Ukraine and Our Friends We Left (An update) and Humanitarian in Balti, Moldova

 We left Ukraine on January 25, 2022. Since then there have been many things that have happened. All the non citizen missionaries went to varies places. About 24 young missionaries along with us and another couple came to Moldova. Some went to Germany, others to Canada, and some went to the States or home because they had only a short time left on their mission. The Mission President and his family just joined us in Moldova on February 21, 2022. Attacks started in Kyiv on February 24, 2022. 

Our friends tell us they have heard bombings that echo through the city. They have also heard gun shots. They have been told to stay home, and there is also a curfew for the citizens. The streets at night are quiet and eerie. Many citizens are driving west and crossing the borders into Moldova. Poland has said they would take in refugees. There were 1,900 vehicles that crossed the borders on February 24, 2022. The border lines are very long. 

I read that many civilians are camping in the subways (used as bomb shelters). The subways run deep and there are many of them. 

The airports in Moldova are closed because of the war in neighboring Ukraine, shortly after President Maia Sandu said Chisinau would introduce a state of emergency and was ready to accept tens of thousands of people fleeing Ukraine after the Russian attack.

There are three main border crossings with Ukraine Lipcani, Otaci, and Criva. Some Ukrainian citizens are moving on to Romania and further west. 

One of our favorite cities, Odesa has been invaded. 

It is very sad to see Kiev so deserted. 

In Humanitarian:

We are waiting for a request from this regional hospital in Balti that serves the northern part of Moldova. Their equipment has been dated as far back as the 1960's. They have a children's hospital wing that has 101 beds and 176 patients under the age of 18. 

Moldova-- Where We Are Now (February 2022)

We arrived January 25, 2022 in Chisinau (pronounced Kiss she now) We live in a lovely apartment behind the famous Soviet Architecture "Circus".

The Chisinau Circus was built in 1981 by Ala Kirichenko and Simion Shoyhet. It opened in 1981. It was the largest auditorium in Moldova. Because of economics the Circus closed in 2014. Windows have been broken and the steps have deteriorated. The bus stop is right in front of Circus and we walk up the steps to the right and to our apartment that is directly behind Circus. 

Catedrala Nasterea Domnului (Cathedral of Christ's Nativity) is about a 25 minute walk for us and the center of the city. It was built in 1830, but bombed during WWII. The bell tower (below)  was destroyed in 1962 and rebuilt in 1997. The people were prohibited from worshipping during the Soviet Era and the Cathedral  was used for exhibition purposes. During this period the building was completely "blank" inside but now it has the traditional gold and murals associated with an Orthodox Church. 

The Triumphal Arch was built in 1840. The clock was restored in 1973.

Ciuflea Monastery is a Moldovan Orthodox monastery. It is dedicated to St. Theodore of Amasea. It was consecrated in 1958. It became a monastery in 2002. 

Two brothers, Anastasi Ciufli and his brother Teodor Ciufli, financed the structure. They are both buried at the monastery.

The Red Mill (Moara Rosie) was one of the first steam mills in Chisinau. It was built between 1850-1860. This was the tallest building in the late 19th century. It had 3 floors and even an elevator. 

In 1901 a fire broke out and destroyed some of the floors. It was rebuilt using red fireproof brick, thus calling it "Red Mill". 

Over the years it became dilapidated. It is still on the historical list but boarded up. 

We just discoverd Valea Morilor Park  The park has a walking path around the lake. People can fish in the lake but not swim. 

The park also has significant archaeological importance due to the discovery of mammoth bones. There is also a summer theater. 

Humanitarian--Estonia Food Bank

The COVID 19 pandemic was causing a great stress to government and non governmental organizations who provided food relief to Estonian citizens. In Estonia, the public assistance resulting from the outbreak of COVID 19 was planned to expire in August 2021. This meant that many of those in poorer, disabled, elderly, and certain children from disadvantaged families, would be without government assistance. The reduction of government benefits resulted in an extreme need for emergency assistance for food and sanitation products for those who are unable to provide for themselves.

The government is working with those who are at greater risk and who are not already supported by existing governmental program. The information about those in need are shared with the Estonia Food Bank offices of the City of Tallinn, local food suppliers, delivery businesses, and Tallinn volunteer groups.

LDS Charities provided a truck load of food for the coming winter. Latter-day Saint missionaries started volunteering helping at the warehouse and delivering food. These missionaries are called to the Baltic Mission in Eastern Europe.