Ryli Aiken Goofing Around Again

Ryli is 5 years old and son of Kesli and Ryan Aiken. Ryan is the Chisinau Branch President.

The Colton's Go Home Today. We Miss Them Already!

Elder Blaine and Sister Chris Colton were our trainers and Area Humanitarian leaders in Frankfurt Germaney. They were super excellent; very patient, non controlling, and forward thinkers. We love them and miss them already. Hopefully we can visit them in Utah when we go on our western trip next year. They are in the same ward as Dave and Betty Armstrong so it will be great to visit both family friends. Good luck to you Coltons. We love you for being a part of this time in our lives.

Moldova's Best Dentist!!

Caracus Dental offices have the best Dentists! I just completed the 3 crown bridge today and it fits perfect! No pain and I can't even tell it isn't my natural teeth. The best part is the entire process only cost $503 and that included the tooth removal, the preparation of two teeth, the custom bridge and it's installation. Dr Gheorgie Paiu made the bridge himself in the next room over and kept adjusting it while I was in the chair until fit perfectly.


We were told to have dental exams and make sure that our teeth were in good shape so no dental work would be needed while on our mission. We did that. Amazing though, is that in the last year and half Tom had to have a crown put in ($155), I had a wisdom tooth pulled ($32) because it shifted into an unworkable position, another tooth pulled ($32), a temporary tooth put in while it healed ($50),teeth whitening ($31.58), and then this triple bridge crown ($503). Would have been many many times that cost at home. We would be willing to fly to Moldova for dental work because it is soooo good and soooo inexpensive and we could visit our friends here!

The Orhei Soup Kitchen Project Closed

Orhei's soup kitchen got custom built cabinets.

They requested one of the cabinets to have wire shelves so they could put their loaves of bread inside. The bread fits perfect as you can see!

The 2 cooks were making homemade noodles for the Zeama soup.

The kitchen also got a complete new ventilation system.

Lila (redhead on right) from the Chisinau Branch went with Eugenia, the soup kitchen director, and her daughter and I to a flower shop to buy rose bushes for the soup kitchen courtyard.

While in the soup kitchen Tom looked at their Moldovan map that showed where all the soup kitchens are located in Moldova. We were so excited to see that map. We will pass on the list to our replacements so they can pursue future projects.

Part of the project was to give them a washing machine and soap so the homeless and poor have a place to wash their clothes. We also supplied the kitchen with plates, cups, silverware, kettle, plastic containers for delivering food to the homebound, and towels.

Presenting Eugenia with the official donation letter for the government to not charge them taxes on our donated items.

Interesting

Means "watch out" "keep your eyes open" for pedestrians.

The bucket in the window ledge had water and these people had just washed their hands over the white basket before going into the restaraunt.

A Visit to the Famous Soroca Castle

While Dr Lewis and his terrific wife Kathryn were here to do the vision project to train Moldovan doctors on Glaucoma eye surgery, we ended up with an extra day so went to the northern Moldovan city of Soroca. Famous for wealthy gypsy families and this castle from the 1300's.

It is right along the river that borders Urkaine. It was an important military location.

The tunnel entry.

The well in the courtyard center was being used by this visitor.



The square holes around the interior walls once held the wood supports for the walkway around the wall. There are plans to reconstruct that walkway.

The views from the windows were spectacular!

There were two wedding at the castle that day. They released a cage of doves into the air.



The interior rooms were still very solid.


Tom at the outside wall base. He was thoroughly enjoying the day. Castles, museums, old bookstores, antique shops...all that old historical stuff...is right up his alley!

American "baby g diapers" Donated to Women's Shelter

Tammy James and the Relief Society in Morristown NY have donated many many needed things to us to distribute to needy Moldovans. One of the most needed items they sent were diapers. Most of the mothers in Moldova do not use any diapers at all. I took half of the Baby g diapers to the womens shelter in Drochia where they treat and train women who have been victims of human trafficing and domestic violence. Since they were not used to using them we had to demonstrate how to put a diaper on.

Baby Marin is 3 months old. When we took off his cloths he had no diaper on.

His mother put on a Baby g diaper herself.

Dr Sirbu gave Marin's mother the first set of diapers to be used at the center.

Dr Sirbu said that he is often called the "father" at the center. He told me that because of all that we have done for their center that I am like their mama. I wondered what that made Tom?! Ha!

I Made the "Official" Zgurita Village Flag!

The Peace Corp volunteer, Vince Lambert, and I came up with the idea to have the children of the village have a contest to design an official flag for the village of Zguita. The winner of the design was a young boy. He recieved a $100 and framed copy of his design and his name is embroidered onto the flag. I made the flag. During the embroidering of the village name my sewing machine embroidery attachment malfunctioned so I asked Hripsime and her son Senik to help me finish with their embroidery machine. They were fantastic and we got it finished 2 days before the ceremony! Thanks Hripsime and Senik-I couldn't have done it without you!! The village is known for its fishing and apple orchards. Also the wheat fields and plum trees. I think the design was perfect for reflecting the village history and its bright outlook on the future.
Tom attached the flag to the pole (which is really a 3 meter curton rod!) with the decorative end.

The children presenting the traditional bread and salt greeting to us.
The village had no place for the community to come together. Vince spent his last 2 years as the Peace Corp volunteer for the village in raising funds and getting labor to built this amphitheater stage in their children play park. It was a huge addition for their village. It was an all day celebration. Here we are on the stage with the head of Moldova's Peace Corp being recognized for our contribution.

There were poems read by children and local & area singers brought in to make for an all day celebration of the stage and flag.

Everyone sang along, clapped, danced, played on playground equipment and generally stayed in a festive mood all day.

Some of the children were dressed so beautifully for the event I just had to photograph them.

It was a very hot sunny day. I ended up with a sunburn.
This little performer from the village was adorable.

Here is Vince and his new fiance dancing to celebrate.

Some of the children were playing in the park playhouse.

The final number was done with 3 local teenagers dressed in brides dresses then 3 of the young men joined in to sing and dance. Gorgeous!

Left to right: Jeff (Peace Corp Director) Toni, Tom, Vince, (Peace Corp),Valentina (village NGO) and Dave (Peace Corp)

And of course the ending had to have a masa! I think the guys ate too many placenta's!
A parting shot. A very happy day for all.