Be Flexible

The day could not have been orchestrated by anyone other then God. Be flexible. We started the day off to apply for a new license plate, which had been lost sometime after our arrival and drove past the American Embasy on the way. We prayed at a site near where traffickers are active - one could feel the darkness just driving thru, but God's light shined there today. God is always there when we call on him and even when we don't. He loves us that much! Then on to pick up supplies for our visits. Well, God says be flexible. Stop. The vehicle that had been parked outside the Customs Building was broken in to - so we ate in the Customs cafeteria and exchanged our money while the paperwork was being processed. We even had a willing driver to get the 2nd vehicle back to the office i.e. flexibility. We picked up supplies at the office then on to visit the CPS Community Center and passed out vitamins and candy. We sang and shared with them. Be flexible. We then drove north to an orphanage and spent quite a bit of time there. We passed out candy, vitamins and toothbrushes. Then we played outside with the children - it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I played with a little girl, Inga, about 6 years old. I pray that God will fill her heart with his love. All the children want is to be heard, loved, touched and wanted. These are things that all people want. They love Oleg so - they swarm to him as he loves on them. He is their tangible light. We were able to provide a brief glimmer of light, because Jesus is the light. His light shines thru us when we are obedient to his will. I ask all reading to pray for me to continue to be obedient. Be flexible - obedience requires this of us. We also visited a Tansition Home - what a miracle. Girls come here to live after dismissal from the orphanage. This home teaches girls life skills to survive - it teaches them a vocation. We met Kristinia, 17 years old who is studying social work in college. We also met another Kristina, who is 14 years old. We talked with them and prayed with them. Talk about passionate prayer - God was among us, I know it. God is doing amazing things here. I am so thankful he wanted me to be a part of it. I love Jesus and all he is doing here - Awesome!

Moldova children

One word to describe today......wrecked

We started the day on a little tour of the areas where the pimps live.  It is a community nestled near the rail yard, positioned so that they can send girls on the train to Moscow.  Last week alone 17 children have disappeared in Chisinau.  An abandoned factory also sits on the property where they have found bodies hung and decapitated.

Yesterday I had the words of a song stuck in my head, "break my heart for what breaks yours" At the top of that hill Oleg led us in prayer that started, "break our hearts for what breaks yours"  wrecked.......

The rest of the day was spent visiting the child protection home, an orphange and one of the New Hope Moldova transition homes.  Spending time with the kids playing games, laughing, singing and hugging made a complete difference.  At the orphange while we were playing with the kids, giving gifts and showing love I had a vision of Jesus with the little children.  I felt His heart toward them.....wrecked.....

I now see why Oleg is so driven.  These children are starving for attention and that is how they end up victims of human trafficking.  I can't help but feel helpless. Helpless because what can I do in just one day??  Reminding myself that Jesus is their Father and I can love them from a distance through prayer.

My new friend is Christina, she is 17 and in a transition home.  Her mother died at 7 and her father makes $14 a month.  Her step mother rejected her.  She gave me a bracelet, so giving even though she has nothing.
Again.....wrecked.....

Day 2 in Moldova

Checking in with day two here in Moldova. Today was an eye opener for me. The non medical people stayed with the clinic about half the day to help with organizing all the people and trying our best to communicate with them :-) After that Oleg had a few of us go out with him into the City to hand out care packages. Driving through the City the day before I was taken back by the poverty, and run down buildings that we saw. But today when we actually went into the homes of the people that Oleg has been reaching out to- I was overwhelmed. The first home we went to was a family of 6 that are living on about $100 a month. Both parents are disabled making it almost impossible for them to find work to provide for their four children. When we arrived the oldest child who was six was watching her younger siblings until her mother came home. When her mother came home and invited us in we were led down a broken up mud/concrete path, smelling of animal waste, into a home that was barely standing. The ceiling had large holes covered by paper right over the childrens bed and one of the walls was leaning and shifting away from the rest of the housing structure. Oleg translated for us and told us the mother was most concerned for her children, should there be an earthquake their home was sure to fall in and crush them. As Oleg was telling us this all I could think about was how am I supposed to tell this woman that she had to have hope and that Jesus would care and provide for her family and then walk out leaving her and her childrens lives with a simple bag of groceries. Through God's grace I was able to talk to her and pray for her without bursting into tears overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and helplessness. The other homes we went to were just as bad and worse. I am still trying to remember that we aren't here to fix all the problems we see, but rather show love, and compassion to the broken and hopeless.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers- they are much needed!!

Kristen Kaseman

Team on fire!

It's been such a rewarding day! Our team is full of talent.  God is using us in those talents and everything fit like a glove.  There were some set backs but as always our fearless leader Oleg was able to get another doctor within an hour of the clinic opening.

I can say that everyday is a new blessing in it's own way.  Have you ever had an ah ha moment? Where the hard times in the past make complete sense in the present?  There are no words for what I feel. 

