We will be serving the Lord for at least two years in the country of Moldova, and since it is not a very well known country, and you likely know little, if anything about it, here are some facts and information so you can become familiar with the area in which we will be serving.

Location

Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe, sandwiched between Romania and the Ukraine, and was formerly part of the Soviet Union.  It is slightly larger than the state of Maryland.  The capitol city is Chisinau, where we are living and working.

Statistics

Population: 4.3 million
Capital: Chisinau
Area: 33,843 sq km (13,066 sq miles)

Major Languages: Romanian and Russian

Climate: Cold winters, hot summers
Monetary Unit: Leu (plural–Lei)
Ethinicity: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.)

Moldova has a beautiful, rugged countryside and a climate similar to that of Minnesota, with snowy winters, warm summers and colourful autumns.

Problems we will be facing:

Moldova has a very poor economy, an estimated 80% of the country’s money coming from outside the country.  Many Moldovans leave the country in search of work and send money home to their families.  Often both parents, desperate to support their children, do this, leaving their children behind without proper care.  Also, this desire to leave the country in search of work has opened up opportunities for human traffickers to do their dirty work.  Many come into Moldova offering jobs to young girls who jump at the opportunity to earn money for their families.  Once out of the country, however, they soon discover that the “job” is one of forced prostitution.   These are some of the many problems the people of Moldova are struggling with and we are going to try and lend them some aid in these areas.

Although there are many beautiful church buildings in Moldova, the Soviet government, under which rule Moldova was subject for so many years, quenched the Gospel in that country.  The people of Moldova are in need of a Saviour to bring hope to their impoverished nation.  Please keep Moldova in your prayers.

For more information: