NOVEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!’ Psalm 150:6

What a beautiful time of the year, the hills are clothed in their finest colors, the spider webs decorate the trees and blow in the breeze, shining with frost as the early morning sun beams down on them. The leaves crackle with song as they float to the ground and the river merrily flows along. Even though the grass has turned brown, the storks have flown to their winter home, the mice are moving into my home and the flowers are past their prime, there is still so much beauty which reflects what an awesome creator we have. And . . . we are thankful to have breath – to praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

The children have settled into school, Valentina in grade 7 and Laurentiu has started kindergarten! Valentina is doing well, struggles with some subjects but is still full of energy and is excited about life. Unfortunately, she is growing up way too fast, is not our little girl any more, has become a beautiful young lady! We daily commit her to God, asking for His leading in her life and that her life might be a light for others. Laurentiu loves kindergarten but always makes sure to ask if we are coming to pick him up. He is quite discouraged – at the age of 3 ½ that he does not know how to write but we continue to encourage him that he will learn and be able to write one day soon! He is full of life, he has struggled with a few issues since his parents were here this summer and needs constant assurance that we will be here for him. We never have a dull moment here nor do we need to wonder what to do next, our children keep us busy. Praise the Lord!

And, if our children do not keep us busy, seems everyone else is willing to!
Elvira has started tutoring English and she does not have enough hours to fit in all the students who are needing help. The medical work has slowed down some but there are still plenty of elderly people who wait to have their blood pressures checked so that they can have a visit and plenty of babies being born whose mothers need help and encouragement. Only now has our weather cooled off making the wood fires necessary so we will wait to see how many axe wounds this winter brings! It is a privilege to be able to be God’s hands extended to the community, helping where there is need. Praise the Lord!

New Hope Camp was a blessing to many this summer and although we did not have as many groups as we had thought, it was still a blessing as people came to rest and relax in the beauty of God’s creation. Much work was done there once again and now there is very little which remains to be done and so we are looking forward to next summer when we do not need to be busy building while we are there. We also look forward to winter outings there as it is the perfect spot to ‘be still and know that God is…’ Praise the Lord!

The last Bible School session was held in September and once again we saw growth in the students and a desire to learn more from God’s word. We are so blessed by the professors who have given of their time and come to share God’s word with the Romanian leaders. We are looking forward to the spring of 2012, eagerly waiting to see what students God has prepared for further leadership training. There is presently much interest and we are praying and believing that God will make a way for these hungry young leaders to come and to study and to grown in the knowledge of His wonderful word! Praise the Lord!

We have not had any humanitarian aid for some time but understand that a container is now on it’s way and should arrive either just before Christmas, or just after. We thank God for the opportunity to bless and to provide the poor with clothing, bedding and other useful articles. Praise the Lord!

Albert has been in Canada since the end of September. He has had opportunity to share in many churches and is thankful for the doors which God has opened and the receptive hearts which have responded to the message to ‘go ye into all the world….’. Praise the Lord!

Albert will be returning to Romania at the end of November, where there are many churches and groups of leaders waiting for the teaching which God has put in his heart.
Albert has been blessed to be able to spend time with our children while he has been in Canada.
Karl, Patricia and family are doing well and they were able to make some special memories while Albert was there.
Shauna is presently on stress leave from her job and we ask that you pray for healing and that God would direct her steps! Praise the Lord!

We have had many people interested in seeing pictures of our family and work in Romania. Please feel free to check Elvira’s Facebook page as there are often new pictures posted there as well as the Extended Hands Facebook page which we are attempting to develop. Also feel free to check our web site which we are trying to improve, we are just not very computer literate in this matter! www.ehm-romania.info.

People are also asking for information on where to send donations to Extended Hands Ministries — send all gifts to Box 1311, Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada R0K OEO

Praise the Lord!!!

EHM PRAISE REPORTS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

1. HEALTH: So thankful for reasonably good health! We all have our aches and pains but God continues to give strength! Continue to pray for our health and strength to do the things God asks of us!

2. BIBLE SCHOOL: We are thankful for the dedicated students who continue to return to study God’s word even though it may be difficult for them and their families.
We are thankful for the professors who give of their time to come and teach in the Bible school.
Pray: for the new students who are wanting to attend in 2012 as well as for the professors who want to come and share in the coming year.

3. CHILDREN; We are so thankful for all the special children God has blessed us with! Each one is so precious to us! We are thankful for God’s protection over all our children, both here in Romania as well as in Canada. Continue to pray for their protection, for their spiritual growth and especially for Shauna at this time.

4. HUMANITARIAN AID: We are thankful for the opportunity to receive and distribute material assistance to many churches, orphanages and poor families. Please pray for Albert as he does the administration work and delivers the aid.

Praise the Lord!