Three trips down, and many more to come...

There is just something about the orphans in Moldova...it's something that I can't quite put my finger on, but it's something that keeps drawing me back to this tiny country. I'm still sick and still trying to get over jet lag, but whenever someone asks me about my trip and the kids, all of that goes away. I'm always so eager and willing to talk to anyone who will listen. Someone needs to speak up for all of these precious children...

I will never forget the kids in my Bible study all raising their hands to tell me that they've accepted Christ into their hearts. I will never forget washing the children's feet in that tiny cabin. I will never forget hearing them giggle while I tickled their feet as I put lotion on them after we washed them. I will never forget seeing them run to the buses as we pulled up each day. I will never forget the "Cristina and Jasica's," the "Elmira's and Jasica's," and the "Sasa's and Jasica's" that were written on the mirrors, canvs bags, and other things made each day during craft time. I will never forget Sasa beating me in arm wrestling. I will never forget dancing with Iura to songs from the 50's. I will never forget painting nails that I tried my best to make beautiful but there was just so much dirt on their tiny hands. And, most of all, I won't forget being told "I love you," hugged so tightly that it hurt, and the tears that fell from their eyes and from my own as I left on Friday. It's moments like these and many more that melt your heart. It's moments like these that keep me returning to Moldova...

There is something about each and every kid that I have met in my three trips to Moldova that makes me want everything and more for them. It breaks my heart to know that not every child will make it, that every child has been hurt in some way, but it gives me hope to know that God loves His children in every way possible...in more ways than what I will EVER be able to...

I told myself before leaving this time that this just might be my last time to go to Moldova. I'm in college and money doesn't grow on trees for me. However, before even stepping off the plane in Chisinau, I knew that this was by far not my last trip. Every child I have met and have yet to meet keep me coming back every few months...

All I can do is sit and wait until my next opportunity to go back to Moldova, and in the meantime I will cherish every moment that I have spent with the children I have grown to love in countless ways. Not a day goes by where I don't think of them. I constantly pray for them. Sometimes, I think people get tired of hearing me talk about Moldova, but I don't care, each child is worth every conversation with anyone...I used to think that I would go on trips such as these to help other people, but I have realized that these children are the ones who show God's love to me and who bless me in ways I can't even fathom...they're all precious bundles of joy that completely melt my heart...