Here, there and everywhere.

We are experiencing our first Moldovan summer. The temperatures are in the mid 30's during the day and most people take the opportunity of having holidays during this time (including us). So things are a little slower at the moment.

SO… how come we haven’t written for so long??? Good question. Let’s try and catch up on the last two months!

With summer come the ‘fruits of Moldova’. The strawberries have come and gone, as have the raspberries, cherries, and apricots. Peaches are still a plenty, and we are currently getting ‘stuck into watermelon'. Bring on the grape season, which hits in about three weeks!

When driving through the country, villagers often sit by the roadside selling produce from their gardens, hoping to earn a little extra money.

Early June saw us head north to Moscow for about 6 days, where we had the opportunity to meet various heads of department in the Army in 'the flesh', and discussed business for a couple of days. A visit to Moscow also means a visit to Red Square and various other attractions, which was very exciting.

Outside THQ in Moscow.

St Basils Church - Red Square. Can you believe it? (a 'pinch yourself 'experience!)

The Kremlin and the Moscow River

Not long after returning home, Viv attended another Women’s Camp, this time in Moldova. 100 women gathered making the most of the opportunity for fellowship, Bible study and relaxation.

It was also during this time that we had welcomed into the Division a Mission Team of 7 young adults from the U.S. Central Territory of The Salvation Army. They had arrived during our time in Moscow, and returned to spend a weekend with us before they left. It was good to be ‘mum and dad’ again as they shared our apartment with us for two days prior to going on to Russia. They led different children’s activities, visited elderly people, ran some youth days, attended our prison ministry, and worked very well as a team. Many were impacted by their ministry during the ten days they were here, and we believe that they have returned home to ‘the States’ the richer for this experience.

The group at Beltsi Corps...

...ministering at the women's prison

'Crashing' at our apartment

The night before departure to Moscow. What to take - what to leave!

Summer is camp time in Moldova. Each year, one of our sponsor groups 'Global Action' contribute a large amount of money so we can send 100 disadvantaged/orphaned kids plus leaders to a camp. We dropped in for a visit one day... they were having a great time.

After all these activities, there were a couple of ‘catch up’ weeks before taking two weeks furlough. We had anticipated the visit of Viv’s sister and brother in law, Judy and Rob for some time, and it was good to spend a few days here, showing them the country and something of what we do before heading off on a motoring holiday. Our furthest destination was Prague. On the way, we enjoyed driving through the beautiful Carpathian mountains in northern Romania, a very sobering visit to Auschwitz in Poland, a quick stop in Vienna, and then several days in Prague. So many contrasting experiences, each of them highlights for different reasons. One cannot help but be deeply affected by a visit to Auschwitz, where during WW2, 1.5 million people, mainly Jews, were exterminated in a period of 18 months. Tourists walk around silently as if trying to comprehend the scope of all that happened at this place. That’s how it was for us. It makes no sense. But as we reflected later, the same kind of atrocities still happen in our world today.

On a lighter note, Prague must be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its magnificent architecture. Our days were full, walking around this city, taking in the sights. By chance, we happened to come across a concert that was part of the Prague Proms, featuring the Chicago Apostolic Church of God Gospel Choir and the Czech Symphony Orchestra. We decided to go, a decision that we didn’t regret. The choir had come to Prague especially for this one off concert, and the group, numbering about 200 black gospel singers, was magnificent. They sang with orchestral backing and unaccompanied, and got a huge reception. We went home truly inspired.

Inside one of the many marionette shops in Prague

The Charles Bridge in Prague

Typical street scene in Prague

Rob and Judy left us here to go back to Australia, and we headed for home via Budapest in Hungary. We had two nights there taking in the beautiful sights of this city on the Danube River. An evening cruise on a balmy summer evening capped off the trip, and showed us a different aspect of the city in lights.

View of Budapest

The magnificent Parliament building

Budapest Castle from the Danube at night

Another 'Danube' shot of the castle

As we crossed the border to come back into Moldova, we were greeted with a heavy thunderstorm. It might have been very welcome in Oz, but unbeknown to us, during our time away, it had been raining heavily in areas that we had travelled through only the week before, and parts of Romania, Moldova and Ukraine had been flooded. Many houses had been severely damaged or destroyed, thousands evacuated as flood waters spread and major rivers threatened to break their banks. It has been quite devastating. Within days of returning, we were caught up in helping to distribute emergency relief supplies to victims in some of the most affected areas.

Life in villages is tough at the best of times, but this has brought extra hardship for those who have lost possessions and dwellings. Most villagers in Moldova need to draw their water from wells scattered throughout their towns, and because of the floods, many of these have been contaminated. The Government have limited resources to help, so life is gloomy for those who have been affected. We work alongside other agencies in order to meet people’s needs, but we too have limited resources at our disposal. Still, we do what we can, and the little that we offer is gratefully received.

Returning home with gratefully received assistance

The notice on this well warns of it's contamination by flood waters.
Note the waterline on the house

Typical village women.

So that just about brings us up to date. No wonder we’re feeling too tired to write a blog entry!! (Or maybe that’s just the onset of old age!!?)

You will probably have caught up on the news of the conflict between Georgia and Russia that is of concern to us at the moment. Although Georgia is over 1000 kms from here, both Russia and Georgia are in the Eastern Europe Territory of The Salvation Army, and we have friends in both countries. Please pray for a quick and peaceful resolution to this conflict.

As usual, some random photos....

The staff quarters at the camp before the flood...

...and after!
(This was the place where the previous week we had held our Children's Camp!)

A village bus shelter before the flood...

...and after!

Cochieri Corps meeting outside 'under the vines'. Look how laden they are.

Cricket in Moscow. It was the Aussies vs the 'Rest of the World'!! (It was a holiday and all the expats from THQ and us got together for a picnic)

One of the many beautiful bronze statues that adorn a Metro underground station in Moscow

Immaculate gardens inside The Kremlin precinct.

Some things never change!! Anyone for a Big Macskii?

Arriving at the Chief Secretary's home. It was still very light at 10-30 pm!

Our 'happy little Vegemite', Joel.. who is now walking...

..and the beautiful little Sadie who is now full of smiles!

That’s it for now. Until next time…. Ian and Viv. xoxo