Four of us have just returned from an exciting 5-day mission trip (9 to 13 March 2006) to Jubilee International Mercy Mission (JIMM) in Moldova, Eastern Europe. This country was part of the former communist USSR (Soviet Republic) so Russian is still the predominant language, though they speak Moldovan and Romanian as well.

Our hosts were Bro Igor Pedchenko and Sis Tatyana Pedchenko that head up Jubilee in Moldova, a Messianic Jewish ministry. We were in Beltsy which is 130 km from the capital, Chisinau. The country sits between Ukraine and Romania. The weather was up to –13 below zero some nights and the snow was about 2 feet deep in many places throughout the time we were there, even though it was already March. We had a Moldovan/Russian translator throughout, Sis Maya, who is part of JIMM.

The predominant religion is the Eastern Orthodox Church (similar to Roman Catholic), but there are many evangelical churches now since the USSR fragmented into 15 different republics in 1991. The people are Moldovans, Russians, Romanians, Jews and Gypsy communities. Our Messianic Jewish ministry there holds weekly Shabbat meetings, which is similar to what we call ‘church’, but based on Jewish culture and tradition.

Ministry was tremendous. Firstly we visited the Deputy Mayor of the city, Mr Gusnak Valentin, who came in on his sick day off to meet us in his office. He was very pleasant, and expressed appreciation of the ministry of JIMM in the city of Beltsy (also spelt ‘Balti’).

We ministered amongst the drug/alcohol addicts at one of their projects run by Bro Vitali, a former addict for 20 years. He is part of JIMM Moldova. The meeting was slightly rowdy (some drunk, some high) but good. We shared the gospel and prayed for them. Some were already Christians through the ministry of Bro Vitali.

Then we visited the Tuberculosis hospital where JIMM ministers among the patients many of whom are terminal and have AIDS as well. Quite traumatic. We wore surgical masks (as more serious cases are rather infectious) to go into some of the wards. One third of the patients are children. Even the hospital is in appalling conditions, with much finances needed for basic needs, as head doctor, Dr Raisa, told us. She told us she has had recent experiences of God and now believes that faith helps is curing the sick.

Then we ministered to the Messianic Jewish community that meets at Bro Igor's home at the weekly Shabbat meeting on Friday night. Jewish praise songs. We ministered to the sick and there were a couple of instant healings. We then visited the Sokhnat, a Jewish agency involved in sending Jews back to Israel who desire to resettle there. There was some youth there studying Hebrew. We met with the main Jewish leader in the city, Mr Efim Jakovlevich (or ‘Fishel ben Yanku’ in Hebrew) who explained the sufferings and dilemma of their people. He gave me a shofar, i.e. a Jewish Ram's Horn that is blown as a trumpet for calling the community/people together. He said I need to find a Rabbi in London who can teach me how to blow it, as it is a specialised skill!

On our final night (Sunday), we ministered to the Gypsy (Romany Travellers) community. There were about 55 in attendance. We preached. Many gave their lives to Christ and many were healed instantly when we prayed for them. One of the leaders said I am now their 'blood brother'! Throughout listening to our talks, our Moldovan minibus driver said his wife was a Christian, and he was ready to receive Christ and quit smoking! We prayed for him in the bus. On our last day, he testified of being changed.

The mission team includes myself (Dr Femi Olowo), Ps Anna Olowo, Anthony Archibald (from Scotland) and Ilie Tarlev. May I say to you, "Das Vadanya!"

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