DECEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given …And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

We send greetings to all this wonderful Christmas season! What a precious time of the year when we reflect on the goodness of God – which began way back at the beginning of time but how humbling to think of the Son of God coming to us as a baby at this special time of the year. We pray that His Spirit will embrace you with love, peace and joy and that you might truly experience His faithfulness as you celebrate His birth with those you love or where ever you may be. His presence is with you and He desires to be center in our hearts and lives, now and throughout the coming year!

Much has happened since the last newsletter went out in September. Elvira has traveled to Canada and back. She arrived in Romania on November 1st, just in time to prepare for the next Bible School session! We thank all of you who blessed Elvira and therefore all of us here, with your love, friendship, gifts, and prayers. God has truly shown Himself faithful through all of you whose lives touch ours. We bless you and thank you and words can not express how much we appreciate all that each one of you have done to make it possible for us to share God’s love here in Romania. You are a vital part of the work here and we feel so blessed to have co-workers like you praying for us, giving us advice, listening and counseling – we love you and thank God every day for each one of you!

We were once again blessed to have 8 students attending Bible School, although one young man left for Italy half way through. We were also blessed by awesome professors, 2 of whom came from England, the other two from here in Romania. God is doing an awesome work in the lives of these students and we are praying and believing that they will receive what He has for them – and pass it on to the rest of Romania. Once again, several of the students had difficulty convincing their parents that they should attend Bible School. However, we thank God for providing a way and that they have taken the courage to step out in faith and take the time to study God’s word! We believe the seeds will be dispersed through out Romania and are praying that revival will come!

Although Elvira had a safe flight home, we discovered upon arrival that some very important papers as well as other printed materials and personal mail, etc. had been stolen from her suitcase. This has caused some problems as some of the information was communication from those of you who had written and sent messages along with her. Therefore, we are asking that if you sent along correspondence for which you are waiting a reply – we would ask that you get in touch with us. Unfortunately, Elvira’s memory is not great and she can not even remember all the papers that were there! We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. We also ask that you pray and believe with us that the people who took the papers would not be able to use them for their gain in any way and even that they would be returned to us!

We have also had major problems with our internet system since November and have found that our mail is not getting out and that you are trying to e-mail us and you are not getting in. We finally discovered that someone has decided our mail is junk and is throwing it out before you get to see it! We pray that you do not feel that way – however, should you feel we should have corresponded with you by now – check your junk bin – it might be there! If you have been trying to reach us – keep trying – it appears to be straightening itself out. Once again, we thank you for your understanding and help.

Albert has been very busy and has been working hard on the education building. The lower floor is almost ready for us and it is looking pretty awesome. We thank God for giving him the strength to do this work as he is mostly working alone as our young men have all left for Italy! God has also protected Albert and we give Him all the glory!

Albert has also been busy assisting several other foundations in Romania with the distribution of humanitarian aid. Lots of orphans and street children are now eating healthy soup- thanks to Canadian friends – and it is blessing families all around the country of Romania! He has also been delivering hospital supplies and clothing and we are praying that through this God’s love will reach into the hearts and lives of the people here. We thank God for protecting Albert as he travels many miles and for His bountiful supplies to the people here.

Our Romanian children are doing well. Valentina is now in grade two and is enjoying it very much. She loves Math and reading and excels at it. She continues to bring so much joy into our lives and into the lives of those around her. We thank God for her. Dana also seems to be doing well. We continue to pray that God would fill her with His love and that that love would be seen in Dana’s life. Rita is doing very well. She is now living in a small community along with another missionary lady from Canada. They have started a small Sunday school and Rita reports that she is very encouraged by it and that God is doing great things. She is putting on her first Christmas presentation next week and is excited and blessed by what God is doing in the lives of the children and teens there. All the girls will be home for Christmas along with some of their friends and we look forward to an exciting and busy time.

