September 13th , Arrival in
Moldova, South Africa 2007
Dearest Friends,
We are in Moldova, but without 5 tubs of equipment. We saw it on the ground in Vienna beside the plane,
but the plane was too small to load it. They promised to deliver it tomorrow, but this matter needs
your prayers. We need our puppets, but we do have enough equipment to do the shows tomorrow in a
modified format. God was very good to us that some bags arrived with us!
Our friend Alexandru met us at the airport and told us about the schedule for the next 3 days. We
are in the capital city of Chisinau and will do 10 shows here during these 3 days. Sometimes, we will
do the programs in Russian and sometimes in Romanian. It depends on where we are. Please expect for
God to wake you up to pray for us if you are in America as there is a 7-hour time difference to the
east coast. When we start at 9:30 AM here, it will be 2:30 AM at my home in Georgia.
Please pray as there is opposition to the Gospel here from former Communists who still hate God.
Please ask the Father to make us wise and kind and strong.
In Jesus,
Linda for the Team
September 14th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
Today, we had 3 wonderful puppet shows. One was in Russian and 2 were in Romanian. The first show was
at a public school and we were not allowed to pray with the children, but we were allowed to explain
to them how they could pray. They absolutely loved the show and laughed at all of the funny things the
puppets did. Best of all, they really listened to the story about Jesus. A teacher who was not a
Christian came to us after the show and thanked us for the program. She was touched by the story.
Both principals invited us to come again.
I also had great conversations with both principals in private and some of the other officials at the
school. I told them about my previous visit to Moldova and what had happened with Mike. They knew
that I had told the children that Jesus heals the brokenhearted. I told them that these were not just
pretty words, but the truth that I held onto, the truth that Mike and I built our lives upon. They
listened with intensity and asked me to sit down so that they could ask more questions. I marvel at
how the Lord uses every thing that happens to us to bless others. I have thanked God so many times
today for His mercy!
The second group of children was oddly quiet. I later found out that the teachers had told them not to
laugh or make any noise. No wonder they responded as they did. These children were mostly mentally
handicapped and after the show, they showed us how very happy they were to see us. They crowded around
us and would not stop talking.
The last show was a street show at an apartment building and very wild. People were everywhere and we
had to really watch the equipment. It was my favorite show of the day. Over a 100 children and adults
stood for an hour to watch the show, but more, they heard about Jesus Christ. Almost everyone who was
there never attends church of any kind. This was an especially wonderful time. We will return there
tomorrow in the morning and need your prayers.
Lost Bags
This matter needs your prayers. Five tubs are still lost and the situation has become complicated. I
need you to pray for the Lord to deliver our equipment to us. I believe after 4 overseas phone calls
today and 2 trips to the airport in between 3 shows that it is only the Lord who can resolve this
matter. I need this equipment and the gifts that are also inside the tubs. Thank you for praying!
In Jesus, Linda for
Kim
Gwen
Drew
Marsha
September 16th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
Chris and his Friend
Chris speaks wonderful English that he learned from watching the cartoon network. I first met him at a
school and again last night at a street show. Like so many children in Moldova, his parents choose to
leave the country and work. Throughout his childhood, they sent money, but were never home. They left
when he was 2, placing him in the care of relatives, and returned the first time 4 years later to
visit. Now, his parent's come at different times, taking turns visiting him. He never has his family
together.
So many parents here and everywhere think that children need more things, but in all these years of
traveling throughout desperately poor places, no child has ever said to me, "I am poor". They have
told me that they were lonely, sad, and felt that no one loved them. Last night, Chris told me, "When
you don't have your mother, you have nothing."
My heart broke when I heard him say these words. My heart has broken so many times over the past 2
days. The children have such real needs! They have enough to eat, but most have homes that are so
broken. They hunger for someone to love them.
Chris was so hungry for a family and found that family when he asked Jesus to be his Savior last
night. God became His Father and now he belongs to Him. His friend has grown up with him and he also
prayed last night with me. Please pray for these boys and ask God to shower them with His love. They
are coming to another show this morning.
Lost Bags
They are still lost and you must pray or we never see 5 tubs of critical equipment and gifts for
orphans. The situation has become very difficult and consumes much of our rest time as we seek to
deal with this problem. Last night, 3 of went to bed after 2:30 in the morning as worked to send email
letters to resolve this problem. Please pray!
Yesterday we had 4 street shows and did a training session. In a few minutes, we are leaving to do
more shows, so you will have to wait to hear these wonderful stories.
Love in Jesus,
Linda for all of us
September 16th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
WONDERFUL STORIES
PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS RESPOND TO THESE EMAILS!!!
THE LOST BAGS
Praise God! The bags are no longer lost! They arrived this evening at the airport, 4 days after
we arrived here. All of us are totally convinced that it was everyone's prayers that made this happen.
