Moldova Mission Trip 2011 #6...

Gazebo Time starts with drama depicting preparation for a special guest - as John the Baptist prepared for Jesus Christ.

Girls ages 13-16 do choral reading of Mark 1:1-8, Matt. 3:13-17, John 1:12

Diane with translator, Anna, begin to prepare girls ages 10-12 for Jesus' birth drama on Friday.

Lined up for ice cream treat Thursday afternoon.

John and LaVerne distribute ice cream treat - no complaints and lots of Thank-you's! (in Romanian)

Cherishing special moments and conversations with these precious girls we sponsor.

Gloria from China visiting with Regina and LaVerne! 

The Prophet Isaiah and John and Baptist

Rapt attention (most of the time) and participation in fun songs.

Alex holds microphone as actors speak their lines.

Rick and his guys

Packing gift bags for our last day tomorrow!  Notice the bags of socks!!!  Thanks to Kerrville friends.

It is past my bedtime but there was lots to do after supper this evening to prepare for our last day at the camp tomorrow morning. But those things are done and I'll pop into bed as soon as I update this blog.

It has been an amazing day and I won't take time with all the datails now as I need some sleep.

Great singing, reciting memorized memory verses, sharing dramas, Bible stories, activities and time. The day has flown by as has the week and we're now about to have our last time at the camp with all these adorable, active and wide-eyed children and adults. My small group time has been spent with the adult teachers and staff of the camp and they have been attentive and open to the scripture and discussions.

Just before lunch, I was helping with an activity called Gazebo Prep. Diane takes the lead so I wasn't presently engaged when a young woman approached me and introduced herself as Gloria from China. She and a few other University students from all over the world are in Moldova to help in camps. We started talking and before long she was telling me that she was not with a christian organization but she was very interested in Christianity. I continued to ask some questions and this girl eagerly shared how much she wanted to know more about the Bible and Jesus. She had met some Moldovans who were part of CERI here and had gone to a church and a baptism. She said at the Baptism she felt she just wanted to be baptized. She said she wanted to be a Christian but she didn't know how to become one. She listened as I explained and said she was ready to repent if I would tell her how she could. We were somewhat in the midst of activity so we moved to a quieter spot. I looked into her eyes, took her hands and led her in the sinner's prayer. She said, "I feel this is a holy moment!" I told her it was. About the time, the rest of her team said it was time to go so we hugged and she left saying she would be back. She returned later in the day and talked to others on our team as well.

Many seeds have been planted, watered and the harvest was today!!

As time for her to leave arrived, she found me for another hug. I asked if she had had a good day and she answered, "This has been the best day of my life?"

It was a holy moment and to have been part of God's plan for Gloria has me filled with joy and gratitude.

Rick spent the last day with his boys today as he will visit a future camp opportunity tomorrow. He shared the salvation story today and asked anyone interested in repenting to talk to him afterward. One boy did and the angels had another opportunity to rejoice in heaven today.

These moments are possible because you are praying and because God chooses to use fallible, ordinary humans to share His truth and His offer is irresistible in His perfect time.

Will return tomorrow evening to update about our time here. This kingdom work is exhausting but words are inadequate to share the joy I've had today and this week!

Moldova Mission Trip 2011 #5...

Starting Gazebo Time with a puppet show to take everyone visually through the Beattitudes!

Translators and Praise Team lead our Gazebo Time music - they're great!

Viorica (wearing a new jacket top from the items shared yesterday) recites the memory verses as Stella observes.

Cross Craft

A really nice young man!

Another fine boy!

Regina and her mother, LaVerne, work hard each day providing crafts the children are enjoying.

Modeling new clothing!

The parachute from Richmond, VA is lots of fun!

Diane and her happy children enjoy a beautiful afternoon playing on the soccer field!

Irina assists with translation and the fun continues.

Sarah helps with free time crafts.

The cook's daughter also loves the craft project.

Allison, Nancy and Regina try to keep up with children doing crafts.

Evening Gazebo Time includes several drama vignettes which illustrate our theme for the day which was Forgiveness.

An elderly woman about to have her purse stolen.  Great actress!

Actresses about to take the stage!!!

These are Allison's "girls".

Loving to pose in costume off stage.

Phillip shares from memory Hebrews 11: 1-7  - received applause from his admiring audience.

Hugs for a young woman wearing a dress that Joanna has outgrown.

