Reports will be posted here.
After a very long day, we have made it to Piatra Neamt, in the northeast section of Romania. This morning (Tuesday) is senior adult ministry, then this afternoon homeless ministry, then this evening, women's recognition. Many evangelism opportunities today. God Bless, and thanks for the prayers.
Yesterday was most interesting. I began to realize that I was older than some of the seniors at the meeting. Attendance was down because of the weather. But the church here draws from outside the church because they spend much time in non-church activities--haircuts, blood pressure checks, films and videos, games, etc. But they always bring the focus to Jesus before the time is over. The weather did not affect the attendance at the homeless ministry. Almost every ounce of soup was consumed, and several pounds of bread. When a young family came in, I realized how close I had been to the same situation in the winter of 1977-78, when I lost my job, and my house. Were it not for the grace of a friend whose house sat empty while he was trying to sell it, my family would have been "out in the cold." At least for a time they were warm and heard the gospel, and were "served" the love of Jesus Christ. The evening "women's" service was postponed, so we caught up on some rest. Off for a morning of leadership training now. God Bless
Need to catch up. Wednesday we began our teaching schedule. I taught Wednesday and Thursday about Gift-oriented ministry. On Friday, Craig taught about Empowering Leadership, dealing with insecurities. There was a German study of over 1000 churches in several countries that listed the eight characteristics of growing churches. #1 was Empowering Leadership, and #2 was Gift-oriented ministry. Pastor Marin said the Holy Spirit guided us to the needed teaching for the leadership here.
Wednesday night I was in a home prayer meeting, and Craig was in Roman. Prayer is still very important here, and when prayer meetings are held, everyone prays. I have a list in my Bible of people for whom I am already praying who need to make a decision for Jesus Christ. I just added several more on Wednesday evening. Thursday evening, I preached for the first time in Bicaz Ardelean church. I have preached several times in churches nearby, and have visited the B. A. church with medical teams, but never had the opportunity to preach there. That meant Craig was with the Piatra Neamt home church for their mid-week service. Friday I was with the young people at church while Craig traveled to Bodesti with the Pastor. I am continually amazed at the maturity of the youth in this church, and the honesty with which they share. .
Thus far all of our meetings have been for the most part with believers (with the exception of the seniors and homeless on Tuesday.) Today, Saturday, and tomorrow will be the opportunities for evangelism. Today I will be with the youth in the early afternoon for an activity that will draw many from outside the church. Tonight we will be with a men's meeting in Damuc, and also will draw from outsdie the church. Then tomorrow, Craig will be in Roman in the morning and then at a new work in Vasilui in the evening. I will be here at the Piatra Neamt church for both services. Pray for the messages we are preparing, that God will guide the words we choose. Pray that we might both be an encouragement to the believers, but also present the gospel in such a way that non-believers will have the opportunity to find Jesus Christ.
I apologize that these updates are coming so slow. Because of the computer I brought with me I am having to write them in html.
Need to catch up. Wednesday we began our teaching schedule. I taught Wednesday and Thursday about Gift-oriented ministry. On Friday, Craig taught about Empowering Leadership, dealing with insecurities. There was a German study of over 1000 churches in several countries that listed the eight characteristics of growing churches. #1 was Empowering Leadership, and #2 was Gift-oriented ministry. Pastor Marin said the Holy Spirit guided us to the needed teaching for the leadership here.
Wednesday night I was in a home prayer meeting, and Craig was in Roman. Prayer is still very important here, and when prayer meetings are held, everyone prays. I have a list in my Bible of people for whom I am already praying who need to make a decision for Jesus Christ. I just added several more on Wednesday evening. Thursday evening, I preached for the first time in Bicaz Ardelean church. I have preached several times in churches nearby, and have visited the B. A. church with medical teams, but never had the opportunity to preach there. That meant Craig was with the Piatra Neamt home church for their mid-week service. Friday I was with the young people at church while Craig traveled to Bodesti with the Pastor. I am continually amazed at the maturity of the youth in this church, and the honesty with which they share.
Thus far all of our meetings have been for the most part with believers (with the exception of the seniors and homeless on Tuesday.) Today, Saturday, and tomorrow will be the opportunities for evangelism. Today I will be with the youth in the early afternoon for an activity that will draw many from outside the church. Tonight we will be with a men's meeting in Damuc, and also will draw from outsdie the church. Then tomorrow, Craig will be in Roman in the morning and then at a new work in Vasilui in the evening. I will be here at the Piatra Neamt church for both services. Pray for the messages we are preparing, that God will guide the words we choose. Pray that we might both be an encouragement to the believers, but also present the gospel in such a way that non-believers will have the opportunity to find Jesus Christ.
The men's meeting went well last night. We had probably over 75 men from what I think was three churches. They also had many young men (teenagers) involved. I had to leave Craig with the youth in order to get to Damuc on time. After I left Sara Bivolaru shared her testimony, and then Craig spoke to the youth. I felt so sorry for Craig and Florian today. They had to leave at 8am for Roman, the wait for a church business session after the worship so that Teo and Monica could join them for the trip to Vasilui. The young pastor there was very hospitable and I understand they had a good meeting there with a good attendance, and then the 2 1/2 hour ride back to Piatra Neamt. The services here went well today, with the message this morning centered around the Lord's Supper. (For those of you who don't speak Baptist, you may call it communion.) I spent most of the afternoon with the Bivolaru family, sharing with Sara the rest of the gifts and cards which I had been unable to get to her before they left for Cluj on Tuesday. We will still not know the prognosis after her tests until Tuesday sometime. Please keep their family in your prayers. The evening service was wonderful. There are not many Baptist churches where the evening service on Sunday will outnumber the morning service. We began at 5pm and did not finish until 7:30pm. You will also not find many Baptist churches which will have 2 1/2 hour services in the evening. More tomorrow after we have a chance to talk. It has been a long day. God Bless.
This day, Monday, began so sweetly and sadly. Sadly because we had to depart. Sweetly because we were met at the church by Sara Bivolaru (and Dora & Mircea), as well as Pastor Marin, Vasile, Teo, and Veronika. It was indeed a bitter-sweet farewell. We left for Bucharest, and spent most of the day on the road. We got to re-cap the week, and especially Sunday, and while there are some things I won't discuss on a public forum, we were in agreement that there are some great needs that continue to need prayer and support. And we also agreed the the week was very successful from our view point, and that was confirmed by Pastor Marin to me several times. There are several for whom we are praying that the word will take root and blossom into fruition. I know that you will join us in that prayer. I will call Dora about Sara's report on Tuesday evening so that we can let you all know what is happening with her. Until then. God Bless.
I must speak now of something which I had hoped I wouldn't. Last night I talked with Dora about Sara. The test results that her doctor in Cluj saw suggested that she must continue treatment. The connection was not very good, so I will call again today (Thursday) and speak with both Dora and Sara. Please pray for continued healing in Sara's life. I have much to share about this, but it will come at a later report. I had a good meeting with the young people last evening, and will report on that later today, when I have an opportunity. I am off now to meet with one of the IMB missionaries here in Bucharest, Dwayne Brown. It is now 9:25am here but only 2:25am in the morning where most of you are. So sleep well and God Bless.