January 2010
The New Year is upon us. 2009 came and went at light speed it seems. Again, Rody and I want to thank the Lord for laying it on hearts to pray and support the ministry here in NE Romania. School started back and we had 13 new students. That is truly amazing and we thank the Lord for it.

Mitica Barbu who had started out helping teach a class is now teaching "Experiencing God" by himself. There are a few that allows God to really transform their lives and Mitica is one of those people. He has 11 children, no running water in his home, no electric, no indoor toliet and functions on less that $250 a month. He is inspiring to all of us to say the least. His heart is in making disciples and reaching out to the lost. He is what our vision saw. Someone comes to the school here and goes back and begins to use what they have learned and from that new people come to the Lord and in turn some of them come to school here. Mitica has made this a reality. Pray for him and his family.

Our focus this year will be on FBTC, our students and our staff. We realize that times are tough and that many sacrifice so that we can continue to function here. We take that very seriously and want to be the best stewards of what God provides. He knows our needs and we ask Him to supply them as He sees best. We continue to work in the villages of Ursari near Negresti, 10 Sticks, Slobozia, Dallas. We have been asked by one of our teachers, Emil, to help get a new church started just outside of Iasi in a village called Mirosalva.

Rody has moved her ESL class to an apartment in town where it is warmer until Spring. Witnessing Though Your Relationships still continues in Slobozia even during the rough weather that we have had.

I had the opportunity to do a baby dedication in a little church in Iasi called the "Joy Club". It was a great time for mom and dad, the Lord was lifted up and He was given all the glory. I preach there once a month and most there are young people. Rody and I are the oldest, but they put us with us. They have started reaching out to some villages and hope to start some new Bible studies in the Spring.

Over the last few months the church at 10 Sticks has been visiting people in the village of Dagata (sounds like Da-gu-sta). This month they had their first meeting in a rented building and had 8 from the village attend. Each week they get together and had a Bible study from the Book of John. The church also helps some poor people in the village and the ladies at the church meet once a week for their mission study. The women are excited about being on mission with God. The church has been asked to come to several other villages and they are praying how God will provide for them to go. Pray for them and pray about helping in anyway you can.

We have been invited to go to Moldovia and speak with church leaders their about teaching, equipping and making disciples. We wait upon the Lord for direction and plan on going in February.