Dr. Seth Polk

'Compassion may be dangerous'

October 30, 2007

The State Department has issued travel warnings for Transnistria, and a mission of compassion to the area may be hazardous, Cross Lanes Baptist Pastor Dr. Seth Polk told Putnam Rotarians today.

Most folks have never heard of the place. Transnistria is not recognized as a country, and yet the territory since 1992 has functioned as an independent state.

Located within the geographical limits of Moldova, Transnistria lies mostly to to the east of the River Dniester. The name literally means "across the Dniester."

Most of the half million population of Moldovians, Russians and Ukrainians live on less than a dollar a day. Polk described living conditions in Transnistria as so rigorous that parents in desperation often place their children in orphanages.

That is where CERI (Children's Emergency Relief International) comes in. The organization seeks to assist children living in dangerous, deprived or unstable circumstances.

Frostbite is a significant danger for children there, and CERI's "Operation Knit Together" tries to provide shoes and socks for every orphan. Sometimes they also give out winter hats.

That translates to footwear for 7,000 children in 56 orphanages -- a cost of $100,000 or $15 per child to keep little feet safe.

Polk will join a mission of ministry for Transnistrian orphans for ten days in early December.

The mission is non-profit, said Polk, and the cost for travel is about $1,700 per person.

"We've been blessed in order to bless," he told the group. "We are a river -- not a reservoir."