Well, it seems my time for visiting Moldova is coming to a close. I can't believe these 3 weeks are almost gone. I feel it has been a blessing, both for the people of this area and most definitely for me. I have lost count on the number of food parcels we have delivered and there has been some improvements made around the church, although Charlie thinks if the Belguim team had been able to stay longer, more construction could have been done. According to Igor and Marianna, many seeds have been planted from the visits we have made. I praise God for that! Even the haircutting has been a success with more that 30 haircuts given--this has been a great ice breaker.
Another item that has been a good tool for breaking the ice is something I brought along to keep my children and grandchildren close. That is my grandmother necklace. I have worn it everyday and the people I have shown it to, just love it! They are so interested in my life and in where I live and how many children and grandchildren I have. They ooh and aah over the necklace and smile, then chatter away about their own families and I can feel the warmth radiate from them.
One subject that comes up alot is President Obama and what I think of him. I tell them I am giving him a chance because I feel everyone needs that. They are very interested in our country and most are very favorable of the US. Most have tvs and keep up with what is happening in the world.
But, what grieves me so are the conditions some have to live under. One place we visited on thursday was the home of an old woman. She was bent over and used a cane to get around. She was well into her 80's. She was so dirty and her hair was filthy and matted at the back of her neck. Her home-or at least the 3 rooms we were in-- had not seen a good cleaning for many a day. In walks her daughter, dressed nice, with makeup and jewelry on and not very friendly.
We found out that the daughter lives in the home as well. At the insistance of her mother who wanted to give us something to drink, she got a glass from the kitchen and went outside to the water spout, rinsed out the glass( I could see her from the window) and brought the glass back in. She poured some orange drink into it and handed it to me. Meaning to be polite, I drank it while she stood there, gave the glass back to her. She poured more liquid into the glass, then handed it to the lady next to me who had come with us to see the old lady. She chatted on to Marianna in Russian the whole time and seemed impatient for us to leave.I cannot believe this woman did not take better care of her mother and home.
In another place, a crippled woman lives. It is a nice apartment and very clean. She has a friend who is staying in the next apartment who helps the woman, Nina. Nina is very intelligent and very gracious. But, she told us because of her health, she has no money and cannot pay her heat bill. Someone has come and disconnected the heating register(you could see where it had been disconnected) and she will have no heat when winter comes. The friend who is helping her is only here through the summer and will be going back to Russia in the fall. Nina has no children or family so she will be all alone. We were very amazed about her faith--she was raised Russian orthodox and she has no bible. She has not been taught about a personal relationship with God because in that religion, they ask the priest to pray for them and for help. But, she told us she prays and she knows within her heart God will take care of her.
Marianna told her we would get her a bible and she said she wanted to come to church with Xena, our old friend from earlier posts. We are hoping she will and I know she will find the church family she needs to love her and help her. Praise God for sending us to her in this hour of her need.
I don't know if I will be able to get on the computer again before I leave for home. But, I will be leaving here early monday morning--my flight leaves at 5 am. It will be a long day for me, coming back across all the time zones--I am scheduled to get back to Washington around 1:30 in the afternoon which would be 8:30 pm in Moldovan time. It will be a bittersweet day for me, I miss my friends and family so much, but, it will be hard to leave all my new found family here that I have come to love so much!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Village of Leova
We are back to Anenii Noi and what an eye opening 2 days we have had.
We arrived at Leova close to midnight. It was kind of an erie place in the dark, but, we first went to Pastor Alexii's home where his wife met us and gave us a little snack after our long journey. Then we went to the church, a very old building to get settled in for bed. There was no running water and the bathroom was out back behind the church.
Now, in Moldova, when you say out house--it is not like those we have experienced in the US. It is a building, yes, but inside is just a hole! Try squatting over one of those with arthritic knees! Not a pretty picture! Pastor Alexii to the rescue--the next day he fashioned a "toliet" chair for us, using an old chair with no bottom and a potty seat. Now the only problem was if the chair moved, the chair leg may go into the hole. Yikes!! We had a lot of laughs about it and one of our team members, Emma, from England cracked us up about that until our sides ached. Then Igor translated for Alexii in Russian and we would laugh with him again!
