The group started out with a trip to Dallas to catch the plane. We arrived and headed to Frankfurt Germany. We traveled for 9 hours in the plane. When we finished with Frankfurt we headed to Vienna. That was 3 hours. Then we headed for Moldova, which was 2 hours.

We arrived in Moldova around 4:30p. Our luggage did not arrive with us. When we arrived in Vienna we were running late and the luggage never made it to the plane. We filed our lost luggage report and walked through customs without being really checked. We went to the LSM compound and met with everyone that was present at night. It was late now and we just got settled in. We talked for little bit and went to bed. Most of us woke up very early as in 2 or 3:00 am. I went down to the kitchen and made coffee.

The next day we got up and met with all the staff and the interrupter, her name was Valetta. We found out that we would actually go out the next day. It would be Popeasca. So we got organized and met the kids. In the afternoon we loaded the truck that was to go to Popeasca. We had a great supper and talked then went to bed.

The next morning after waking up a little later – 4 or 5:00am I made coffee and we all got up early. We had breakfast and departed for Popeasca. We traveled in a fairly new truck and arrived 3 hours later. We started with unloading the truck. While we handed out the bags we noticed that they were cracking open due to the cold. They had sat outside in the cold so they became brittle. Several busted open. We tied the contents in sheet that were provided by the orphanage. The kids were so happy. The bags were so full. The joy on their faces was more than anyone could understand unless you were there. They had a play for us before we passed out he bags it was a bible story about King Solomon and the baby. I wonder where they read that. We had given them bibles two years ago. Is that where this came from?? After the kids got their bags they went to their rooms. I followed and photographed as much as possible. After the opening we all went to the newly built dinning room. It looked very nice for Popeasca. Each child received a bible.

We ate with the kids and then had a meeting with the teachers. This was very positive. We asked the teachers how could we, as a church, help more. There were no real request but we all understood one thing – these teachers care what happens to the kids. So one of the things we decided on the way back was to put more effort into this project for the teachers also. We could start helping the teacher’s families too. I asked Malcom Dawson (from the COC in Arkansas) if we took the teachers would they take more of our children. He thought that would be possible.

We then walked around the orphanage with the director. The ground is black and the mud is very black. White shoes are not a good idea. There are so many things that can be done. Bunk beds, water in the dorms, bathrooms floor mates for when the entryway to the buildings, mattresses, pillows, blankets, sheets, and on and on. There is no limit to what we can do for this orphanage. Our imagination is what is holding us back. A team of people could go over there for three months and make more of a difference than anyone could ever dream of, with their examples of Christ like help. Water lines need to be ran under ground from one location to another. There are no bathrooms at all just holes in the ground and they are so far away that in the middle of the night it is crazy to try. So if you wet the bed the bed must be hung out the next day. Can you imagine what it is like to hang out your bed at 12, 13, 14, 15 years old? Cabinets need to be made. I can on and on about all the things that can be done but one thing is for sure our help is needed and I think they have read their bibles and learned. We need to be there!

When we departed that day I received a note from one of the English teachers. I will type it as she wrote it – "Thank you very much! Thank you for a wonderful gift. Good Luck! May all your dreams come true. Have anice tripe! I am very to you much obliged. You are very kind. Good bye!" It was signed Popeaska. I typed it as they wrote it misspelling and all.

We went to Sarata Galbena orphanage. They were having coal arriving as we arrived. The place had cement throughout the compound so there was less mud. The children helped with the unloading of the van. They were very happy to see us. When they started to open the packages they were so happy and you can see on their faces in the pictures. At this orphanage there were white tennis shoes in most bags and they were a big hit. When they sat down to eat they had a good meal and was happy to have what they were provided. These kids did have more than Popeaska but still need more.

We went to Sarata Noua. This time we met with the director and talked a little with her. She showed us the needlepoint work that the kids do and in fact our ladies purchased so of their work. In this distribution the obvious occurred. We ran out of bags. The churches that sent these packages to this orphanage did not send enough. These same things happen on the last trip. It is so hard when this happens because you see those faces and the church that sent them does not know. You just want to fix it NOW!! The only answer is to have extra stuff to fill bags with and in this case the church that sent over the set did not know this. Some of the packs that were set aside because kids were not there for any reason were broken open and redistributed. There was one instance at the location where a child say what was given out a head of time and when it came to him all he got was a pair of socks and some underwear. He did not take it well but his teacher made sure that he understood there was just not enough in this case. It hurt our group to have this happen.

There were older kids here along with younger ones. The older ones must have been there for a while their packages seem to be there. It was the transition kids that did not receive anything. It ended up after all was given out about 30 kids did not receive anything. That’s really hard.

We ate lunch and returned to Chisinau. The group was quiet on the way back. Each year this occurs and each year to the groups, running out of bags for kids. It is very hard to look at the children and see their disappointment. We want to do anything to fix it.

7th Day

The day before we leave. It was Sunday. We went to the only real church in Chisinau. It was a Baptist church. They welcomed us and had us stand and announce where we were from. The remained of the service was in Romanian. We departed and went back to our location. We went out to do some shopping and returned. The night came and it was hard to start to get ready to depart.

8th Day

When it came time to depart the kids had been singing to us and effected our hearts once more. It was very hard to depart. The kids came out and hugs us and lined up as we drove out. This was very hard. At the airport Valetta waited until we went through customs. She really helped a lot. We boarded and departed for our trip back to Vienna.

Summary:

This is the most positive project that I have ever been on. The results are VERY visible. We all would take back as many children as would be allowed but none are so we think of ways to help them more. There are so many things that can be done and so many things that can be brought. Each year we try to plan more. If anyone is interested in this mission they are welcome to come along just let me know.

Dave Heath