A lady in the lost luggage department in Moldova showed me a 2-inch stack of papers, each one
representing someone's lost luggage. She basically told me to abandon all hope, as did everyone else
that we talked to about the problem. Even when we went to the airport to get the bags, we did not even
know if they were there. We went in faith, since no one would answer the phone. Today was Sunday and so we knew that many had been praying. You cannot imagine our joy when we looked through the security doors and saw all 5 tubs had been left in plain sight.
Your prayers turned the hearts of the customs officials as well. They would not allow us to have a
translator and kept asking us questions in Romanian. No one gained much from that discussion. Five
officials gathered around our luggage and wanted to charge us for bringing things into the country.
One of the baggage handlers actually began to speak for us. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, they
said ok and let us go. This is the power of prayer. Thank you for praying!
BLESSINGS
We are so wonderfully blessed by the ministry that we are having in Moldova! Please read the following
list and praise God with us for the way He is touching hearts.
1. Big crowds of people gather in the streets to listen to the Gospel. Sometimes, we have more
adults listening than children. Praise God!
2. We were blessed with good weather. If it had rained, none of the street shows would have been
possible. God is so good!
3. After one show, a little girl named Victoria continued to stand nearby as we packed the
equipment. Even though she was only 10 years old, she was charged with the care of a very small 4
year old boy. He held tightly to her hand, never letting go. Gwen had a lovely talk with her and
found out that the lady who cares for her reads her Bible stories all the time. Pray for Victoria to
know God personally!
4. I asked one group of children if they had ever heard the story that I had just told or any
others like it. They all said no. They had never heard a single story about Jesus. These children
were older, but knew absolutely nothing about God and the Bible. I was so sad! Please pray for people
here to focus on the sharing of Jesus with the children of Moldova.
5. There was such incredible enthusiasm among the children as they watched the puppets and
listened to the stories. We are so happy that they are so happy.
6. Kim thanked one man who had arranged for us to do a show beside a market. He was an older man
who was very excited about the program who was also a Christian. He was a boxing coach for many years.
Kim tried to thank him for arranging the show, but he insisted that he was the one who was grateful.
The people that we are working with are so kind and bless us every day with their grateful hearts.
7. We did a show at a building called, "Baby Hall" on Sunday. Parents bring their children there to
shop and play games. We were given the center of the main floor and they even set up chairs for us.
The room was full of people who did not know Jesus. One mother came and said, "The program was
beautiful." The director of the facility was so happy with the response that she asked our new puppet
team to come every Sunday and do a program. Awesome!!!
8. One group that we are helping with equipment actually saw the puppet team Sam trained when I had to
leave Moldova last time because of Mike's death. They were so impressed with what they saw God do at
the show. They thought that they should try to build a stage and learn puppets. They had no puppets,
but that did not stop them. They were determined! They made 2 very nice puppets and did a whole show
with just those two. Nothing stops them. They accepted the invitation that the director of the Baby
Hall gave to come every Sunday and began to pray for equipment. Tonight, as God returned our luggage,
we were able to give them 9 new animal puppets and some other supplies. I cannot describe their
happiness to you.
9. When our equipment became lost, these same believers made us an amazing offer. They were already
trying so hard to reach children for Christ and desperate for equipment. I told them that I had
nothing to give them because 5 of our 12 bags were lost. I told them that if I had those bags, I
could help them. One young married lady immediately raised her hand and said," We are willing to fast.
"I was so amazed at their response. I was blessed by their vision and challenged by their faithfulness.
Love in Jesus,
Linda for
Kim
Gwen
Drew Moore
Marsha Spencer
September 19th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
PLEASE NOTE:
Some people have said that they are still having trouble responding to this email. If
that is a problem for you, please feel free to write us at
admin@theagapepuppets.org
I am always happy to hear from you!
ALEX'S STORY
Alex is a little 11 year old boy with dark hair and beautiful dark hair. He smiles quickly! He is
growing up in a home funded by people in Sweden. His parents are very poor and cannot afford to feed
him, so he lives in this group home.
We set up outside this place to do a show. The children loved the program, but so did the neighbors who
stood to watch. One older man stood outside the fence listening, 2 other ladies watched from the house
next door, and so many others stopped to listen. Our van driver was not a believer, but when we invited
him to come, he eagerly accepted. Normally, he would just drop us off, but he watched the show with such
intensity, he looked like a big child. It was wonderful! All of the children seemed to have an
especially good time. When we finished, I gave an invitation to the children and we could hear some
children praying in soft whispers. After the show, I talked with Alex and he told me that he had prayed.
told him that when I was little and became a Christian, people did not believe me because I was so young.
However, I knew it was real because I felt so different inside. I asked him if he felt different. You
should have seen his smile as he answered, "YES!!!" One of our friends goes to this place regularly
and will bring Alex some scripture to read. Please ask the Father to make him a great man of God!
THE LEGACY OF THE PAST
One of those who watched from outside the fence at the Swedish children's home said to me that I had
such energy when I told stories. I told her that I simply had great enthusiasm for Jesus and what He
did for me. She saw something different in me that she could not explain because many Christians in
Eastern Europe lack enthusiasm as they present the Gospel.
