Moldova: My future in God’s hands

This summer, I have spent five weeks in Moldova with four other girls as interns for World Team—much of that time spent learning about the culture and what it would be like as a full-time overseas missionary.

As I return home, I’m sure people probably will ask, “What did God do in your life?” Frankly, I don’t know how to answer that. Of course, God has worked, is working and always will work in my life. But there hasn’t been one huge revelation from God about my life. My future remains unclear, and I don’t have a direct answer about full-time overseas missions. All I know and need to know is that God has control of my future, and he is preparing me for the plans he has for me. Whether that’s to go overseas or to stay in America, I don’t know. I can see myself working for the kingdom in both places. 

If God does call me to live in Moldova one day or anywhere overseas, I would definitely have to be fluent in the language. The language barrier was one of my biggest frustrations and not being able to strike up a conversation with anyone without an interpreter. I wish I could say more than the basics to the cashier at the grocery store or the people on the public bus. When I met one Moldovan who knew English, I was thrilled. It was a wonderful moment. But the younger kids who did not know English could only communicate with smiles, laughter, giggles and funny faces. In spite of the language barrier, the Moldovan people are nice, generous and hospitable people. 

One day on a packed bus, I was standing next to an older Moldovan man. When a person rose from her seat to leave, he gestured for me to sit. I said “no” at first until he insisted. 

Another time I was on a packed maxi-taxi and I thankfully had a seat. Then a younger Moldovan got on the taxi with his wife and son. In Moldova when a woman with a child or is pregnant or an elderly person gets on the bus, it is expected for someone to give up their seat. So I gave my seat to his wife and son and stood in the aisle with him. He said “thank you” in Romanian, and I said, “You’re welcome,” in Romanian, and that was that. But then a little while later a lady got up to leave and the same Moldovan guy said something in Romanian and gestured his head from me to the seat. I said “thank you” in Romanian, and as I stepped by him to sit down he said, “You’re welcome,” in English!  

After two short-term trips to Moldova and this five-week internship in Moldova, I can honestly say that I love the people here just as I do back home. Although I miss speaking English everywhere I go because English is my heart language, I wish I could stay in Moldova longer. 

But everything has an end. God still has preparation for me before I go into the mission field, wherever that may be. All I can say is that I want and am willing to go where God calls me.

If I’m single or married when God calls me, I’ll go. Wherever God calls me I must remember that I’m a missionary. I’m a missionary in Arlington just like I’m a missionary in Moldova. I’m a missionary at my school, work and wherever my feet walk. God called all believers to himself and to make disciples of all nations. Some he’s given the passion to stay and some to go; one is not right or wrong. God can and will use both for his glory. As long as my goal is to tell the nations of his glory and name, then it is good and pleasing to God. 

Molly Rae Adams, a student at Dallas Baptist University and member of Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington, served in Moldova with World Team.