Hope in Sorrow

1 Thessalonians 1:13-1

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Death is a very real part of life that happens to all of us. It is a subject we don’t like to talk about very much as it brings memories of loss and sorrow to the surface. Because it is a fact of life, we are all affected by it.

Just the other day as I opened up to Facebook, I was hit once again with the unexpected tragedy of a family we knew. As missionaries living over seas, and many times out of touch with the lives of people back in the country of origin, it still brings pain knowing that many of our friends are going through this tragedy. We are suffering with them even though it is across an ocean. Pain has no borders. We only wish we could be there to personally share in the grief and be a comforting presence. We know our extended Family is sharing in the grief, and we know it is hard, but we do have  hope. Praising God through the grief that we will one day see our loved ones again.

As a follower of Jesus, Paul tells us that we should not sorrow as others who have no hope. Paul says that if we (and they) believe that Jesus died and rose again, we will see our loved ones again. We have this hope. Yes, we do sorrow, but with hope. We miss seeing those we love that have passed into eternity, and we can look forward to seeing them again.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

A friend wrote this on a blog: How do we still our shattered hearts?

With the Word. Psalm 46 is a great place to camp out during any time of trouble to focus on Who God is:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (vs.1 ESV).

Because God is our refuge and strength...

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (vs. 2-3)

The weight of grief can feel like the earth is giving way under our feet, that our sorrow is more than we can bear, like we are drowning in the roaring foam of the sea. But, our God is here holding us up and giving us strength, courage and grace in the midst of it all.

As we still our broken hearts, may these words of our heavenly Father bring comfort, peace, and strength:

"You are My servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; 

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

 I will strengthen you. I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 

"Fear not, I am the one who helps you"

(Isaiah 40:10, 13 ESV, emphasis mine).

With a broken heart, I cling to Christ.      Read the full article at: When Life Hits Us Hard, God Hugs Us Tighter

“So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.”
                                                                                                                      - ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭

After two airplanes, and a van ride we arrived safe back in Romania to our house. We have not had much for our bodies to adjust as school started two days later. God is good, and we have gotten through the first week of school without any major hickups.
I would like to say thank you to everyone that helped us purchase a laptop and an ipad for both faith and I.
This summer in the states visiting family and friends and making new ones has been a great time of refreshing for our family (even for the little ones) even though we travelled quite a bit. Thank you for your prayers during this time.

Continue to keep us in your prayers as we get back into our routine with Bible studies, teaching English, preaching, and planning for the future.

Easter--Resurrection Sunday

“For you shall go out with joy,

 And be led out with peace; 

The mountains and the hills 

Shall break forth into singing before you, 

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

                                   -Isaiah 55:12

Our Easter here in Romania was a week later than normal as most of Romania follows the Orthodox calendar. We had a great time celebrating Resurrection Sunday with the family. 

During the Easter weekend we joined the Easter procession through Bistrita along with the other evangelical churches.

Our family

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.

Romania's Fall is upon us once again!!

Fall is in full swing. School has started and we are adjusting to the change of schedule. Levi is in 5th grade, Chloe in 3rd grade, Mihai in what they call class Zero, and Azaniah started the Romanian kindergarten (preschool). Most of the New Beginning family center children are now in High school. Please pray for them through out the school year. To be diligent in their studies, and to be a light for Jesus amongst their teachers and classmates.
 Faith will begin to teach English again in the village of Pintic. We are thankful for the Lord opening the door their once again. Please pray for speaking of the Romanian language, and to be able to boldly share the gospel with both the students and the staff at the school. Praise for a director of the school who has allowed us to share openly, and to keep doing so. 
 The Bible study in Pintic is going well. A young family has agreed to allow us to use their house for the studies now that the weather is cold. Please continue to pray for the salvation of the Roma people in this village, that the Lord would start to change their village and put them on fire for Him. 
Praying about and planning a trip to the states It has been some time since we have seen and spoken with many of you. Over two years now. We long to be able to visit with our friends and family again, and to meet some of you in person for the very first time. We would like to pray about coming to the states this next coming summer. It is only 8 months away so we must begin raising and saving money for this now. The tickets are much cheaper if bought in advance. Please pray for the Lord’s provision so that we may come and share with you all in person not only the work the Lord has been doing in Romania, but what the Lord has been doing in our lives as well. 
We thank each of you, and pray for you often. We are blessed beyond measure to have you as a part of the ministry here in Romania. We love you all, and thank you for all of your prayers and support. 

Click to see our video: a glimpse of Romania!!

Serving together in Christ,
Chris, Faith, and kids