Please remember that not so very long ago it was not possible for us to do what we are doing now in
Moldova. There was an organized effort to destroy the witness of Jesus in the old USSR. It is
impossible for us in the west that has never known anything but freedom to understand this struggle.
The believers here love the Lord deeply, but carry so many memories of life under Communism. For
example, you were not allowed to invite children to church. More, at Easter and Christmas, teachers
would stand outside the doors of the church and make a list of any children in Moldova who dared to
attend. Then a group of teachers would visit their homes and yell at their parents. Please pray that
we can encourage our brothers and sisters here to be enthusiastic for Jesus as their faithfulness has
been an encouragement to all of us. Pray for the Lord to raise up national believers who are bold for
the Gospel and can put aside their memories of the past.
BLESSINGS
How can I describe to you the wonders that we are seeing the Father do among the children, teenagers,
and adults! At every show, we have a different experience, but it is always a blessing. Your faithful
prayers are making such a big difference. Today, we did a show at a culture center in a village.
These were built by the Communists to spread their propaganda that God did not exist. I confess that
I take special pleasure in standing in these places and telling the children about how God made them!
At least 300 young people gathered this afternoon for a puppet show at a technical school. They loved
the program and listened with an intensity that surprised our translator. I spoke to them about Joseph
and how he trusted God in good times and in bad times. I told them about my own good times and bad
times and challenged them to consider faith in Jesus Christ. I was especially proud of a young man who
is traveling with us, Drew Moore. He spoke with authority about his faith in Jesus and the young
people really listened. Praise God! I have a great team, but will tell you more about them tomorrow.
We are working with the most precious people. They have such incredible testimonies. One young man
became a Christian while in prison and was so changed that they released him early. One young woman
came to faith in Christ and then her foster mother who had abused her terribly became a Christian
because of her witness. That is what true forgiveness looks like as it is lived in this young woman's
life. Another friend's home was used as a distribution point for smuggled Bibles during the days of
communism.
Today, I heard another great story about a lady who helped us at a village show. She was a Jehovah's
Witness for 10 years until one day she invited some Christians into her home to do a Bible study.
They were walking down the road and saw her standing on the porch. They asked her if she was
interested and she said, "Yes." As they studied the book of John, she came to faith. She felt
terrible about having told everyone in the village the wrong information about God and went to visit
all of them and ask their forgiveness.
MOLDOVA FOR CHRIST
One of dearest friends here is Alexandru Sanduleac who is a pastor in Cupcini. I want to
enthusiastically recommend his ministry and his friends to you as potential partners in ministry. He
scheduled this entire trip, working with his friends across Moldova to give us some of the best
opportunities to share Christ with the children. He and his family are very dear people who truly live
for Jesus. You can read more about their work by visiting their website at www.moldovaforchrist.com
He does visit the United States and share. Write to him by email at alexsanduleac@yahoo.com and
schedule him to speak at your church. He speaks English fluently and will bless your church with
stories of what Jesus is doing in Moldova. Please pray for him. Specifically, please ask the Lord to
have the authorities choose their application for a radio station. Others have applied, but theirs is
the only Christian one in the group. This could be a powerful tool for the kingdom.
In Jesus,
Linda for
Drew
Kim
Marsha
Gwen
September 20th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
A WONDERFUL THING
Today, a principal spoke after we finished the show. She thanked us and said that she was sure that
the children would remember it the rest of their lives and be closer to God because of what they heard. This lady was not a believer, but God used puppets to touch her heart.
All of the teachers today were very happy with the program, which was a very clear presentation of the
Gospel and today included prayer at both schools. At every place, we are invited to return. Isn't
that awesome! More, we were not given many students at one school and I went and talked with the
teacher in charge. It is so funny what God can use. I said to her, "It's a shame that all the children
can not see what the children on 5 continents enjoy." Then I smiled and walked off. I immediately went
behind the stage and asked everyone to pray. The teachers began to talk among themselves and the room
filled up. God is so good. I know that it is not important that we travel as a ministry on 5
continents. What matters is what God does and today He used that comment to motivate those teachers
to bring us more children. Praise God!
A DIFFICULT THING
Tonight, we spoke at Pastor Alexandra's church and were so surprised at what God did. All of us had
agreed ahead of the service how long we would speak but none of us knew what the other was going to .
say. I want to tell you what God did. This is an exceptionally good team that the Lord has given me
for this trip. None of them had ever done this before, but they have really risen to the opportunity.
Everyone listened so clearly to God and it was incredible how each of our talks fit perfectly together.
I wanted to thank the church for praying for me so faithfully .Two years ago I came to their town, but
before I had an opportunity to meet them, I had to leave. My husband, Mike, died and I had to go home.
Even though they had never met me, they had continued to pray for me these past two years. I told them
many stories of what God was doing around the world with the children we serve. And I told them
stories about my husband and his testimony. By telling them a story from each country, I walked them
through each country we had visited this past year. I found it very difficult to speak tonight because
tomorrow is the second anniversary of Mike's death. I'm staying in the house in Moldova where I
received the phone call that Mike had died in an auto accident. I spoke about God's faithfulness.
