The Only Place They've Heard

Parents' Night Out at International Service



My roommate is spending two weeks in America. I miss her for many reasons. And one of those reasons is that her and I work together to minister to the youth and kids at the bi-monthly International Service. She runs the children's Sunday school class and I run the youth. And we also decided to help with monthly events. These are great hang out times, parties, and get togethers with the different groups. My roommate and I plan together, talk together and help one another. With her being gone, I taught both the youth and kids together. And next Saturday, we have another event with the kids that I am planning on my own. It makes me appreciate all the work she does.

And the work is worth it. I think of all the kids that come to International Service. I think about their families. Many are missionary kids where it is their opportunity to learn about the Lord in English. Others are embassy, military or kids of scholars. And this is the only place they've ever heard the Gospel, stories of Jesus or the importance of the Bible. I am excited about this. It is amazing the opportunities God opens, even when least expecting it.

Abandoned

Last week I spent the day at an orphanage in the town of Ungheni. I enjoyed talking with the kids, playing soccer and singing worship songs. But it is incredibly sad to be reminded of what I see as the essential breakdown of the Moldovan family: immigration. So many of the kids I talked to at the orphanage have parents, they are just abroad working, with promises to one day come and rescue their children. I hear stories and meet young people all the time who are simply left, because mom or dad got a job as a house cleaner, a waitress, a dancer or an apple picker. And these kids are waiting for the return of their parents. Some are trying to keep their apartments, care for younger siblings, and go to school as normal. Others have been placed with friends, relatives, neighbors or in orphanages. The sad thing, with as many stories as I hear about children being abandoned, I rarely hear stories of parents coming back, fortunes in hand, to whisk their children away to the wonderful promises of the West.

A Hand in It

I like to cook. When I began cooking I was always comforted that my mom was around. She is an excellent cook and she would always help me. At the end, I would always have her taste the dish I had made and she would add spices to make it perfect! I always knew that whatever I made would turn out well, because my mom had a hand in it.

I am feeling like this at the Home of Hope. This ministry is messy and there is no one else taking this task on in this part of the world. I am certain that we all make mistakes at least once a day in our ministry to the women. But, regardless, God has a hand in it and even though we don't know what we are doing, He does! It will turn out well.

Christmas in Sarata Galbena

In Relationship

It is in being in relationship with others that one's person is defined. One learns who she or he is, his or her value and personality. God calls us to be in relationship with Him and one another. He designed it like this. And it is in relationship, good quality relationship with God and others, that the lives of the women at the Home of Hope will be changed. I have been with these women for three months now and I am overwhelmed by their brokenness and their need for love. I am profoundly aware of the fact that I am not a therapist, social worker or even a pastor. But I love God and I love these women. So, I do what I can. I take them second hand shopping, I practice English with them, I treat them to the coffee shop, remind them that losing a few dollars is not as bad as it seems. I encourage, learn to make Moldovan food, eat meals, dance around the living room and watch movies. I am in relationship with them. And I pray that through that I can help draw them to God, find who they were made to be and teach them to love.

Two Lost

I have taken on the task of youth leader to the International Community here in Moldova. I was hesitant at first, but I really love it. I enjoy the small group I have, with kids ranging from age 10 to 17. We meet along with the parents and kids twice a month for service and have an activity once a month. It is great! We have missionary kids, embassy kids and kids just visiting. But our group is small. And sadly, we just lost two. Jon (13) and Rebekah (15) were only in Moldova for three months. Their dad was here on a Fulbright scholarship. Last night was their last night. This is something one gets used to in Moldova: people coming and going. But we will surely miss them. And I pray they will continue to grow in the Lord when they return to the states.

Pizza and Bowling

Morning Prayer

We sat at the Home of Hope today: women, workers and one small child. On Tuesdays we have meetings about how life is going in the home, practical scheduling and always a small Bible study. Today we decided to pray for one another. And the sharing began. It was amazing to see how the workers have become so close in the past year. The women in the home are slowly revealing their brokenness before us and before God. We just prayed for our families abroad, sisters still stuck in trafficking, and the future of the women in the home. Their hearts are really softening to God. The littlest one, our 2.5 year old, ended the prayer with a loud exclamation: "There! We prayed!!" And that was it, but God moved. And He still moving in the Home of Hope. So when we are praying Tuesday mornings don't hesitate to pray with us and for us.