All joking aside, Leova is a small village that has no running water at all. There are a few wells where everyone goes to get their water for the day. One of them is at Alexii's home and he says they come early inorder to get water--you come late and you may not get any for the day!
We visited 4 homes while we were in Leova to take them the food parcels--these particular ones were really having a hard time. The first one--the father could not work because of a back injury and his wife had gone to her doctor because she was having problems as well. They have a young son and the man's parentslive with them. The house did not have much but everything was clean and neat. They had a garden and crops they sell, so there was a lot of work to be done. The grandfather really impressed me for his deep faith in God and his belief that things would work out. At the 2nd house, a woman and her adopted son lived there. Her husband had left for a period of time to work in Russia, but he never returned, telling her he no longer wanted her or the son. She works some but does not make much money. She was happy for me to cut her and her son's hair.
While some of us were visiting, the rest of the team cleaned rust off of an iron fence enclosing the church. They planned to paint it over the next day and half.
After lunch, we invited the children from the village to come to the church. We met in a gazebo infront of the church. I told them a story about Zacchaeus and then we sang some songs in english and then they sang to us in Russian. They were so cute.
The next day the fence was finished, we made 2 more visits then packed and came back to Anenii Noi. One of those visits was to an old lady who is a member of Alexii's church. She recently received her retirement pension and she gave it to the church. I have never met a more selfless woman. She kept telling us how much she loved God and even though she had so little, she insisted on giving us some "compote"--juice--that she had made.
Tomorrow morning the 3 from Belgium leaves and it will be sad to see them go. In such a short time, I have made 3 very good friends.
We arrived at Leova close to midnight. It was kind of an erie place in the dark, but, we first went to Pastor Alexii's home where his wife met us and gave us a little snack after our long journey. Then we went to the church, a very old building to get settled in for bed. There was no running water and the bathroom was out back behind the church.
Now, in Moldova, when you say out house--it is not like those we have experienced in the US. It is a building, yes, but inside is just a hole! Try squatting over one of those with arthritic knees! Not a pretty picture! Pastor Alexii to the rescue--the next day he fashioned a "toliet" chair for us, using an old chair with no bottom and a potty seat. Now the only problem was if the chair moved, the chair leg may go into the hole. Yikes!! We had a lot of laughs about it and one of our team members, Emma, from England cracked us up about that until our sides ached. Then Igor translated for Alexii in Russian and we would laugh with him again!
All joking aside, Leova is a small village that has no running water at all. There are a few wells where everyone goes to get their water for the day. One of them is at Alexii's home and he says they come early inorder to get water--you come late and you may not get any for the day!
We visited 4 homes while we were in Leova to take them the food parcels--these particular ones were really having a hard time. The first one--the father could not work because of a back injury and his wife had gone to her doctor because she was having problems as well. They have a young son and the man's parentslive with them. The house did not have much but everything was clean and neat. They had a garden and crops they sell, so there was a lot of work to be done. The grandfather really impressed me for his deep faith in God and his belief that things would work out. At the 2nd house, a woman and her adopted son lived there. Her husband had left for a period of time to work in Russia, but he never returned, telling her he no longer wanted her or the son. She works some but does not make much money. She was happy for me to cut her and her son's hair.
While some of us were visiting, the rest of the team cleaned rust off of an iron fence enclosing the church. They planned to paint it over the next day and half.
After lunch, we invited the children from the village to come to the church. We met in a gazebo infront of the church. I told them a story about Zacchaeus and then we sang some songs in english and then they sang to us in Russian. They were so cute.
