We thank the Lord for all the much needed rain that we have had over the last week and a half. Pray for a beautiful sunday afternoon as we once again head to the village. We will be sharing from John 1:6-13. Be in prayer with us as we go. Pray for open ears and soft hearts to hear, change, and follow our Lord and Savior. Pray each of us that go, those that come, that we will be used, heard, and understood. Thank you for your prayers. God bless each one of you.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:5 NKJV)
Sunday morning in Sunday school the kids and I have started the book of Philippians. Paul, though bound by chains, was full of joy in his situation. He did not sit back sulking, complaining or grumbling, but took this opportunity to share the gospel with the guards, and anyone that would listen to what he had to say.
He knew that God was in control and one way or another he would be set free- to live and continue to share the gospel, or to live with Christ in eternity. It is a win win situation.
How many times do we complain, grumble, and sulk when everything does not go our way?
Sunday afternoon began our second bible study in the village of Pintic. Faith and the kids came along this time. As soon as we arrived the kids gathered around and even the adults came out and sat in the shade.
Sitting in the grass under a tree sharing God's Word with the people reminded me once again why the Lord called us here to Romania.
I did not go bearing gifts of earthly value, I had no food to give; just God's Word to share with those who sat and listened. Jesus, the light that shines in the darkness, that pierces even the darkest corners, the only light that gives true life, this is what I have to offer them.
With over fourty people listening, others talking, horse and wagons scurrying by, kids coming and going, and others listening intently I was able to share who was the Light of life and why we need Him.
Pray for wisdom and discernment in ministering and sharing In Pintic. Pray for the English class to be used by God. Pray for the Thursday night bible study. Pray for the after school kids program at the space to be a light to the lost.
Thank you for praying.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 11:4 NKJV)
Monday, May 13, 2013
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Pintic
Sunday afternoon started off the first Bible study in Pintic, a village 30 minutes outside of Bistrita. During the summers we have done a Vacation Bible School and went swimming with the kids there at the salt pond. An introduction to What the Bible is and What it is about, began our study. Pray that the lives of those there would be changed through God's Word. Pray that there would be a hunger for it.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
-John 8:12
Easter here in Romania fell on May 5th weekend as it follows the Orthodox calendar. Here are a few pictures of the family to enjoy.
Pray for the village of Pintic as we become more involved the the lives of the people there. Pray for the Bible studies and those attending that Jesus would be glorified, and His light would shine through us as we Go. Pray their hearts and minds would be open and willing. Pray for Alex to find a job as he has been looking, but there is not a lot available in his village. He wants to go back to school and finish school so that he can get his drivers license so that he has more opportunities for jobs.
Pray for finances for traveling back and forth to the villages as the cost of gas is very expensive here in Romania.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Marcu 16:15 Apoi le -a zis: ,,Duceţi-vă în toată lumea, şi propovăduiţi Evanghelia la orice făptură. (Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.) April 2013 started off with not only the kids' spring break, but the beginning of a trip around Romania with the ministry team from Two Percenters (http://www.twopercenterministries.org/).
Calvary Chapel Bucuresti
listening
Calvary Chapel Bucuresti
As a family we met the team at the Bucuresti airport before heading to Calvary Chapel Bucuresti. Our stay at Calvary Chapel Bucuresti, April 5-7, was a wonderful time of meeting old friends, meeting new friends, learning how to share the Gospel, and putting it to practice in the beautiful park right there within walking distance from the church. Sunday afternoon came all too fast as we packed the van for a three hour trip to Sacele, our next stop at Calvary Chapel Brasov.
After a few hours we arrived in Sacele at the Fast Foundation where we not only had the workshop, but were able to stay while in Brasov. The workshop was held in the evenings and during the day we shared the Gospel in the center (of Basov) and at Poiana.
Our next stop will be in a village between Brasov and Bucuresti. A beautiful drive through the mountains of Romania took us to the village of Ciorani.
In the village of Ciorani
on the way to Ciorani
traveling to ciorani
We arrived in Ciorani Thursday afternoon ready to settle in for the next few days before we head on once again. After relaxing and having a wonderful supper with the Quarles we discussed the plan for the next few days.
Friday began with a trip to the villages to bring everyone together for the workshop. Two vans, a car and three hours later we all arrived back to the Church. Friday night began the first session. After worship the children broke up into two groups. The older children learned what and why God gave us the Ten Commandments.
During one of the sessions a lady stood up, interrupted the workshop and not wanting to wait a second more gave her life to the Lord.
Saturday after the session we went to another village to share.
Sunday came almost too soon.
After church and a wonderful meal we were once again on our way. But this time to Bistrita, our home town.
