Melanie in Moldova

OM International

People in Moldova often call foreigners “Americans”, whether they are from America or not. After a period of no Americans on our team, a real American young lady joined our team for three months. It was not easy for her to learn the language, to get a grip on the culture and to be the only American in the team, but at the end of her three months she sensed God was calling her back to Moldova for a longer time.

“I have not wanted this trip to be about me at all," wrote Melanie before she left Moldova, "It's all about God. He is doing what man could not do. Although I am so excited about what He has ahead for me, I realise that I am going to miss a whole lot of awesome friends!"

The first week was full of new experiences. "I have already been to the town of Rezina and helped with some children's ministry," wrote Melanie in her diary. "It is COLD here, but mostly because there is a lot of walking required. We walk to our place of ministry, and the buildings are not always heated. We also use a form of transportation called "ruteria", or mini buses. They transport you to wherever you want to go, and you pay 3 lei per ride. I think that is equivalent to a few cents. I am learning how to ride them easily and quickly. Today I went shopping for my own food with a couple of other girls. It was not very easy to decide what to buy in another language, and with another form of currency. It was quite frustrating actually! This, among other things, constantly reminds me of the need to learn the language here, and hopefully to learn it quickly! It is hard to not be able to communicate, and to have to lean on someone else to translate. But, I know over time it will grow easier. Now is just the hard time.”

Melanie was working and living with the Local Ministry Team in the north. One of their ministries involves visiting elderly people, encouraging them and bringing them food parcels.

“Another home we visited was a very pitiful sight. It was hard to see someone in such a condition. The couple was in their bed in the middle of the day. The home looked like it could collapse at any moment, because the roof had been leaking, creating a disaster in one room of the house. There were filthy clothes and dishes, and old remains of food all over the place. The smell was incredible. We brought a food packet with us, but the place where we stored their food didn't look like anything good should be put there. I heard later that the couple receives a pension, but the man uses it all on alcohol. He doesn't care for his wife, and any help that has been offered to repair the home has been rejected, because he doesn't care. Alcohol is such a huge bondage here in Moldova.”

The team worked in different villages in the north. The days were often filled with children programmes, English lessons, sports and church meetings. “Today was a challenge, as there were only two of us girls available to go to a village called Glinjeni. Michaela is from Austria, and though she has been in Moldova for a year, sometimes the Romanian language can be a struggle when it comes to teaching Bible stories. She and I were going to this village, and I have not yet caught on to the language enough to do more than say some words. We were also taking a car that was not very reliable, and we were not completely sure of the way...All that said, we were facing what seemed to be some giants, but our God was faithful to bring us safely there, and we really had a great time with the children. They are so sweet, and try to get us to stay with them as long as possible.”

During the OM Moldova's Prayer Day, Melanie was able to share about her three months in Moldova, "So many things have happened – not only practical but also spiritual. I learned here that God’s love doesn’t have barriers. Even a different culture and a different language don’t have to be a barrier. It was hard in the beginning to be dependent on others. I tried to learn Romanian and got so frustrated! The only thing I could do was pray! The next Bible study was about 1 Corinthians 13. It was suddenly so clear for me. You can work as hard as you like, but without God's love it has no value. Even if I could speak Romanian perfectly, without this love my work would be worth nothing.

Melanie's three months are now over. She returned home just after the volcano-eruption a few weeks ago. She is now back in the States and preparing to return to Moldova for a longer time.

Credit: OM International
© 2010 OM International

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