The next day the fence was finished, we made 2 more visits then packed and came back to Anenii Noi. One of those visits was to an old lady who is a member of Alexii's church. She recently received her retirement pension and she gave it to the church. I have never met a more selfless woman. She kept telling us how much she loved God and even though she had so little, she insisted on giving us some "compote"--juice--that she had made.
Tomorrow morning the 3 from Belgium leaves and it will be sad to see them go. In such a short time, I have made 3 very good friends.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Heading for Leova
Yesterday was another wonderful and full day. Of course there was the worship service first.
The Belguim team came in thurs. night. Hannah, the US girl who has been staying the last year in Belguim, works at a church on a US base as the Youth director. She is from Minnisota and a very sweet and lovely girl. Then there is Emma, a young woman from England, who tries to act non-conformist, and Al Weeks, the leader who is the minister of the before mentioned church.
Anyway, Hannah and I sang a duet, "How Great Thou Art" and then during the sermon hour, Marianna and I took the children into another room and I did a felt board story for them about the "Prodigal Son" I gave them each a pencil and they each gave me a hug. O how I miss my grandchildren and their special hugs!
For those who have taken the "Esther" class with me, last night we watched the Esther story in Russian. I followed along in my bible and knew what was happening. It was an earlier version of the story and went along with the bible completely.
Earlier, before the movie, one of Igor's congregation called for us to come talk to her husband, who is a heavy drinker and wife beater. He has decided to stop drinking. Igor talked to him outside while the rest of us went in to talk to the wife. If I had never believed that God does not change and work in people's lives, I believe it now.!! I will tell you all about it when I make my presentation at Oakland when I return. That woman so humbled me--to think I have problems!
Now, we are off to a little village in a town called Leova, where we will camp and witness for a couple of days. I will write more when I return.
God bless all!!
The Belguim team came in thurs. night. Hannah, the US girl who has been staying the last year in Belguim, works at a church on a US base as the Youth director. She is from Minnisota and a very sweet and lovely girl. Then there is Emma, a young woman from England, who tries to act non-conformist, and Al Weeks, the leader who is the minister of the before mentioned church.
Anyway, Hannah and I sang a duet, "How Great Thou Art" and then during the sermon hour, Marianna and I took the children into another room and I did a felt board story for them about the "Prodigal Son" I gave them each a pencil and they each gave me a hug. O how I miss my grandchildren and their special hugs!
For those who have taken the "Esther" class with me, last night we watched the Esther story in Russian. I followed along in my bible and knew what was happening. It was an earlier version of the story and went along with the bible completely.
Earlier, before the movie, one of Igor's congregation called for us to come talk to her husband, who is a heavy drinker and wife beater. He has decided to stop drinking. Igor talked to him outside while the rest of us went in to talk to the wife. If I had never believed that God does not change and work in people's lives, I believe it now.!! I will tell you all about it when I make my presentation at Oakland when I return. That woman so humbled me--to think I have problems!
Now, we are off to a little village in a town called Leova, where we will camp and witness for a couple of days. I will write more when I return.
God bless all!!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Hello Friends
Just wanted to take this time to thank you, the congregation of Oakland BaptistChurch and the friends and clients who donated money for the food bags. All total, I came with #960. Charlie, the man from Lynchburg, who came with me, brought $1000 (His money came from budgeted money from their church. Our money came from the hearts of my friends and congregation.) To say the least, Igor and Marianna were astounded! That money is too much to make food bags to be delivered while I am here, so the rest will be used to make more food parcels as needed.
So again, God bless all of you from the bottom of their hearts!!
I am doing great--have visited many people and given around 25 haircuts. I am surprised by that number because I could not believe the people would trust a stranger to do this.
One older couple we visited were Russian, having moved here more that 8 years ago to be near their daughter. They were the sweetest I have met. She, Valentina, had fallen that day and it looked like she had broken her wrist. She was waiting for her son-inlaw to come for her when he got off of work in Chisinau, so he could take her back to her daughter, who is a doctor. She was in some pain, but she insisted on giving us peaches and water to drink. Her husband was so attentive to her and you could see many years of devotion between them.