We thank you all for your prayers on behalf of the church work here in Crihalma. We have been seeking to hear from God on how He wants us to proceed. We continue to feel that we need to step back from the work in that area to allow the people to go further. A young Romanian pastor from 15 kms away has come forward and told us he feels that God would have him come and continue the work. Therefore, we have passed on the mantle with our blessings and prayers and believe that this is a good step. We feel that it is time for the Romanians to take the leadership in the churches. This young man is trained and knowledgeable and we feel that God will use him to break through the barriers into the culture and will continue with the work that has been started here. We ask you to pray for the children and teens as they are not so ready to accept some one new but we really feel they need to so they can grow to be what God wants them to be. We continue to make ourselves available to them but let them know that they now have a new pastor. We also ask for prayers for ourselves as we need much wisdom and patience. We know that God will continue the good work that He has begun!

Our Canadian children: it was such a blessing for Elvira to be able to spend time with them but so hard to say goodbye! However, God is so faithful and He continues to give the strength necessary to live across the ocean from them.
Karl and Patricia are still not in their new home. This is causing them lots of grief, however, we know that God knows all these things and it will all come out okay. Karl’s job is also going somewhat better although there are still a few things which are not certain and so we ask that you continue to pray that God will work out all things to His glory.
Shauna is doing well. She was just in Alberta to spend her birthday and an early Christmas with Karl and his family and says she enjoyed spending time with her family there. Please pray for her as she spends Christmas on her own –that God’s peace would surround her and that she would know His joy as she celebrates His birth!

As Elvira traveled, she discovered that there are some problems with the distribution of our newsletters. It seems some are getting copies from several places and others are not getting them at all. Therefore, we would like to try and fix it but we need your help! Many of you now have computers and therefore can receive electronic copies – if this is so please e-mail Elvira in Romania with your e-mail address and she will send a copy direct to you – without it going through other hands. Our newsletter is also posted on our web page – the address is on our letter head – therefore if you think you should have received it and have not – you can check there to see if it is out and it can also be printed off from there.
If you still would like a paper copy – please send your address to:

Extended Hands Ministries
C/o Yvonne Perry
P.O. Box 70018
Londonderry R.P.O.
Edmonton, Alberta
T5C 3R6

If we do not get either an e-mail or written confirmation that you want to continue to receive the newsletter – we will assume you no longer wish to receive it and your name will be removed from the mailing list. Thank you for your help in this matter – we pray it will make things more efficient for all.

EXTENDED HANDS MINISTRIES
PRAISE REPORTS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

1. TRAVEL: Continue to pray for protection as the children travel to school and as Albert and family travel with humanitarian aid and to assist pastors with evangelical work in different areas.

2. HEALTH: We thank God for continued health for all. Several days after Elvira returned to Romania she experienced extreme pain in her lower body which she had not experienced for 3 or 4 months. With many praying, the pain eased and she has been much better. Continue to pray for complete healing.

3. Visas/ Citizenship/ Adoption: No change! Waiting! Believing all will be perfect in God’s timing! Continue to pray and believe!

4. ROMANIAN CHILDREN: Pray for God’s continued protection as they travel and learn. Pray for wisdom for Rita as she works in a new church plant. Pray for protection of their minds as there is so much evil around and so many influences from the outside world.

5. BIBLE SCHOOL: We are so thankful for the opportunity to teach gypsy men and women the basic Biblical truths. Pray that God would open doors for more students and that He would give them wisdom and understanding together with boldness to speak the Good News to others.
Pray for wisdom, guidance and direction for the Bible School board and they seek ways to teach the students and for direction for the Bible School.
We thank God for the professors who have come from different areas around the world to teach. Pray that God would continue to supply willing workers in the harvest field of Romania!

6. CANADIAN CHILDREN: We thank God for providing and protecting. Continue to pray for Patricia’s health and that they will be able to move into their new home. That the kids would adjust and that God’s will and working would be evident in their lives. Also pray for Karl and Shauna as they travel to their jobs and that they would be a blessing to those who they are in contact with each day.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11.29