I am homesick.

Last Saturday, I gazed at my photos of Moldova for the 329th time. Instead of blankly watching them, immune to their impact, I suddenly felt a tremendous feeling of homesickness grip my heart. My pictures of Moldova are not generic faces of missions, but people I know, with whom I talk, and for whom I care.

I suppose the holidays bring the old feelings of homesickness out in many people, but this experience was the reverse of what was expected. Instead of longing for American turkey and dressing, homemade pumpkin pie, or Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving special, I was missing Moldova.

I am missing my Moldovan friends, with our times around crowded tables, eating totally un-American traditional dishes. (Anybody for a helping of mother-in-law’s tongue? It is only sliced eggplant, garlic, and mayo!)
I am missing services in cold churches, singing Russian and Romanian songs.
I am missing imperfect churches, pastors that don’t preach well, and a culture that I still don’t totally understand.

In other words, I am NOT missing paradise. I have heard about paradise, and Moldova is not it! It is simply that Moldova is now home, with its potholes and roads, its food and customs.

We have already been incredibly blessed by our time in America. We are blessed with wonderful friends and family. We have enjoyed great churches, gracious pastors, and all the amenities of comfort. Things are definitely smoother, less corrupt, tastier (and more fattening), cheaper, warmer (in the winter), cooler (in the summer), and easier. We love America, but we just feel caught between two worlds.

But I am ready to go home.

I want to love on the kids, to see Natasha, Dima, and Ksusha learn about God’s grace.
I want to finish the Home of Hope, and see it filled with women finding healing.
I want to finally preach in Russian, stumbling through grammar that doesn’t make sense.

Our hearts lie in Moldova, doing the ministry to which God has called us. Our hearts lie with the people of Moldova, both the church and the millions that still don’t know Him. Our hearts are expecting God’s Spirit to change our country. Doing the work of God, in the place where God has called you, is the greatest wealth anyone owns.

The Bible says that where your heart is, there your treasure will be.

Our treasure lies in Moldova.

Thankful for Home,
Andy Raatz

PS: We are grateful for your faithful support, prayers, and encouragement. Our Thanksgiving is full of wonderful memories of the churches and individuals that support the work in Moldova, the fun times we have had with each of you, and the countless ways we have seen God work through you. I am thankful for a great hunting season, too many coffees, and weekly reunions with friends. We are not just thankful…we are blessed.