NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2008

“But the pot he was shaping from clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”  Jeremiah 18:4

It is true – this newsletter is long overdue once again and the only defense we have is that it has been a busy winter and spring.  Sometimes it seems that nothing has happened or changed, however, as we look back, we see how God has been shaping us, the ministry, the people and perhaps even the country as He deems is best for us all.  Naturally, the reshaping process can be painful and we wonder if we will ever get close to being what He would have us to be.   We pray, that as we continue to see His will for our lives, for the lives of the people and for the life of the country of Romania, we will become what He would have us all to be!

Since Albert’s return from Canada last fall we have begun once again to work in the church here in our community.  Over the years, God has been shaping and modeling our lives to better understand and work with the people and culture here in Romania and we believe He has also been shaping and modeling the lives of the people here in the village and in Romania!   It has not been an easy transition for us as the churches here are still bound by much legalism and tradition.  However, we feel that God has called us back to ‘our beginnings’ and know that He has awesome plans in store for us all as we remain faithful to Him and His callings on our lives!

In March we had a wonderful two weeks of Bible School.  As we are now associated with an accredited Bible School here in Romania, this was the first session of our new partnership and there were many wrinkles to work out.  However, we saw God’s faithfulness in providing in so many areas that we know He is in control.  The day before Bible School started, we were still not sure we would have any students as Satan was trying to keep them from coming.  However, we had 8 students and for this we thank the Lord!  A couple from Canada came to teach the first week of school and they were a big blessing as they bonded with the students and were able to touch and feel the culture that we work in here.  We thank Wayne and Judy for coming and teaching and sharing and blessing us all in this way.  We believe that God did some shaping on them as well and trust that His newly modeled vessels will be a blessing to those who they minister to on a regular basis.
God also blessed us with a cook who took over the cooking duties from Elvira.  As Elvira is very busy with the medical ministry as well as raising Valentina, it was a blessing to only have to coordinate meals, not make them!  Thank you Aaron for sharing the love of Jesus in this way!

Our new facilities are almost completed.  We worked very hard the last few months to have the new men’s dorm ready for them and although the finishing touches still remain to be done, they were blessed by the new, bright, roomy space to sleep, study and fellowship.   If there are any finishing carpenters, or ‘wanna be’ carpenters out there who would like to give of their time to help us with the finishing touches, we would be more than grateful to hear from you!

You all know that we have been waiting for a very long time for our Romanian residency to happen!   Well, we now have the cards to prove that we are permanent Romanian residents!  God had to do a lot of reshaping on us to keep us patient for this, however, it has happened and we are trusting it will make many things fall into place for us now.  However, with residency in Romania, we are no longer considered Canadian residents working abroad and therefore our Alberta Health insurance will no longer cover us and therfore, at this time we are uncovered, except by God’s hand of protection and we are looking at our best options of purchasing health insurance.  You may be aware that this is fairly costly for missionaries and so we covet your prayers – that God will provide the additional funds, and that we are able to find a good company which will cover us and in the very near future.

The winter did not pass without several health issues which occupied some of our time as we sought to find answers.   Elvira discovered what looked to be a bruise on her right leg already in October but thought little of it until it started to grow, become itchy and then painful.  A photo sent to a doctor in Canada diagnosed the problem as panniculitis.   It is okay, we did not know what that was either – but – is an infection of the fatty tissue or adipose tissues – which sounds way nicer.  However, after having a biopsy done, much blood work and a doppler, all results came back negative and said that Elvira is very healthy.   So, although still experiencing some pain and displaying a very pretty, purple leg, we leave it in God’s hands to do His healing once more!  What is it?  They are not sure – so are suggesting perhaps a spider bite – only God knows for sure!

Albert had problems once again with his shins, but only because he is not careful enough while building and because the skin is still very thin, caused us some concern but it healed without medical intervention.  We give God the praise!

Where are we with the adoption of Valentina?  With receiving our Romanian residency, we are believing that we are very close to having her put in our legal custody any day now!  Child Protection has promised us a hearing and says that all things are in order and there should be no problems!  Perhaps this waiting time has been for the purpose of shaping us as well.  Praying that God would move His hand and make the way straight so it can all be settled once and for all.   And what will this mean?  We are believing that we will be coming to Canada as a family this summer!   God still has much work to do – as do we, however, we have set plans in motion and are trusting it will happen.  Valentina is so excited that she can hardly contain herself, thinking of all the things she can see, the people she will meet and all she hopes to accomplish while we are there.  Her plans are already making us old people tired but know that we will have lots of help and God will give us the needed energy to keep up to a nine year old!  When will this happen?   We are hoping to leave the last week of June after Valentina is out of school and we would stay until mid to late August.  We must be back for the new school term as well as the  Bible School session in the beginning of September.

Because of this planned trip, there are many areas of prayer and areas in which you, our faithful friends and supporters can help us to make it all come together.

1. As you all know – it will be much more expensive for three to travel than for one!  We are trusting God for the extra funding needed.

2. Although we are not planning on doing itineration as such, we do plan to be available to speak, to visit, to share with all of you.  This includes the provinces of Manitoba through to Vancouver Island where Elvira’s mother lives, although we are thinking we will fly to the island rather than travel by vehicle to save time and expenses.  Therefore, we have a big request: If anyone has a motor home or camper available for us to use, we would more than appreciate it.  Without our own amenities the scheduling and expense of the trip could become a nightmare.  Preparing our own food and moving our beds with us would save much cost, and make the time much more pleasant and without fuss for everyone on route.  So –if anyone has or knows of someone who could spare their camper for the summer – or for a few weeks please let us know as soon as possible so we can continue on with our plans and know what we have to do.

3. We also need someone in Romania to take care of our home, the yards, the ministry buildings and our house puppy while we are gone.  This is a big challenge to find someone as most people who are trust worthy are also very busy!   However, we know that God also has someone available to do this!

4. As there are many people on route who have been waiting to see us as a family, we would appreciate it if you would let us know as soon as possible if you would like us to visit, or to speak. Please let us know what suits you best and we will begin work on organizing the trip so we can accommodate as many of you as possible.

We are trusting God to work this all out to His glory and know that He is in control and He knows what we need before we do and that through the faithfulness of His family, He will provide!   Thank you for helping put this all together!

God bless you as you allow yourselves to be molded and shaped by the Potter’s hand!  We pray that we will hear from you and be able to meet many of you this summer.  May God keep each one of you in His hand and protect and guide and grow you, for His glory!

EHM PRAISE REPORTS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

1. HEALTH:  God has been faithful and has protected us from harm.  Continue to pray for continued healing in Elvira’s leg and for continued protection.

2. SCHOOLING:  Valentina and Dana have done very well this year in school.  Dana is completing her grade 12 and must write some very big exams in July.  Please pray that God will help her to do well and that He would also provide for continued education or work in the fall.  She has very good marks and is believing for a bursary which would help her go to university to continue her education in the teaching field.

3. BIBLE SCHOOL:  We thank God for the new facilities which are a blessing to all.  We thank God for the students and pray that God would use the teaching they received to mold them into useful vessels for His service!  Pray that they are able to do their homework assignments and that God would bring them all back in September.
Pray also for the professors who are preparing for the June and September sessions.

4.   FINANCING:   God is so faithful!!!   We thank God for His faithfulness and the faithfulness of His people in providing the funding needed to continue the work here in Romania!  Pray that God would continue to provide and that He would bless those who are faithful in sharing in the work in Romania.

We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you this summer, to see how God has shaped you over the years since our departure from Canada!
God Bless You!