When we were ready to leave, they went into their room and brought out several shirts and a dress made of fine muslin. They were decorated with beading and beautiful tucks and the man, Valentino, said they had been handmade 150 years ago by his grandmother and great grandmother. They were beautiful and very well preserved. They then gave me one!! I wanted to refuse, but, they said for me to bring it back to the states and when I looked at it, I was to pray for the people of Moldova and their continued freedom from communism. I will cherish this shirt and will pray for them as they asked!B y the way, did you notice their names? Valentino and Valentina--how cool is that!?
Hope all is well and will see you all during the revival. May God bless all of you!
Lesley
So again, God bless all of you from the bottom of their hearts!!
I am doing great--have visited many people and given around 25 haircuts. I am surprised by that number because I could not believe the people would trust a stranger to do this.
One older couple we visited were Russian, having moved here more that 8 years ago to be near their daughter. They were the sweetest I have met. She, Valentina, had fallen that day and it looked like she had broken her wrist. She was waiting for her son-inlaw to come for her when he got off of work in Chisinau, so he could take her back to her daughter, who is a doctor. She was in some pain, but she insisted on giving us peaches and water to drink. Her husband was so attentive to her and you could see many years of devotion between them.
When we were ready to leave, they went into their room and brought out several shirts and a dress made of fine muslin. They were decorated with beading and beautiful tucks and the man, Valentino, said they had been handmade 150 years ago by his grandmother and great grandmother. They were beautiful and very well preserved. They then gave me one!! I wanted to refuse, but, they said for me to bring it back to the states and when I looked at it, I was to pray for the people of Moldova and their continued freedom from communism. I will cherish this shirt and will pray for them as they asked!B y the way, did you notice their names? Valentino and Valentina--how cool is that!?
Hope all is well and will see you all during the revival. May God bless all of you!
Lesley
Friday, August 7, 2009
To My Precious Grandchildren
Hello my darling grandchildren,
I thought I would take this time to write to you. I miss you all so much and the more I see children around here the more I miss you. I hope you all are doing well--Grace and James, you are on vacation, Nathan, you are just home from vacation and Emery, you are just keeping your mom and dad busy as you explore everything.
I have seen many things and taken many pictures which I will show you when I come home. The people here are just like you and me and the children have toys like you, and the older kids have cell phones and games on the computer. God made all people the same all over the world.
The difference only that I see, is that the children are taught several languages from the time they are little--in some towns like Anenii Noi, people speak both Russian and Romanian. If they don't learn it, they will not know what half the people are saying.
This is a very poor country, though. There are not nearly as many cars and trucks and the roads are horrible. Homes are small and many without plumbing and electricity but most are clean. The way this country is today reminds me of when I was a child. People didn't worry about getting the best of everything then. You used what you had.
There aren't many believers of Jesus here, and my job has been to visit in the homes and share God's love with them through the food parcels we made and giving haircuts if they want them. So far, I have given 22 haircuts.. One older couple we visited yesterday, did not get haircuts, but, they gave me something--a shirt made by the man's grandmother and greatgrandmother 150 years ago. I couldn't believe she would want to give it away, but she insisted and said whenever I look at it, I must pray for Moldova's freedom from communism and for all in the country to find God and His love. I assured her I would do just that.
I have been so blessed by coming here--Praise God!
My love always to you and your parents!
Grammy
I thought I would take this time to write to you. I miss you all so much and the more I see children around here the more I miss you. I hope you all are doing well--Grace and James, you are on vacation, Nathan, you are just home from vacation and Emery, you are just keeping your mom and dad busy as you explore everything.
I have seen many things and taken many pictures which I will show you when I come home. The people here are just like you and me and the children have toys like you, and the older kids have cell phones and games on the computer. God made all people the same all over the world.
