From a one-handed cripple

The Bible study in The village of Pintic has grown and during the winter months we have moved the study across the street to another house with a larger room to allow for more people to be able to attend. We have finished studying through the Gospel of John and will be studying through the ten commandments. Every sunday is different with different people showing up with different motives. But no mater what their motive is for coming, they are able to hear God's word.

The last couple weeks here in Romania have been extremely busy, even for a one handed cripple... Yes, i said it... I have been a lefty for just over three weeks. While at a training conference in Vajta, Hungary I dislocated my right shoulder (playing basketball of all things,and so the downhill mountain biking here in Romania has been put on hold for a few more weeks (months if Faith and her mom has any say in it)).  

So I have had to learn to do a lot of things left handed or have help. During a guys conference in Alba Iulia I had to allow someone else to cut my fried chicken and pork (snitel) (for a guy to have another guy cut his food can be little humbling..). The theme of the conference was "the new guy" Growing more like Christ, and because i had planned on using a white board, i again had to have help from one of the guys to help write on the white board as I taught. And to top it off, i was not able to race go karts, or play paint ball! But despite all this it was a great time of fellowship, friendship, and growing together. I will do it again!!--a conference that is!! I like being right handed!!

no, not at the beach.. power of technology at work!

As of yesterday I was able to remove the sling and I have started physical therapy... I will be back to biking.... I mean normal soon!! This typing one handed is terrible, and trying to type two handed at weird angles is tough!!

some pics from theVillage

bible study at the after school program 

At the after school program we have finished studying the ten commandments, and are looking at who we are.. God created man and woman in His image... what does that mean?

In the Tuesday night foundations class we have been looking at the attributes of God, and learning that All of God's attributes work together. God is a God of love, and at the same time a God of wrath. A God of patience and mercy, but at the same time a Just God. thank you God for being all you are.

Some prayer requests:

Please continue to pray for provision for now and during our trip to the States (housing and vehicle while in the states)

Pray for the village ministry

Pray for my shoulder to be healed totally

Pray for the after school program

Pray for the church to grow spiritually, as a church family, and have an impact on our city.

Pray for the vision the Lord has begun to reveal to us that it would continue to be made clear and precise as we begin to plan.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

(if you enjoy coffee, be sure to check out the coffee link on the right of this blog!!)

The Giver

Last Sunday after we finished the bible study in the village one of the men asked us to stop by his house as he had something. Thinking he wanted to offer us a cup of coffee and to chat, we told him we couldn't stay too long afterwards this time, but we agreed to stop at his house before leaving. (We have been meeting across the street at a larger house so that we have more room for more people to come.)

As we arrived at the young man's house, he gave us each; a bottle of oil, a bag of sugar, and some liver patte. I couldn't refuse it because of the joy written all over his face that he was able to share something with us this time. I knew he probably needed it more than I did, but his giving instead of taking and asking was a blessing. I could not refuse him this joy. These verses came to me as I was driving home from the village.

Luke 6:38 New King James Version (NKJV)

38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Matthew 10:8

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Christmas from a four year old

Hard to believe it is already a new day. We ended our Christmas celebration last night with John 3:16, and this morning I was reflecting on this Christmas and just how grateful I was for everything. We weren't sure if we would even have any presents this year and then not long before Christmas our parents blessed us with money to buy things for the grand kids and while we still didn't have as many as the years before this it was the most cheerful and peaceful Christmas in our house. The kids were able to truly realize the real reason for Christmas and to understand as Christians we don't have to wait for Christmas. We get to celebrate and worship Jesus everyday. As we were in Kaufland just a couple days before Christmas our four year old misunderstood the concept of our secret pals, and thought he was shopping for himself.
 As he realized this, in disappointment he started to throw a fit in the middle of the store (1st time for everything). In the mean time while I am thinking to myself how I am going to handle this, a lady walks over and tells him In Romanian of course, that Santa will not come to him because he is crying in the store, and in her shock that did not work because even though he is only 4 he knows Santa does not exist. But the Lord gave me in that moment wisdom in how to handle the situation, and I picked Azi up and told him, "you know Santa does not exist so what that lady said is not true. You will still have a gift Christmas day because I know someone who came and gave us the greatest gift of all even when we did not DESERVE it".
 And with that he stopped his crying and looked up at me to listen to the rest of what I had to say, and we talked about how Jesus came to save us from our sin and that is the greatest gift, and then I explained to him with that love we are here to shop forhis secret pal as a surprise to be loving for others, ( part of our conversation) and the rest of our shopping was peaceful.

