For the second year in row it was my privilege to participate with Embrace–the womenʼs ministry of the North Carolina Baptist Convention–in their partnership with Moldova, a small country in Eastern Europe between Romania and the Ukraine. Last year we spoke at conferences for pastorsʼ wives, but this year the trip focused on ministry alongside our Moldovan partners in orphanages, prisons and among needy families.

Whenever visiting a new country I pray, “Lord, donʼt let me exit this place as I entered; change me as I seek to embrace your heart and love for these people.” As always, we find ourselves being blessed and receiving more than we give. We arrived with an expectancy that we would see God at work and were not disappointed.

On Sunday we worshipped at “Jesus is Savior Baptist Church” in Cisanau and were amazed at the large number of young children who sat quietly, composed and joyful throughout the service and then singing before the congregation with excellence. With women from the church we visited young mothers and their children in needy families and delivered food supplies to elderly couples who were unable to care for themselves.

One of the highlights of our trip was meeting inmates in the Kusca Womenʼs Prison; interacting with them was a sobering and deeply touching experience. Looking in the faces of lifelong, incarcerated females, some of whom had come to know the Lord, brought encouragement and hope to us.

Each of us was deeply blessed by our time spent at the Orphanage in Popeassca. The children were well-behaved, sang beautifully and intently and listened with interest to the presentation of our message. We participated in their classes and then joined them in the courtyard for active games–an enjoyable but challenging time for these older visitors!

Plans changed constantly, giving us an opportunity to practice the mission volunteer axiom of flexibility as we spoke to unplanned gatherings of womenʼs groups in two churches.

It was touching to realize these humble and gracious people came from generations of believers who had suffered for their faith. They do not have the affluence and material luxuries we enjoy in America, but their deep devotion and joy in the Lord was impressive and contagious. I am so grateful for the prayers of many for our ministry and the privilege of encouraging these precious people in Moldova.