The difference only that I see, is that the children are taught several languages from the time they are little--in some towns like Anenii Noi, people speak both Russian and Romanian. If they don't learn it, they will not know what half the people are saying.
This is a very poor country, though. There are not nearly as many cars and trucks and the roads are horrible. Homes are small and many without plumbing and electricity but most are clean. The way this country is today reminds me of when I was a child. People didn't worry about getting the best of everything then. You used what you had.
There aren't many believers of Jesus here, and my job has been to visit in the homes and share God's love with them through the food parcels we made and giving haircuts if they want them. So far, I have given 22 haircuts.. One older couple we visited yesterday, did not get haircuts, but, they gave me something--a shirt made by the man's grandmother and greatgrandmother 150 years ago. I couldn't believe she would want to give it away, but she insisted and said whenever I look at it, I must pray for Moldova's freedom from communism and for all in the country to find God and His love. I assured her I would do just that.
I have been so blessed by coming here--Praise God!
My love always to you and your parents!
Grammy
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Midnight Thoughts
I woke up a little while ago and thought it would be a good time to update my blog. Hope all is well at home and everyone is going about their day happily.
Yesterday was a long and very interesting day. Igor, Marianna, Anna, Charlie and I went to a small village--where Igor started another church--to visit missionary friends who are continuing in that church. They are a sweet young couple, Sergio and Tatianna, with a precious little daughter of 2 1/2. They live in 2 rooms in back of the sanctuary. Laura, the daughter, entertained us and made me miss my grandchildren even more. They gave us some juice, they had made and then we went into the yard and saw the rabbits they raise--huge rabbits! I took pictures, but Igor's laptop over heats easily, so I am afraid to try and put them on the blog. I will show them when I get home.
The family went with us to 3 other places, each different than their own. The first was a farm with ducks, chickens, cows, a hugh pig and a very hard working woman with 2 young sons. Her husband works in Russia to make money for the family, so she is left to work the farm. I cut both her sons' hair and Sergio, hair as well. While I was doing that, the lady, Loba, Marianna and Tatianna washed tomatoes, cut up homemade bread and brought out homemade cheese and apricot preserves and prepared our lunch. I still can't believe how willing these people are to share what little they have! By the way, the bathroom was in an outhouse, with just a hole in the floor. That was most interesting!
Next, we went to a home of a lady who is a member of Sergio's church and fairly well to do. Her husband is very capable-he is in construction and did a beautiful job on their home--but, he drinks way too much. You could see how lonely she is. She gave us cookies and coffee and we talked and prayed with her. Another home and lady were the same way, and I cut her hair. She gave us refreshments, too. We felt like we had eaten all day!
A huge electrical storm blew up then so then we returned home to a delicious meal prepared by Barbara, Marianna's mother.( Steve, she makes the best fried squash I have ever tasted. I will have to fix it for you.)
The weather was very hot and extremely humid, so , after a week and a half of comfortable weather, the heat is upon us!!
Take care and God bless you!
Yesterday was a long and very interesting day. Igor, Marianna, Anna, Charlie and I went to a small village--where Igor started another church--to visit missionary friends who are continuing in that church. They are a sweet young couple, Sergio and Tatianna, with a precious little daughter of 2 1/2. They live in 2 rooms in back of the sanctuary. Laura, the daughter, entertained us and made me miss my grandchildren even more. They gave us some juice, they had made and then we went into the yard and saw the rabbits they raise--huge rabbits! I took pictures, but Igor's laptop over heats easily, so I am afraid to try and put them on the blog. I will show them when I get home.
The family went with us to 3 other places, each different than their own. The first was a farm with ducks, chickens, cows, a hugh pig and a very hard working woman with 2 young sons. Her husband works in Russia to make money for the family, so she is left to work the farm. I cut both her sons' hair and Sergio, hair as well. While I was doing that, the lady, Loba, Marianna and Tatianna washed tomatoes, cut up homemade bread and brought out homemade cheese and apricot preserves and prepared our lunch. I still can't believe how willing these people are to share what little they have! By the way, the bathroom was in an outhouse, with just a hole in the floor. That was most interesting!
