When Beth and Don Minikel depart for the Republic of Moldova, they won't know for sure when they will return to the United States, if at all. The couple, who currently live in Racine, are planning to go to the central European country sometime in the next six months to work with a missionary team. And, if all goes well, they just might make Moldova - which sits between Romania and the Ukraine - their new home.

Such commitment doesn't seem to worry the Minikels, both of whom are members of the Kenosha First Assembly of God church. They've already notified their employers, families and friends of their plans to become missionary associates; they've sold their home and most of their belongings and are living in an apartment; and they are ready to get on with their mission of helping people in Moldova, which they describe as the poorest country in Europe.

It is their faith, they say, that makes them so sure of their decision.

"God equips you to do the job you are supposed to do, once you have Christ in your heart," said Beth, a teacher by trade, "you have to step out and trust in the faith you have."

Accepting Christ into their hearts is something that came later in life for Beth and Don, now both in their mid-30s. Each had come to a point in their lives where they realized they needed to change the direction they were going in, and each of them found that by giving their hearts to Christ, they were able to make those changes.

Their call to do mission work developed over time - each of them discovering it in their own way.

"We were living the American dream," said Don, who has worked for 20 years as a tool and die maker. "We had good jobs, a beautiful house, nice neighbors and we began asking ourselves what the next step in our lives should be."

The answer, he said, seemed to be that it was time to help someone else who was more in need than themselves. And, when a missionary from Assemblies of God World Missions came and spoke at their church about his work, Don said he was deeply touched by the stories of suffering in Moldova, where human trafficking, drug and alcohol addiction and general disregard for human life run rampant.

"It was like his words hit me in the face," Don said. "When he asked 'What are you going to do about this?' it was like he was talking directly to me."

Beth, who had felt her call to mission work earlier, was glad to hear of her husband's thoughts.

"When he told me that, it confirmed what I'd been feeling and praying for all along," she said. "We knew this was what we need to do."

"It just seemed to come naturally," said Don.

Once in Moldova

Once in Moldova the Minikels will help build homes, such as the Home of Hope, where women leaving the human trafficking trade can find safety and comfort. They will also help create shelter for men and women recovering from drug addiction and alcohol abuse, build safe housing for the elderly and dig wells to provide safe drinking water.

They also hope to help the people of Moldova accept Christ as their savior, although their assistance to those people's needs will not depend on such acceptance, the couple said.

"We are in Moldova for one reason. It might take many different forms and fashions, but our purpose is to partner with the local churches and help one person at a time travel the path to Christ. As we help with the physical and emotional needs, we pray their hearts will be open for God to care for their spiritual needs," reads an excerpt from their web site at: http://www.harvestingmoldova.org

The Minikels won't be tackling their mission projects on their own. They will join a missionary team led by Andy and Nancy Raatz, also of Wisconsin, who have been living and working in Moldova for six years. The Minikels have been in touch with the Raatz' via Facebook in recent months and the veteran missionaries have helped Don and Beth figure out what they need to do to prepare for their mission, including working out a budget for their financial needs.

Don and Beth have already conducted several fundraising efforts and will be holding two more next weekend at their church in Kenosha. The first will be a vendor fair, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 11, which will offer a variety of goods and services. The other will be a Team Trivia night on July 12 where, for $10, people can have fun testing their trivia knowledge and donate to the mission cause at the same time.

Originally, the couple had planned to leave for Moldova in August, but because they still need to raise more money for their mission, they are now aiming for late fall, or early 2010. In addition to financial support, they are asking people to support them in prayer, and those wishing to do so can connect with the Minikels through their web site.

The couple realizes they have many challenges ahead of them, as they plan to live in a country where they don't yet speak the language and will face a new way of life.

"Leaving family will be the hardest part," said Beth. "But I know that God is going to take care of that too."

They plan to keep in touch with family here through Skype, an inexpensive Internet phone service, as well as Facebook and e-mail. And they are confident that they will be where they are supposed to be.

"When God puts a desire in your heart, it gives you inner peace," said Don.

"It really helps you feel you are going in the right direction," added Beth.