Also, I'm struggling with many memories and I told the people at church that tonight. I asked them to
pray for me. I challenged them to reach the children of Moldova for Jesus Christ.
Then Gwen stood up to speak. Gwen and her husband, Kim, have had five children, but four are with the
Lord. They died not long after they were born. Each one was held in their parent's arms and named and
loved by them. You should see my friend's face. They have only one surviving son that they brought
with them to Moldova. She has the sweetest face, full of such joy and peace. She shared this story
with the people at church and then she sang, "In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified." Her son, Drew,
encouraged the youth to listen to their pastor and participate in church. This was a great blessing to
the young people.
Then Kim, Gwen's husband, spoke. On Sunday he will be preaching and he plans to speak on II. Peter 1:3,
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." In other words,
God has given us everything we need to face what happens to us in life. He knows our suffering and He
cares for us. His words connected all the testimonies. Please pray for him as he preaches on Sunday.
Then Marsha spoke. Marsha has been married for over 36 years and for the last fifteen years has worked
as a hospice nurse, caring for the dying in the last months of their lives. She talked about how she
has been with many people who are dying but it is so different when it is a believer who is going home.
One day, she visited with a lady and realized that lady was very near death. The lady asked her what
was happening. She told her that she was dying. Her response was, "I'm so glad I know Jesus."
Isn't it sweet how all of these testimonies fit together so perfectly? I finished the program by
telling one last story about Mike. I was going to Ukraine right after 9-11 happened in 2001.
Eighteen other people were supposed to go with me, but they cancelled their trip. Mike sent me by
myself. That year in Ukraine I heard many people referring to Mike as a hero of the faith because he
trusted God with whom he loved most in this world. I challenged everyone in the church to trust God
with everyone and everything in their lives.
After we finished sharing, I had the privilege of giving our existing puppet team further training.
This is the team that Sam Shaw, our assistant director, had initially trained two years ago. Sam
stayed in Moldova and did this work so I could go home and know that we kept our promises to this
precious group of believers. I know that all he wanted to do was get on the plane and fly to America
with me. Sam loved Mike like a father and Mike loved him. I will always be grateful to him for doing
such a great job under such difficult circumstances. Today I talked to some children who had been at
a puppet show that Sam had done two years ago. They still remembered the story of Jonah that they had
heard that day. Awesome!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Tomorrow we have four puppet shows in another city and we need your prayers. All of us are not feeling
good for various reasons and we need you to ask God to give us strength. Even more, we beg you to pray
for the children to respond to the Gospel and pray to receive Christ as their Savior. Please keep
praying! Nothing will happen unless you pray!
Linda for
Gwen
Kim
Drew
Marsha
September 22nd, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
Today we were in Briceni, (pronounced Bry-chain), a city that is very difficult to work in for the
Gospel. It is a miracle that any school let us come. We did one puppet show and the teachers did not
seem to enjoy the program, but the children loved it. There were hundreds of students in the school,
but most were not allowed to come. We had almost 100 students, counting the teenagers who came. The
teenagers used their cell phones to make pictures of the puppets.
At the second show, we arrived at the school and were told to leave. They would not allow us to do a
program. We stood as a group, gathered for prayer, while all the time keeping our eyes open. We
begged God to call the children to come to the program we would be doing in the evening at the Music
Hall, but none of us could figure out how we were going to tell them about this opportunity. Then the
bell rang and we were surrounded by children and teenagers. We had incredible conversations with them,
and many heard about Jesus as we stood in the hallway. They were also entertained with Kim as he
played with his jumping mouse to help gather a crowd. Our translator, Greg, was very excited as he
commented that even the teenagers were captivated with the conversations. God gave us our opportunity
to invite them and many of them came to the Music Hall for the program. However, that is another
story!
At the third, we were thrilled that they would let us come. We expected that they would also be told
to not allow the Christians to come, but God held open the door. The children loved the show and did
not want to leave when we finished.
A SWEET GIFT
How much I appreciate the Father's kindness! A dear teenager came to me today with a gift. Very
carefully he had lettered a card for me, with each letter a different color. He had written Psalm
22:1, which asks God why he has forsaken me. I admit that I wasn't so encouraged and then my friend
reminded me that that Russian Bible is different than my English Bible. The two books of Kings are
combined and the chapters are often different in other books. So Psalm 22:1 is really Psalm23: 1 that
says, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Then, I was encouraged!
WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN A PUPPET TEAM MAKE IN THE LIFE OF A TEENAGER?
Everywhere I go, I am hearing wonderful stories about how God has blessed the faithfulness of the team
that Sam Shaw and the team planted here two years ago. The teenager who gave me the card is named
Alex. For one year, he attended every show on the street and anywhere else that the Moldovan team
shared. His parents were separated and he was hurting. Through those puppet shows, he came to faith
in Christ. Now, he is sixteen and teaches two Bible studies per week in two villages for younger,
interested people. Alex came to faith because the believers here were able to take Jesus' message to
the streets. Alex did not grow up in a Christian home and would not have come to church. He did not
know about church. Now, he loves Jesus and is telling everyone about Him.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE CAN A PUPPET SHOW MAKE IN THE LIFE OF AN ADULT?