 My point for sharing this is that even we as Christians get a little too wrapped up in "a man" that doesn't exist or change anything, and it was not a thought of a gift from Santa that made this little boy want to stop being selfish but the true gift from God in Jesus that caused this 4 year old to change his way and desire cheerfully to show love to his brother and no longer care for himself. And this year besides just doing the Christmas story like in the past we focused on the undeserving gift God gave not just sending Jesus as a baby but also on The cross, the resurrection, and God's word to us. And it really was the best Christmas ever. We even ended up receiving Samaritan Purse boxes last minute and never ceases to amaze me that every year these gifts that are randomly given out are always perfect for our children, Levi's even had running stuff in it, go figure we serve an awesome and loving God 

A Day Never Forgotten

As I was driving to the office this morning, I could not help remembering the song I heard last night. I'll fly away, by Glenn Kaiser. It brought back a lot of memories of the last seven years that we have been here in Romania- some of the best times, the hardest times and darkest times in my life. 

Just over 16 months ago from now is a day that will be forever etched into my memory. 

I will remember the smell of the fresh mountain air, the breeze across my face while I hike up to the glacier lake where we were to camp for a couple nights. 

A phone call that became a string of phone calls leading up to the ultimate call as we had set up camp, eaten and settled down for the night. "He's dead, they are both dead!" echoed through the phone. 

Here I was high up in the mountains of Romania on a camping trip with a group of boys, and no way to start back home until the sun comes up in the morning. Helpless, cold, and stuck out there.

It has been over fifteen months and only today as I was driving to the office could I bring myself to stop by the cemetery and visit the grave of Adi and Timi. 

I wasn't sure how I would react. With a feeling of mixed emotions i found the place. 

After taking a few minutes to pray for the family he left behind, I said quietly, I'll see you soon. Our life here on earth is short compared to eternity. 

I walked away slowly with a sense of joy knowing that one day soon we would meet again, we would be able to praise our Lord and Savior together once again. 

One glad morning.....

1 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2 Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. 3 For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. 4 "Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. 7 "Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. 8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations." 9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon? 10 Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? 11 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 12 "I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, 13 and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? 14 He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. 15 I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar-- the LORD of hosts is his name. 16 And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'" 17 Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering. 18 There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne; there is none to take her by the hand among all the sons she has brought up. 19 These two things have happened to you-- who will console you?-- devastation and destruction, famine and sword; who will comfort you? 20 Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street like an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God. 21 Therefore hear this, you who are afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: 22 Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God who pleads the cause of his people: "Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more; 23 and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Bow down, that we may pass over'; and you have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to pass over." [Isa 51:1-23 ESV]

                                         

Being thankful!

There is so much we can be thankful for- family, friends, the house we live in, the meals we eat...I could go on and on.

This Psalm comes to mind...
Psalms 100:1-5 NKJV

Make a joyful shout to the Lord , all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord , He is God; It  is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We  are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord  is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Always remember that the Lord is good!  Throughout each season remember this and give Him thanks.

As we continue to minister here in Bistrita and the surrounding villages that we work in, continue to hold us up in prayer as we pray for the Lord's guidance on what His plans for us will be.
Pray that it will be made clear to us and that we will be willing to step out in faith in His timing.
Thank you for your prayers.

New Every Morning

David wrote this towards the end of his life.

A Song of God’s Majesty and Love
145 A praise of David.
I will exalt you, my God, O king,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is Yahweh, and very worthy of praise,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation will laud your works to another,
and will declare your mighty deeds.
On the splendor of the glory of your majesty,
and on your wonderful deeds, I will meditate.
And they will speak of the power of your awesome deeds,
and I will tell of your greatness.
They will utter  the renown of your abundant goodness,
and they will proclaim with joy your righteousness.
Yahweh is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and great in loyal love.
Yahweh is good to all,
and his mercies are over all his works.
All your works will praise you, O Yahweh,
and your faithful ones will bless you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and talk of your power,
to make known to the children of humankind his mighty deeds,
and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Yahweh upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due time,
opening your hand,
and satisfying the desire of every living creature.
Yahweh is righteous in all his ways,
and loyal in all his works.
Yahweh is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry for help, and saves them.
Yahweh protects all those who love him,
but all the wicked he will exterminate.
My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh,
and all flesh will bless his holy name
forever and ever.

Reflection on a rainy afternoon

"Job 28:12-28 NASB

"But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? "Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. "The deep says, 'It is not in me'; And the sea says, 'It is not with me.' "Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price. "It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx, or sapphire. "Gold or glass cannot equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. "Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls. "The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. "Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? "Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living And concealed from the birds of the sky. " Abaddon and Death say, 'With our ears we have heard a report of it.' "God understands its way, And He knows its place. "For He looks to the ends of the earth And sees everything under the heavens. "When He imparted weight to the wind And meted out the waters by measure, When He set a limit for the rain And a course for the thunderbolt, Then He saw it and declared it; He established it and also searched it out. "And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'""
  -New American Standard Bible

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