FEBRUARY 2011 NEWSLETTER

“For God so loved the world…”  (John 3:16)

Today is Valentine’s day—the day of love!   Card shops, gift shops, flower shops and  telephone companies are all pushing the idea of love in order to make money- and it works!  Love is something everyone is looking for, unfortunately, most people are looking in the wrong spot!  God’s love is all around us, all year, all month, every day!  However, I wonder if we, who call ourselves Christians, are doing everything to display the love of God to those around us.  No, not the love that sells flowers, cards and gifts  — but the love that Jesus showed us by dying for us so that we might have eternal life with Him!  Are we showing those we meet each day, such unselfish love?  My prayer today, Valentine’s day and the rest of the year is that others may see the love of God in me  – in my actions, in my words, in the life I live!

We are well into 2011, where does the time go?  When we were young we thought the year would never end – now it seems the years pass so quickly and we wonder how we will ever do all the things God has put on our hearts to accomplish!  However, we try and we are certainly busy enough although God did bless us with a quieter January so that we could power up for the busyness of the coming spring and summer and we are thankful.

It is difficult to really rest with a 12 year old and a 3 year old in the house!  Both at such challenging times in their lives, both with their own serious problems  – potty training, appearances!   Wow – we are certainly feeling our age – old!!!   And yet, God is so faithful and the children continue to be a blessing and we continue to pray for wisdom to raise them to be Kingdom kids!  Laurentiu is so much fun as he has become quite fluent in speaking – although he mixes English and Romanian together and sometimes adds some other language(s)!  Valentina has become a fashion show!!!  Always variety  -we never know what to expect  or where she gets her ideas!!!
Rita and Frank are doing well.  They have settled in Cluj and work with a missionary from Holland who works with people who live in the garbage dumps!   They are doing an awesome work for God in the teen and children’s programs, sometimes even risking their lives to reach the young people with the gospel!  We were able to bless them with our Peugot Partner in the new year and Frank tells us he is doing things with it that he could never have done with another car.  So, we are thankful that our car problems all worked out to the glory of God!  Dana is presently living with Frank and Rita as she searches for a job.  We are praying she will find one soon and will be able to move out on her own.
Our Canadian children are doing –okay!  Shauna caught a flu at the new year and is still not over it!  She has had quite a time with it but we are believing she is on her way to recovery!   Karl is still getting infections in his leg and they do not know what is causing them.  He is scheduled to see the surgeon again and is praying that does not mean they will go in again to see what is causing the infections.  Patricia has been well this winter and we rejoice in that!  Kaleb and Meghan are doing well in school and continue to be a blessing in their home!

In January we were blessed with a visit from friends in England.  They said they were coming to encourage us but it seemed the week they were here was the week when we were the busiest and so we were able to put them to work, helping us share the love of God.  Albert was called in to do a gypsy funeral and so Terry was able to see the problems we have with the Orthodox church and the control that they still have in the communities.  However, we pray that the love of Jesus was extended and that God was glorified by their service to Him.  Di was able to bless Elvira at home, was helpful in preparing for a pastors’ meeting and we are thankful that God has blessed us with such loving people who share their love with us!

Beginning of February brought us another container!  This time Albert got brokers to do the customs work and so things went very smoothly and much less stressful – God is so good.  However, with all the work that Albert has been doing in trying to get the aid distributed  -he has developed water on his knee.  It developed very quickly and we are still not sure of the exact cause but have seen a doctor who is very concerned and he is on medications with his foot up!  Pray that it will heal quickly so he does not get stressed about clearing out the education building in time for Bible School to begin next month!  We were blessed with a lot of help unloading the container and several vans were loaded directly from the container which was very helpful.  We thank God for willing helpers to bless the people of Romania with assistance.  We also thank the people in Canada who work hard to gather the supplies and ship them to us, they are such a blessing to so many poor people, hospitals, orphanages and churches as well as to us – often providing just when we are in need!

Towards the end of March we will once again be running a Bible School session.  All professors are in place and the students are eager to attend after the long winter break.  We thank God for the professors who give willingly of their time to bless the students here in Romania with their knowledge and the love of God.   Elvira will be doing the cooking again, unless God sends someone before then, so remember to pray for her as she juggles the many tasks required of her.

We are still trusting God that we will be able to complete the work at the camp site so that it will be usable this summer.   The cement pad for the dining pavilion and the roof need to go on to make it more useable as the site is in the mountains and we often get unexpected rains.  Albert was hoping to work on that soon so we are believing the funds will be in place and his leg will be well enough to do this.  We have also come up with a name for the camp site.  It will be called “NEW HOPE CAMP”.   This name was impressed on Elvira when someone passed her a business card.  We pray that the camp site will give ‘New Hope’ to many children, teens and families who feel that there is nothing in life to hope for!  We felt it also fit in with our organization name – Extending our Hands with New Hope  – a hope that comes from the love of God to each one of us!

It looks like Albert will taking a trip to Canada in April.  We have had some changes in our ministry board and so he will go and make all the necessary changes and take the opportunity to do some ministry while he is there.  Albert has been doing a lot of leadership training, encouraging of pastors and counseling over the winter.  He loves doing this work and God has anointed him to teach and encourage others.  The pastors here are not happy to hear that he will be gone for several weeks but we know that God provide all that is needed for everyone!

“…that WHOEVER  believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life!”
– the real reason for and result of:  L O V E!
EHM PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE REPORTS

1.  HEALTH:   We are thankful to have made it through most of the winter without any serious flues or illnesses.  However, Albert has developed water on his right knee and is in need of healing for that.  Cause at this point is unknown – but HEALER  is known!!!
-praying for total healing for Shauna’s body and for Karl’s leg!

2.  HUMANITARIAN AID:   Container arrived with no problems.  Albert is in the process of delivering the aid.  So thankful for God’s blessings to so many people.  Pray for Albert as he travels and takes the opportunity to minister and share God’s love.

3.  NEW HOPE CAMP:   So thankful for this beautiful site!  Praying for provisions and time to complete the dining pavilion and kitchen so it can be used starting in July 2011!

4. BIBLE SCHOOL:   Pray for the professors as they prepare, travel and teach.  Pray that God would give them wisdom to teach His word so the gypsy nation can understand and apply God’s Word in their families, churches and communities.
– pray for the students that God would provide for them and that they would be able to return to school to learn God’s word.

5. CHILDREN:  So thankful for how God works in the lives of our children, protecting and providing!   Pray for Rita and Frank as they minister  to the gypsies in the Cluj area.  Pray for us as we raise Valentina and Laurentiu – for God’s glory!

“ a new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)