May 2015

Last week at the after-school program we began talking about words we say matter. We can use our words to build someone up, or tear them down.  The kids had a lot of fun playing air hockey with a ping pong, great entertainment.  

Saturday some of us from the church got together and gave the building a little facelift. After painting and cleaning we all enjoyed some pizza from Crazy Pizza. Great Times.

Ready to paint

Painting

clean up

waiting for pizza

Pizza

finished 

Sunday afternoon in the village sometimes bring surpise guests to the Bible study. During the study on the second commandment in walked two lambs. Not afraid and curious to who all was in the room. Always something new, and never a dull moment.

lamb

curious

look at me 

Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly [are] not so, But [are] like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

-Psalm 1

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!!)

Where did the summer go?
Was it not yesterday we celebrated the last day of school? Was it not just yesterday we said goodbye to part of our team as they left to visit the States?
Now it is September and most of the team members are back!!
Wow!!!  Not sure about the rest of you but ours flew by, and at times has felt like it never started, now it is September and in less than two weeks school will be starting for the kids. We had the priviledge of having a young lady, Allison stay with us a month in July, and help in the village and with our own kids. It was nice to have a date night out of the house once a week for 4 weeks. We also had the priviledge of visiting an orphanage about 2 hours away in Brosteni, Romania up in the mountains, and the director has invited us to come back in September. The girls Bible study retreat went wonderful and the whole family got to participate as we had it right here camping out in our own yard.

The church has been going well, and Chris will continue to preach a couple weeks after Brian returns to finish up the book of 1 John. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through him to the church. Please continue to pray for the Bible study as well in Pintic among the Roma there. Somedays it seems like we are really seeing progress while other times it seems like there is no fruit. The people really need Jesus so please please pray for them.

Please pray for our two boys as they will be transferring to the Christian, private school in town. Pray for it to be easy for them to meet new friends and for them to be diligent in school this year. Please pray for our family as a whole.

We took a family day to ride horses. The kids had a wonderful time riding and enjoying the outdoors.

We do hope to visit the states next summer so please pray for the Lord's provision in this area.

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.

Who are you?

At Bible study in the village we looked at John the Baptist and what he came to do. The Religious leaders wanted to know who he was and sent Levites and Priests to find out why he was preaching and Baptizing, and by whose authority.

As the cherries trees are heavy with cherries many of the men were selling cherries. The women and children listened intently as we shared and opened the Word of God. 

The children loved playing a few games before it was time to leave. As we left we were able to help take two men and their cherries to the next village so they could sell them. Many of the people from this village scrape by day by day selling cherries or other forest fruits they can find to sell. Some of the things that they pick to sell are cherries, rasberries, mushrooms, nuts, and snails as each comes in season or as they can find them. God's Word will give them hope for a future life with Christ in His kingdom.

Cherry Tree

 Before leaving for the village Azi practices riding his bicycle. Many more falls and crashes lay ahead of him.

Jatham riding his car in style

The kids at the space learned how to make volcanoes demonstrating the effects of what happens when we explode in anger and how it can effect everything or everyone around us. 

Thank you for your prayers and support. Continue to pray for our visas to arrive. They have been approved and processed. We are waiting for them to arrive. It is taking extra long. Pray for patience.

Pray for the village of Pintic and wisdom in sharing, teaching, and loving the people. How to best be a Christ like example. 

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, and especially happy Fathers Day to Russell Anderson and Robert Peele. You hold a special place in our hearts this day as we remember you. 

A Song of Ascents.

 Blessed [is] every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands, You [shall be] happy, and [it shall be] well with you.

Your wife [shall be] like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.

Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace [be] upon Israel!

-Psalm 128:1-6

A witness to the Light

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

We enjoyed our time in the village this afternoon. After Bible study and teaching some of the kids a few songs, the kids enjoyed spending some time playing games. All too soon it was time to leave as we have a couple more weeks of school and the kids have to get up on time. Here a few pictures from our afternoon in Pintic.

Two days before Easter one of the houses burned to the ground. Everyone was able to get out safe, but they lost everything. Please pray for Victor and his family as they have nothing. They are currently staying with his wife's relative in one of the two rooms that make up her house. They have five children. Pray that others in his village would come together and help this family. Pray that God would use this to change the hearts of the people in this village. Pray that God uses the Bible study to change their hearts to follow Jesus.