Next, we went to a home of a lady who is a member of Sergio's church and fairly well to do. Her husband is very capable-he is in construction and did a beautiful job on their home--but, he drinks way too much. You could see how lonely she is. She gave us cookies and coffee and we talked and prayed with her. Another home and lady were the same way, and I cut her hair. She gave us refreshments, too. We felt like we had eaten all day!
A huge electrical storm blew up then so then we returned home to a delicious meal prepared by Barbara, Marianna's mother.( Steve, she makes the best fried squash I have ever tasted. I will have to fix it for you.)
The weather was very hot and extremely humid, so , after a week and a half of comfortable weather, the heat is upon us!!
Take care and God bless you!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Mixed Feelings
Yesterday and today have been days of mixed feelings and many blessings. There is a big difference in my trip to Romania 2 years ago and my trip to Moldova. The difference is I am living right in the midst of the people. Not that I wasn't in Romania, but I am going into the homes of the people I want to help instead of they or their children coming to where I am.
Yesterday, Marianna, Natasha, myself and one of Marianna's sisters, Anna went to the village where Igor and Marianna started their first church. Igor no longer preaches there, but there are still those he wants to keep in contact with. One such lady is Olga, a 71 year old lady who lives in an apartment. She is on fire for the Lord! Her grandson is staying with her and she is trying to help with his schooling--that has happened only because she was able to sell her garage and can help him with the money she made from that. Such a lovely lady she is. I cut her hair and then we came back home for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, we went back to pick her up and she directed us to another woman, 54 years old who works harder than I have ever worked! She has a garden and little chicks running around. The food she harvests is used to buy food, etc. for her family. Her ex-husband, still stays at the house and eats her food but, will not help provide for the family of 5 children. The 4 boys are grown, 2 still live at home and a daughter about 12 years old.
When the lady was pregnant with the last 2 children, her husband wanted her to abort them. She refused and he beat her. He drinks and beats her for any reason.
When the Soviet Union feel several years ago, everyone was given a plot of land on which to make their living. But, some did not know how, or they didn't have a vehicle, or gas got too expensive. This family has a plot several miles away and they grow watermelons and other melons on this land, but they have to walk to this land to take care and harvest it. Someone must stay with the field until it can be harvested or others may take the fruit. Then they take the fruit to the roadside and sell it with many other people trying to make a living.
Inorder to work, many of the people in Anenii Noi travel by train to Chisinau (about 30 miles) everyday. Yesterday, when we were coming back to Anenii Noi, we suddenly came upon all these people walking down the road into town. They were walking home after a long day at work.
The roads in the town are in horrible condition except for the main road going through the town. That road is kept in fair condition and so is any road leading to a grave yard--so the hearst can get through smoothly. Some roads are so bad, the cars have to drive on the wrong side inorder to make it around the deep holes. There are many old bldgs. that are vacant and falling apart, many businesses closed up, which are reminiscent of the days under communist rule. This is why many of the older folks wish to be back under communist rule--they may not have any freedom and have things and people taken from them, but, at least if they obeyed, they could live comfortably. My heart suddenly broke for them and I realized that when America won its freedom, we were so lucky to have like minded people to write our constitution and carry out our wishes for a free country. God was certainly with us and we need to thank Him everyday for living a the country like the USA! And we need to realize that God could turn His back on us at any time.
Today, we went back to get Olga and see led us to another apartment not far from her home. There lived a much younger lady, who had a very guarded look in her eyes. At first she did not want to take the smaller bag of supplies from my hand, but after Olga's insistance, she took it graciously. I could tell she didn't have much love for Americans. We set down and she immediately told of seeing some showing on the internet that stated that America wanted to start more wars and wanted to make everyone follow their ways or kill them!
