Postcard from Moldova - Day 6 - Responsibility
Today we travelled to the south of Moldova along dusty roads in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. The journey took over two and a half hours and yet again we were grateful for the skills and experience of our MWB Driver - Dimitri.
Our first stop was at a Home to visit a sponsored child. The Home was built in the 1960’s and was not in good condition and yet the place was filled with love and hope. The Home Director explained that she was the “Great Mother” and that her staff were her right hands - and the analogy worked as we visited the home. The Art teacher proudly displayed the children’s work; the carpentry teacher displayed the intricate woodwork and we saw carpet weaving and needlework too. The classrooms that we visited were spotless and the children looked happy. Some of the children in the home have been abused in some way - either physically or mentally - the staff need to work with them to “unlock” some of the issues. All of the staff that we met seemed dedicated to their work. There are needs - roofs to be replaced, new windows, new shower fittings and so on plus all the resourcing shortages - but still there was hope. Many of the “graduates” from the Home go on to further education and they stay in touch with the “Great Mother” and her staff.
We then visited a sponsored family. The husband and wife are in their late twenties and they have three young children. The Sponsors had recently paid for a greenhouse to help the family improve their small holding. We were amazed by the results: the greenhouse was huge and packed full of tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables; the chicken enclosure was crowded and they were hoping to expand the area soon; they were building a new home in the grounds (one bedroom and a kitchen) from the proceeds of the “market garden”. But what struck is all - apart from their obvious gratitude and generosity - was just how hard working they both are and how committed they are to raising the family out of poverty. It is amazing how the help that they have been given has lifted them so far so quickly. It was a blessing to witness.
We then moved on to a large community centre attached to a Baptist Church. The scale of the operation was much bigger than anything else we had seen in Moldova. Earlier in the day some of the elderly people had come to the centre for lunch. After school the children had arrived for their main meal too. Many attended an after-school club where help is given to them to do their homework and to attend to other issues that arise out of poverty or family issues. Our “Choir” were quick to sing along with the children. We met the two young ladies who work as volunteers teaching tailoring and helping the children and others with repairs to clothing, production of scarves, blankets and sheets and so on. You don’t have to be a Christian to benefit from the Centre but many come along for help and stay to find out why the help is being offered. We then joined some of the other children in the sports hall and several members of our group surprised themselves and us all by joining in the running games with great accomplishment!
We were then invited to visit the Baptist Church - the Pastor works as an Administrator in the Community Centre too. He sees the work of the Community Centre as a major witness to the local people. So much so that the church is often full and and the community Centre has to be used for Sunday School because they have no room for all of the people in the Church building. What a wonderful problem to have!
We had a wonderfully happy day. And yet this evening we were more sombre. Today we started to say “good-bye”: we have a different driver looking after us for the next two days and our wonderful translator and guide for the past 5 days - Alexandra - has stayed down in the south of Moldova and the equally wonderful Veronica will return to translate for us and attempt to keep us to our timetable!
Both Dimitri and Alexandra have been wonderful examples of the dedication and joy that we have witnessed in the MWB staff on our travels … and we were said to say “good-bye”. But we are all partners in the gospel and each of us has our part to play. Which brings us on to “responsibility”.
Yesterday we all felt privileged to be here and to witness the work. Today our return home came more into focus and with it the idea that with privilege comes responsibility. We have a responsibility to tell others what we have seen; we have a responsibility to make sure that we tell our stories in a respectful and loving way; and we have a responsibility to help our Brothers and Sisters in Christ whom we have met this week. Quite a responsibility and one that we will think about further over the coming weeks.
Today we read Psalm 33 together.