At every school, the teachers come to the programs. Most every single teacher who attends does not
believe and some are openly hostile to the Gospel. Yesterday, a few teachers were very rude, not even
willing to acknowledge that I was speaking to them. Through much of the program, they made faces at me
and one even read a book. She held it up in front of her face and stood at the front so the children
could see what she was doing. Considering that in other countries we have been openly cursed many
times and had rocks, bottles, CD's, string cheese (a waste of good cheese) and even a metal chair
throw
However, I tell you the truth, my heart breaks for them. I ache for them to know Jesus. So many grew
up under Communism and have been taught that there is no God. They would be extremely unlikely to ever
visit a church. How will they hear about the hope Jesus offers? We must find a way to go where they
are and tell them about Jesus Christ!
THE MUSIC HALL
At the Music Hall, we really did two shows. First, we did a puppet show for a room full of children,
teenagers, and adults. I would love to tell you everyone was captivated, but we had two little boys
who were as mischievous as they could be. Gaining their attention so that they would not distract
others was a constant adventure. They were just being little boys, but we had two young teenage girls
that were deliberately trying to distract the children and cause trouble. They chose to laugh in a
serious place and giggled during the prayer. They talked constantly and loudly. At one point, I said
to the children, "God sees you." I looked right at them and they did get quiet for five precious
minutes.
At no other place that day had we been allowed to pray with the children, so this was an especially
important show. Many children heard about Jesus that night and many children did come from the school
where we had not been allowed to share! Praise God!
THE SECON MUSIC HALL SHOW
The second show at the Music Hall took place after the first show, when five teenagers came and asked
me to draw them a picture as a remembrance. These young people were at the school that had refused to
let us do a show. Kim had invited them to come using the jumping mouse.
As I drew, I shared with them. Young people are interested in love stories. Four of these young
people were there on a date and very affectionate. I told them a story about two of my rings, Irish
cladaughs, that Mike gave me the August before he went home to heaven. There is a lot to the story,
but I will just tell you the ending. Mike knelt, kissed my fingers, put the rings on, and said, "I
crown your heart with my love." The girls melted when they heard these words. The young men were
amazed that such an old man had done such a romantic thing. Then, I said, "This kind of love is only
possible when you know Jesus Christ as your Savior." Now, they were really listening. God used this
story to gain their full attention.
As I continued to draw, I told them the rest of Mike's story and shared with them how they could know
Jesus Christ as their Savior. They listened so carefully! We finished our time together with everyone
really interested in hearing more about Jesus. They all promised to come to church on Sunday. Please
pray for these five young people to keep their promise!
In Jesus,
Linda for
Kim
Gwen
Drew
Marsha
September 24th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
A TERRIBLE THING
Sunday afternoon, we were at an orphanage in a city where Communism is still very strong. Written over
the main door to the orphanage were some words that our friend Alexandru said he had never seen at any
other orphanage. They stated that this was a place for orphans, children who had no parents and children
whose parents would not care for them. Maybe you don't think that is so bad, but try to see it from
their point of view. Every time they walk through that door, they are reminded that there is no one
who wants them, they have no value. I thought it was very harsh, as did my friends. I also have never
seen such words at an orphanage.
We set up outside and had a special time with the children. They were so attentive and hungry to hear
about God's love and how they could forgive others when they had been forgiven. Loudly, children prayed
to receive Jesus as their Savior. One child laughed at others as they prayed, but they continued to
pray. Some even came and told me afterwards that they had prayed. Praise God!
SUNDAY MORNING
Yesterday was Sunday and we worshiped in Moldova with a large crowd of believers. Many are the first
in their families to believe. A precious few believed and stood the test even under the threat of
Communism. They are heroes of the faith who withstood persecution and great temptation. There are not
many in this group because Moldavians are very mission minded. Many have gone to other Eastern European
countries and even into Afghanistan. Many have immigrated to other countries.
Kim preached this morning on 1 Peter 1:3-15. His opening statement grabbed my heart. He talked about
how Peter was writing this book when he was near his death. He said, "If you were about to die, would
you speak about the weather or the price of walnuts (there are many walnut trees in Moldova)? No! You
would tell them the truth. You would talk about what is most important." I thought, how none of us
know when we will die, so it is even more important to speak the truth daily. Please pray for us to be
wise and speak the truth each day of the 5 remaining days that we are in Moldova.
Then, he described what Peter says we need to have so that our faith will grow. We need virtue tempered
with knowledge, self-control and perseverance. Finally, we must show godliness, brotherly affection and
love. Only the Father can do this work in us. Pray for us that our lives would show these qualities to
the children. Each day, things happen that stretch us and force us to lean harder on the Father. Pray
that we will not fail the tests that the Lord gives us and always remember to smile during the
adventure.
