Written by Eugen Advahov, Spiritual Formation Director, Justice & Mercy Moldova
Recently, our church in Chisinau, Church Without Walls, celebrated a special occasion: the baptism of two remarkable young women in the Transitional Living program, Ana and Alina.
For me, this moment was deeply personal. I have known them since they were very young and have had the privilege of watching them grow into the women they are today. Through the ministry of Justice & Mercy Moldova (JMM), our lives have been closely connected. As one of the pastors at Church Without Walls, I had the honor of baptizing them and reflecting on the incredible journey God has led them through.
Baptism may last only a few minutes, but it is the culmination of years of God’s work in a person’s heart. That was certainly true for both Ana and Alina. Surrounded by friends and family, they publicly declared their faith in Christ.
Ana and Alina spent much of their teenage years with JMM. We watched them mature, make important decisions, pursue their dreams, discover their purpose, and gradually develop their own relationships with God. Today, Ana has completed her studies, while Alina continues hers. As young women preparing for the future, their greatest achievement cannot be measured by diplomas or careers. The greatest joy is seeing how genuine faith has taken root in their hearts and led them to make the conscious decision to follow Christ.
Justice & Mercy has always sought to be more than an organization. Our vision has been to create a place where children and young people can experience love, acceptance, support, and a sense of belonging while encountering God’s love through authentic relationships.
For Ana and Alina, that place was Grace House, one of our Transitional Living homes. Over the years, we shared meals around the table, prayer gatherings, Bible reading, camps, trips, and countless ordinary moments that ultimately became deeply meaningful.
Spiritual growth often develops through day-to-day life when young people are surrounded by adults who genuinely love God, listen without judgment, answer difficult questions, offer support, and pray alongside them. This was the environment that shaped Ana and Alina for many years. Grace House became a place where they could be themselves, ask questions, share their struggles, celebrate victories, and find encouragement. Through those everyday relationships, they learned trust, responsibility, faithfulness, compassion, and love.
Mentorship played a significant role as well. True discipleship is usually forged through hundreds of small acts, such as conversations, prayers, encouragement, guidance, and personal examples. We had the privilege of witnessing God deepen their faith and make it truly their own. Their decision to follow Jesus was not merely the result of growing up in a Christian environment. It became a personal conviction and commitment.
That is why their baptism day was filled with such profound joy, the joy of seeing the fruit of many years of prayer, care, service, and love.
For the entire Justice & Mercy Moldova team, this day served as a reminder that discipleship is a long road. Sometimes years pass without significant growth. Yet God faithfully works through every prayer, every conversation, and every act of love.
Today, we rejoice with Ana and Alina and thank God for their journey. It is a privilege to be a part of it. We pray that the Lord will continue to guide them, strengthen their faith, and use their lives to bless many others.
Their story shows us that love, commitment, mentorship, and faithful service can transform lives and point people to the most important decision they will ever make: to follow Jesus Christ.
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