Pastor Vali

I want to introduce you to Pastor Valeriu “Vali” Radu. He is pastor at Emanuel Baptist Church in Berceni, which is sector 4, the south eastern part of Bucuresti. The church has 150 members and is the only Baptist church in sector 4. The population of sector 4 is just over 300,000 people. Pastor Vali also has a full time job at the apartment complex where many of the students from outside Bucuresti live. Besides normal church activities, the church is active in two different mission points outside the city.
Pastor Vali told me that before we came to Emanuel, he had been praying for someone to help him mobilize his church in evangelism. And in late October Teresa and I were asked by our team leader, Richard Clark, to go to the Emanuel Church to see if we could work with them. We have found that they want us as much as we need them. Pastor Vali has even taken time to go with me as we try to lead people to Christ. This week Pastor took Teresa and I to a doctor he knows, also from the Emanuel Church, so that the doctor could give her opinion about Teresa’s arm and shoulder problem.
During a recent conversation with Pastor Vali, he also speaks English; I learned that he is also a college student. He already has the degree he needs to be a pastor under the guidelines of the Romanian Baptist Union, (Paul could be a pastor here but Jesus Christ could not be one). Now he is working on a degree that will allow him to be a licensed counselor under Romanian government’s guidelines. The Romanian government has lots of hoops for you to jump throw, even more then the Romanian Baptist Union. When he completes his degree and becomes licensed by the government, he will be the only licensed Christian counselor in Bucuresti. The city has over 2 million people and there is not 1 Christian counselor in the city.
Pastor Vali is a very busy man about God’s work; please pray for him, his family, and his ministries. Please ask God to bless him so that his cup runs over. Ask the Father to strengthen him as he continues this huge schedule that he has each week. And also thank God for him on our behalf, he is a great encourager and helpful pastor to Teresa and me.
Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Peace Be Still

Mar 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
Mar 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Peace, be still...

We arrived on the mission field April 7, 2008 with many hopes, dreams and great expectations. God has been good, He has blessed and He has provided everything we have needed. I wish I could say we have accomplished all the goals we had set. There isn't enough of us or time to achieve the amount of work needed in this city to reach the lost and plant churches.

Much like the disciples, more than once we found ourselves in the proverbial small boat taking in water on the rough sea. Randy and I were definitely plunged into some rough sailing early on. Looking back I believe those were testing waters, like the refining fires the Bible talks about. In despair we called out "Lord Jesus, help us..do something...we're in trouble here!" He arose, said "Peace, be still" and there was a GREAT calm.

Peace, be still...

Randy and I came on the mission field with no set time frame of returning to the states. Our terms would last 3 years, we would be home a few months, turn around and come back to Romania. The world wide economic crisis has left no one untouched. Unfortunately it has greatly impacted the missionaries serving in foreign countries.
The major support for us to remain on the field comes from the Lottie Moon Christmas offering collected in Southern Baptist Churches, the offering has dropped to a devastating low. Thousands of missionaries are being forced to leave the field with no option to return, there's no money. We are in that number. February, 2011 when our term ends, we will not be returning to the mission field. This news was a hard blow for us. We gave up everything we owned to "go". We are glad we did, we have no regrets. There is a blessing in being obeident when God calls you. It will be very difficult to leave Romania. We have formed friendships with the Nationals here that will last a lifetime. Romania will have been our home for 3 years when our term ends. The Romania people are precious to Jesus, he died on the cross for them, so few of them understand that concept. So, we've been back in that little boat again...and He said "Peace, be still."

God has given us a new Mission field. We will return to Kansas City, Missouri where 2 of our children and a precious grand baby live. There's much work to do there also.
We will serve the Lord with joy in Kansas City and cherish always the memories of Romania.

Pray For Ferentari

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

As we looks for ways to establish Bible studies in Ferentari, the 23th Psalms comes to mind. Although you heard this read at a large number of funerals, it is for the living. This is a reminder no matter where we are, God is there, the Holy Spirit is ever present in the believer. I want those of you who want to see a positive change in Romania to please being praying with us for a special worker.
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Ferentari needs a person who believes Psalms 23:4, because Ferentari is a rough place to work. God has given us the opportunity to start work in that community of Bucuresti, through the Phillip House Foundation. We need a person who can work at the foundation and become familiar with the children and the area, and through this effort will be able to start Bible studies with the families of these children out in their area. This would require a great deal of time and may only be possible if the person finds sponsors who could support an individual for an ongoing mission.
Please pray and keep praying until a child of God comes along side us that can take on this role of reaching into the darkness called Ferentari.
Please pray that God will provide a way of keeping a person’s needs met while they spend a great deal of time in this area.
Please pray as Paul asked in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2Th 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Beautiful Inside and Out

Andreea Adamachi


Pro 31:25 She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future.
Pro 31:26 "She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
Pro 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, but a woman who has the fear of the LORD should be praised.