I kept thinking of the words of David Brainerd, a pioneer missionary to the Indians in the 1700's. I
love what he wrote. He said that "I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through,
so that I could but gain souls to Christ." It is our friends here who truly model David Brainerd's
words with their lives!
THE NEW PUPPET TEAM
We also began training our new team yesterday and will meet with them 2 more times. Also, we are
meeting with our team that is 2 years old and giving them more training. They are all incredible young
people with a driving passion for Jesus. Pray for them as they go daily to many shows with us and
attend training classes.
In Jesus,
Linda for
Marsha
Kim
Gwen
Drew
September 25th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
DEEP HURT
Each day we travel to villages and set up under trees. Most of the children have never seen the
balloons that I twist into animals as I explain that God created all things. They stare at me with
big eyes; many look so much older than their years.
Alcoholism is an enormous problem here. There is a tradition here to make homemade Vodka and wine.
People are empty, their souls ache for what only Jesus can give, but they don't know Jesus, so they
drink. They suffer, but the children are the ones who really pay for their parent's sin.
We have a friend named Andrew who is a fine young man. He loves God and is so faithful, traveling to
two villages to teach Bible studies. His father is dead and he lives with his mother who is always
drunk. She has sold most things in the house and lives a very bad life. Her son stays in the hope
that his mother will listen to the truth of the Gospel. Though he is often hungry because she does
not care for him, he loves her and tries to help her.
Andrew is one of thousands of children and teenagers that we have met who live in great difficulty and
sometimes terror because of their parent's alcoholism. I am so proud of Andrew! He loves his mother
with the love that Jesus has shown him. Please pray for Andrew as he faithfully leads one of our
puppet teams. Ask the Lord to call his mother to faith. His father died from drinking and I ask you
to pray that this is not the same ending for his mother.
WE WILL REMEMBER
We will always remember so many precious things that we have seen God do in Moldova. Here are just
some of the remembrances that bless our hearts and sometimes, break our hearts:
1. At one school, as we finished the program, a group of teenagers rushed forward and showered us with
flowers, roses and zinnias, to thank us for coming.
2. In a village where we did a puppet show, there is only one person there who is a believer. Nine
hundred people live there. In all of Moldova, less than 1% are believers.
3. A dog almost bit a little girl on the neck at one of our shows, but our translator, Greg, kicked it
away. We often have problems with dogs.
4. I got hit in the head with a piece of equipment and there was immediately a large knot on my
forehead. We had no ice so my friend gave me two coins to hold against it. Gwen broke her toe, but
she has not missed a single show!
5. One principal nearly cried when she heard that we were coming. She said, "No one ever comes here.
Thank you."
6. Another principal said that she did not allow "propaganda" in her school, so we could not come.
She was an old communist.
7. We passed an evangelical church that is now 70% empty because most of the congregation moved to
America.
8. A tired, worn out looking old man spoke to me after a show. All of his sons and daughters had
moved to America and he was so lonely. I talked with him about Jesus who could be his Friend, but he
kept saying that he had too many bad habits to be able to trust Jesus. Please pray for him!
9. Each school had to be visited personally, even the ones in remote villages, to ask permission for
us to come. The believers here worked so hard before we got here!
10. A lady watched the entire program from the other side of the fence. I spoke with her afterwards
and she told me through tears that she could not be good enough for God. I told her, "I have great
news for you! You don't have to be good. God will change you from the inside out. He will give you
a new heart." Please pray for her to meet Jesus!
11. Our programs have not been without difficulties. A twelve-year-old boy came drunk to a show and
cussed at me. His friends said he had just drunk three bottles of gin tonic. Another boy used an air
soft pistol to shoot at other students. Several bigger boys stomped a younger boy's bicycle wheel and
made him cry during our program. He was so poorly dressed, wearing rags, and so dirty. I put my arms
around him and comforted him while the boys ran away. Two boys almost punched each other out during
the time when I was sharing with the children how they could pray. Please pray against these kinds of
problems!
12. Another older man came up to me today in a village. I was shocked by what he said, "I'm not of
Satan. I am of God. I walk with a cane because I was with many women." It is sometimes hard to know
what to say because so many people here are so broken by their sins. They are very honest. I
introduced him to a Christian man who was with us and he shared with him.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for our three remaining days of ministry as we have nine puppet shows and two evenings of
training. Please pray for the children here! Today in the car, I wept for so many children that we
have seen today who were suffering so much. I am overwhelmed by how they live, how desperately they
need simply to be loved.
Love in Jesus,
Linda for
Marsha
Gwen
Kim
Drew
September 26th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
I WANT TO SEE JESUS
Today, I was telling the story of how Zaccheus climbed into a tree so that he could see Jesus. I said,
"Suddenly, he looked down the road and he could see Jesus coming toward him." I looked out the window
as I said this. Immediately, half of the room stood up and tried to look out the window so that they
could see Jesus. God had poured His spirit on the program and the children were so caught up in the
story that they expected to see Jesus! It was awesome! We had seen this before, but this was the first
time that so many, many children had stood up. We actually had to tell the children that Jesus was not
outside so that they would sit down.
