag that consisted of toys, candy, toothbrush/paste, notepads, crayons, etc. Seeing the looks on their faces and knowing their lives are being touched is always something I look forward to. We left after the VBS for our second village, Radenii Vechi.
Radenii Vechi, Wednesday PM-Saturday, July 1-4
As we were riding into this village I had a strange feeling. I couldn't explain it at the time, but now looking back I realize that I was sensing the spritual warfare that was taking place. This village was smaller and poorer. After meeting our new "families" and sharing a meal with Sergio, the church planter, and his family we headed to our host homes. This was a little different as all of the girls and two of the guys stayed at the same house. I could tell many stories just about this but I will refrain! I would like to point out, however, that Claudia and I slept each night on top of a cement stove! Yes, true story! Thursday-Saturday morning we went around to different houses seeking to do work for them. Again, the girls did a lot of cleaning/painting while the guys did more "guy friendly" activities such as mixing and pouring cement on a floor.
I want to share the most memorable experience of this trip for me personally. Claudia, Rodyca, and I finished our work at one house and asked to be given another job. So we were told that we would go help this older man in his field. We picked up the man and proceeded to go out in the mdidle of nowhere. I'm talking "the hills are alive with the sound of music!" We could see nothing but fields and other villages way off in the distance. I was absolutely in awe of how beautiful it was. Well, the four of us were told that we would be picked back up in like 2 hours. At this time, it is already noon and it is by far the hottest time of the day. So, we found out that he wanted us to weed his entire field (understand that I could not even see the end of the field it was so big!). We began and was immediately told to stop because we were not doing it right. So he showed us how we needed to do it and started again. Once more, he said we were doing it wrong. After trying for about 10 minutes to teach us, and after me completely chopping down one of his corn crops, he told us just to sit. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrated I was at this point. I was mad that we were just dumped out in the middle of nowhere with no way of communication. I was mad that I was going to have to sit out in the hot sun with no shade for 2 hours. I was mad that this poor 74 year old man would not let me weed his field. And I was upset that he would not get his field work done that day and would suffer because of my inability to do what was requested of me. In the midst of my anger and venting to Claudia we stopped and listened to Rodyca talking to this man. We could not understand what they were talking about, but somewhere we understood that she was talking about Christ with this man. Immediately I was hit with a conviction that felt like a ton of bricks. If we would have never come out to this field, this man would have never had this conversation with Rodyca. Although he was upset that we could not do his work, he was grateful that we would even try. He said that it spoke to him that we would care to do that for him even though we had no experience. And Rodyca told us that she could see him begin to soften his heart to the Gospel the more she talked to him. I realized that I was brought out into that field, at that particular time, just so that I could pray for this man and his family. I was brought out into that field so that I could see how people in the villages of Moldova survive. I was brought out into that field so that I could, once again, see the splendor and greatness of God. That experience brought many questions into my mind, most of which I feel I will struggle with for a long time.
On Thursday afternoon after lunch we went and had our VBS at a preschool down the street from the church. The director was so welcoming and the kids had a blast with us. We told them we would be back the next day with special gifts for each of them, but we were not expecting what awaited us. On Friday we went back and started getting ready for VBS when the director came out and asked us harshly what we were doing there. When we told her we were back for another program she told us that we had to get off of the property and that we weren't welcomed there. We were very confused and wondered what in the world happened between then and the previous afternoon. We found out that the Orthodox priest had gone to 20 families and got them to go to the school and threaten to make trouble for the director if she allowed us to be there again. Feeling defeated, we left the preschool and had to take our giftbags with us. We found a field right next to the school and just started throwing a volleyball around and was able to gather a group of about 30. We let them make salvation bracelets and played games with them. It was very sad to see kids from the preschool walking by after school let out because they knew that they were not allowed to come near us. That night I felt consumed and overwhelmed by the warfare that surrounded this village. The next day before we left our team had a special time of prayer for Sergio and his family for protection. We were told that his family would more than likely face a lot of trouble and persecution after we left just because we were there.
Praise God that one of the ladies who cooked for us prayed to receive Christ! Unfortunately, I was not there when it happened but because of the faithfulness and eagerness of a few Moldovan people she has trusted in Christ as her Savior! I thought that was definitely worth mentioning! :)
Saturday, July 4 (Happy Independence Day!!)We did our construction project in the morning and then said our goodbyes to most of our translators and friends from Radenii Vechi. We traveled about an hour and half back to the city of Chisinau where all we could think about was showers!!! That night we had a special dinner at my favorite restaurant with our team, some of our translators, and some special friends. It was a time that we were able to reflect on the week and just give Glory to God for the things that we saw and experienced. It was awesome for me to sit back and listen to my teammates give testimony to how good God is and how He had changed their hearts! After dinner we said some final goodbyes and got ready for our crazy day of travel back to the States.
Personal Note
For me, this trip was like my first trip all over again. Everything we did and experienced was just as new to me as it was to everyone else. I realized that my view of Moldova was shaped by the city of Chisinau. I have been to villages before to visit but then I would go right back to the city. Living in two villages for a week completely rocked my view of the country. Amazingly, I love the country even more than I thought could be possible! To see people survive off of nothing forced me to see how blessed I am and also how selfish I tend to be. I would look at someone and think to myself how sad they must be because they don't have much, and then would find out that they could not be happier! Life in the village is all they know. These people know all about community living! Then I would look at these two church planters and just be at a loss of words. I see how hard they work and how evident their desire is to see people come to know the Lord. They don't want huge churches, they want to make disciples so that those disciples can go out and make other disciples! They live out and breathe the Gospel everyday without shame. A song that continually played in my mind the entire time was "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin. Vitalie and Sergio sing that song knowing it to be true. They pray those words with expectancy and praise the Lord for what he is going to do in Cornesti and Radenii Vechi.
We could not have done anything by our might or strength. I pray that the love of Jesus would become so real to these people that they can not ignore it anymore. Thank you God for yet another chance to serve you and may I not rest or stop until the world is reached.
Now for pictures....
My amazingly supportive family!
Our team in Columbia ready to go!
I buy most of my gifts from this man.
My brother, Stacy!
Performing our skit for the first time.
Claudia giving her testimony.
The church in Cornesti.
Tina and I with Natasha
Walking back to our host homes for a break.
The man with the corn field. Amazing.
Watering each cabbage we planted.
Cabbage planter by day...
Tina teaching the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
A day at VBS!
Life in the village. Hard work.
Just receiving gift bags!
Meet George. He became a part of our team.
Some kids from the pre-school.
Gerald with one host we nicknamed "Papa Feel Good!"
Our team with our voices (translators) for the week! What an amazing week it was, too!
