HOME!!!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am home safe and sound! A final reflection of my summer coming soon!

Videos about Moldova

Check out these videos to learn more about Moldova:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A_c_f4Du0U


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvOdeg5hw-0

Photos!

Check out this link to see my photos from the summer!

Shopping!

The girls and I had a really fun week. Tuesday we went to the bazaar, which is this huge open air market in the downtown Chisinau area. You can buy everything there from any type of food, jewelry, clothes, electronics…anything. I have never been to anything like that before! It is very busy, and crowded. People have rows and rows of stands that are set up in different “departments.” The girls were given a gift from a donor for school clothes, and we spend 8 hours shopping! Elena, the psychologist who is also living with the girls, was a big help! The girls did not get everything they needed so they went back the next day! I stayed behind with a few of the girls and went over more Microsoft Word with Irina’s translating help.
That night we had a photo shoot! The girls were so excited to put on their new clothes, and to take pictures. We took almost 200 pictures! The girls said they felt like princesses wearing their new clothes. They also said that living at the Grace House is a like a dream, but its reality!
This week we continued talking about who we are in Christ, and the love languages. We talked about gift giving, and how God gives us abundant gifts, because he loves us. God is intentional with blessing us with the things we truly desire, and that we should follow in Jesus’ example when he turned the water into wine. He saw a need, and fulfilled it. We also talked about spiritual gifts, and how we can confidence in who we are through knowing what our spiritual gifts are.
Today we went out for pizza, and the girls were so excited! It was a reward for writing their biographies for the JMI website. We had a feast of pizza, crepes, and salad…it was so good!

I am so proud of how the girls are doing with English. I have been able to communicate with them so well! After pizza a few girls and I went on a walk to a park, and we talked the whole time! Jazgul is our youngest girl, but is the best English speaker. I really think she could be a translator in a year or two.
Natalia also knows a lot of English, because she spent 6 months in the states. I really love spending time with the girls, they can be hilarious.

I am so glad that Natalia is with us. She is an amazing example to the other girls, and fits in so well. She has a great sense of humor, and is so sweet. The girls have really accepted her, and don’t treat her any differently than anyone else. She is so beautiful, and I don’t even notice how she looks on the outside anymore.

Please pray for:
A great last week!
Doina’s first full week of cosmetology school
Irina’s Visa
Safe travels for the Belciug family, while they are on vacation
That I don’t have any problems during my flights next week

Last couple of weeks...

I can hardly believe that I only have 11 days left in Moldova. I am mixed with sad and excited emotions. Last week we celebrated one of our girl’s birthdays! It was Jazgul’s birthday a few days ago while she was at camp, so we celebrated a little late. We had a great time! We went to Mall-Dova, went to the food court, and went bowling. The girls had never been to a food court before, and didn’t know what to do. They eventually got chicken sandwiches, salad and ice cream. We then had a lot of fun bowling! Brooke and I also made our birthday girl pancakes for breakfast. The girls made her a card, and got her a cake and flowers. I think she felt really special, and that of course was the goal!

The other day I was having a lesson about who we are in Christ. I think it is so important to figure that out early on, because it is the foundation of who we are. I had the girls write about who they were, and what they liked or didn’t like about themselves. Natalia completely blew me away. She has so much confidence in herself! She was saying how she likes her personality, and even how she looks, because God had her look this way for a reason. She is an incredible person, and I really enjoy spending time with her. She doesn’t use her hand or the way she looks to keep her back, but she does everything that the other girls do. I am so thankful that she is at the Grace House, she is an amazing example to all of us.
I went to another church in the city, and they have a ministry called Girls of God. It is for girls who have similar backgrounds as my girls do. I was asked to share my story with them, and it was a great experience. It is so encouraging to see God working all over Moldova, and in so many different ways.

Prayer Requests:
I feel like I have been dealing with a lot of spiritual warfare since I have been to Moldova. The devil has really tried to discourage me, make me insecure, and doubt my purpose in being here.
Also, please pray that I am very intentional in the next two weeks, and I make the most of everyday.
Praise God, because all of the girls are enrolled in school, and many have scholarships!!!