ORPHANAGE SHOW UNDER THE TREES
It was the most beautiful day today and we were blessed to do a show out under the trees for 90
children who were mentally handicapped. They were so attentive and thankful for everything that they
saw. They laughed and received the flying mouse balloons with such joy. We did the smallest things for
them and they were so grateful. When we finished, they stood to pray, calling on Jesus to save them.
I expect to see many children from these kinds of orphanages in heaven. They are smarter than so many
who trust in their intellect and wealth. Pray for these children to grow strong in their faith.
At 16, they must leave the orphanage for a technical school to learn a trade. The Director admitted
to me that some of these children cannot hope to enter such training. I asked what happens to them and
he held his hands up and open with a look of hopelessness. The reality is that they have no place to
go. Many of them would have families, but parents were never encouraged in the old Communist system to
keep mentally handicapped children at home. That system is slow to change.
WONDERFUL STORIES
PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE TWO REMAINING DAYS AS WE SEEK TO SHARE WITH MANY CHILDREN!
In Jesus,
Linda for
Kim
Gwen
Drew
Marsha
September 28th, Moldova
Dearest Friends,
What is written below was written yesterday. Today is our last day of ministry in Moldova. Please ask
the Father to especially bless this day and give us very clear heads as we have many decisions to make.
We have 2 more shows and then we must divide the equipment, pack, and get up at 2AM to travel across
the country to reach the airport. Please hold us in your prayers as we travel tomorrow, Saturday,
September 29th, and will arrive in Atlanta Saturday afternoon.
LIFE IN MOLDOVA
These people are amazing! Life here is difficult as the salaries are very low, but the cost of living
is very high. A teacher makes $ 100 US Dollars a month, but it costs a family of five $700 to $800 US
Dollars a month. They would seldom buy clothes or even essential medicines. That does not include gas
for a car or repairs from driving on terrible roads.
In Alexandru's church, there are 150 people and only 2 cars. People walk everywhere, as much as 30
miles if a person is in a village and needs to get to a city and back in a day. Alexandru often picks
up these people, gives them a ride, and shares Christ. I am reminded by his good example how we must
take every opportunity to share Jesus. More, he always loans his car to anyone who needs it.
At a distant village, some people were waiting all evening for a Bible Study. We came home at 9 PM and
a man left in the car to go and teach. The people were still waiting. They must work in the fields or
at other jobs and were surely exhausted, but they hungered for God's Word.
OUR LAST 5 SHOWS
After 2 weeks of ministry, we have only 5 programs and 1 training session left. We are all asking God
for a special outpouring of His spirit on these last programs. At our first show today, the Lord
answered our prayers. Again the children looked out the window, expecting to see Jesus, as I was
telling the story. Though it is wonderful that they are so caught up in the story, it also shows that
they have zero Bible knowledge. This lack of knowledge makes me very sad!
When we left, one teacher came to me and was bubbling with her gratitude. She was not a believer, but
the Lord began to touch her heart. The vice-principal of the school said, "Thank you so much for
coming. It was such a good program and it was free. I can't believe it." There are traveling puppet
teams here, but they are not Christian and charge as much as $ 1 US Dollar per child. Most could not
afford to come and if they did come, they were disappointed. We have been told that they are not very
good. Your financial gifts gave this gift to the children and enabled them to hear about the best gift
who is Jesus!
A COMMUNIST DIRECTOR
The children loved the show and listened incredibly well to how they could put their trust in Jesus,
but the really amazing part of this program was the principal of the school. He was and still is a
Communist. It was so funny to watch him forced into a position of making the children be quiet so that
they could listen to Bible stories, so that they could hear that God made all things. It has been 15
years since the wall fell down. Such a thing would never have happened before the USSR fell apart.
Keep praying for God to hold the door open for the children of Moldova to hear Jesus Christ.
SO HAPPY!
The children who came to the last show were especially excited with every part of the program. At one
point, they fell off their backpacks that they were sitting on and fell over backwards. They laughed
and everyone else laughed harder. At none of these shows were we able to pray with the children, but
we did explain to them how they could pray. Please pray for the stories of Jesus to be remembered by
them. Please ask God to call them to Himself.
In Jesus,
Linda for
Marsha
Gwen
Kim
Drew
WONDERFUL STORIES
In the last 4 weeks, we have done puppet shows in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville TN. Then we drove out toward Stone Mountain
and did shows in Snellville and inner city Atlanta. In between, I enjoyed a sweet two-day visit with my children and gave a report on Peru at my home
church.
Then, we traveled to Atlanta to work with Tim Cummings at Whirlwind Ministries, doing street shows in immigrant communities and in the inner city. We
partnered with two churches that had brought teams from Arkansas and Florida to share with the children. It was awesome!
