Tour of Churches, continued

Last night we had some new friends over for the first time, a missionary couple who have lived here in Chisinau for several years.  They told us about a church they knew of right down the hill from us, and since it was a Romanian-speaking congregation, we were eager to try it. (All the churches we've been to here so far have been Russian-speaking, and we have had no chance of understanding anything.)

They told us it started at 10 am, so this morning we arrived at 10 on the dot.  (The Frank family has yet to arrive anywhere early -- on either continent.)  We were surprised to find everyone already joyfully singing, and quickly tried to find a place to sit.  The friendly ushers played charades with us and helped us find a couple of rows we could squeeze into.  It was a very large church, and quite a full room!  About 15 minutes later, a young man found a way to come sit next to Pete and asked if we spoke English.  (I think we stick out everywhere as American!)  He then kindly offered to translate for us.  I'm so amazed at how friendly all of these churches have been, and how there is always someone willing to sit and translate for us.

After a little while Fyeodor-the-translator mentioned that there would be just a couple more songs, and then the sermon.  I was beginning to think that the length of this service was much more like a typical American service.... until he also said that the service had actually started at 9:00!!  We had apparently missed an entire hour of singing and worship!  

At 10:45 there was something akin to an intermission, during which everyone got up to talk to one another or walk around for about 15 minutes.  Feodor told us that the service length is usually about 3 hours -- but it used to be 4 or 5 hours! 

This church was part of a Pentecostal denomination -- which seems to be flourishing over here.  I had to smile as the pastor was praying.  Even though I could only pick out a few words here and there, the cadence and rhythm of his speech brought me right back to the years we attended an Assembly of God church.  He sounded just the same as the pastors I once heard.  Once again we found it an encouraging experience to be among fellow worshipers of a different language.  And as our Romanian continues to improve, hopefully we will be able to understand more and more!