Wednesday, April 9th

The sun has set on our first full day of work in Chisinau. The Lord has been good to us and blessed us with good health, beautiful weather, and incredible hospitality.

We woke up early, went back to bed and finally began to stir around 8:30. Connie and Ernestine prepared a wonderful breakfast of ham, eggs and toast that served as lunch as well. It is a genuine blessing to have them with us. Not only do they add class to our group, but their good cooks!

After cleaning up (long hot showers) we took a walk through the city center. For those familiar with Chisinau, we walked from the Central Cathedral, through the artist park and on to the Unic department store. I am amazed by the proliferation of Western goods in Chisinau.

Serghei and Anna invited all six of us for supper this evening. Their hospitality was humbling. They do not have room for company in their tiny flat, yet with great joy they opened their flat. Anna had a wonderful supper prepared with way too much food. I would not be surprised if they spent nearly the equivalent of half a month’s food budget or more on the meal. Anna served compote (a type of fruit juice diluted by water) that her mother had prepared. The peach compote was exceptionally tasty. Their daughter, Vicky, was so adorable and sweet. She clearly enjoyed having Americans in her home. She knew more English than all of us together knew Russian.

We had our first meeting with the church in Chisinau tonight. It was the fulfillment of a long awaited dream to embrace and be embraced by the sisters and brothers. Tonight was the sixth anniversary of Lubia’s baptism. I had the privilege of baptizing her and being present for her “new-birth day” was a genuine thrill.

Tonight I presented a lesson on the importance of counting our blessings as an antidote to our troubles. It was well received by the brethren. Thinking they were only listening to and enjoying my lesson, Connie and Ernestine were pressed into service to teach a children’s class. It gave them a good welcome to Moldova.

Tomorrow we split up with Connie and Ernestine going to Balti and Daniel and Steve going to Tiraspol.
Sid and I will stay in Chisinau. We have a class with Serghei and Anna followed by a meeting with the church. As well Serghei is arranging a meeting with a young man who is a Christian, but struggling mightily with alcoholism. Please pray that we will have the wisdom to choose the right words and compassion to help him with his troubles.

Thank you for following our trip and for your prayers.