Date: July 16, 2026

Day 1 (Part 1):

“We had a mostly uneventful trip minus a delay before we even left Memphis, but otherwise travel was smooth with a few spouts of turbulence in air as to be expected. 

 We had a sweet time visiting with Dan and Ema Onu, Dan’s brother Radu and their niece, Teodora Baciu. It was nice to catch up and fellowship with them over dinner and gelato at Iasi’s Palas mall. 

 Marcela Muresan, who translated for First Evan teams in the 2000s and 2010 met up with Abigail at Palas. She enjoyed catching up with her. 

 The team went grocery shopping to get some water and then came back to the hotel to encourage each other and spend some time in prayer. It was a sweet time as a team as we prayed for the kids coming to Moldova camp and the details. 

 Thank you for your prayers.”

Day 1 (Part 2):

The Romanians gave us an opportunity to rest Thursday morning, which we all took. We ate breakfast early but then went back to our rooms and were able to nap, read our Bibles, etc.

Dan then drove us to lunch at Moldova Mall. The mall is called that but it is actually in Romania. The region of Romania we are staying in is known as Moldova. Those who have been to Romania may remember a Moldova mall closer to the Palace of Culture and Palas Mall. However, that closed many years ago and is now more of an office building with the restaurants remaining on the ground floor. This Moldova Mall is newer and was constructed within the last two years. It’s still nicer than any mall in Memphis, but Palas is still a popular place with more people than we saw at Moldova Mall yesterday.

After that we went to Eclesia Tudor is Iași to meet with Teo Baciu, Dan and Ema’s niece, about camp. Teo runs camp like a well-oiled machine. Then we practiced our skits for camp.

After that the team went to Iulius Mall for dinner before returning to the hotel for a restful night.

Meg is supposed to join the team Friday afternoon. Pray that she arrives safely with her bags. We look forward to her joining us after spending a few days at the beach with First Evan students.

-Abigail Warren

Date: July 17-18, 2026

Days 2 & 3:

“Friday we continued to prepare for camp and spent time in fellowship with the Romanians and Ukrainians with whom we are serving alongside this week. We played volleyball, ate pizza and prayed expectantly for the Moldovan children.

Saturday we left for camp. We arrived and said hello to the Moldovans. While we were still unloading our luggage, the bus full of about 70 children and more Moldovan leaders arrived. Some of them remembered us from last year, even asking about those who didn’t return — especially Bethany Scoggins.

Maxim, one of the children, got off the bus and ran straight for Caleb Love. It’s sweet as they come up to us, telling us they remember us. Although Geoffrey wasn’t here like the remainder of the American team, you wouldn’t be able to tell because he’s a natural with the children and in building relationships with the Romanian leaders.

We played and played and played with the kids Saturday afternoon. Sidewalk chalk, European football (also known as soccer) and group games.

It’s sweet to see the Moldovan leaders who are serving faithfully. It’s also sweet to see new leaders. Yesterday, we were introduced to Irina and her husband David. Irina grew up in Tirnova, one of the children’s projects with Eclesia. Now she is married and has two children. She is helping with the children’s projects in Moldova. This is the Eclesia vision in action, a new generation shining for Christ. Dan and Ema and the other Moldovan leaders have faithfully poured into children and those children can rise up so the work continues for many many years.

Florin Trandafir, who served in Țaul previously, drove us to camp yesterday and his younger two children are serving with us. It’s wild to see that Florinel and Estera matured into young adults and want to serve. They very energetically lead the kids in songs during chapel.

We are using Pilgrim’s Progress as a guide for our camp curriculum. Last night Abigail shared the gospel and the kids seemed attentive. Please pray the kids realize knowing Jesus is not about works and all about what Christ did — that it’s about relationship, not rituals.

The Romanian and Moldovan leaders want to build relationships, so after the kids go to bed, some of the younger leaders remain up playing games.

It’s sweet in the mornings to feel a sense of oneness with the leaders from other nationalities as we are united because of Christ and in one purpose, to share Jesus with these kids.”

-Abigail Warren

Date: July 20th, 2026

Day 5:

“It’s hard to believe we are halfway through our time at camp. Monday we had no rain until we went to bed (praise the Lord). It was a beautiful day. 

The schedule was mostly the same with morning rotations and in the afternoon they have team time. Many of the Moldovan leaders said the kids seem to engage and perk up when they share stories from their own life. 

 Dan said most of the kids have been in the Eclesia children’s project but some have not and he wants to invite them. The kids sometimes are the first point of contact Eclesia has with a family. He told me a story this morning of after one child coming to the project, he met the family and several of them are now believers engaging in the church. Camp gives the kids a week of fun and love, but it also can help unlock doors for the gospel in the villages the kids are from (Taul, Tirnova and Plop). 

The kids played the first half of a soccer game in the afternoon picking Brazil and Argentina as the teams they wanted to be. They also got to zip line, which is a unique experience they wouldn’t get at home.

 So many of the kids want hugs frequently. We love giving them and it makes us wonder about their home lives. Dan can tell the story of every child. Several of them have parents who have died. Others have parents who aren’t present. It’s so hard to comprehend what the kids have been through from a young age. 

 Yesterday the skit the Americans put on related to Pilgrim’s Progress included a giant. Geoffrey (the giant) had to roar and when he did several of the kids jumped!! Addie gave a strong message about the armor of God and following Jesus even when it’s hard.  

Please pray for the continued planting of seeds, for endurance for us and that we (kids and leaders) continue to have no injuries. Also please pray that the kids are seeing Jesus love through our hugs and smiles.”

-Abigail Warren

Date: July 23rd, 2026

Days 6-8:

“We had a blessed final two days at camp. The rain held off mostly and it only sprinkled the final night so the kids were able to enjoy the bonfire.

As the week went on, some nights the Americans would stay up late with the young Moldovan and Romanian adults for fellowship purposes. While it made for long days, the relationships formed were sweet.

Thursday we watched the kids load up on the bus. They shed many tears and some of us cried too knowing they are headed back to broken situations. We are praying they remember how much Jesus loves them and he is with them even in their hard situations back home.

The line at the border was somewhat long we spent about two hours. On the way over to Moldova the wait and lines were much shorter.

We will fellowship with the Romanians we serve alongside tonight before a short night rest and returning to the airport in Iasi.

Our flight leaves early Friday morning. We will be at the airport before Memphians even go to bed Thursday night. We will Lord-willing get to Memphis late Friday night.”

-Abigail Warren