Moldova Mission Team Blog – Friday 12 October
Today
started slowly but there was no way that we could have known the roller coaster
adventure that was soon to follow. A
casual stroll could have ended in terror as Ellie and Cathy narrowly escaped
being arrested by an officious border patrol officer as they tried to cross a
railway line near the Romanian border. Their passports were demanded and could
have been confiscated but thankfully they had left them safely back at Nina’s.
Our lunch
time meal of locally caught carp and Moldovan cheese pie began with the usual
banter and joking around the table but the laughter soon faded as Graham began
choking on a cheeky carp bone.Thanks to
the medical care of Ailsa and the practical skills of Matt administering pears
and bread and water the bone was dislodged eventually and normal service
resumed.
Mark
McCormick needed a day at home today as he was suffering with a virus and
needed the day in bed after nearly passing out the night before. In his place
he sent a driver from Brinza to transport us around. The van was smaller than Marks which meant we
had 4 of us crammed into 3 seats.
Moldovan roads are potholed and bumpy even at a cautious speed but our
driver seemed determined to break a speed record threw caution to the wind with
the bumps and ruts, he seemed ok but the rest of us left the van feeling very
bruised and battered.
But despite
dicing with death it’s been a great day of mission and evangelism with the
church in Brinza.
The team
split three ways as usual; Ailsa and
Matt were poised to give another sterling performance with the children until a
rather severe Moldovan Mary Poppins turned up to take the lessons. Matt
resolutely stood his ground and said ‘no’ until she carried on and took the
lesson – as she was being paid to be there.
Pete, Tim
& Cathy went to visit Virolella – a church member who had invited her
friends over meet the team. During their time there they listened to one lady
tell her story; her father was an Orthodox Church leader in Chisinau however
when joined a Baptist church in Cahul her Father thought he had failed as a
father and a leader because she had left the church. Despite this because she has God in her life
and has been baptised in Brinza she is happy and pleased to be in such a great
church. Tim used this great opportunity to share his testimony and speak of the
grace of God in his life. The usual array of refreshments and cakes followed.
Graham,
Glenys and Ellie went on two ‘evangelistic ‘visits to two very poor families on
the outskirts of Brinza. We were supplied with aid bags of oil and rice and
pasta to help these families albeit in a small way. Anna was sharing with us
how hard life is looking after her ill elderly mother along with her ill
alcoholic husband. Anna had such sad
eyes and we later discovered that when her husband is up and active he regular
beats her – a sad side of life out here that we are hearing about all too frequently.
Back at base our evening meal consisted of the
most divine stuffed peppers and vine leaves – good fuel for the evening to
come.
Matt and
Ailsa had 42 kids with them in their evening youth programme, telling the story
of Saul becoming Paul through making bead key rings and necklaces.
In the main
church meeting the church was full although we never quite know who is a
regular member and who is a visitor. The
team were invited to ‘bless’ the meeting with a song- we chose ’10,000 reasons’
which went down well with the Brinza youth.
Matt shared his testimony and Graham preached a challenging message
about coming home to God.
We just
have two days of the mission left and time feels short, we’re looking forward
to being home but Brinza has become very dear to all of us and will stay with
us for a long time. The team have gelled together well this week, wonderful to
see just how well 8 very different people can get on and enjoy being with each
other. Alongside the serious stuff – we’ve had a laugh too... the sign of a
good mission week.
Tomorrow
(Saturday) looks like another exciting day; More visits, time with the Brinza
youth group and then Tim’s preaching debut in the evening mission meeting.
Graham
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