Faith

The things you face on the mission field are somewhat different from the things you face when you are in your home environment.
I was trying to find words of comfort from the Bible for Teresa and found that these words were more for some young people that we know here.

As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows! "Those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven. But those who reject me publicly, I will reject before my Father in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law; your worst enemies will be the members of your own family. "Those who love their father or mother more than me are not fit to be my disciples; those who love their son or daughter more than me are not fit to be my disciples. Those who do not take up their cross and follow in my steps are not fit to be my disciples. Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it. "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes God's messenger because he is God's messenger, will share in his reward. And whoever welcomes a good man because he is good, will share in his reward. You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward." Mat 10:30-42

These young people have had to say God is greater than even my own parents and I will follow Him and not the traditions that lead only to death and the grave. Now they are in spiritual warfare with these powers and the battle ground is their own homes. Pray that theses young people will never give up the fight and as they carry their cross, that they will lead their families to God.

Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. Joh 14:6
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:18

Emma Marie

This has been an event filled week for Teresa and me. Monday we started the week with the training conference with Troy which will last for a total of 2 weeks. This is an awesome conference, a great opportunity to dig deep into God’s word. Then Tuesday morning around 3 AM Jason calls us on the phone to tell us little Emma Marie was on the way. Only she wasn’t really until Wednesday (He was giving us a trial run). She did arrive at 7:56 PM our time, almost noon Wednesday in KC.
We have been blessed to live during a time when you are 8 time zones away and can still see the newest arrival only seconds after anyone who is in the waiting room can email a picture. We really are thankful for that, as well as cheap phone calls and live video. I have never been big on pictures, they only give you an idea of how someone really is, they are not like being there.
Anyway, back to class; on Thursday we take pictures of little Emma Marie. During class Troy was talking about the law and about grace. And I got it! The picture of Emma Marie is like the law, from the law I know the way I should live my life, just like I now know what Emma Marie looks like (by looking at her picture) . But when I finally meet her I will no longer need the picture, for I will know her and she will be forever in me. But the picture will still be useful to show others who do not know her that she is beautiful, sweet, loving, and looks just like her father. That is the way it is with Jesus. Once you meet Him and he holds you, you no longer need the law because you know how your life is suppose to look. You no longer live in fear of breaking the law because you love Jesus Christ and he lives in you.
Rom 8:9 But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to---if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin.
If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to.For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. Rom 8:10-14

Christmas Vacation

What did you do during your Christmas vacation?

My sister Rena came to visit us on Christmas Day. We were very glad that she came. The time together has been great. But that is not nearly the whole story.

Rena works with children who have learning disabilities. She has been using that gift here with the children of Galati. Saturday she began her teaching activities with a visit to a family with a 4 year old deaf girl. This valley family was first told the story of Jesus when Donnie was working with Troy, as long as 4 years ago. There are several believers in the home, but there are also some who have not yet placed their trust in Jesus. This family is already being blessed by Mihai and the Ene family (pronounced “N.A.”) who are teaching the whole family sign language. Rena joined in the lesson and learned some new signs herself. We all had a good time there.







The next stop for Rena was a family who includes a 12 year old autistic girl. This family is a mission point of Holy Trinity not far from the center of town. She is a very happy young lady who has trouble communicating with anyone except her mother. This was the first time I was able to see the genius of my sister at work in her profession. I was amazed at the ideas she had that would help this family communicate. They were simple, affordable and effective.

Our next visit was with a family who are friends of Roland, that live near Billa II. Roland not only asked me about getting some help for this families’ 18 month old daughter but told me that “they have everything they want, but they need God.” So please pray for this young couple as we work with their child, that they may come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. Their child is both almost blind and deaf.

We then returned to the valley, on Dogarei street. Bogdan and Troy both know this family, although I had never been in their house as far as I can remember. Bogdan said he has done some Bible studies with them in the past. I don’t know if anyone in this home is a believer in Jesus. The family includes an 8 year old boy who has learning and communication problems. He is not able to go to school but has 3 sisters that do attend school who are eager to help teach him as much as he is able to learn. Rena discussed several way that they could help him learn. On our next visit she will have some simple tools for them to use in this process. When we left there, you could see the change in the faces of the sisters and the mother, they had hope that their brother could learn.

Our next stop was at the home of a member of the Holy Trinity Church. Their family includes a 4 years old boy with CP. This youngster is blessed with an older sister and 2 loving parents. They have been able to get help working with him, but they are eager to learn other ways which he might respond to as well. This mother is not a believer, pray that her heart will be softened by these visits and that she too will know Jesus as her Savior.

One thing all these family have in common is the fact that not all the members of the families follow Jesus. Please be praying for us this week as we get to show God’s love though our actions.

Now when Rena is asked what she did on her Christmas vacation I think her answer may be, “ do you want an hour by hour or day by day description?”

Jam 2:17 So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.
Jam 2:18 But someone will say, "One person has faith, another has actions." My answer is, "Show me how anyone can have faith without actions.

Merry Christmas fron Galati

Still More Christmas Lights

More Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

Dear Jennifer, Ryan, Peggy, Kelly, Jason, Carissa and Kimber:

Randy and I miss all of you so much this Christmas season. It is very difficult having to spend the holiday apart. The beautiful lights decorating the City of Galati help to brighten our spirits. We wanted to share the lights with you. We hope you enjoy the video clips of our drive through the city with some highlights of my favorite spots. I threw the singing in for free.

We wish you a “Craciun fericit si un An Nou cu multe bucurii!”
(Merry Christmas and a New Year with much joy)

Remember the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love, Mom and Dad