Vibrant rolling green hills, apple orchards as far as you can see, and vineyards aplenty. Drives through Moldova’s villages are stunning, but the real beauty is found in the people who live there.
This past year, two of our Sponsorship Team members, Kelly and Emily, had the chance to visit this small Eastern European country for the first time. They witnessed the life-changing work happening on the ground through Justice & Mercy Moldova and became a closer part of it.
Here, they share their experiences to give you a glimpse of what to expect if you join us in Moldova. Whether it’s your first mission trip or your fifth, you’ll come away with powerful lessons, cherished memories, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Expect to Connect with Our National Staff
The staff who serve the children in our Vulnerable Child program are truly remarkable. They are energetic, hardworking, and deeply compassionate, bringing hope and love to some of the most difficult situations imaginable.
“I knew I would fall in love with the children we serve, but I wasn’t prepared to feel so deeply for our Moldovan staff,” Kelly shared.
These women pour themselves into this ministry—traveling long distances to visit villages, ensuring each child receives personalized gifts, translating hundreds of letters, and handling intricate government paperwork. When visiting villages, they exude kindness and confidence, offering children a glimpse of God’s love.
One moment that stood out during their trip was visiting the village of Albota de Jos with one of our Sponsorship Coordinators, Irina (pictured below, right). Irina had been in a car accident that delayed her visits to the children. Kelly remembered, “As we arrived in the village, the children swarmed our van, each holding a hand-picked flower for Irina to show their joy and gratitude that she had recovered. Watching their affection for her was a humbling reminder of the impact our staff has in the lives of these children.”
On our mission trips, you’ll have the privilege of working alongside our Moldovan team and witnessing firsthand the strength, dedication, and love that make them the heart of JMI’s work.
Expect to Witness Both Challenge and Resilience
Whether helping run a JMI summer camp or assisting with a Christmas program, being on a mission team offers an eye-opening experience of a different culture, which involves both beauty and hardship.
Emily shared how the trip allowed her to experience firsthand the struggles these families face while being a tangible presence of God’s love. “A trip to Moldova opens your heart to the reality of both struggle and strength,” she said.“I will forever cherish my experience singing, playing, and chatting with wide-eyed, adorable Moldovan children, who somehow have great joy in some of the most difficult circumstances.”
In the village of Mirzești, Kelly and Emily met a teenage girl whose story deeply impacted them. She welcomed the team into her home with warmth and quiet confidence. As they listened, they learned of the heavy responsibilities she carries—more than any young person should have to bear.
Ana, a local pastor’s wife, and Sponsorship Coordinator Delia gently reminded her that she was not alone, offering encouragement and support. In places where resources are scarce, the body of Christ becomes a refuge, surrounding vulnerable children with love and care.
It’s not always easy to witness the hardships some children face, but it’s deeply moving to see how the church and JMI staff step in—offering consistency, hope, and the unwavering love of Christ. Where safety nets are few, His presence through a faithful community can be truly life-changing.
Expect to See Hope in the Next Generation
In contrast to many village homes, JMI’s Transitional Living homes in Chișinău and Bălți provide stability, opportunity, and a place where teens can build their futures. These homes are not just physical spaces—they’re designed to equip young people with education, life skills, and a Christian community to help them thrive.
Many of the teens in our program come from difficult backgrounds, facing instability or extreme poverty. Without intervention, their future paths would be uncertain, often leading to dangerous vulnerabilities like human trafficking or homelessness. However, through the program, they find a place where they are valued, guided, and given the tools to confidently step into adulthood.
During their visit, Kelly and Emily spent time with some of the students in the program, hearing about their dreams and challenges. “All of the teens and house leaders we met were full of joy and optimism,” Emily shared. “The students who come from rural, neglected villages are given new opportunities through our Transitional Living program that they otherwise would never have. It’s hard to think of the teenagers back in villages who choose not to join our program, but we trust that God will provide for them in the same way He has provided for thousands through JMI.”
Witnessing the joy on the faces of these young people gave Emily a renewed vision for the future. “Seeing our homes gave me hope in what the Lord is doing and what He will continue to do for the most vulnerable.”
Expect to Walk Away Changed
By the end of a trip to Moldova, you’ll likely find yourself reflecting on all you’ve experienced—the friendships you’ve formed, the stories you’ve heard, and the ways you’ve seen God at work.
“Something that really came alive to me is the scope of what we do,” Kelly said. “JMI serves children in 72 villages, but that’s only 23% of Moldova’s 1,682 localities. There’s so much need! Yet the joy and hope on even one child’s face when they receive a sponsor’s letter or a new pair of shoes is so beautiful.”
Kelly experienced an unforgettable moment on the trip when she met her sponsored child, Nikoleta (pictured below) at one of our monthly gatherings. After sponsoring her for over a year, Kelly traveled to her village, where she immediately recognized Nikoleta as she arrived with her two sisters. “She offered me a hug, and we sat together during the gathering,” Kelly said. With a translator’s help, Kelly shared her joy at meeting Nikoleta and her family, asked questions about her life, and reminded her of God’s love. “I told her how much my family loves her, even from across the world.”
Nikoleta listened attentively to the Bible lesson and confidently recited a verse in front of the group. Afterward, Kelly visited her home and met her mother, who, due to health issues, can’t work, leaving her father to provide for their family of five. “The gifts she receives—clothing, hygiene supplies, school items—are a big help,” Kelly explained.
A touching moment came when Nikoleta wrote her monthly letter to Kelly during the meeting. Days later, Kelly read it: “You are such a nice and gentle person! When I grow up, I want to help others like you do.”
That letter now sits on Kelly’s desk as a reminder of their bond. “I pray this meeting confirmed how loved she is and reminded her that God sees her,” Kelly said. “I hope we’ll meet again someday!”
Whether you’re meeting a child you sponsor, playing games at a summer camp, or helping distribute gifts, you’ll walk away knowing you’ve been part of something significant.
Will You Join Us?
At Justice & Mercy International, we want every child to feel safe, have what they need, and know Jesus’s love.
As Kelly reflected on the trip, Matthew 25 came to mind: “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me… Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
If you’ve ever considered a mission trip, we encourage you to come to Moldova. You’ll leave changed—grateful, inspired, and deeply aware of God’s heart for the most vulnerable.
Learn more about JMI mission trips.
304 44th Ave. N
