Moldova Mission Day 1: Saturday 06 October

Moldova Day 1 Saturday 06 October

The sun was setting over the distant Romanian hills as we ate our evening meal together after a full day’s travelling; Chicken, coleslaw, mashed potato and bread  washed down  with a delicious strawberry compote  drink; simple uncomplicated and delicious.

We are staying in Chircani a small town on the road between Gotesti and Brinza,  We are off the main road on dirt tracks riddled with ruts and giant potholes – good on dry days like today  but if it rains and gets muddy these roads could get interesting.

Our host Nina has to go to the capital Chisinau on Monday – her husband Vasille is very ill and needs to see a doctor – he can’t afford to pay the doctor so has been out fishing today despite his ill health – in order to pay the doctor in advance for his services , or what we’d call a bribe- this has been our first insight into the challenges of Moldovan life – I’m sure we’ll see more as the days go by.

What a day its been though, leaving Torquay at 11:30 pm on Friday, driving through pouring rain all the way to Heathrow. Its been a day of  journeys, waiting and not sleeping. We’ve lost a suitcase en route but its all worth it because we’re here now ,tired and already humbled by the generosity shown to us .

For now its time to sleep – Tommorow we’ll be speaking in Goetesti.

Graham