So where do we go from here?

Quick update on Thursday. Today was our last full day of camp. Katie Kafoure led the devotional time as part of evening worship. (Katie, Sam, Anne, and Ticia have all done a wonderful job in their testimonies at night.) Today we had GREAT weather. It was cooler than normal with a nice breeze. It's going to be tough readjusting to the humidity back home. Brandon and I put up our third tether-ball of the week. They are absolutely pounding those things. Previous teams set up tether-balls poles in prior years, and those poles are put to great use throughout the day.

Everyone continues to develop great relationships with various children. There truly are some precious children. When we returned this afternoon, the kids had set up a performance/talent show that was based on a beauty pageant theme with various children's groups involved in different parts of the program. We were entertained with singing, break-dancing, a girls group dance to a pop song (high school-aged girls are the same everywhere!), a speed make-up contest, a speed dress-an-entire-wardrobe-and-then-undress-and-fold-the-clothes contest, etc. You get the point. The kids were having a great time showing off and lots of laughter was had by all.

So the rest of this post is primarily a continuation of my thoughts from last night. I felt the need to update some from today, but the following is what is truly on my heart and why I wanted to blog.

Where do we go from here? I feel I can speak for most of the team in that we are dealing with the "Why" questions. Why me? Why them? Why does God's plan include some of us to be so richly blessed and some to be orphans? What future is there for these children? In a country that is highly prejudicial against orphans, in a country where the national economy does not promise an "American Dream" for all, in a country that seems broken in many ways, what hope is there for these children? Yet how can they have so much hope and joy during the day? And how in the world can I justify many of my petty concerns when I'm home?

These children are absolutely precious! And to know that each one of them was knit together by God just as much as any of us....now that I have seen with my own eyes, where do I go from here? The feeling is overwhelming, to be honest. But in the end, I have to come back to the fact that I can't change a country's cultural values in a day. I can't go to every orphanage in this country (there are so many and we have just scratched the surface). I can't provide for every child. But, I can be a drop in the bucket. And I can pray for lots of drops in the bucket. I can love every child I see. We are commanded to do two things, 1) Love God and 2) Love our neighbors. And there is a special place in God's heart for orphans. We are commissioned to go out. We'll never understand the mind and heart of God or fully understand His plan. But we can be obedient. We can go. We can love. We can build relationships. And, relationships are what bring change. We can send all the money we want (which certainly helps), but I am convinced that relationships are what drive true change.

Last night, I was heartbroken. Today, I remain shaken. I still can't fully wrap my mind and heart around Moldova. There is just so much. And I admit I'm still not sure what to do from here. I just know that I have to be obedient and I have to play my part. Oh, what this trip has begun.

Forgive the stream of consciousness format of this blog. It's pretty obvious I'm still sorting this out with God, as all of us are. Please continue to pray for our team in our final days, pray for Moldova, pray for relationships, and pray for open doors.

-Scott

More on the unknown boy...

Wednesday was an emotional day for most of us. We are really getting to know a lot of kids at the orphanage and for some of us we are getting to know some kids even better than before. Today we made a visit to an orphanage here. As we pulled up to the school there was a little boy standing over by a statue or fountain looking thing with over grown weeds and bushes. He looked so adorable. He was all dressed up with a blue collared short sleeve shirt and dress pants that were a few inches too short for him and some old beaten up sandals on. And there he stood with two bags of belongings and one shoe box. That is all he had...all his belongings right there in less than I have when I come home from the grocery store. And he was all dressed up thinking he was going somewhere special. Finally somebody came over to the boy and helped him carry his stuff over by the teacher. He was so nervous and scared. He didn't say a word buy just stood there.
I know that these orphans have stories that I don't even know I could hear. I know that they have been abandoned by their families but never in my lifetime did I think that I would see the actual moment where that took place. This unknown orphan was standing all alone having been abandoned by his mother and father. They couldn't even wait to make sure he got to the right place, they couln't even make sure he was safe. How could a mother just abandon her child. I just dont understand. Tonight he will be in a new bed, in a new room, with people he doesn't know...and even if he cried there will be no one there to give him a hug. I remember being a child and spending the night at a friend's house and being sooo scarred to be in an unfamiliar place...waking up in the middle of the night and not recognizing your surroundings. My heart just breaks for him.
I tried to smile at him, but he was too scared to smile back.
Maybe one day soon he will be able to smile again. I hope we see him later and can give him some hope.

Last night all the teams gathered out by the house and wrote with sidewalk chalk the names of a child and a prayer for them. It was a very touching and emotional time as we all prayed for them. I hope that they all know how big and so strong and so mighty their God is and there is nothing He can not do.
Love, Allison

2 sacks and a shoebox

Today brought back the reality of why we are here. As we were pulling up to tour an orphanage, I noticed a young boy standing alone with 2 plastic sacks beside him and clutching a shoe box. He looked nervous and a bit scared. On the other side of the parking lot were some adults with some official looking papers and the orphanage director. I looked back at the boy and noticed that he was 'dressed up' according to his standards. He was wearing a short sleeve collared shirt buttoned to the top with his dingy t-shirt sleeves hanging below and his dress pants probably fit him perfectly a couple of years ago.

