January 2021
~ IASI ~
Our trip continues! We got into Iasi in the evening just as the snow had begun drifting down. Iasi really is a fun city but since we were so exhausted we didn't go for a walk but instead we checked into our "regular" hotel and fell fast asleep!
"Deeply rooted in history, Iasi has been the main centre of Moldavian culture since 1408. The city prides itself with publishing the first Romanian newspaper and establishing the first Romanian university. Today, Iasi is home to five universities." http://romaniatourism.com/iasi.html
The next morning we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland. We went to the Elders apartment to drop off the water filters, then we all met the Sora's for lunch and afterwards we went to the Sora's apartment to set up their water filters!
Here are our Iasi Missionaries: Elders Weichers, Michie, Christensen (and Elder Matthews) then in front is Sora Workman, Wenstrom (and me)! These are the cutest kids, ever! They are full of enthusiasm and love bringing others unto Christ! We went to a Mexican Restaurant called Salsas and it was delicious 😋! Iasi really is adorable, especially the town square. It is located in Eastern Romania with the size of 37 sq. miles and has a population of close to 300,000 people. It's been inhabited since 400 BC but was first documented in 1387 AD.
We decided to go for an evening walk and see the Christmas lights that were still up all over the city. "Iasi is the most important political, economic and cultural centre of the province of Moldavia as well as one of the oldest cities in Romania. Located in the northeastern part of the country, Iasi was for many centuries the crossing point of the most important commercial routes linking Poland, Hungary, Russia and Constantinople." http://romaniatourism.com/iasi.html
Iasi has over 100 Orthodox churches which is one of the highest amounts for most cities in the world. Such a fun time being with these adorable missionaries ~ they truly "Light the World"!~ Bacau ~
After arriving in Bacau we took care of Elder Lee (in the back) and Elder Jenkins' (in the front) water filters then headed to lunch to meet up with Naomi (our atheist friend). She is actually very spiritual but she does not want to commit to any religion and sometimes it is easier for her to say she is atheist. Bill has had many deep conversations with her and there is a part of her that we feel wants to believe but again it's hard to get out of a place of comfort. Perhaps she is really more agnostic right now! She has this amazing and gorgeous singing voice and I hope to get her to do a duet with Elder Perrigo in Sacrament meeting before we come home! She is a sweetheart and loves being around all the members and missionaries! Bacau has some fun sites and beautiful countryside! "Bacău is the main city in Bacău County, Romania. At the 2016 national estimation it had a population of 196,883, making it the 12th largest city in Romania. The city is situated in the historical region of Moldavia, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, and on the Bistrița River." WikipediaIt is always fun to feel like we're in a movie in some foreign country. This picture reminds me of "Leap Year" but with sheep instead of cows! If you've ever wanted to serve a mission fill out and put your papers in now because Romania has openings for senior missionaries! Most of the time we don't feel like there is a pandemic because the quarantine restrictions are much more lax here than in any of the other European countries; and we are now eating in the mall food courts and in restaurants! It's been the best experience and quite a fun adventure in so many wonderful, spiritual and ethereal ways! Come join us and we'll have the Mission President flag your name (who, by the way, you will absolutely love, along with his wonderful wife)!
