Moldova, 2007
Imagine a group of 50 women entering a conference room, grim-faced, silent and hopeless. Now fast-forward 36 hours and picture them at the end of the conference, chatting, smiling and radiating hope.
This was the reality of the recent Flame Conference in Moldova. For these women domestic violence, drunken husbands, wayward children and poverty were the norms. One, Tanya, had been trafficked through Turkey, sold on from one ‘owner’ to another. The change came about as the message of healing, based on forgiveness, was taught and put into practice.
This was my first Flame trip, and Flame’s first involvement in Eastern Europe. I went as an observer, though I had the privilege of teaching on forgiveness, taking part in dramas and, above all, apologising to Tanya on behalf of men. This was part of her healing.
My lasting impression of the conference was seeing the team ministering Jesus to the women, being His hands and His mouth to them.
We need to continue praying for the ladies. We could not completely change their situations in 36 hours. Pray that their healing will really make a lasting difference and that God will start to change their circumstances.
Where’s Moldova? Oh, head east, turn left at Romania and go up a bit!