You see the highlights of today.  From the youngest through the class with adults, we talked about Jesus' response to a woman who had sinned greatly and the need we all have for receiving forgiveness and extending forgiveness.  Good discussions and fun. 

Of course these days are challenging and exhausting but the joy we're experiencing and the smiles we're sharing are keeping us relying on the Lord to provide all that we need so that He is glorified and made known.  Your prayers are powerful and greatly appreciated.

Mark is recovering and made it through the day but skipped doing cartwheels!!!  Nancy's knowledge of the culture here and her fluency in Russian make her an exceptional addition to the team.

Full day tomorrow so must get some sleep.  Again grateful for fantastic weather - had to start the day with long sleeves!!!

Moldova Mission Trip 2011 #4...

Moldova Team 2011 - all 14 of us on day 2! 

Will tell the story of Day 2 mostly in pictures.  Started with a group photo in the
Gazebo to keep a team tradition going.  Kudos to Diane for getting a sign ready for us to hold.

Girls we sponsor and have the privilege of spending time with this week!

Camp Director &
Camp Medic respond to tumble by Mark

All fixed up!

 During small group time, things got a little bumpy for Mark but Allison was right there with a first aide kit and the camp director and medic were quickly available.  His physical wounds will heal though he's a little sore in a few places.

Diane teaches small boys to create a little puppet with their hand.

Today's lesson included ideas for dealing with things that are turned upside down. Diane demonstrated with a translator how to turn a face upside down with a magic marker.

Then she demonstrated the same with a student volunteer.  It was really captivating and funny!

Allison and Vlad helping a young man find a fit for his feet.

 We returned to camp after lunch with all the clothes and shoes we'd brought to Moldova.  It was a delightful time of assisting over 100 children and adults in finding something new to wear.  They were all excited and grateful.  The items had come from all team members.  We represent home churches in Kerrville, TX, Parker, CO, Richmond, VA and Irving, TX.  A big thank-you to all who generously donated these items.  And we'll have enough to take with us on Saturday when we have a painting outing at a facility for adults who live in a home for people needing care but having few resources.

Lots to choose from.

Girls are great "shoppers"

Something for the cooks also.

Such a thrilling moment!  Young men with LaVerne in their new soccer shoes and clothes.

We've been watching these twins grow up and they're now nearly as tall as John.

The twins in the photo above have just graduated from the orphanage.  They have sponsors from Kerrville, TX who have been praying diligently for them for at least 7 years.  Last week they attended the Transitional Care camp and during that week they "repented".  They are planning to give up some bad habits and enroll in further education so that they can stay in the CERI program and be given continued support and encouragement.  They are good examples of the fruit of building relationships and sharing God's truth with vulnerable children.  They have joyful expressions and new evidence in their lives of a change on the inside.

We are grateful to be here; grateful for your prayers; grateful that Nancy was well enough to join us today; grateful that Mark was not injured more seriously and grateful that the weather here is SPECTACULAR!!!

Moldova Mission Trip 2011 #3...

Diane and Translator Alex preparing a group of boys for a drama.

 We've had perfect weather today!

The day has gone well and debriefing after supper this evening included expressions of satisfaction with the schedule, the activities and especially the joy of being with the people in our groups today.  It was a good Monday - minor equipment struggles and good participation in all that happened.

We start and end our day with about a 40-45 minute large group session in the Gazebo.  There's singing, dramas, a projected story and memory verse sharing plus whatever else we think of. 

Radu serves as helper and capable actor.  He's an orphanage graduate and a fine young man.

Enraptured audience during Gazebo Time

Beautiful Viorica with the craft for the day in her hair.

Actors depicting Samuel selecting David as King.

Oldest son is not the chosen one though he's strong and handsome!

Parachute from Richmond, VA provides afternoon fun.

We are still eagerly preparing for our day tomorrow but pretty weary this evening.  But it's a good "weary".

Forty new children arrived at camp today.  They will join our groups tomorrow and we're praying that this opportunity to share with new children will provide moments in which Christ is winsomely made known.  But we realize this may present an interesting challenge!  Bring it on!!!

The two delayed boxes arrived today so we are thanking God for that answer to prayer.  Your prayers are important and very appreciated.  Our team member who lives in Moldova was unable to be with us today due to illness.  Pray for Nancy who hopes to join us tomorrow.