This makes me furious that propaganda like that-which I believe the media doesn't help!-is being spread throughout these countries. Thru Marianna's interpreting, Charlie told her that most Americans only wants everyone to live good and happy lives and have a choice on how to live that life. 6 months ago, she had moved from Chisinau to Anenii Noi because she had lost her home. It is cheaper to live here. During that time her faith was taking a bad turn and when she went to the orthodox church, the priest told her to leave the baptists alone. She began to feel God could not help her and she was feeling alone from Him. Through Marianna, I told her that all Christians have those times of feeling alone but, that He is with her and if she gives her heart to him, He will help her in her life. We talked for a long time and then we prayed together. My heart was so broken for her! I have never felt so close to God as I did then.
You can not believe how much I am learning and how I am changing. Praise God!
Yesterday, Marianna, Natasha, myself and one of Marianna's sisters, Anna went to the village where Igor and Marianna started their first church. Igor no longer preaches there, but there are still those he wants to keep in contact with. One such lady is Olga, a 71 year old lady who lives in an apartment. She is on fire for the Lord! Her grandson is staying with her and she is trying to help with his schooling--that has happened only because she was able to sell her garage and can help him with the money she made from that. Such a lovely lady she is. I cut her hair and then we came back home for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, we went back to pick her up and she directed us to another woman, 54 years old who works harder than I have ever worked! She has a garden and little chicks running around. The food she harvests is used to buy food, etc. for her family. Her ex-husband, still stays at the house and eats her food but, will not help provide for the family of 5 children. The 4 boys are grown, 2 still live at home and a daughter about 12 years old.
When the lady was pregnant with the last 2 children, her husband wanted her to abort them. She refused and he beat her. He drinks and beats her for any reason.
When the Soviet Union feel several years ago, everyone was given a plot of land on which to make their living. But, some did not know how, or they didn't have a vehicle, or gas got too expensive. This family has a plot several miles away and they grow watermelons and other melons on this land, but they have to walk to this land to take care and harvest it. Someone must stay with the field until it can be harvested or others may take the fruit. Then they take the fruit to the roadside and sell it with many other people trying to make a living.
Inorder to work, many of the people in Anenii Noi travel by train to Chisinau (about 30 miles) everyday. Yesterday, when we were coming back to Anenii Noi, we suddenly came upon all these people walking down the road into town. They were walking home after a long day at work.
The roads in the town are in horrible condition except for the main road going through the town. That road is kept in fair condition and so is any road leading to a grave yard--so the hearst can get through smoothly. Some roads are so bad, the cars have to drive on the wrong side inorder to make it around the deep holes. There are many old bldgs. that are vacant and falling apart, many businesses closed up, which are reminiscent of the days under communist rule. This is why many of the older folks wish to be back under communist rule--they may not have any freedom and have things and people taken from them, but, at least if they obeyed, they could live comfortably. My heart suddenly broke for them and I realized that when America won its freedom, we were so lucky to have like minded people to write our constitution and carry out our wishes for a free country. God was certainly with us and we need to thank Him everyday for living a the country like the USA! And we need to realize that God could turn His back on us at any time.
Today, we went back to get Olga and see led us to another apartment not far from her home. There lived a much younger lady, who had a very guarded look in her eyes. At first she did not want to take the smaller bag of supplies from my hand, but after Olga's insistance, she took it graciously. I could tell she didn't have much love for Americans. We set down and she immediately told of seeing some showing on the internet that stated that America wanted to start more wars and wanted to make everyone follow their ways or kill them!
This makes me furious that propaganda like that-which I believe the media doesn't help!-is being spread throughout these countries. Thru Marianna's interpreting, Charlie told her that most Americans only wants everyone to live good and happy lives and have a choice on how to live that life. 6 months ago, she had moved from Chisinau to Anenii Noi because she had lost her home. It is cheaper to live here. During that time her faith was taking a bad turn and when she went to the orthodox church, the priest told her to leave the baptists alone. She began to feel God could not help her and she was feeling alone from Him. Through Marianna, I told her that all Christians have those times of feeling alone but, that He is with her and if she gives her heart to him, He will help her in her life. We talked for a long time and then we prayed together. My heart was so broken for her! I have never felt so close to God as I did then.