Last evening, March 7th, after our Team Bucuresti worship time and fellowship Randy and I had an appointment to meet a National couple at McDonlads. Randy had met the gentleman previously, this was an opportunity for me to get acquainted with his wife. I had no idea that my sweet husband had "something up-his-sleeve!" We arrived at McDonalds about one minute prior to the couple we were meeting. I had no idea what they looked like, however I was watching the entrance out of curiosity. My heart leaped when I saw Andreea opening the door. It had been approximately 7 months since I had seen Andreea.

This precious young woman spent a year involved in a Bible Study group in my home. Andreea is very dear to my heart. Our relationship began when Randy and I lived in Galati, Romania. She has graduated from High School since then and is now attending school near Bucuresti for Hairstyling. Our schedules and the snow have not permitted us to spend any time together this winter, but we plan on working in some weekends she can stay in our home. We have a lot of catching up to do!

I had the privelege of watching Andreea grow and mature in her walk and relationship with the Lord. Randy and I have worked with Andreea's assistance in evangelizing on the streets in Galati. What a blessing it was to see her enthusiasm to share the gospel with the lost. The love of Jesus radiated from her face.

I was so thrilled to see Andreea last night. I wrapped my arms around her and just held her for a while. I have really missed this young woman. I love her. Please pray for Andreea as she continues her studies. Lift her up to our Heavenly Father for protection, that she will continue to seek His guidance for every aspect of her life, pray that she will ask God for wisdom and that she will develop a mighty prayer life and live in God's word. Lastly, pray for me that I will be a Godly example for Andreea.

Encourage One Another

1Th 5:11 And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing.
1Th 5:12 We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life.
1Th 5:13 Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1Th 5:15 See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.
1Th 5:16 Be joyful always,
1Th 5:17 pray at all times,
1Th 5:18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

Let me introduce the young men and women in the photo to you. Andrew, Kristy, and Costel on the front row. On the second row we have the beautiful young women, Anna, Louiza, Maria, Lili and Ligia. This is my Bible Study group from Biserica Crestina Baptista Emanuel in Bucuresti, Romania. It is very difficult for me to put into words how special this group of young adults have become to me during our study time together.
To say they are outstanding would be an understatement.

My intent of leading these students through a session of Bible studies was to 'enlighten, equip and encourage' them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Early into our study, I realized the Lord was blessing me richly through my time spent with this special group of young adults who have chosen to put Christ first in their lives. The truth of the matter is, I believe I have been blessed as much if not more than my group. It has been my pleasure to hear them express their faith, hear their testimonies and share with me how the Lord is working in their lives. Living in Romania as a teenager or a young adult is very difficult. Jesus Christ is the only hope one has for a future of any kind. It is easy to pick out those on the street who have not made the choice to follow Christ. They are the ones with a paper bag up to their face sniffing glue or paint, or the ones on the street corner trying to sell them selves to exist. Praise God, the faces you see in this picture have hope, a hope that no one can take away from them.

I have been unable to continue our studies until I get a medical problem resolved. This is difficult for me as well as my group. Last evening they came to visit me and brought me beautiful flowers as well. I should say the came to ENCOURAGE and PRAY for me. Kristi brought his guitar and they all sang for me. What a wonderful time of fellowship together. They made it very clear how much they miss me and the studies. I was very touched, and blessed. What an example these young adults are setting, directly from God's word. Their actions are living proof they are children of the Most High God. I was greatly encouraged by their visit, and I am thankful to God for placing them in my life.

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Substitutions

My Homemade Flour Tortillas

You don't have to be on the mission field very long until you figure out there are some things you just can't find where you are located. Items you used to keep stocked in your pantry and could pick up at any grocery store back home. I'll give you some examples: jello, french vanilla coffee creamer, non-stick pan spray, pancake syrup, pumpkin pie spice, canned pumpkin, PECANS, karo syrup, flour tortillas and cranberry sauce just to mention a few! Desperation causes a person to take serious action. I have learned to make a substitute pancake syrup that is very tasty. My husband continually looks for frozen burritos each time we go grocery shopping, he's always disappointed; they are never there! I decided to make my own flour tortillas and do my best to recreate the bean and cheese burrito in Romania to quench my husband's craving. Viewing his reactions as he consumed the made-from-scratch burritos, I'd say I scored high. By-the-way, there are no re-fried beans available..my substitution, I cooked a pot of lentils; they worked great!
I can't buy Crisco here either, but I have found a substitute called Lando, which appears to be lard and works very well in biscuits and pie crust. As a missionary you learn many lessons of survival on the field, one of them is the art of substitutions.

HOWEVER, there are somethings for which there is no substitution. Try as hard as you might, there just isn't any other way to make it work! Let me give you an example:
some people think you can get to heaven by being a "good person". I know some really good people, but they'll never be good enough to make it to heaven. Other folks think they can work their way to heaven. That's impossible, God's word tells us it won't happen. My advice to you is to open the Bible and read for yourself, the instructions are clear.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.