random thoughts

we’ve been in moldova for just over two weeks.  mostly it has felt surreal, like i’m not quite grasping the fact that i’m living here again and that this dream we’ve been talking about for over two years is finally and actually being born.

right now chris and phileena heuertz, liz ivkovich (from the wmf office in the states) and david chronic (from wmf romania) are here visiting us.  this morning phileena led us in a reflection on contemplative spirituality, and then chris retold the story and vision of word made flesh.  it’s inspiring and also humbling to realize that we are joining such a beautiful movement—inheriting this incredible legacy, really–and even more so to think of all of the prayers that have gone before us.  today chris told us about wmf staff in india who were praying for romania in the early 90’s, years before we had a presence there.  and here we are in 2010 as the newest wmf field sent and birthed by the romania community. 

some things i’m enjoying about moldova:

• living in an apartment where i don’t have to go outside to get to the kitchen or the bathroom. 
• the wide availability of chickpeas, my new staple food.
• good quality, loose-leaf tea found everywhere.
• gorgeous snow.
• good people.
• anticipating going to hear haydn’s cello concerto in d major performed next thursday!

Last Evening in Galati

We leave for Moldova tomorrow morning.  It has been a long day of packing and many hard goodbyes, but things are finally coming together and our departure is seeming real.  We hope to be in Chisinau by 2pm (7am EST) tomorrow.

Thanks so much to those of you who have sent emails today.  Your thoughts and encouragement are much appreciated.

In other news, you can read my February update letter online here.

Also, go here to see how Word Made Flesh is responding to the crisis in Haiti.

this is moldova

here is the trailer for an hour-long documentary called “this is moldova” made by peace corps volunteers in moldova earlier this year.  the film touches on several historical, political and social issues that may be of interest.  see the full-length film here.

what i’ve been up to lately

 

currently listening and learning

 

русский язык

currently reading

trying to drink less coffee

cooking with spices i bought in nepal in february

hanging laundry to dry in sub-freezing temperatures

contemplating a world covered in white

snow angels

noticing odd strangers on trains

January Prayer Letter

is here.

seven weeks and counting

WMF Moldova blog updated here.

Shane Claiborne writes for Esquire

Check it.

December Prayer Letter

Posted here.

The Lausanne Movement Blog

The Lausanne Movement is doing a series of blog entries on the topic of partnership.  Please check out articles written by Chris Heuertz, Noah Tullay and me.  I believe that the blog will be updated 4 more times until November 27, so keep checking back for more.

they’re back

my friends josh and robin (who are also on wmf staff in romania) have been on paternity/maternity leave for several months because they had a baby.  they arrived back in town on sunday evening, and so we prepared to meet them at their apartment with a warm meal and welcome signs in hand.  i had things so in order beforehand that i even remembered to bring my camera to capture my first few moments with their new son, lukas.  however, as you might expect, i totally forgot to take any pictures until the very last minute as i was walking out the door.  following is what i took.  you will notice that lukas is not in this picture.  nor is robin, his mother.  i did, however, manage to catch josh in the background.