As | witnessed the scene, it brought so many emotions to mind: Why him? Why not me? What conditions could force a parent to do this? How can a child possibly comprehend what is happening? What is he thinking? Will he ever see his family again? As witnessed too many times by so many orphans, they are abandoned by their families at the time they are dropped off and never see nor hear from them again.

As the tour ended and we came back around, one of the adults came over to the boy and brought his bags to the director's car and the boy followed clutching his shoe box. As we drove off, I couldn't help but keep looking back to see him and to plant that image in my mind. I longed to reach out to him to tell him that God loved him and to just believe. But, instead, I just rode off and said a silent prayer for him as tears ran down my cheeks.

May we stop to assess our problems and compare them to a small boy in an orphanage with only 2 sacks and a shoebox.

Duck, Duck...Duckie

Greetings from Moldova. Our third day of camp was just as fun filled and action packed as the others. The kid's attention spans are getting shorter everyday, but we are flexible and take advantage of the times they are willing to sit still and listen.

Our free time with the kids is probably the best time of the day. We get to play everything from sports, hand games, cards, the zip line that the construction team sets up, and so on. The options are endless. I spent most of my day drawing tattoos or being drawn on. My little friend Duckie (Sergiu) is quite the artist I must say!! He has also been teaching me to breakdance...I might be trained well enough for "So you think you can dance?"

Today, during our lunch break we took a tour of the school they attend from September to May. While they are making improvements with the school buildings, the buildings are in bad shape. Sadly, their sleeping quarters are worse and they sleep 4 to 6 in a room.

These children are precious and wonderful. Sometimes I think they know more about love and giving than we do. They have opened my eyes to so much. Continue to pray for them to know God's love more everyday.

Kera

Great job team!

Hi wonderful team! I'm so proud of all of you! I'm so excited to hear what a difference you are making in the children's  lives and how they have touched your lives also. God works in such an awesome way! I'm praying for each one of you and can't wait to see you.

Love all of you. God bless and keep you, Marian

Miss and love you soooo much Adrianno!

Tuesday in Chisinau

Well we arrived at camp today to see all of the children's smiling faces waiting for us. I was immediately taken by a little girl named Doina. She sat me down and read "The Three Bears" in Romanian. She made sure that I understood what she was saying by using hand motions and facial expressions. It was amazing to hear her read a story that I grew up hearing when I was little. During worship it is awsome to hear the kids sing in Romanian while we sing the same songs in English. It gives us all chills.



Today seemed to go a little smoother than yesterday. I know it did in Crafts! Everyone seems to be settling in well. The construction team came today and set up a Zip Line fo rthe kids to go down. They all lined up and had a great time. It is so nice to see them smile when they are having fun. They are really starting to open up and tell us some of their personal stories. I can only imagine what kind of work God is going to do this week.



Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, and support.

Camp Day One

Today the Internat 2 team went to the kids camp. It was about 30 minutes away from the place where were staying at and was a very bumpy, but fun drive! As soon as we arrived, kids crowded around the van and instantly started trying to talk to us. For the first year people, like me, it took a while for the kids to warm up to you, but as soon as you would ask for a hug they would willing and lovingly embrace you! All they really want is love and to be cared for, and have someone there for them. Talking to them was very hard, even though we had translators. Sometimes we couldnt find the translators, so we had to just shake our head until we could find someone. There were some kids at camp that could kind of translate a little bit for you if you really needed help. I think we all connected with at least one kid, and grew very close to them! The hardest part of my day was when one of the older girls asked me if i would adopt her and take her back to america so she could live with me. I didnt really know what to say because different things were going through my mind, but i ended up telling here i dont think i can right now. Its very sad to think that in a few years she will be on her own and who knows what could happen to her.The rest of the week will be amazing and life changing! Im really looking forward to it!

Love and prayers to all,
Molly Bevels

Did I do this right...?

Heyyy!!!! I titled it "did I do this right" because i'm not sure I did... so at least you all know I was unsure and still decided to write everything I wanted to say any ways!! :)

HOW ARE YOU GUYS? I'm not going to lie this might be a little more towards the high schoolers... but I am soo excited for you guys!! God is doing BIG things through yall and to you!! It is hard has heck to not be there with you guys right now! I'm glad yall had safe travels and hopefully that canceled out some of the fears for you and your folks!! I can't wait to hear stories and see pictures from your time in Moldova! And you should just know that I'm super jealous!!! I want you to know that it kills to not be there with you guys right now. I would love to see you all as you're serving the children in Moldova. Be sure to keep yourself focused on God and staying in His word cause chances are there are going to be tons of hard times and lots of exhaustion by the end of the week! But He is gooooooooodness!!!