Beth, Janice, Patty and Sara were rock stars, seeing 89 patients between 3 of them, while Sara was helping the doctor.  I felt led to pray with the patients as they left and once again I was truly blessed.  The first three people were experiencing life challenges that I had faced in my life. All challenges that I have faced in the last three years, that ah ha moment. I could relate, show compassion and pray for the part of the body that was experiencing the trama.

Another woman had the same name as my Great Great Grandmother, which was unusal just made me feel at home. I was reminded of how close I am to Poland where my ancestors are from.  The language, oh yeah my dad always said, "Nasdarovje" which means, cheers to your health in Russian.  The words that the Moldovan people shared will forever live in my heart.

This area has been oppressed for too many years. It has worn on people's hearts and minds which affects generation after generation. It stops here. Resoration is in progress here, changing one life will change many. It may not be seen right away but it's happening. At New Hope Moldova today hope was ALIVE!  God's love continues to pour out on the people of Moldova and I'm so thankul to be a part of it.

We had a great Moldovan meal and fellowship.  I cannot say enough about the people I am serving with. Familia :)

Tomorrow we head out to the orphanage, cannot wait to see what's in store! 

amazing 1st day of clinic

Well it was 1st.day doing clinic...and I am having a difficult time putting today into words, but I am going to try. I thought I was overwhelmed with emotions on day of leaving..today compares to nothing I have ever experienced..not even  during the health scare I had 5 yrs ago. I am mad that these people of Moldova are  victims of political and legalistic battles. I am in awe how they take their  dire situations and live with such gratitude on their simplicity  of their lives. I have never seen such heartful gratitude for a simple smile, touch of a arm while taking a B/P,taking a Temperture and or asking if we can pray with them. While I am finishing up their paper work, I can barely finish with a" God Bless"because I am struggling not to cry.  But I know I can't because my translator sometimes struggle with my fast talking..let a lone a stuffy nose, lol. I am so humbled that God is using me and our team to serve him. God is almighty and amazing.Looking forward to continuing God's work with my awesome team:)

A clinic come to life

Yesterday was a crazy hectic day. Our flight arrived in Chisinau, Moldova - passing thru Customs uneventfully. Pastor Oleg and his family arrived to transport us. As we looked at the city driving in from afar it looked amazing but the closer we got the more desolate it looked. There were people out and about - it reminded me of WW II and modern day life combined. Empty unfinished high rises - trees sprouting inside - what? I know. I didn't want to take pictures but rather take it all in. To see in broad daylight human trafficking breaks my heart, but seeing people blind to breaks my heart more. When did this become ok? We spent the evening packing thousands of children and adult vitamins in baggies. I am hear to tell you Gummie Vitamins do not smell good - ughhh, but they are good for you. We opened the clinic today, in the office space of New Hope Moldova. 3 nurses set up in a room as big as our living room with plastic patio furniture and other odds and end. Another nurse worked directly with the physician packaging medicines. The room was full love (because as the worship song we are listening to Seth sing at this moment - You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of dust - making all things new). We medically assessed 89 people today. In an open room, no privacy, so different then what we are accustomed to. Old and young alike came thru. A clinic can come to life anywhere that Christ is. We listened, even if not able to understand verbally we were able to listen with our eyes and heart. It is weird not being able to directly communicate. Our translators are patient with us - often we need to explain a word as it doesn't translate easily. Ailments included high blood pressure, diabetes, and salt in the bones (which I now know is arthritis). I found it odd to need to keep explaining how to take an oral temperature - well I am the silly one - should have asked sooner as they do axillary temperatures. Joy and I tag teamed it - she has such a gift for prayer. God gifts us all uniquely. The highlight was when an elderly lady gave me a hug - all I have wanted to do is cry all day - not out of pity but out of love. God has been preparing me to see and to love. I am so grateful. I am humbled. Thanks to God for bringing me here. The others on our team passed out 140 pairs of reader eyeglasses. Others visited homes passing out food packages and sharing the Good News of Hope thru Jesus. Pray for the Moldovan People. Hope is here - I can see it.

More then a journey

Much to share, where do I start?

We have been awake now for 27 straight hours (the only one who couldn't sleep on the flight, friends are you suprised?Ugh...)  it's been so worth it.  Three flights later we have arrived! We are writing as a group since many are having problems getting wifi.

On the tour of Chisina Moldova, we saw a lady who had been a victim of human trafficking.  Her eyes were removed so her pimp could use her to get money.  Yes, this happens in the world we live in! A community of 80k who do not attend church, 22 years ago this area was complete atheism. New Hope Moldova is making such an impact!  Most of the housing here was government built, assuring the citizens that they were helping them, when really it was their tax dollars paying for the buildings.  Many of them are unfinished do to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Our group finished packing up the 20k child and adult vitamins for our clinics this week. Seth lead worship as we sat around the table singing with joy and praise, the highlight of my day.  We are such a close group, thank you God.

We are staying in a hostel, funky hostel to be exact.  Its full of color and fun. There are 4 other people here and since worship one of the women, Anna has been listening (ask we speak) to praise and worship on Youtube. Her words, so positive and uplifting :D 

We have one shower for 15 people, no towels so lots of planning to do.....gotta run. 

Please keep us in your prayers,

Thank you