One Month Down, One to Go

So the countdown is almost to an end. It started at 13 days and it is down to 1. The excitement is so intense; we can barely contain the joy of knowing that our team will soon be here. This past month in Moldova has been wonderful and filled with ups and downs for each of us. We each have acquired a new love and appreciation for this country which seems to cry for Christ and crave that forever changing relationship with Him. The experiences are indescribable, and we know the time to come in this next month will be the same. We expect to make new friends who thirst for more knowledge in Scripture and who are overwhelmingly inquisitive and eager to learn what we have come here to teach them. We are looking forward to all that God has in store for us in this next month. There is no looking back, for there is no time for that. The work of Christ is a forward battle which we earnestly have committed to for life, and we fight this war waged between darkness and light with all our strength, hearts, and mind with the knowledge that this war is already won by the One in the center of it all, Christ. Thank you all for your prayers, and please, continue those prayers, for we covet them. We have much work set before us ahead. Pray for God to prepare the path ahead of us and to make our actions and all the events to come for His Glory!
We love you all in Christ!

Lauran and Ashley

Free Time in Moldova

Art Market

This picture is taken with a man who sells art work in the art market in the center of the city. He sells lots of different hand-made clay flutes and whistles. He is always fun to be around and has a great spirit about him.

Flute Lessons

The art market is a great place for new experiences, and apparently some great flute lesson.

God's Guidance

The bus driver looks me in the eyes and waves that it's time for us to get off. I had shown him an intersection on a piece of paper given to me by Erik earlier that day, and I had asked the bus driver to take us there. We were looking for a restaurant called the Yellow Cafe and apparently this was where we got off. As we all pile out of the bus, the driver pointed in the left direction and said something in Romanian then left. So as we looked around and no restaurant to be found, we began walking in the direction he pointed us. Now I am the kind of person that likes to know where I am going, and I'm not a huge proponent of walking aimlessly in any given direction. However, the others in the group thought it was better than nothing. We begin looking for the cafe left and right but to no avail. Wondering if we were going the right way, I began to remember Erik saying, ''You can't miss it. Its a big yellow building.'' I would have loved to find Erik was right, to find the cafe so easily, but this was not the reality in our current situation. As I begin looking every where for something that would tell me where I was, a white van pulled up beside us on the street. I looked in the van to find Arthur, our camp leader last week. Thankful that he was there, I asked him some questions which made us confident we were going in the right direction. After he left, my mind began to ponder. I first realized that Arthur lived in a village 20 minutes outside the city, and he ''happened'' to be in the center of the city at that particular time and place. As he left Lauren made a comment, ''that was convenient.'' However, I was quick to correct her and say, ''That was God.'' If that incident wasn't proof enough that God is taking care of us, let me share some more insight into this story. We finally found the intersection the bus was supposed to drop us off at. Relived we began looking for the big yellow building, however, it was no where to be seen. As I mentioned before I am not one to walk with out knowing where I'm going so I told everyone to stop. Chaise crossed the street to make sure it wasn't on the other side, and Lauren walked a few yards to ask someone for directions. As for me and Ashley, we just stood on the corner of the street hoping Chaise had found it. Furthermore, when Chaise gave us the news of no cafe, I began to pray God would send someone who knew English to give us some kind of direction. As soon as I was done, a couple walked by, and I asked the gentlemen if he spoke English. He immediately turned to his significant other and motioned for her to come closer to both of us. I then asked her the same question, and instantly this Moldovan woman spoke English as good as I did. Amazed and somewhat taken back, I proceeded to ask her if she knew where the cafe was located. As she looked at me with empty eyes, she had no knowledge of the cafe we were looking for. Disappointed, yet thankful, I began to think through other options. However, as quickly as the lady left she returned with a hopeful look on her face. She asked if I possibly was looking for the Galbenuse Cafe? Ashley immediately informed me that yellow in Romanian was galbenuse. Filled with relief, the lady told us to follow her, so we did. 30 meters down the side walk was a large building that we followed the lady into, and much to our amazement we went around two corners and found the cafe. Erik was right about it being yellow, but he failed to mention that the original building was being restored. The cafe had moved into a smaller space to continue operations until the building was finished. Thankful to God and all the means He used to get us to where we needed to go, we got our food and began to enjoy ourselves. God takes care of his children no matter what part of the world or the circumstances we may find ourselves in.

