Sharing a letter from Moldova

 
The scene here is hard to describe, either in words or pictures. On Saturday, the first day of English classes, every room was filled to capacity after a few vacancies in the nine o'clock hour, (a little early on a Saturday even in Moldova). People came on foot, by public transportation, taxicab or car. Seven, concurrent hour-long classes are taught of beginning (incepator), intermediate (mediu), or advanced (avanse) at 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700 and 1900. Other than the beginning classes, the others are taught in English. A class for Russian speakers is taught by Elena, a young lady who speaks six languages and has her mission call to Moscow entering the Provo MTC on 3 April. She's off to an early start here. Neeedless to say, by the end of the day, the missionaries are happily exhausted. On Sunday, five people who had attended classes the day before came to Church and most stayed through all three meetings. Two who sat near us were second year university students.

Each weekday night, classes are taught at 1700 and 1900 hrs. It was not intended to teach on Mondays, but demand made it necessary. Seven classes of 23 people each make over 160 new people coming to the Church each night. Before classes begin at 1700, some grade school children come to the Church with their school work books for help with their English lessons. They love to be with the missionaries who make them feel so special. Last night, three of the people who attended the 1700 hr classes stayed for the scheduled Institute class at 1800 hrs. Many want to learn more than English. It's fun to watch the Institute class limited to one hour, squeezed in between two English classes scheduled in their usual room.

If you were to hand select the class members, it couldn't be better than those who come. Most are very sharp young people of university age, a few older folks, some families, and a few grade schoolers dropped off by their parents who are waiting for them at the end of the hour. Though this is still in the first week of an eight week program, all seem well pleased with their experience as they leave. The long term impact of the program can only be imagined. What a blessing it is for these people.

Cheers,
E/S Lofgreen
Wed. Feb. 21, 2007