It’s Sunday night and we’ve just had our last full day in Moldova. It was, like the ones before it, full. Leaving no time to process.
I’ve reached the “I’m ready to go home” point despite the fact that my heart is breaking about leaving. If only I could teleport Shawn, our Chihuahuas, and our bed to Moldova I’d be good.
This morning day was hard. The ugly cry I expected to happen every day broke through on multiple occasions. There is so much about this city and country that rips my heart out and tears it into a billion tiny shreds. I look out at her through the windows of our shuttle and like Jesus cried out to Jerusalem that He wanted to gather them under His wings, so that is my heart too.
I want to whisper to her people that there is hope, there is identity, there is future. She doesn’t see it, she doesn’t feel it. I am taken aback that it would be me that would long to hold each person’s hand and say hope is there, as I’m the one still struggling with the concept of hope.
I don’t know what my purpose has been, with my coming here. I didn’t have any special skills to share, and in fact more times than not I was the quiet one observing everything. Taking in the girls we met, the city, the history. Falling in love.
Last night I point blank asked our host, Vladimir, what specific ways I can be praying for Beginning of Life and for Moldova. I can’t tell you how heart broken I am for this city. I’m moved by his, and his team’s passion for the people. For their hearts to live, and serve the people here missionally.
Below are the specific areas of prayer that Vladimir asked for prayer in:
Beginning of Life
To move all of their student & youth projects to the building where their church is located. They are currently doing all these projects that aren’t in the schools in their office. It is a small space, and the church building would give them one floor plus a basement.
Turn the upstairs portion of their office into an art center. For two purposes: art therapy; and an art studio where children & teens whose parents can not afford art lessons can come and learn to paint, draw, etc.
Funds for all the projects and they currently have – which includes a teen print magazine & the student training projects; and all that they are longing to do.
Team & vision. I will say right now that Vladimir and his wife Julia have a fantastic team at BoL. They all have servant’s hearts, and do so selflessly. We were around his core team the entire week and not only do the love Jesus, they have serious love & passion for Moldova. They are the individuals that are igniting a fire in the young people that will change the country. Vladimir asked that we pray for the team and the vision. That they would be united.
Moldova
When I asked how I can pray specifically for Moldova – besides the expected prayer requests, his immediate response was corruption, corruption, corruption. I can’t share details but some of the things he shared with the few of us that ate dinner with him last night, makes me seriously want to spew really bad words and punch some people in the face, and even then I’m not sure I’d be done. All that to say – please pray that God would raise up righteous men and women in the government. Pray that the corruption that is literally dissolving the country would be eradicated.
On a personal note – early in our trip I made a note in my phone to ask Vladimir about the need for a second Restoration Home. When we talked he said, yes of course. There are thousands of girls here that they can serve. I am praying that God will provide a second house for them by the year’s end.
Our God is a might God. I’ve been moved so by His grace and redemption while on this trip. I am expecting big things for BoL and Moldova. I would love it if you would join our team in praying for these things.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks to everyone who was praying back at home. Your prayers were felt and we saw God move in fantastic ways. Please continue to pray as we all head towards home tomorrow, and in the days and weeks and months that follow. Thank you again. Much love….