Love you guys and know that there are tons of prayers being said here in Nashville (or Mobile) where ever I am for you all!!!!!

oh and... bring back presents! :) hahah jk

Britt

Needing Sleep?

Hey all. It's getting later in the day for you, and I bet after day one with the children, you're all wiped out! GREAT!!! Pouring yourselves into those kids is what it's all about and we're proud of all of you for what you are doing. Thank you for representing God's hands and feet as you work, play, enjoy and change lives right before your eyes! We love you all and are praying for you everyday. Keep in touch.

I hope your first day with the kids with great! I know that they need lots of hugs! We continue to pray for everyone, and hope that you are making a difference for them. Make the most out of this week, and continue to let God work through you.

We miss all of you!
The Bevels

Glad you're well !!!

Hello Moldova Teams! We are praying over you guys every day - collectively for the team, and individually. Glad to know you made it safely and that your first day was already productive. Jeff preaching halfway around the world had to be a treat! I am sure his Romanian is way better than mine, but I know the message wasn't in the words so much as the emotion of the day. We'll be praying hard while you are away and have your list of requests nearby to insure we cover you well. We missed you in church this morning, but there was a lot of buzz about you and your trip. Parents were comparing notes and adding up one full story from the student team! God Bless all of you and do great work.
db

Sunday in Chisinau

What do you get when you take a really great breakfast and add a 2 hour church service all in Romanian, pizza, a trip to a monastery, an art market, supply sorting, girls ministry, and a pre-camp meeting or two?

You get Sunday in Chisinau for Team Internat! We had a great day. It started with a fantastic breakfast and a really moving worship service. What was so moving about two hours of stuff we didn't understand? The fact that God knew every word. There's something special about being in an environment where it couldn't be about you even if you wanted it to be. Understanding barely anything at all really gave life to the whole idea of "audience of one!" We had a great afternoon following. We took a trip to a local art market where local vendors showcase their wares. Then we divided and conquered. Steve took Nic and the high school students along with some construction team members to visit an old monastery. That was a great experience. Ashley and a team of ladies spent time with some of the young Moldovan girls while Brandon and the rest of our team went to camp to meet the kids and help them choose tracks for the week.

We have a fantastic week ahead as we start camp. The theme is "Wizard of Oz" and everybody is playing a part tomorrow as Dorothy gets carried away by a tornado to the land of Oz where she begins meeting a band of characters, some good and some not so good. Everybody is looking for something they're missing and it looks like they're off to see a wizard who can provide. We've got stories and crafts and games and music to keep us and the kids busy all day. We can hardly wait!

Sunday Morning in Tennessee

Hello Moldova Team! We missed you in church this morning, but there was a lot of buzz about you and your trip - Especially amoung the "parents" - we were all comparing notes as to who had heard from whom! We're praying hard for all of you and wish you well. Keep us posted with your progress. We love all of you.

we are here...

hey everyone! we had all on time flights, no craziness, and no lost luggage! we just got done eating dinner...rice, chicken, chips, and ice cream with brownies! some of us are ready for bed and some of use are still wide awake! We are very excited to start our week tomorrow with church and getting to know each other better! thank you for all your prayers and keep them going! Love, allison

Hi to Chris and Carolyn

Hi guys!!! Hope everyone arrived safely. We saw Anna N. and Nicole L. at the Crockett fireworks on the 4th. They both were asking about you guys and wanted to know how to blog you also.
Let us know how you are doing. We miss you and love you. Mom and Dad
PS> Dad accidently posted a comment in the Bevels' post as a comment. Be sure to view that one too!!!
Write when you can!!!!!!!!

We are praying for everyone's safe arrival. You are half way through your long flight at this hour. We know that GOD has a hand on everyone and that you are going to make a difference in these kids life. We are so proud of all of you.

Be safe!
The Bevels

I'm really excited!!! Be praying for us everyone !! :)

Twas the night before Moldova...

Well here it is..less than 24 hours until we are Moldova bound. I am so excited, but a bit frazzled on what have I forgotten to take care of for the next 9 days?! Sometimes that is the hardest part. Next will come the sitting on luggage to cram in those last *must have* items and then jump on the scale to see if it's under 50 pounds and then do some more shifting and shuffling until everything is shut and sealed and boarded on the plane. Then we just hope and pray that our luggage arrives in Moldova when we do!

But our God is bigger than all these trivial things and I know He is going to do some amazing and powerful things this trip. I am thrilled to be serving along side so many wonderful Christian friends and ESPECIALLY our youth group! They are going to be a wonderful and spirited addition to the group and I will get to work with most of them during our pre-worship dramas.

Whoops just thought of something else I need to take care of. Hope everyone enjoys our trip as you get to live it from our eyes over the next few days.