EDINETI, Moldova - For nearly 200 residents of this small town in northern Moldova, Elementary School Number 3 was the center of the universe for a few hours on May 3. They came with a variety of ailments to be seen by a Georgia Baptist medical team, their hope tied to spending a few minutes with a doctor or nurse who could relieve their discomfort.
The team, from First Blairsville, was part of the Sons of Jubal spring tour throughout this former Soviet nation which has fallen on hard times. The presence of the professionals was a surprise to many who had been told that Baptists were a cult not to be trusted.
“I can’t tell you how important the presence of a medical team means to building awareness of Baptists in Moldova,” said David Crutchfield, strategy coordinator with the International Mission Board.
“This will give us and the local pastors the visibility we need as a caring, loving, intelligent people who want to share the Good News with Moldova.”
Crutchfield explained how local Baptists struggle against stereotypes foisted on them by the dominant Russian Orthodox Church, which claims evangelicals undermine their work.
Fellow IMB missionary Matthew Evans described the presence of the team as providing a “huge bridge-building opportunity in very difficult settings.”
“During the Soviet era, Baptists were banned from receiving an education and were denied decent employment. Today’s clinic shows evangelicals as more than the barbarians and shallow thinkers as portrayed by some in this country.”
By the time the day ended, 175 clients had been seen – an average of 29 an hour for the nearly seven-hour clinic. Many heard the gospel from pastor Clefas Viaceslav as they waited their turn with the doctor or nurses.
“This has been a very good way to draw attention to our small congregation which meets in this same room,” Viaceslav said as he glanced around the small auditorum.
“We hope to reach many today who will visit with us to learn more about Jesus Christ. Thank you, Georgia Baptists.”
Joe Westbury
Moldova Baptists are being viewed in a new light thanks to the efforts of a variety of ongoing ministries provided by Georgia Baptists. For decades they were denied education and decent jobs by the Soviet government and stereotyped as a cult by the dominant Russian Orthodox Church. That image is being reversed as volunteers such as nurse Carole Shupe of First Blairsville provide a more accurate picture of Baptists as highly skilled members of society. Shupe practiced her profession in free medical clinics sponsored by the Sons of Jubal in early May.
Joe Westbury
Truett-McConnell freshman Michael Bailey, a member of First Blairsville who served on the medical team, unloads boxes of supplies to be used at the clinic.
Joe Westbury
Children as well as adults wore furrowed brows until translators alleviated their fears with a description of the treatment they would receive.
Joe Westbury
A sea of hands is thrust in the direction of pastor Clefas Viaceslav as he distributes free toothbrushes to the crowd. Nearly 60 others waited outside the doors for their chance to see a medical team member.
Joe Westbury
Julie Raper, who specializes in nuclear medicine, takes the blood pressure of a client as his daughter watches. The experience was Raper’s first opportunity to serve on a medical team.
Joe Westbury
With eyes intently focused on the medical team, citizens of Edineti await their turn in the auditorium-turned waiting room at Public School Number 3. The town is located in northern Moldova and is heavily influenced by its Russian and Ukrainian heritage. Medical care is expensive and limited in the former Soviet Union satellite nation.
Joe Westbury
Blairsville surgeon Steve Efird takes a break from the examining room and draws a crowd as he shares the gospel with a group of boys. The presence of the medical team helped the local Baptist church gain visibility and respect in the community.
Joe Westbury
A schoolboy watches as the Georgians unload their medical supplies outside the main hallway. Few Americans make their way to the remote village three hours north of the capital of Chisinau.
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