Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Monday & Tuesday in Moldova...

Monday...
  1. I was exhausted - stayed up very late with all the preparations and blogging the night before.
  2. Heat was stifling
  3. DVD projector which worked perfectly during set-up, didn't work for the real show.
  4. Show had to go on without powerpoint assistance...
  5. Couple team members felt pretty crummy and without energy
  6. Show went on without human strength for some...
  7. Previously recorded video interview for Sponsorship documentary had to be redone
  8. Huge downpour hit Chisinau for our lunch break.
  9. CERI person who offered to buy groceries for our lunch forgot - ordered pizza
  10. Camp didn't get rain...  until we arrived for the afternoon segment
  11. Had to go to Plan B at camp and get all kids into the dining room for a DVD
  12. Only DVD I had with me was the 80 minute GOD'S STORY in Romanian
  13. 12 boys and 12 girls stayed engaged for the whole film - Genesis - Jesus
  14. No WiFi connection at the team house in the afternoon and evening 
  15. No blogging... went to bed early.
 Tuesday...
  1. Slept 8 hrs and felt very rested
  2. Found out I was the only one who couldn't get WiFi - my computer had gotten that function turned off (Had God said, "You need sleep more than your blogging" ?)
  3. Rain has brought a touch less heat
  4. Team is staying bonded and courageous
  5. Gospel seeds are being planted
  6. Kids are having fun
  7. 2nd video interview was probably better
  8. DVD projector just needed the right operator - has worked well
  9. Took all our donated clothes and shoes to camp in the afternoon - outfitted nearly every person at camp with shoes and clothing - at last 5 items
 Lots of photos have been taken so I'll share some and then get tucked in for the night.

Miss Galena knew we were at camp and came by for a brief visit...
Little boys are mostly seated...  Caught that one-time moment with my camera.
Oldest girls...

Middle girls...
Middle boys...
Oldest boys...
Drama group...
 

Crafts...  decorated butterflies...
Precious child

Joanna Worden & Amanda Cox
With our 11 yr old granddaughter...
God's Story rolling...  Thunder booming....
A handsome crew..

Team and translators...
Team....

Depicting John 3: 1-21 - Moses putting up snake in the wilderness...

Knot activity filling in an open spot...
Pool time....

Little girls love the flannel graph story...
One of the boys in John's group...
Young men spending valuable moments with a godly man...
Lots of clothing and shoes for the people...
Joanna and Amanda sharing the week...
The Wordens in Moldova....
Selecting shoes...


Cleaning ladies have a turn...
Twins about to "shop"
A well loved sweater vest has a new owner...

Free time activity....
2 of the 3 girls we sponsor...
Robert might need some advil tonight...
Maybe 2 advil tonight...
 With your prayers and God's provision, we are overcoming the circumstances that might diminish the strength of our presence.  We are choosing to stay engaged though we have been physically weary.  We are trusting that God will water the seed we plant and in time have a bountiful harvest.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

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. 

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Safe Travel to Moldova...

After many hours of preparation by the whole team, with wonderful support from our church family, friends and with many promises for prayers, our team put the final touches on packing before heading to the airport and traveling for about 30 hours to reach our destination in Chisinau, Moldova. 
 
We're all safely here, have had a delicious supper, have unpacked all our baggage and with fresh showers are getting our first night of sleep here.

The house is quiet and my pillow is calling but wanted to send these photos to share the start of our time in Moldova.

It feels like "home" for me and I'm so thankful to be here.
Part of the team packs supplies in Kerrville on Thursday afternoon...  



Carefully weighed each bag to check and all made it through the check-in the next morning...
Handsome husband, John, along with Lonnie Rollins load our boxes of supplies.  Lonnie got up early Friday morning and drove us to the airport also.  Thanks, Lonnie.

A few family members along with Greg Pechel who took the pictures, came to see us off Fri. AM at 6:30.
Found a spot for breakfast at the San Antonio airport after our smooth check-in...
Our team doubled in Atlanta with 4 Richmond, VA Wordens - the first Moldova trip for 2 of them...
Next stop was Frankfurt, Germany.  Travel took its toll on these 3 stalwart men...
Hope I don't get in trouble for these shots.  But I am sure you wanted to see how hard we're working so far...
Air Moldova got us safely to our final destination....
Still smiling but eyes hardly staying open...