We spent a week sharing in seven cities around my home and at Camp Cedine. As I write these words to you, we have just finished a week of shows in
Baltimore, Maryland and are now in Hanover, Pennsylvania doing 4 shows today, sharing with children in 2 parks. We are working with my oldest son's
church, so I am blessed with another visit with Josh and Teresa!
We have never had a better summer of ministry! I have so many good reports to give you. Please read the following list and rejoice!
Please hold us in your prayers as we leave early tomorrow morning to drive home. We expect to be on the road for 16 hours. Also, please ask God to
especially bless the members of my summer team, Heather, Ali, Pablo, Mykayla, Jon and Katie. They are amazing and have been such a joy to travel with
this summer.
A Baltimore policeman stood in a church on Sunday and thanked them for being such a good witness. He said that their love for God and their willingness to
serve Him had really encouraged him. It has been a great joy to serve with them this summer, sharing with thousands and thousands of children that there
is hope. I praise God for their love for Jesus!
WONDERFUL AND HEARTBREAKING STORIES:
1. A little girl in inner city Baltimore talked to me after a puppet show at a daycare
facility. She said, "God can't love me. I'm bad." I spent the next ten minutes, until the little girl got on a bus, explaining to her how dearly God
loved her and how she could know Jesus Christ as her Savior. I have not been able to stop thinking about this child. How will other little children who
believe like her learn the truth and find true love unless we leave our churches and seek out these children? Who will tell them the truth?
Maybe you could volunteer to read a story to children at a daycare facility or at a school, bake cookies for them, and ask God to use your presence there
to open a door to share Jesus. Your city or town is full of children like this little girl. If you do not go where she is, who will tell her about the
love of God?
2. At the Helping Up Missions, we set up in the chapel with the room full of homeless men, gathered to hear the Gospel. You are probably thinking,
"How could you do a puppet show for adult men who have seen so much?" Remember, when God pours His spirit on something, "the foolishness" of puppets,
chalk, and balloons can be used by Him. The men loved the puppets! They laughed and smiled. At the end of the program, many men prayed out loud asking
Jesus to be their Savior. Praise God!
They also thanked us with loud applause and a standing ovation. Several men helped us load our equipment. One man insisted that he had to do something
more to thank us. We all joined hands, standing on the sidewalk, and he prayed for us. A homeless man showed each on of us what gratitude should look
like and gave us a great gift as he asked God to bless us!
3. On a small patch of grass in front of a church in Baltimore, around 70 people gathered to watch a puppet show. Most did not go to church and many
walked over from the gas station next door. When is the last time that you took our church outside to all of the people who will not come inside? The
church was very wise and provided free snow cones for everyone.
4. At a street show in Atlanta, a teenage boy brought his two sisters. He said, "I am a Moslem, but this was a good show. I am glad I brought my two
sisters." He was telling me all about Islam, but stopped suddenly when I told him that I had read part of the Koran. I told him that I wanted to respect
his tradition. He was shocked. I asked if he had ever read my holy book, the Bible. He dropped his head in shame. I had shown respect by reading part
of the Koran and now he felt honor bound to show the same respect to me. Before he left, he said, "On my honor, I promise you that I will read this book
of John. I can go to the library and get it. I keep my word." I had offered him my Bible, but he was not allowed to bring "the Christian book" into
his home.
In Arabic, his name translates as "pious". Please pray for him to discover what the one true God says about being pious. Since I met "pious", a single
question has plagued me. How will a Moslem young man hear about Jesus Christ if someone does not go into apartment complexes and do shows where he lives?
I have a second question for you. Have you read part of the Koran so that God could use you to speak to a Moslem?
5. While walking through a neighborhood to invite children to a vacation Bible school, the team met many children. That night at VBS, they met even
more hurting children who came from many surrounding neighborhoods. Ajah and her older sister both looked hurt, especially the older sister. Both came
to VBS and heard about Jesus who heals all hurts. Please ask God to call these two sisters to faith in Jesus.
Each day, I meet children like Ajah and her sister. Each day, I miss Mike, but I am committed to letting God heal my heart, for the sake of these children.
How can I tell them that Jesus heals the broken hearted if I do not let him heal my heart? If I refuse, then I will make God's promises lies by the way I
live my life. By His grace, I will not do this.
Last Friday, August 3rd, I would have celebrated my 34th wedding anniversary. The puppet team knew I was sad and showered me with kindness. I thought that
I was hiding my pain. They bought me flowers, a card that each wrote sweet notes on, and lots of diabetic sugar-free treats. I am so blessed to call these
young people my friends!
6. There are many more amazing stories! Watch for another email in a couple of days.
THANK YOU
I want to express our deepest thanks to the wonderful churches and ministries that we
worked with this summer. Through their prayers and financial help, they enabled us to share with so many children. Please ask the Father to bless them
and enable them to continue! Pray for all of them to be bright lights for Jesus. The Father knows their names. Please contact us if we can help you
to be a bright light in your community.
In Jesus,
Linda for
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Pablo Tarquino
Ali Tarquino
Jon Bova
Katie Humfleet
