The Snow And The Rain

Ron and Charlotte Craig

Isa 55:10 "My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat.
Isa 55:11 So also will be the word that I speak--- it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.

Ron and Charlotte Craig are fellow laborers in the field, who served 3 years in Medgidia, Romania and many of the surrounding villages. Medgidia is located in the Southeast corner of Romania (in the district of Constanta). The city has a significant Turkish influence. Thousands of Muslims live in the city. The city's name, Medgidia, is derived from the name of a Trukish Sultan - Al-Medgid. As in so many cities across Europe, the people find refuge in alcohol and other unmoral vices. Thus they have little or no hope and lack any motivation for a better life now or hereafter.

Three years ago when Ron and Charlotte arrived in Medgidia they had no idea the magnitude of "the plan" God had laid out for them. The first year was extremely difficult. Their home for the next thirty-six months would be an apartment on the top floor, without an elevator! Everyday they climbed five flights of stairs. They endured a severe leak in the roof of their apartment which caused a serious mold problem. The first winter they had no heat. By the grace of God, prayers from dear family and prayer partners back home, they persevered! Not only was their living arrangements difficult, adjusting to life in a foreign country stressful, their first year of ministry was a challenge also.

Ron and Charlotte continued to trust in the Lord and take all matters to their Father in prayer. They kept on keeping on! God blessed them for their obedience and faithfulness. Amazing things were accomplished through Ron and Charlotte. Many lives were changed for eternity, many people received hope for the first time. Why, because a husband and wife answered the call to "go", endured the difficult times, and sowed the seeds. As I write this blog, it has been snowing about fourteen hours. I can't help but think, as the snow melts into the ground and spring arrives, the seeds that Ron and Charlotte have sown will be blessed by God and according to His time, there will be a great harvest in Medigida and the surrounding villages.

Thank you Ron and Charlotte for being such an inspiration for your colleagues here in Romania. We love you and appreciate your hard work, faithfulness and dedication to your call.

2 Years

This picture was taken almost two years ago. We blogged about how beautiful are the feet of those who spread the Good News. And as of this week, two years later only two units, Teresa & me and Mark, are still in the foreign mission field. Most of this group signed up for two years with the possibility of extending at the end of that time. But because of lack of money those opportunities no longer exist, so most of our group is back in the states starting life over again. Some will go to college to continue their education, others will pastor churches and some have no idea what they will do now. The next 18 months will see many more people leave the mission field than will be coming to it. This is a sad state of affairs, unlike the states where most people have hear the Good News but have decided to live their life their our way rather than follow Christ, in this part of the world most have not heard that you are saved by grace through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
In recent years the SBC churches have been giving more money than they have had people to go on missions. But the last two years this has changed and the measurement will be in lost souls. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Rom10:14-15
That brings us back to those beautiful feet, their lives have been changed forever in these past two years, and so have the eternal destiny of many of those who met them. God bless them for going and you for supporting them with your prayers!