Shirts to match the airline.  Not bad...
Made it through customs in Chisinau and we're now ready to load the van for the Team house...
Traditional Team photo with the city in the background in the front of the airport...
After a delicious supper at the Team House, a Campus Crusade couple stopped by.  This couple are Moldovan missionaries to Russia and were very recently in Richmond, VA where they attended our son John's church and later visit in their home.  It was a very sweet chat before this couple leaves for ministry back in Russia.
God has answered many prayers for our safety and ease in travel.  All of our bags made it to Chisinau but one carry-on was left at the airport.  We assumed the worst but have learned the bag is at the airport and with proper proof of ownership tomorrow, it will be back with its rightful owner.  Very grateful for that.

Beginning the week...  Needing serious sleep...

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Make Known Among the Nations...

There are just 3 more days before my departure for Moldova with a team of 9 others for our CERI mission trip of 2012.  I have just composed the following letter to this dear team.  I share it here so that others may join in prayer for us during our week together with the special children and adults God will gather at the camp where we will hang out for a week outside Chisinau, the capitol of Moldova.
 
Dear Team Moldova 2012,
As our final days before departure are flying by, my heart is full of gratitude that the trip I am about to take will be done with a team of people whom God has called together for this occasion.  I am really looking forward to the time we will all be together around the dining table in Chisinau for our first moments as a complete team.  I feel very confident that we will bond quickly and be godly servants who show love, encouragement and support for each team member. 

These Bible verses have been meaning much to me lately:
Isaiah 12: 2-5
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength
And my song:
He has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
Make known among the nations
What he has done,
And proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done
Glorious things;
Let this be known to all the world.

Psalm 86:9
All the nations you have made
Will come and worship before you,
O Lord;
They will bring glory to your name.

I know that each of you is busy packing and finalizing all details of your preparation for this trip.  I’m trusting that the Lord will guide and provide for each of us.

Let your family and friends know my blog address which hopefully will be updated daily during this trip.  http://johnandlindaworden.blogspot.com

Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments.

With Hope in God’s Strength and Faithfulness,

Linda L. Worden


For blogs written during our previous annual trips which began in 2005, you can begin to read here.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Tribute to my Mom...

Mom's been gone from this earth since Dec. 18, 2009 and I still have moments when I want to pick up the phone and call her. She loved talking to her kids and never was too busy to linger in conversation. She listened well and also shared the "news" of her life with all the details and usually with some bursts of laughter. She was a wonderful mother and I am grateful for all that she imparted to me.

There are five of us who share her DNA.
Her first child was my brother Jim.

















I came next nearly three years later.


















I was followed eighteen months later by my sister Kathleen.


















Next came my sister Barbara with only fifteen months between her and Kathy.



















And then we were complete when my sister Margelyn arrived three years after Barb's birth.


We all joined in June of 2009 to celebrate Mom's 90th birthday where we took these photos as we celebrated her long life. I would have some more special days with her as she declined in strength until the middle of December when she breathed the last of earthly air and began life in the presence of Jesus whom she had shared with me and so many others. The smile each family member received as we entered her room will never be forgotten. I am grateful for many things including the fact that she never forgot her own children nor our families.

Mom wasn't perfect but she loved her family and I'm grateful she was my mother. She held nothing back when loving and guiding us through life. I am blessed because she was my mother. I could not have chosen better.

Thanks, Mom, for sharing yourself and the Lord you loved and served with me so that I could spend a lifetime loving and serving Him also. I miss you but I know where you are and I can only imagine that you are "kicking up your heels" with Dad and having a blast!!! And hopefully the cows don't need milking every morning and evening to interrupt your fun times with family and friends!!!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

A New Journey Begins...

Two days before I headed to Europe in March, I accompanied my husband (45 years) to an appointment with a neurologist who diagnosed his physical tremor symptoms as early stage Parkinsons Disease.

A second opinion appointment with a Dr. in Houston, TX, confirmed the diagnosis.

Following that appointment, John composed the following message for many friends and family members.  He has given me permission to post that here as well.

