Christmas 2017 in Moldova

The following post is taken from notes that I took while we had our special Christmas skype call with Elder Ditto:

• official language in Moldova is Romanian.  There are still lots of Russian signs.
• we teach an English class and have about twelve people in attendance.  It is held at the Learning Center which is a nice building that President Ivory purchased
• President Hettinger gave Alex two charges when he transferred to Moldova - strengthen in the Romanian branch (there is also a Russian branch in the same town) and baptize
• the branch had a great Christmas activity where Alex played his guitar and sang "Mary, did you know" translated into Romanian

• the people in Chisinau, Moldova seem either so passionate about the country or so poor that they want to leave
• there are LOTS of beggers
• the branch president is a very poor man with a small baby.  The missionaries try to help his family.
• Alex says that they often take the "maxi taxi" which is a van that is converted into a bus
• the missionaries got to watch "Star Wars - Rouge One" for Christmas
• Moldova is not made for cars
• Elder Ditto does not currently have a leadership position in church or as a missionary but said he is able to be a leader through his actions
• spoke about Mirela being such a beacon of light since finding the gospel.
• bore a testimony of the importance of us each being a missionary through our actions

Two young boys caroling at Elder Ditto's door

Thanks Ami and Poppi for the package!

Favorite family in Chisinau

Christmas Branch Party

Streets of Chisinau

These guys to yoga every day like this.

If you are interested in listening to our 40 minute conversation here is the recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uwjvATfFRtXOjlTbKe3bm8WKMy_fVeKz/view?usp=sharing