Kingdoms Kids Ministry

What do you do when things are massively broken? What do you tell Maria whose mom told her that she doesn’t want her? What do you say to a family who just lost everything they had, including their house, in a flood? How do you hug a little boy who won’t let go of your neck because no one else hugs him? What is the right answer to the question, “what will happen after you leave, Aniela?” I have no answers, no solutions, no way of fixing all the brokenness, but I can offer HOPE! And not just any hope, HIS hope. The hope that exists eternally and is backed by the all-powerful! The hope that says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” and “I will be with you till the end of the ages” and “I will always love you!” I can offer the Hope that does not disappoint.

God works in such wonderful ways! The entire experience in Moldova was amazing. I loved seeing the children work on their crafts and participate in the lessons and activities. I often sit and wonder what is going on in their souls right now. I wonder how they live, knowing that they have no family, no one to run to when they are sad or hurt. If they could only understand how wonderful it is to have a relationship with God. The kids found so much joy in everyday activities and when I allowed one of them to take a picture with my camera, her face lit up. They rejoice for things that we take for granted and consider routine. After these mission trips, I started to view life differently. I've drawn closer to God and am thankful for all that He has given me. I would like to continue being a part of this mission as long as I can. It is a truly rare and powerful experience.

It was amazing how God could use regular people like us to make an impact in other people's lives! I thank God that I had the opportunity to go to Moldova this summer. No matter what kind of mission work you do, it always makes an impact on you one way or another. As we got to know the kids better, we noticed that there were a lot of kids that had already accepted Christ as their Savior, but they didn't know what to do after that. So, we began a small bible study group with the older girls where we would pray and study the bible together. I saw these girls change from day to day. They hungered for something more and profound in their lives and they found that fulfillment in the word of God. I will never forget the kid's smiling faces, their cheerful laughter, their outstretched arms, their honest prayers, their innocent faith and most heart clenching... their goodbye tears. It was a beautiful reminder of how God wants us to be like a child; innocent and pure before the Lord (Matthew 18:3).

This summer we learned the meaning of the verse "Your thoughts are not My thoughts, neither are My ways your ways - says the Lord". God lead us to a different place than the orphanage we have ministered to in the past years. We went to a small town named Soroca. When we arrived, we met a missionary family that had started a local Christian church. We worked along side with this family and organized a two week vacation bible school which was attended by over two hundred children. Some of these children became Christians. Please pray that the continued ministry in Soroca, will bring many to Christ. God knew why He wanted us in Soroca, and we can't do anything but thank Him for the way He is doing His work.

What could I, someone who was born in Romania, possibly do for orphans in Moldova? What can I do for Sergiu who will age out of the system soon and doesn't know where he will sleep or what he will eat once the orphanage kicks him out? What could I tell Marcel after he kicked me because he wanted his dad to come back and take care of him? Or what do I say to Vitali who is resentful toward John because John has a mother. What would you say to 12-year-old Petre after he asks you to adopt him? What could I say? What is the correct answer to these questions? How much training must one have to lead a child to Jesus Christ? It's hard to say what my impressions of Moldova are because they are very personal. I was extremely overwhelmed and drained on the first day of the children's need for attention, to the point of despair. All I can say is that everyone that goes on these mission trips, with the intention of working for God, by showing His love, will come back with a more profound understanding of life.