Moldova and Gagauzia
24.08 - 07.09.2008
Moldavia is Orthodox country. There was my (Robert) first observation.
Many brothers entered initially, then only five remained, and by the end I was left with only brother Mieczyslaw. We met each other in Moldavia on the bus for Gagauzia.
We got out from bus in Kishinev...
Oleg - rally driver carried away us further. Oleg did not come down below 120 km/h, that is somethingextreme unheard-of at local ways. Mieczyslaw prayed all the time during journey and we have approached happily.
On the way.
Already in Gagauzia. House of prayer of baptist church in Chadyr-Lunga. It counts about 400 Christians.
In the Gagauz language „God is love” – „Allah var sevgi”. You can see this inscription very often in many Christian churches.
In front of the house of prayer with pastor Sergey, who organized our time in Gagauzia.
View of the Chadyr-Lunga
Everywhere where we were "Lenin is eternally alive" continuously.
For 6 days we would get up at about 7.00 in the morning, and travel on to the next village. We stayed the entire day in a village. We shared the Good News throughout the day walking through the village, and met with local communities of believing Christians in the evening. Some unbelievers also came to some meetings, whom we invited during the day.
Meeting in one of village, in house of prayer, in Gagauzia.
That evangelism took place using the icon of Andrei Rublov - Trinity. I and Miechyslaw invited some unbelievers to this meeting who we had met and talked to earlier in the day.
Mieczyslaw shared his testimony of conversion, how he became a believer. I translated into Russian (Russian is generally spoken throughout Moldavia).
Northern part of Moldavia as well as southern (Gagauzia) is famous from cultivation of grape.
This is our missionary team in next village.
Pubs were a good place for evangelism. There it was always possible to meet men. They often sipped beer, but sometimes they were just there to rest a moment. In this picture I am with Stiopa in a pub – at the end of our conversation he asked me to send him a Bible.
Early morning we are in way to next people in next village.
We often met resistant donkey as means of transport.
We sow old cemetery from started of settling Gagauz in these regions. There was at the turn of the XVIII century.
This is one of sepulchral stone.
We leave shoes before carpet situated on before entry doors for house.
Baby not has to leave shoes…
You could meet shower organized often outside. When sun will heat up of tank the water can be even hot.
This is typical gateway for house with grapevine inside.
This is very good and often used material for construction - bricks from clay mixed with straw.
Unfortunately, even this photo is not able to show the quality of some ways.
The table was lavishly set with dishes with different kind of meal – in all places where we arrived.
In the Gagauz language „God is love” – „Allah var sevgi”.
In Bieshlama, in local museum we learned about awful hunger in 1946 year. Communists requisitioned food and half of people in village were died from hunger – it was 2500 people. It came for awful stages, when mothers ate their children!
This is woman who showed us round the museum. After that we had possibility to share Good News with her.
Water is very valuable in whole Moldavia; we sow this particularly in Gagauzia. So, wells are well-cared, surround with pretty casing with roof.
We seen as politician situation have impact in art in other museum in Vulkaneshti. This image present victory of Russian over Turks. This battle had placed nearly Vulkaneshti. In original painting under Russian commander on the horse laid killed Turkish soldier. But presently Turks invest a lot in Gagauzia (you should know that Gagauz language is very close to Turkish), so, last time lying Turk was cover with paint, in order to not irritate benefactors.
Here you could see proof - early photo image in guidebook for museum.
In one of Churches I had privilege to call new baptized for missionary involvement.
This is I with pastor from Kongaz, where baptism proceeded.
After 6 days we crossed into the northern part of Moldavia. Here we shared Gospel in a more miscellaneous environment. Rehabilitation center for alcoholics. It was only started at the beginning of this year. Yet 9 men are living here. They listened to the Gospel message willfully. Two of them decided to trust in Christ. Hallelujah!
One of first tasks it is to sink a well.
We shared the Gospel in museums also. Luba accepted Christ in one of them. Hallelujah! Here is was interesting that I shared Good News with her using icons which she supervised in this museum.
Luba say goodbye to us!
Here is the Candle (place of Luba work) from far. On right part to rocks you could see cave, where recluse lived.
We shared the Gospel in prisons. We had never seen such a thirsty audience for the Gospel. They understood very well punishment for sins and the idea of freedom, release from punishment. They understood the meaning of substantive sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Ewangelism in park
There was even one unusual evangelism in a store.
The saleswoman encouraged shoppers to stay and listen to us. As usual brother Mieczyslaw played, sang and gave testimony of his conversion.
Together with local Christians we formed evangelization team.
Meeting in house of prayer at evening, where participated believing and invited unbelieving people.
We took part - as particular visitors, in celebration 90 - years Christian Baptist Church in Bielcy (Balti).
It counts about 1200 members. One of pastors from this church Wasili, invited us for Moldavia and organized our missionary trip.
Each day of week took place evening thanksgiving service.
Beautiful places are in Moldavia.
We both returned from Moldavia full of thanksgiving to God. There was unusual time - and abundant harvest! On more story and photo I invite you on October 2008 Open School Session!