The Republic of Moldova is a complex place.
They have no objections to you visiting their communist country, but when you arrive at the Airport, you feel you are not welcome, as it seems more of an interrogation centre that an International Airport.
If you stay more than three days you must report to the nearest police station and account for your movements and the reason for you continued stay. Moldova has granted the Catholic Church the right to practice its faith there again which was prohibited since the occupation by Soviet troops in 1945. At that time they closed all Catholic churches and deported 50% of the population to Siberia in Russia especially those owning businesses or property, the educated, teachers, students etc.

They then moved in Russians to replace those they had deported, giving them the businesses and property. All education had to be by Russian teachers and the only language that could be spoken was Russian . This is the official language still today.

Cupcini is one of the poorest towns in Moldova. It has no state welfare of any sort only two soup kitchens for orphans and the homeless. The main industry is coal mining, where most of the working population work for a bare subsistence. It was twenty degrees below and I saw children in bare feet with no shoes.

We had heard of an official who wanted to move out of his big house and grounds in this decaying town, but could not sell it. The house was worth €250,000 but if anybody was interested he would sell it off for €50,000.

When I saw the house I was amazed at the size of it, but I was delighted when I discovered he had built another house for his son (who had long since left) in the grounds at the back, which was also included in the price. We had the greatest bargain of all time in the place most needed of all time. Both houses were fully furnished. Today we have a house for these wonderful sisters to begin their work with the poor. We are also building the first Catholic Church in the area on the grounds.

In this big house we are opening a day centre to feed the homeless and the poor. We will have accommodation for orphaned children. We will have a Medical Clinic. In the short term we have a Chapel in the biggest room in the house for people to come to until the church is built.