A Wrap on Camp...

There's a huge sense of relief, joy, sadness and satisfaction knowing that the purpose of our mission trip has been realized.  We came here primarily to spend 5 days at a camp with some of the dearest people in the world.  We have poured our all into the time we've been here.  It has often been a physically challenging time but we have kept in mind the purpose of coming - to honor, glorify and make known the One who loves them and will never leave them.  We trust that the memory verses they learned and the photo album memory books with printed verses and group photos, will be a long-lasting reminder that God and some people from far away, care deeply about them.  One team member was told today that the only time the children spend any time reading the Bible is when our team comes for 5 days and shares scripture with them.  We know that seed has been sown and will bear fruit in time.

 Now to share more of the day with photos...

Beautiful smiles...

Sharing the week with girls we sponsor...

Creative, capable, calm Diane introduces the skit with the middle aged boys during our gazebo time...

Captured by Adam Raccoon again this morning...

Phillip prepares rewards for little boys who recite their memory verses...

Little boys lined up to recite verses to their translator and receive their reward.

On a hillside for the final lesson - boys ages 14 - 16 - learning God's truth through scripture and thoughts from son John.

Final lesson about Samuel's selection of David as the next king... 

DVD photos are clearer on the computer screen than the room screen...

Father and daughter in Moldova for the first time...

Father and son sharing Moldova - priceless...

Lasting friendship...

Wrap-up Gazebo time skit with little girls...

Change is about to happen...

The lowly worm is feeling very tired...

But wait, change is happening....

Beautiful butterfly bursts forth...

Little boys receive their little gifts...

Middle girls receiving gifts also...

Chick-fil-a shirts in Moldova...

2 students from China with whom I hope to further connect before I leave....

John and Dan have become "tight"...

Son John with our girl, Viorica...  she's headed on to further education with full government funding for 4 years as she hopes to one day become a Dr.

Sharing the market with Lena and Viorica...

Lunch at McD's - Need Chick-fil-a in Moldova...

These dudes make for constant laughs and fun - clowning around today at the market.

Getting a bag handmade by this business woman....

Translators and helpers at our Appreciation dinner at LaTaifas restaurant...

Sharing the week with family...

and girls we sponsor...

plus the rest of the team... blessed and priceless.

This has been a synopsis of the day.  It's difficult to put into words the emotions we've had as this day has unfolded.  We have focused, shared, smiled, hugged - sometimes long and tight - laughed and had the tears that continually threatened to spill, overflow from hearts trusting the God we serve.  As we lingered over the delicious food and lovely setting of LaTaifas with our support team here this evening, each team member shared something which stood out about our week.  Two of the girls we sponsor had joined us for the week as helpers and were in attendance this evening with our team.  Translators who had put our English into Romanian for the children at camp, now put our words into Romanian for these girls.  As I spoke, I could sense the girls beginning to cry.  God has given me passion for this mission experience and I have deep gratitude for the support we receive from the CERI team in Moldova during our mission week and ongoing throughout the year.  As I shared what God had put on my heart, "my" girls were touched.  Their tears flowed freely.  One of the girls dismissed herself quickly as the evening concluded as she knew her eyes had been affected.  I talked later with the translator to learn why they had been crying.  She replied, "Because of the things you said.  I translated all of your words to them."  If I ever wondered if these trips are worth it and if sponsorship makes a difference, I will wonder no more.  But as to whom receives greater benefit, the truth is difficult to discern. 

To God Be The Glory...

Tomorrow we head to a village for a service project... Stay tuned...