A Moldova Sunday...

Delicious pan cake breakfast helped start our day with a big smile.  Then we were off to Jesus Savior Baptist Church for the two hour morning service which caused us to praise the Lord even when we didn't understand everything.  Several songs were old favorites so we sang/hummed along with English words being remembered from other services.  About 5 of our translators squeezed in amongst us to bring the service into sharper focus for us.  These young people are gifted.

Following the service we had lunch at a pizza place near the outdoor market.  We got dollars exchanged and shopped following lunch.  Young John Worden was taken to the airport to retrieve the carry-on bag being held there.  Fortunately they concluded he was the rightful owner and let him have it.  Thanks for that answered prayer.

Returned to the team house about 3pm to begin prep for a trip to the camp to meet the children and adults there.  Will tell the story in pictures.

JSBC choir...

Father and son in the row ahead of me...

Baby dedication.  Twin boys were born 6 mo. prematurely and told they would not survive...

Robert renews acquaintance with the Males family...

Pastor Males is helped by a daughter who speaks English...

Most of the team in front of JSBC...

A sponsored young man shares our pizza lunch...

My yummy choice...

Another option...

Digging right in...

Grandson's happy with his choice...

One of our sponsored girls joins our shopping venture and spends the rest of the day with us.

Lena and Nadea will be "helpers" at the camp with us all week...

Well stocked market this year...

Tired of shopping so waiting with translators for the van to return from the airport...

Tackling some tasks at the team house...

Great helpers...

Peeling stickers from photo albums...

Trying to stay cool...

Time for last minute instructions before prayer time and then departure for the camp...  We're ready!!!

On location interview for film to feature the CERI Sponsorship program.  Since our 3 girls were in camp, we were asked to share our story and our girls...  I wasn't as unwilling as I may appear...

Little boys take a spot on a couple benches to make their nametags and get acquainted with their leader, Phillip.

13 young men with a 14 year old leader who's bringing joy to a Grandmother's heart...

Lots of middle aged girls for newbys on the team...

Playing a game...

Son John was expecting about 8 for the oldest group of boys and ended with 17... 

We have gotten the week started and the keyword "be flexible" has been put to use already.  We arrived at the camp with the children in the midst of a swimming rotation.  With the temperature in the 90's, we were tempted to join them.  They completed that plan and then we started our time with them.  Miscommunication about some opening welcome remarks turned into a lost cause as the lead camp director thought we were asking for "immediate" help getting into small groups.  Oh well...  plan B worked just fine.  

Learned of other changes this year at the camp which impact the schedule we have been thinking we would follow.  Children now have lunch at 1 instead of 2 so we'll delete one segment of the activity schedule.  Plans for swimming being an activity starting at noon won't happen.  Will need another activity choice so the wisdom of bringing past options for Knots, Strings and kites will take care of 3 days.  Something will spring forth when a fourth option is needed I feel quite certain. 

As "Be flexible" was being applauded during our debrief time after we had our dinner this evening, one of our newbys commented, "I thought everything went perfectly.  I didn't know we had missed anything."  And that comment from an 11 year old put it all into the right perspective.

Keep praying - it's very hot and at times a bit chaotic.  But everyone is still enjoying the
privilege we're sharing. 

Tomorrow we share John 3: 1-21.  Pray for new members of God's kingdom if it be his will.  Will keep you updated as long as I can stay awake each night after preparing for the next day.