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 give the reason for you continued stay. Moldova has granted the Catholic Church the right to practice its faith there again, it was prohibited since the occupation by Soviet troops in 1945.

At that time they closed all Catholic churches and deported all priests and 50% of the population to Siberia in Russia, especially those owning businesses or property, the educated, the teachers, and students. They then moved in Russians to replace those they had deported, giving them the businesses and the property owned by those who were deported. All education had to be by Russian teachers and the only language that could be spoken was Russian. This is still the official language 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. This big house in our country would be worth €750,000 but we purchased it 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 eloped to America) 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. We now have a large “Divine Mercy in Action” house for the poor children in this area which the  “Sisters of Jesus” look after today.