Whining and Dining

I know I shouldn't whine about the number of opportunities I am having to dine with dear friends. But when it gets to the point that one is scheduled for a social engagement at three out of three meals in a day, it's hard to find time in between to breathe, let alone pack or work! However, I bite the bullet (figuratively speaking) and truly am enjoying some wonderful meals with wonderful people. Presumably upon arrival in Moldova, food will not be as plentiful, or as loaded with 'bad' cholestorol! At any rate, there is something sacramental about sharing food and drink at table with a friend and some wonderful memories are being created in these last few weeks. Thank you to every person who is sharing their time, their encouragement and their loving support with me over a delicious meal! It also alleviates the loneliness of being a first-time empty-nester.
In between meals today I had a chance to pop into Chapters and pick up a map of Holland, so that I will have some clue of where I am when I go there on August 22nd for the Operation Mobilization 'GO' conference (an orientation). I also picked up a Romanian phrase book so that I can begin to develop some minimal sense of the language. There is a Romanian lady who works at the restaurant where my daughter used to work. We 're going there after church on Sunday (my last Sunday) - so I might surprise her with a greeting in Romanian. What are the chances I'll get the pronunciation correct? "We" includes my daughter, Marah, who is coming home from Vancouver for a visit before I leave, and her boyfriend, whom she is bringing home for me to meet. Hmmm...
There is also, I have heard, a Moldovan restaurant here in Toronto. I do hope to dine there sometime soon to develop some sense of what I might expect to eat in Moldova. Will it be cabbage and rice as some suggest?

The truth about Moldova

For those who don't know yet, Moldova is between Romania and Ukraine, just above the Black Sea. (Go to Istanbul and head north)
I will be leaving on August 22, travelling first to Holland for an orientation conference. Then I will travel to Budapest, Hungary for a month-long Missionary Training School, where I will gain some language acquisition skills and some cross-cultural training. I will also meet some of the people I will be working with, and hopefully do some sight-seeing! I hear that Budapest is beautiful. So it will be October before I get to Moldova.
Although I don't know yet specifically what I will be doing, I expect that eventually I will be very involved in leadership training. OM Moldova have a vision to open a World Missions Training Centre in Chisenau, the capital city. They are already on the path and I look forward to being part of this exciting project.
Initially, though, I will be a new recruit, struggling to learn the language (Romanian) and trying to comprehend the culture. I will spend my first three months living with a Moldovan family. And no doubt, thinking of my family and friends in Canada and missing you all. Thank you for your prayers!

Ready to Go

I'm ready to go in just a few weeks. Well, almost ready. The house is sold. The kids have all moved out. Next Sunday is my last Sunday at the church. It's hard saying goodbye to so many dear friends. But I look forward to a visit from my sweet Marah before I have to say goodbye. And then - pack the last suitcase. I leave the country on August 22. Pray for me!