Police in Moldova

The police in Moldova are so socialable...they are always wanting to talk to us. Something about going too fast most of the time. We get pulled over all the time which we understand is very commonplace here. Dr Lewis and his wife, Kathryn were in the car when this pullover happend and took a photo before we could tell her that we are not supposed to photograph the police. ooops. He looks like a friendly chap doesn't he? Only cost us 300 lei "fee".

Then when the mission President's wife, Laurie Lundburg was in the car with us we had another social meeting with a policeman. Only cost 250 lei this time. It was interesting to hear all the things Sister Lundburg says to the police in Romania when she gets pulled over. She tells them she is a missionary and shows them her name tag. She tells them that she has a wonderful message to share with them about Jesus Christ and if they will give her their phone number she will pass it along to the young Elders who speak Romanian much better than her and they will share the message with them. Usually they are dumbfounded that someone they want to give a ticket to wants to share the gospel with them. One officer did give her his phone number.

Another time Sister Lundburg explained to them she was sorry and wouldn't turn left at that location ever again and asked them if they would forgive her. She explained the principal of forgiveness. They did. One time I was pulled over and they tried to tell me in Romanian and by showing me his extravagent radar video machine that I was going 64 mph. I understood and said "OK???" He said "neit neit" the limit was 50 mph. He had to hand sign the 50 on his window. I replied with confidence that "niet, neit, the speed limit was 70 mph in that area" We went back and forth 50-70-50-70 and finally he waved me on to get out of there because he was tired of arguing with me. And this time it didn't cost me ANY "fee"!!