Driving through Moldova

As we have been driving to our various projects, I have been taking pictures of the countryside and villages. You will see in some of the pictures the yellow pipe running along the side of the road. This is the gas line that they run above ground. They do this because it is easier to fix. We thought it interesting! I have also taken many pictures of water wells throughout the country. These are shallow wells, and they are all contaminated. Three or four families get together and dig these wells, and thats what they use for water. We are excited for the opportunity to bring clean water into some of these villages. In Moldova a village is a little community that can vary in population but the buildings can't be over 2 stories. One of our water projects will bring clean water to about 4,323 people. I also have pictures of villagers selling their goods(milk, chicken, bread, nuts, eggs, etc). We have an interesting story behind these pictures. We were driving through the village and saw these people selling there goods, so we took a picture and then drove off. We had not gone very far when I said I should have bought something from them. We backed up and purchased bread, eggs, nuts, and our interpreter bought milk. They were so nice and grateful that we would buy from them. A proud grandfather wanted us to take a picture of him and his grandchild. We hadn't gone to far out of this village when we passed a frozen lake and saw men out fishing on the lake. One of the men was sitting on a chair in the middle of the lake fishing. I have also included pictures of 2 different orthodox churches. One was in a village, the other is in the middle of Chisinou. It has a big park all around it, and I am told it's beautiful in the spring and summer. We will have to post pictures of everything blooming in the spring. You will see a city marker indicating that this village was founded in 1439. (Before Columbus discovered America). This village is the home of the school for handicapped children without parents.

A New District in Moldova

On Sunday January 18, 2009 a district was formed in Moldova. Elder Wondra from the Quorum of the Seventy along with President Lunburg our Mission President came and formed the district. Three branches are in this district, Chisinou, Orhei, and Iasi. The Branch President in Chisinou was made the new District President, and Elder Hinson was called as his executive secretary. I was asked to serve a lunch for 15 to 20 people, but we ended up serving about 60. It was a miracle!(The fishes and the loaves of bread,I even brought food home and everyone was full.) We are all excited that the church is growing in this part of the world. I have also included pictures of our family home evening group, the church building here in Chisinou, and also a district meeting. We love our association with these wonderful missionaries!

Vera

How we met Vera is an interesting story and I think the Lord led us to her. When we were trying to get our green cards to stay here in Moldova we met with an offical who did not have a very good impression of missionaries or humanitarian works in general. He did not think that they really did what they said they were doing (helping people.) He said he knew this lady who lived in the same block as he did, and she lived in a bad situation and no one was doing anything to help her. This lady had a stroke 3 years ago, and was paralized on the left side of her body. Her husband was dead and her daughter who has also lost her husband was taking care of her. She was not able to get out of her room because her daughter could not lift her, and because they lived on the 9th floor of the block. She had not left her room in 3 years. She needed many things but everywhere they turned no one would help. He said she needed a radio, Quilt, and some food. Our interpreter said we would visit and see if we could help. We made an appointment with her daughter to go and visit. We had a good time shopping for a radio,food, and we had a quilt that had never been used in our apartment that we could donate. This sweet lady's name is Vera. When we walked into her room the 1st time we fell in love with her. She was so grateful that someone took the time to visit. She loved all the goodies we brought, but she was more grateful for a visit. The spirit was so strong in that little room. She asked us what our beliefs were about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We were able to bear our testimonies to her, and tell her about the Book of Mormon. It was a wonderful visit for us all. We also determined the need for a wheelchair so she would be able to leave her room and apartment. We had to go back to see the same offical to approve our green cards, and he had talked to Vera. He was very greatful that someone had taken the time to visit her, and had a better attitude about missionaries. We went back to see Vera 2 weeks later and brought her a wheelchair, and seat cushion. We also brought her a Book of Mormon which she had asked for, and some other church materials. Her daughter doesn't know what to think about us. She doesn't believe that there is a God because so many bad things have happened to them. We hope that we can be a positive influence and show her that people really do care. We love these people and know that the Lord loves them to. We will visit them often, and we also have the sister missionaries visiting to.

Milestii Mici Basement Renovation

Milestii Mici Community Center
We just finished putting on a new roof and windows on this old building destined to become a community center for local villagers and disabled children. The Moldovan Government gave this building to the community. The only problem was that it was falling apart due to a roof with many missing and old tiles. Several rooms (noted in the slide show) are to be work areas for handicapped children to learn some worthwhile skills. These skills may be the only thing that helps them survive in a country where handicapped individuals are largely ignored unfortunately. In the basement area, we may have a follow-on project to take on. These rooms were community showers and bath areas 30 years ago. They are now in total disrepair with old plumbing that is useless. We may be able to get a new boiler and then partner with the community to install new plumbing. This would allow the villagers to take showers once a week. The walls and floors would be redone by local villagers donating their time. Over and over, Rodna and I find so many people without basic necessities that we have taken for granted so long. (God forgive me when I whine, I have two legs, the world is mine,,, etc.)

Bunatate-Textile Manufacturer

BUNATATE
This little company is one of our NGO Partners. They manufacture a number of clothing (winter coats, police vests, raincoats, railroad winter suits, etc) for the military, local police as well as life jackets for Italy. They also make our wheel chair seat cushions. This organization is part of the Moldova Society of the Disabled. This is a unique company since many of the women and men who work here or work in their homes are disabled. They occupy an old soviet era building with only selected rooms heated. Some of this building cannot be used during the winter because the rooms are too cold.
Liubovi Denusenco is the director of Bunatate. She is a Russian woman who is disabled herself. You can see her picture in the slide show. Don't be fooled. She is tough as nails and she works extremely hard to keep all of her folks employed. Money and jobs are scarce hear. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe and these disabled people struggle to survive everyday. We (LDS Charities) use this company as often as we can. By the way, they make beautiful quilts.