There is just so much to tell and so much that has been and will be happening. First we want to start off by telling you about Damaris. Damaris is one of the girls in our girls Bible study that meets once a week on Fridays at our house. She is 17 years old and from the village outside of Bistrita, she is now born again and part of our spiritual family!!!!:):):) Jesus has saved her and because of this many of the other girls are asking lots more questions about Jesus and Him being a part of their lives.They are starting to realize their sin and confess it as well. A couple weeks ago we had to cancel Bible study due to a doctors appointment that could only be made at that time, but the girls in the village really wanted me (Faith) to come to see them at their home. The village is a little bit of a drive and I was tired from the doctors appointment, and it was getting late, but I could hear the urgency in the girls voices so asked Chris what I should do. He said to take Chloe with me so I wouldn’t be driving alone and not too stay too late because the roads were icy there. I am so glad that I went, and am thankful for the Lord giving me strength to go. Damaris poured her heart out both to me and to the Lord Jesus, and I would have missed a very precious opportunity to minister in these young womens lives. Six of the girls were at the one house all waiting for me, and wanting to ask me all kinds of questions. I not only had a great night being able to share in this sweet girls salvation, but it planted seeds for the other girls, and taught me a very valuable lesson in my Christian walk, and to have Chloe a part of all this with me was such a great joy!! Please pray for Damaris and lift her up daily to the Lord.
Some exciting events:
In April my dad and stepmom will be coming with a small team from Jacksonville, NC. We will meet them as a family at the Bucharest Airport. We will then make our way to Calvary Chapel Bucharest as the team will be teaching Evangelism workshops through out Romania, and then going out onto the streets to share the gospel with the Romanian people. After Bucharest, we will be going to Brasov, to Ciorani, then to our city Bistrita, where we will also be going into the villages of Pintic and Slatinita during the week. We are excited for this opportunity, not only to take part in working with the Romanians on how to share the gospel in their own country, but to be able to get out in the streets and share on numerous occasions as well. And of course are very excited that part of the team is family!!! Please please be in prayer for this time. It will be from April 5th to April 28th, pray for our children as we will be very busy and doing lots of traveling. Pray for the team, for every ones health, strength, and finances. Pray for all the traveling that will take place from one city to the next. And mostly pray for the hearts of those that we will be sharing the gospel with, that the Lord will prepare each of their hearts before we even speak with them, and pray for the Romanians that will be attending the evangelism workshops that they will see the need to share the gospel to those around them each and every day.
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
Prayer requests
Finances for gas, lodging and other travel expenses that will be needed during the time that the team is here. Prayer for the Romanian people and their salvation.
Please pray for the children that Chris works with at the space: pray for their salvation, and for their family environments which are really bad and abusive.
Prayer for the adoption of Mihai. We are waiting to hear if we have been accepted for our residency which should be in April and then we can start the adoption process. Please pray for wisdom of those at the DPC who do not know what they are doing or how to work our case. Please pray for open doors and a fast adoption case. Praise for the attorney willing to help us, and for all the doors the Lord has opened so far.
As Christmas was here and gone I spent some time reflecting on what Christmas is all about. During the Christmas season my kids really enjoyed listening to The Go Fish Guys. One of their songs is titled, "It's About The Cross".
On Facebook i saw a song titled, "Shake Up Christmas" by Train.
Both are beautiful songs to listen to at Christmas time, but their messages are very different.
Christmas is a time we, as Christians, remember the birth of Jesus. But it is more than that, it is about why he was born, it is about what he came and did, it is about remembering and thanking him for the free gift of eternal life that he gave us if we accept it. It is not just about his birth, but his perfect, sinless life, his death he died in our place, his resurrection, his ascension, and his return. Christmas is a time to celebrate what He did for us, and what he promises to do for us.
What was your Christmas like?
Here is a little of what we did this Christmas...
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year from the Andersons (Bistrita, Romania)
Chris, Faith, and Jatham at Bran
Sharing Christmas
We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! We were so encouraged this Christmas and blessed by each one of you. We had a wonderful time with Chris's sister and her two friends here, Josh and Jaclyn. We were blessed in so many ways this season, and it is hard to put everything into words. People went out of their way to help us be able to share Jesus with those hurting in the villages and to supply them with food, treats, clothes, gospel tracts, etc. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for helping us to do that.
We also thank you all for helping to meet each of our needs this winter. A new couch has been purchased and is on its way, it should arrive in about a week and a half to our house!! Winter tires were purchased, and it has been nice not to get stuck in the snow, and to be able to still travel to the villages and minister to the families there. We even had people send money for personal gifts for our own kids and we were able to get the three older ones swimming lessons for their main Christmas present. Thank you very much!!
Thank you so much for partnering with us to serve the Lord here in Romania. We could not do it without you. We are encouraged by each one of you and thankful for all of your prayers and sacrificial giving!!
sledding in poiana with the Kieffers
As a family, we were able to take Jenn, and her friends, Josh and Jaclyn to visit the city of Brasov. We enjoyed a day of sledding, visiting the center, visiting Bran Castle, and eating at a wonderful restaurant outside of Brasov.
Bran Castle
Bran Castle
It was a wonderful time of fellowship, sightseeing, and just enjoying each other's company, although i did get a comment from my little sister and I quote, "You remind me so much of mom and dad right now!". (Just another reminder that I am only getting older, thanks sis. :-)
a village house
Faith three others were able to visit a very poor family in Pintic and take some much needed items to them for Christmas through "Seed of Hope". Pintic is a village 30 minutes away where Faith and another missionary woman go to minister to children in teaching english once a week. They have been able to not only minister to children in the school, but a family in need. The Lord has used them to touch lives in this poor village and school. We thank Him for this opportunity and for more opportunities to come.
Praise and prayer requests
Praise all of our needs were met a new couch, and winter tires.
Prayer requests for the families visited over Christmas that they will accept Jesus as their savior and we will have more and more opportunities to share Christ with them.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6
