When we closed off last time, we were anticipating the visit of our Territorial leaders on the weekend to conduct our Installation meeting. Well, they have been and gone, and a few things happened either side of their visit that we would like to fill you in on.
Friday the 11th, we visited the women’s prison at a tiny village called Rusca, 30+ kms from Chisinau. There are about 350 women in this prison, and we have an employee who does several classes during the week, ranging from computer education, language classes, and Bible studies. These are well attended, and help equip the women with skills that will give them a better chance of getting employment when they are released. Because of this, the Army’s work is greatly appreciated in the prison. We went to distribute Christmas gifts to the prisoners, and held an event similar to the one at Basarabeasca we described in our last post. A music group presented a short concert attended by about 120 of the women in a rather small hall. The Christmas story was shared, and the challenge was given about responding to the good news about Jesus.
There was a special celebration lunch for those involved in the various classes that are taught. It was a very moving experience to see a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story by the women after the lunch, and then to hear many of them eager to share the story of how their lives have been greatly impacted by the classes and the general support the Army has given them.
When lunch had finished, gifts were distributed to all the prisoners who had lined up outside in sub zero temperatures! We arrived home around 6-30 pm. It had been a rather long, but extremely fulfilling day.
Commissioners Wim and Netty van der Harst, the Territorial Commanders for Eastern Europe Territory, flew in on Saturday morning from Moscow for the weekend. After picking them up from the airport, we drove to a small village where one of the Corps in Chisinau conducts a weekly children’s program each Saturday. We were welcomed enthusiastically by about 100 kids as we entered a small classroom. They sang carols for us and shared what they had learnt in their Bible class. Then we in turn were asked to sing an Australian carol. I think it was the first time ‘The Three Drovers’ had ever got an airing in that part of the world. It didn’t matter too much that we forgot half the words, because no-one understood what we were singing anyway. It was challenging for us to see the delight on the faces of the children as they received their Christmas gifts of a packet of three buns, and two Chupa Chups each.
Sunday morning 13th January, about 200+ people gathered at Chisinau Central Corps for our Installation meeting. It went well. We were welcomed in traditional Moldovan fashion by being offered bread, salt and a drink of grapejuice (wine is the go for non Salvos!!) We were invited to take some bread, dip it in the salt, and eat it. The drink helped wash it down. We felt the warmth of the welcome of our people, and sensed a real ‘Army spirit’ in the meeting.
In the afternoon, officers from DHQ shared lunch with the van der Harst’s. (You'll be interested to know that the Commissioner ordered 'carp' for lunch...it is his favourite!!) We then drove about 30kms to Capriana where there is a beautiful Orthodox monastery. The setting and the buildings are rather awe inspiring, and as it happened, we were there in time for afternoon prayers. We stayed in the church for about half an hour, taking in the solemnity and ancient ritual of the worship, as well as enjoying some magnificent harmonic singing by a male choir. It was a special experience.
Monday 14th January, we celebrated 30 years of marriage! We were presented with a gift at morning prayers, and then another Moldovan tradition was carried out in our office, as they wrapped us in a linen cloth symbolising the desire that we continue to be bound together into the future. After a day of discussions together, the van der Harst’s took us out for dinner that night to a local restaurant. These will be treasured memories of a special day.
The last few days it has been ‘down to business’. With a national holiday period of ten days, special events happening in the division, and our luggage finally arriving, the last few weeks have been rather ‘messy’. Hopefully now we can get into some regular pattern of operation. Another busy weekend lies before us as we share with a team who have come today from International Headquarters to see the operation of 'Sally Ann' in Moldova. Poverty and unemployment are huge issues in Moldova, and this is a 'Fair Trade' project aimed at providing work for women to make linen tablecloths, runners and napkins for sale in Norway and Sweden. It is a fledgling project, and they will hopefully give assistance to help us develop it further into the future. A bit more about it next week.
That’s it for now…. Until next time!
Ian and Viv xo
2 comments:
again it is just so awesome to read your blog. I can see that you are going to have some amazing God moments. Bumped into Sue at Koorong this am and we chatting about you both, hope you enjoy her cabbage recipes. has your diet changed much or are you able to eat the same kind of food that you would eat here? May you know the continued Blessings of our amazing God. All our love A + B
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