soon to moldova

It's now just three weeks away – Anne's team mission trip to Moldova, that is. The background on this story is that I worked with an intern (Leila) back in 2006 who came to this country from Moldova as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow attached to the University of WA. Leila has a huge heart, especially for the poor elderly in her country. To make a long story short, when I put Leila on the airplane to return to her country, I knew that they would see each other again someday. However, I assumed it would be when Leila made a return trip to the U.S. As it turns out, it's going to be the other way around! The multi-denominational team will be focusing on assisting in the re-establishment of a feeding program for the elderly in the capital city of Chisinau. Other efforts will involve working with the Moldova office of Dorcas International (where Leila is now the Country Coordinator); visiting the elderly in rural villages and "eldercare" facilities and some work with street kids.
What you see pictured here is the Washington team (large group) and a picture of the two team members we will be picking up in Chicago en route to eastern Europe. Great group of people, ranging in age from 45-85 – 3 men (all pastors representing different churches) and 8 women. What you don't see are the two people we will be meeting up with in Chisinau – Lyubasha and Len – brand new American citizens from the Ukraine, now living in the Bellingham, WA area. They will be providing much of our translation work, even as they visit family there. Excitement is running high….so much preparation still to do!