What animals live in Moldova?

Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe, and it has some really interesting wildlife roaming its forests and fields. You might spot red foxes darting through the woods, wild boars rooting around in the underbrush, and roe deer picking their way quietly through the trees. Golden jackals have also moved into Moldova in recent years, which is something naturalists find worth noting. The skies over Moldova are busy too — white storks are a favorite, and many Moldovan families consider it good luck when a stork builds its big nest on their rooftop. Along the rivers and wetlands, you can find herons, wild ducks, and even the occasional eagle scanning the water for fish. God packed a lot of life into this little country, and it is a great reminder that He is a careful Creator who makes every place worth exploring.

What do kids eat in Moldova?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Moldova often eat a dish called mămăligă — it is a thick porridge made from cornmeal, a little like polenta. It gets served warm, sometimes topped with sour cream or cheese, and it fills you right up on a cold day. Rusty wants you to know about another favorite: plăcinte, which are thin pastries stuffed with cheese, potato, or even sour cherries. Families often make these together at home, and grandmothers are famous for their recipes. Moldova grows lots of fruit and grapes too, so fresh food like apples, plums, and grape juice show up at the table quite a bit.

How do people say hello in Moldova?

In Moldova, most people speak Romanian, and the most common greeting is 'Bună ziua' (say it like: BOO-nuh ZEE-wah), which means 'Good day.' Friends who know each other well might just say 'Salut' (sah-LOOT), which is a casual way to say 'Hi.' Moldova also has a group of people called the Gagauz, who speak their own language called Gagauz. They say 'Günaydin' (goo-NAY-dun) for 'Good morning.' Knowing even one word in someone's language is a small way to show them they matter — and missionaries who learn local greetings often find people much more willing to listen when they share the good news about Jesus.

What sports or games do kids play in Moldova?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Moldova love football — what Americans call soccer — more than almost anything else. You'll find them kicking a ball around in courtyards, parks, and empty lots all across the country. It's the sport that brings neighborhoods together on a warm afternoon. Rusty wants to add that Moldovan kids also enjoy oina, a traditional bat-and-ball game a bit like baseball that has been played in this part of the world for centuries. Chess is popular too — Moldova has produced some seriously skilled chess players, and the game is even taught in some schools. When kids aren't outdoors, you might find them gathered around a chessboard, thinking hard about their next move.

What's the weather like in Moldova?

Moldova has four real seasons, which makes it feel a bit like many places in the middle of North America. Summers get warm and sunny, great for growing the grapes and sunflowers you'll see all across the countryside. Winters can be cold and snowy, with temperatures sometimes dipping below freezing. Spring and autumn are probably the most pleasant times there — mild air, colorful fields, and harvest festivals where people celebrate the grape and wine harvests Moldova is known for. The weather shapes daily life in big ways, from what farmers grow to what families eat at the table. It's a good reminder that God designed the seasons, and people all over the world — including in Moldova — live and work within the rhythm He created.

Tell me a fun fact about Moldova.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Moldova is one of the smallest countries in Europe, tucked between Romania and Ukraine — but it grows some of the most celebrated grapes on the continent. In fact, deep underground, Moldova has one of the largest wine cellars in the world, with tunnels stretching for miles right beneath the rolling hills. Rusty wants you to picture this: those underground tunnels are so long that people actually drive small vehicles through them to get around! Moldova is also known for its sunflower fields that turn whole hillsides bright yellow in summer. It is a beautiful little land, and the people there — called Moldovans — have their own rich traditions, foods like a cornmeal dish called mămăligă, and a warm sense of hospitality.

What is school like for kids in Moldova?

Hey there, explorer! Herman here, with Rusty nodding along beside me. School in Moldova is serious business — kids there study hard subjects like Romanian (the main language), math, history, and science. Most children go to school six days a week, and the school day can be long and packed with lessons. One thing that makes Moldova stand out is that many villages have small, older school buildings that need a lot of repairs, and some families are too poor to afford the books and supplies their kids need. That can make learning tough. But here is something worth knowing — there are Moldovan Christians who work to encourage children and share the love of Jesus with them, even right at school. You can pray that kids in Moldova grow up not just learning their lessons, but also learning about the God who made them and loves them.

