moldova 2008

Just a note to let you know that I’m back in town – with serious jet-lag after being up for 24 hours yesterday! I return with a cold and need lots more sleep, but otherwise I am doing well. I will put together a more formal report later, but wanted you to see a first picture of the lovely ladies from the Bethany Church (Evangelical). This picture was taken on the day before Palm Sunday - otherwise known as Lazarus Saturday in the Orthodox tradition. Our team joined them in a massive clean-up effort in the church building, the grounds, and in the nearby community. Several of these ladies came to clean up and share a lunch meal with us that day. A couple of them also attend the feeding ministry of Bethany – a program that this mission trip helped fund for at least another six months. For those pensioners who get a meal through the program, it is often the only meal they get all day. I thoroughly enjoyed our time with these sweet people who I met at their mealtimes and through in-home visits. We went to bless them, but we received abundant blessings in return. Thank you again for making this possible through your gifts and prayers! I'll be posting more stories soon. Anne

All is well, though several of us have a cold - yes, me too. Our hosts are incredibly hospitable and I have enjoyed every moment of our busy schedule. Today we went to the market (much like a temporary flea market for us - only permanent for them), the largest orthodox cathedral in Chisinau, and to the elderly feeding program in the afternoon. The old ladies now know us by name and have practiced to say "I love you" in English. They are so sweet. I have many stories to share on my return.

Anne reports that they have been busy! They visited some impoverished children, had a church service in three languages (which was wonderful), and visited with her friend Leila. Anne reports that while the poverty is stark and difficult, she finds beauty in other things: the spirit of hope and hospitality in the Christians here, the countryside, the animals (those that aren't sick, that is), and more.

When you read this, I will likely be making my way to Chisinau – or already there. Moldova is about 93% Eastern Orthodox, so we will be celebrating Passion Week all over again. I look forward to having a second Easter. Along with two other team members, I will be staying at the home of Pastor Dima and his wife and children. We will be driven by van most places we go, and our interpreters (Len and Lyubasha) are already in country.
Here is a photo of a beautiful fountain I hope to see in the city. I will be putting together a report for you soon after my return! You can read all of the Moldova blog entries in the church category of articles.

Moldova trip departure is 4/17! Packing for this trip has been a challenge, but I shall overcome. We are carrying books, eye-glasses, art supplies, dried soup mix bags, sweaters, and toys. We will return carrying a much lighter load once we’ve had a chance to share the gospel, visit the infirmed, engage the street kids, and feed the elderly.
One of the most exciting features of this trip is that we will all have the joy of Pasha (Eastern Orthodox Easter). Yes, we get to celebrate Easter twice in the same year! On their Easter Sunday (4/27) we will be ministering with Leila’s church all day. The picture is of the Sorbala family: Cornel, Leila, Delia, and Teo. The team had their “commissioning” luncheon recently, where family and friends gathered to share the excitement and provide a prayerful blessings to this team, and each individual team member. We will need your prayers throughout our time there. I will give you a full report after my return on 4/30. Pictured here is the team (minus our leader and the Chicago contingent).

It's now just three weeks away – Anne's team mission trip to Moldova, that is. The background on this story is that I worked with an intern (Leila) back in 2006 who came to this country from Moldova as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow attached to the University of WA. Leila has a huge heart, especially for the poor elderly in her country. To make a long story short, when I put Leila on the airplane to return to her country, I knew that they would see each other again someday. However, I assumed it would be when Leila made a return trip to the U.S. As it turns out, it's going to be the other way around! The multi-denominational team will be focusing on assisting in the re-establishment of a feeding program for the elderly in the capital city of Chisinau. Other efforts will involve working with the Moldova office of Dorcas International (where Leila is now the Country Coordinator); visiting the elderly in rural villages and "eldercare" facilities and some work with street kids.
What you see pictured here is the Washington team (large group) and a picture of the two team members we will be picking up in Chicago en route to eastern Europe. Great group of people, ranging in age from 45-85 – 3 men (all pastors representing different churches) and 8 women. What you don't see are the two people we will be meeting up with in Chisinau – Lyubasha and Len – brand new American citizens from the Ukraine, now living in the Bellingham, WA area. They will be providing much of our translation work, even as they visit family there. Excitement is running high….so much preparation still to do!