In Christ, Andrew

A Different Perspective

The dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991 is remembered in the eyes of many Americans as a day of victory. However, last week, our friend Elena Brewer shared a very different perspective, one that paints a picture that, for many of us, is unimaginable. In one word: poverty. We see it everywhere. As we hiked through the forest outside Bacioi, we saw huge expanses of farmland, the backbone of the Moldovan economy. These people have a work ethic of which we know nothing, and from which we could all learn. It has been humbling to see the conditions in which some of our fellow men live. It has also been a blessing to see how God continues to bless our brothers and sisters in The Republic of Moldova. Life is not all bad, but we have seen how much more difficult village life is compared to our own through these last two and a half weeks. If there is one lesson to be learned from all of this, it is to honor God with all of our increase. In only a moment, it could all be taken away. Glory to God for all His blessings!
In the love of Christ,
Chaise Herrington

Camp in Bacioi

Top is a small boy that participated in the camp in Bacioi. Next is Dona, who was in the older group of students that did a bible study on sex. This group is the one I helped with all week and was very interactive in the bible study. Next is Bogdon, one of the son of our camp leader this week. Next is a group of student playing the great game of Ulitimate Frisbee that we taught them this week. We also cleaned up this play ground like last week, and of course here is a shot of us doing a great job. And lastly Anatolia graces us with his presence this week!

Andrew Harper

The top picture is all of our team and the kids at the camp in Horesti we had the first week.

The next one is of some kids with a garbage bag. Thursday of the camp we picked up the entire play ground that was full of trash. The next picture is of a small girl that was a sister to one of the children who was participating in the camp. Lastly, Lauren decided to grace us with her presence.

Becoming Comfortable with Culture...

Immersed in a culture unlike our own, we are becoming more adapt to the way of life. We ride hours a week in public transportation. We walk miles a day in the city or villages. Eat weird things in the villages, and we love it. Befriend people 6000 miles away from home. Try to learn a language we have barely heard. Love on kids that we have never seen. But what amazes me is that although the conditions are different and many Americans would say they are worse, all that we do becomes more than the conditions. Its the people that we are immersed in this culture with that makes all other things seem transparent. Its not like America in many different aspects. The smell of bus exhaust and the feel of the bar in your hands as you hold on for the bumpy bus ride. The taste of different foods and hot tea every morning. Always drinking water out of a bottle, or from a village well. However, our brothers and sister are here, and they are all we need. The day escapes us faster the longer we stay and our relationship with these people and each other grow in leaps and bounds. Even tho we are only a little over a week in, I can already see the hardest part of this entire mission trip...Leaving. We have lived in the city. The wealthiest parts of Moldova, and we have also seen the poorest parts. We go from a small village house with no electricity, running water, and indoor pluming. To a 5 story mall with shops, air conditioning, and a bowling alley. Two completely different worlds within one country. At night I try to process the whole day but I fall asleep before I can make it pass lunch. Its amazing to see how God works through us without us even knowing it. Also, how God protects us and takes good care of us here. I feel we are being taught much more here than we are teaching. Although this might be a little selfish, Ill let God teach as much as He wants.

In Christ, Andrew

Ninja

Ashley Knight is having a great time playing Ninja, a new game that we brought to Moldova, with a few children in the village of Horesti. The game is a intense battle of hand tag with the people in the circle. However, we have been informed that a different form of Ninja has already been birthed in Moldova. This version is an intense battle of foot stomping with the people in the circle. Whichever version we play, it is always an exciting experience with the kids. This game has become a favorite of all the kids in the village.

Camp in Horesti

This week we finished our day camp in a villiage east of Chisinau called Horesti. We all had a blast every day of the camp, and we were really sad to leave. We had a ton of sports and games that we played with the children, and they also did bible study with the Moldovan leaders. We, the Americans, became useful by teaching English phrases to the children as well as them teaching us Romanian words. We also enjoyed teaching them new English songs. This picture to the left is of a young boy that participated in the camp as he is holding on to the soccer goal post. The weather is hot, yet not humid.

In Christ, Andrew

Different Language, Big God

Intresting two days Ill have to say. Saturday was a great day of rest along with some authentic moldovan food. We rested alot of the day then traveled about an hour and a half to the village where Anatolia's grandfather lives. We ate strange food like chicken stomach and others, but we had a great time celebrating his grandfather's birthday. Afterwards, we made our way to the house of a great friend of ours that we made last year, Ghena. There we had a great fellowship in the sauna and for the rest of the night. Today, we woke up and had an interesting journey to the church. Lauren and Anatolia gave testimonies of what God has been doing in their lives. Furthermore, Chaise shared a message with the church about serving and making disciples in their own country. Lastly, we concluded the service with the Lords Supper. Although it was all conducted in a different language this obstacle had a great way of showing us just how big our God really is. It was a very new and humbling experience. After a meeeting and lunch at Andys Pizza we joined the Moldova leaders for some games of volleyball. It was a great way for us to get to know them and for us to bond as a team. Tomorrow we will be going to our first day camp in a near by village called Horesti. We are overwhelmed with excitement to begin the camp with the children. Please pray for us as we begin ministry, and continue in the work God has called us to.


In Christ, Andrew

We Made IT!!

We finally made it to Chisinau and are with our guest homes. It was a very long flight and we are all glad to be here especially Tolia!! Tomorrow we begin our adventures! Will be updating as much as possible.


In Christ, Andrew Harper

Moldova Blog!!

Hey, this is our blog for Moldova this summer! Hopefully we will have time to put pictures and stories of our experiences in Moldova on here to share with you! So remember the web address and check it periodically to see new post. We leave June the 3rd!!!