Who are the unreached people in Moldova?

Great question! Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe, tucked between Romania and Ukraine. Most people there speak Romanian or Russian, and many have heard the name of Jesus — but there are some groups who have had very little chance to hear the real gospel. The Roma people, sometimes called Gypsies, are one of the most unreached groups in Moldova. Many Roma communities are poor and left out, and not many missionaries have focused on sharing the good news with them. There are also Russian-speaking communities, especially in a breakaway region called Transnistria, where the government is very controlling and it is much harder for Christians to meet and share their faith openly. Some Jewish Moldovans and smaller communities of Muslims also live there, and they have not widely trusted Jesus as their Savior. Herman and Rusty think it is worth praying that God opens doors for every one of these people to hear clearly that Jesus died and rose again — and that He is the only one who can truly save them.

How can I pray for the people of Moldova?

Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe where many people have heard the name of Jesus but not truly understood who He is. You can pray that God opens hearts there — that real, saving faith in Jesus takes root in families, villages, and cities across the country. Pray also for the local churches in Moldova to grow strong and bold in sharing the gospel with their neighbors. Ask God to raise up Moldovan leaders who love the Bible and can teach it faithfully — and pray for any believers who face pressure or hardship for following Jesus, that they would stand firm and know God is with them.

What is a holiday or celebration in Moldova?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the biggest celebrations in Moldova is called Martisor, which happens on March 1st. People give each other small red-and-white charms tied together with twisted string. It marks the arrival of spring, and you see these little decorations pinned to jackets and hanging from trees all over the country. Rusty wants to add that Moldova also celebrates Christmas and Easter, since many Moldovans belong to the Orthodox Christian tradition. Orthodox Easter is especially big — families gather, churches fill up with candlelight services, and people greet each other by saying 'Hristos a Înviat!' which means 'Christ is risen!' Missionaries there see Easter as a wonderful open door to share what Jesus's resurrection truly means and why it changes everything.

What language do people speak in Moldova?

Most people in Moldova speak Romanian — it's the official language of the country. You might also hear Russian spoken, especially in cities and in a region called Transnistria in the east. Here's something interesting: for a long time, the language was officially called 'Moldovan,' even though it's really the same language as Romanian. In 2023, the country officially switched the name back to Romanian. Moldova is also home to smaller groups of people who speak Gagauz, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian — so quite a few languages live side by side in this small country!

What's a famous place to visit in Moldova?

One of the most remarkable places in Moldova is the Cricova Winery — a massive underground city of tunnels carved into limestone rock. The tunnels stretch for miles beneath the earth, and they are so wide that vehicles actually drive through them. It is one of the largest underground wineries in the world. Moldova also has the Orheiul Vechi, which means 'Old Orhei.' It is an ancient rocky landscape along a river bend where monks carved a monastery right into the cliff face hundreds of years ago. Some monks still live and pray there today. It is a good reminder that people in Moldova have been seeking God for a very long time — and we can pray that many more would come to know Jesus personally.

Moldova — Kids Missions Explorer

European Roller

This brilliantly blue-and-chestnut bird nests in the oak forests of Moldova and is famous for its tumbling, rolling flight during courtship displays.

European Ground Squirrel

This small, short-eared squirrel lives in Moldova's open grasslands and whistles sharply to warn its neighbors when danger is near.

Danube Bleak

This small silvery fish swims in Moldova's rivers and streams and is an important part of the local fishing tradition along the Prut and Dniester rivers.

Mămăligă

A thick, golden porridge made from cornmeal, mămăligă has been a staple of Moldovan tables for centuries and is eaten alongside cheese, sour cream, or stew.

Plăcintă

These thin, flaky pastries are filled with everything from sour cherries and apples to cottage cheese and potatoes, and they are found at nearly every family gathering.

Zeamă

A comforting chicken noodle soup seasoned with lovage and lemon juice, zeamă is the dish Moldovan families reach for when someone is tired or under the weather.

Moldova

Things you should know about Moldova

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

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Life in Moldova

Missions in Moldova

Pray for Moldova