What does the future hold for Moldova? Russia supports separatists in the east and pays people to ride busses into the capitol to protest in support of Russia. On another weekend, scores of cars show up with individuals who are not being paid with the opposite message. Meanwhile, as individuals gain education and work skills they often look for opportunity in other countries. On this trip we got to meet a young couple who just returned from working in western Europe and are moving to a small rural village to invest in the church and their community. One of my new Moldovan friends/colleagues emphasized how encouraging this is. “Young couples like this don’t come back once they leave.” Now they are spending time playing with kids from where they are from and showing them love. What does hope look like for kids in a rural village where outhouses are still the norm, clothes washing has to be done by hand and adults that can find opportunity to better themselves will often leave the country? What is hope? Hope is a young couple and other adults spending time with these kids to give them a warm meal, play games and help them with their school work.
Hope is showing them love and beauty in a country with a conflicted past and an uncertain future. I think the future is bright for Moldova! At another church we got to observe some community leaders investing in the kids and in their neighbors. Family gardens, bee hives and raising quails are just a few of the projects that we are getting to partner with in the city of Vulcanesti. It’s not just our support – they are investing in themselves! We helped a few individuals acquire some bees and a few bee hives. The young men have been working with the bees and have grown their hives and have shared their growth by helping others start their own hives. There was a lot more going on that I got to observe the last few days, but the most important take away is that we are stronger together than alone – regardless of where we come from and regardless of where we are going. Moldova is a beautiful country with wonderful people who are living life with their neighbors!
PS They shared some of the honey with us… Tasty!