John Worden in Kerrville writes:
Easter, April 2012
Dear Extended Family,
 SHORT VERSION: 
After experiencing occasional tremors in my right leg over the past several months and progressively elsewhere, I have been diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s Disease.  I need to decide whether to start taking a recommended medication to moderate symptoms, or delay medication and participate in an observational research study to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease progression. This is obviously a bump in the road of the otherwise good health I have enjoyed for 69 years.  We live in a fallen world and Christians are not immune to injury and illness, but I firmly and unquestioningly trust my Redeemer, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, victor over sin and all its consequences and in the goodness of His Father.  My hope is in the grace of God, not in good health, nice as that is and much for which to be grateful. I am confident, too, of the support of a loving family, friends and the community of faith in Jesus Christ. 
LONG VERSION:
In Summer 2011, I began to notice occasional tremor or quivering in the muscles of my right leg when sitting at rest.  The condition continued into the fall when I mentioned it to my primary care physician at my annual physical in October.  By March the phenomena seemed to occur occasionally in my left leg as well, and I noticed my handwriting needed to be more deliberate.  I mentioned the symptoms to a doctor friend, and he urged me to see a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders.  On March 14, 2012, just days before Linda left for Europe, I saw Dr. Ron Stotz, M. D.  in Fredericksburg, TX.  After a 2-hour appointment, during which he asked  numerous questions, took an extensive medical and familial history and observed my responses to various commands, he offered a diagnosis of early-stage Parkinson’s Disease.  He explained that there is no laboratory test for PD, no blood test, no spinal fluid test, no CT scan, no MRI, no genetic or other test to definitively diagnose the condition.  And there are several types of PD.   That which manifests itself initially with tremors often progresses more slowly, but PD is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease for which there is no known cause and no cure.  Several medications are available to treat symptoms.   PD does not appear to be hereditary (I do not know of any family history of tremors; do any of you know of such Worden family history?)  It is not contagious.  It seems to occur randomly and sporadically in both men and women and more frequently in those over age 60; average onset is age 55.  However, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with PD at age 30.  Patients with PD generally live an otherwise normal life span, however, as the disease progresses, mobility and both large and small motor skills are affected.   PD occurs when brain cells progressively fail to produce dopamine, a chemical essential to  communication between the central nervous system and muscles.  Dr. Stotz suggested that I begin taking Azilect and gave me physician’s samples for an initial month, but recommended that I not begin the medicine if I was going to seek a second opinion.   He offered the name of  Dr. Joseph Jankovic  www.jankovic.org  at the Baylor College of Medicine Parkinson’s Disease Center and Motor Disorders Clinic in Houston.  Sarah and I traveled to Houston on Sunday afternoon, April 1, and I saw Dr. Jankovic on April 2 after an intensive interview and examination by a Fellow in the Neurology Department, Dr. Melissa N. Kagnoff, M.D., M.P.H..   Their opinion confirmed Dr. Stotz’s diagnosis.  They have asked me to consider participating in a 5-year clinical observational research study to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease progression, Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.   After initial screenings, participation in the study would require quarterly trips to Houston.  Preferably, participants in the study would delay medication for 6-12 months, but should symptoms become disruptive to work and/or functions of daily living medication could be started sooner.  Linda will return from Europe on April 17 and then we will decide whether I should begin taking medicine or apply to participate in the PPMI study.  Our prayers for wisdom in that decision will be appreciated.  And any comment, observation or recommendation will be welcomed as well. 
I thought it best to share this news widely so you will not be surprised or puzzled if you observe Parkinson’s symptoms in my movements.
LONGER VERSION:
www.pdf.org

Added note from Linda:
We have decided that he will begin the process to determine if he is a candidate for the PPMI study.  

We  came to Houston yesterday for several hours of intake information gathering.  We are still here as today he is having a DATSCAN.  This is a brain imaging procedure which will determine if he has a decline in dopamine in the brain which will be quite a clear indication that his tremors are caused by Parkinsons Disease.  Results will be available by next Monday.


I hope to update this new journey for us on this blog.  We are not afraid.  We are confident that the God who has been with us all our lives will continue to be with us through the unknown future.


We are saddened by this news but are grateful that many family and friends are praying for us and offering support should that become necessary.


One sweet blessing is the offer from a niece in Houston that welcomes us to her home whenever we need a B&B there.  We enjoyed a delicious supper and long conversation after the little ones were in bed last evening.  


Now for the 4 hour drive back to Kerrville.