Surprise! We're going to Eastern Europe!

Jennifer and I have been given an incredible opportunity to go on mission to Moldova, a small country nestled tightly between Romania and Ukraine. It is the smallest and poorest country in Europe. (4 million est. population) Our church has been a long time partner with Holy Trinity Baptist Church located within the capitol city of Chisinau. It is surrounded by well over one million residents.

Chisinau, Moldova city entrance

Moldova is ground zero for human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking of young girls. It is a systematic problem in which corrupt government, complacent populace, and organized crime create an environment that keeps too many children in orphanages then allows them to fall easy prey to exploitation when they are released as teenagers. 

So, for this trip, we are working with Holy Trinity Baptist Church, the local orphanage, and Stella’s House. If you aren't familiar with Stella's House, please take a few minutes and watch this video:

The primary goal of our trip is to meet with the U.S. Embassy and the Moldovan Government, to lay the foundation for starting a Stella's House within the church in Chisinau. The goal is that when girls are too old to stay at the local orphanage, they will have a safe place to transition.

The church building is a former Communist Propaganda Center, which is a massive multi-story building in the heart of the city with facilities that include a state-of-the-art medical wing, computer lab, and space for a residential school. The church is working to open a cafe where the girls can gain employment and learn job skills.

Holy Trinity Church's Building

We are also taking along a doctor who will be doing a Medical Clinic at the church for two days, and one day in a nearby village. We will also be spending one day on campus at the local university where over 30,000 students attend classes. 

In addition to members of our church, ten team members from the University of Mobile will also be going on this trip. In the future, our hope is that the University of Mobile and Stella’s House can partner with our church to fight sex trafficking in Moldova.

As we look forward to this trip, planning and praying, I (Josh) am getting really excited about the work that is being done at Holy Trinity Baptist Church. As many of you know, I am passionate about discipleship. I love being a part of helping others grow and mature in Christ. A large part of my specific role on this trip is to spend time with leaders in this church body, discipling them in the area of church leadership and development and teaching them how to better disciple those in their church.

If you have known me (Jennifer) for longer than five minutes, you know my passion and heart for adoption and orphan care.  It is what keeps me awake at night, and what I get most animated talking about.  To be able to work first hand with the local orphanage, and to be a part of the solution when these children age out, is an absolute dream come true for me.  I know that God has placed this calling in my heart, because I have been passionate about it since I was 15 years old.

Now, this is where you come in. In order for this trip to become a reality for us, we need your help. We most importantly need your prayers. This is a huge undertaking, in an area that has never been attempted before. We are easily in over our heads, and we need God to go before us and behind us to do His work in an amazing way. Will you partner with us in prayer, starting now?

We also need financial support. We each have to raise around $2,200 in order to go.  We need half the money in January, so that we can secure our plane tickets.  If we are being honest, this seems to big to us. We don't know how on earth we are going to raise this money in such a short amount of time, but we do trust that God is able, and He will provide. If you feel like He is calling you to help meet this need, any donation, no matter how small, will be appreciated more than you could ever know. 

Thank you for your prayers and your support!

-Josh and Jennifer