You can not believe how much I am learning and how I am changing. Praise God!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Hi, everyone
Sorry I didn't get to blog yesterday--we were away most of the day and then when we returned, there were many people here at the church that I couldn't get to the computer.
I thought about all of you at the Zirkle family reunion. I hope it was a nice day and all enjoyed themselves. I bet there was a lot to eat!! And lots of fellowship.
Today"My Jes we had a 2 hour worship service. I am sure many of you would not have wanted to be at that. But, it was wonderful--even though I could not understand alot of what was said.
I got to sing a song for the people--"My Jesus, I Love Thee" I told them the first verse before I sang it and Marianna interputed it for me. Then she sang alto with me. The musician playing the keyboard did a great job backing me up even though he had never played or heard of the song before!
I am so very grateful that God has sent me to this place. Already these people have become very dear to me and I want to never lose contact with them. I thought I was coming to help them, but they have helped me--I don't think I will ever look at having so many material things again. They have so little in the way of possessions but so much in their hearts to give. Thank You God for showing me so much while I have been here.
Today was Lord Supper day, and as is their custom, whenever they have Lord's Supper, they have a fellowship meal following the service. What a spread of food!! And how wonderful it all tasted. I tried a lot of new things and loved them. The people would smile when I tasted their food and stuck my thumb up meaning it was great. Even though I can't speak their language, we can still find ways to communicate. Boy, did I get a lot of hugs and kisses!
After a long nap, Igor, Marianna, their 4 kids, Charlie, another young man whose name escapes me at the moment, and I went to the river. It was so much like when I was a child and Uncle Pat used to take us to the river to swim. The kids had a ball!
Over here the country is so far behind us, that it is exactly like living in the 1950s again. There is nothing like reliving your childhood again!
Tomorrow, I will be doing much the same as last week, visiting and cutting hair.
May God go with each of you and be safe.
(Steve, I am doing fine but I miss you.)
Lesley
I thought about all of you at the Zirkle family reunion. I hope it was a nice day and all enjoyed themselves. I bet there was a lot to eat!! And lots of fellowship.
Today"My Jes we had a 2 hour worship service. I am sure many of you would not have wanted to be at that. But, it was wonderful--even though I could not understand alot of what was said.
I got to sing a song for the people--"My Jesus, I Love Thee" I told them the first verse before I sang it and Marianna interputed it for me. Then she sang alto with me. The musician playing the keyboard did a great job backing me up even though he had never played or heard of the song before!
I am so very grateful that God has sent me to this place. Already these people have become very dear to me and I want to never lose contact with them. I thought I was coming to help them, but they have helped me--I don't think I will ever look at having so many material things again. They have so little in the way of possessions but so much in their hearts to give. Thank You God for showing me so much while I have been here.
Today was Lord Supper day, and as is their custom, whenever they have Lord's Supper, they have a fellowship meal following the service. What a spread of food!! And how wonderful it all tasted. I tried a lot of new things and loved them. The people would smile when I tasted their food and stuck my thumb up meaning it was great. Even though I can't speak their language, we can still find ways to communicate. Boy, did I get a lot of hugs and kisses!
After a long nap, Igor, Marianna, their 4 kids, Charlie, another young man whose name escapes me at the moment, and I went to the river. It was so much like when I was a child and Uncle Pat used to take us to the river to swim. The kids had a ball!
Over here the country is so far behind us, that it is exactly like living in the 1950s again. There is nothing like reliving your childhood again!
Tomorrow, I will be doing much the same as last week, visiting and cutting hair.
May God go with each of you and be safe.
(Steve, I am doing fine but I miss you.)
Lesley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
