“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” ( Isa 43:19)

2020 is half gone! What a year – full of uncertainties and questions and one asks, ‘What is this all about?” Even though we do not have the answers, we do know that the God we serve does and He is in control! His many promises keep us looking forward to each new day and wait to see what He has in store for us! He has promised to ‘do a new thing!”, and we wait in anticipation for it to come to pass. For Him to make a way, to bring life to the dead, to heal broken hearts, to fill us with His power and anointing! Although things look dismal in the world around us – we have HOPE – we can rejoice in Him and know His word is alive and will come to pass!

Here in Romania, the Covid continues to dictate what we can and can not do, where we can go – or not – but we are trying to make the best of each situation, to rest when we can not get out, to spend time with God, in prayer and in His Word and prepare ourselves for what God is going to do.

The last two weeks we have been able to attend church once more. There are many restrictions, many of which the people are not adhering to very well and so we pray God’s protection over us. However, it is a joy to see the people hungry to get back to His house, hungry to learn more, eager to grasp what His word has to say about how we should live and how we can reach out to others. Albert loves to teach and God has anointed him to speak to the gypsy nation in a way that they can relate and grasp the Biblical truths and we pray that they also apply them to their daily lives! Elvira has been interacting more with the ladies in the churches where we minister and pray that God will use her to bring love, joy and peace into the lives of the ladies. Laurentiu and Joshua are happy to be able to fellowship with other children once again and are an example of love to the other children.

We have been given permission by our mayor to have camps once again – at least for the time being, as our Covid numbers rise and the government threatens to lock us down once again! However, next week we will have around 40 teens and leaders at the camp site. We ask that you pray for God’s protection on each one and that God’s love would reach into the hurting, hungry hearts of teenagers who often feel neglected and unimportant. We pray for good weather as we are having much rain but that spiritual rains would fall and cause growth in the teens. We are unsure about further camps but there are many plans underway and we pray that God makes a way for them to happen so we can reach out to families in need of God’s love.

We made it through one year of home schooling! I believe Elvira’s hair has greyed considerably this last year, however, both boys passed their grades and so we move forward! Although it is often hard to see what God is doing, we can see that doing home schooling this year was a blessing in disguise as most parents had to resort to home schooling anyway and many children did not fare so well – nor did the parents! We were thankful to have the program in place with the supplies needed to continue the boys education! His ways are certainly higher than ours! New things – often not so well received but – a blessing in the end!! Elvira has also taken on the task of teaching another child! This young boy comes to help with yard work, is in grade 5 like Laurentiu and Elvira offered to help make up for what he lost because of the school closing. However, was surprised to discover that he can not even do the work of a grade one child! He is very bright, learns quickly but gets no encouragement from home nor from the school teachers and it appears they have just been pushing him through! Pray for wisdom for Elvira and that he will continue to have a desire to learn and that God will work in his life. He is very open to God’s word and memorizes quickly, is very respectful and willing to serve others.

The June session of Bible School did not run and we are doubtful that the October one will run unless God does some things quickly. We spoke to several of the students this past week and they are willing to come back, no matter what – but– we must obey the laws and many of our professors come from England and at this time they are not allowed. God can make a way!

Albert continues to mentor many ex Bible School students and church leaders via telephone and the men are very grateful for the wisdom that God has given him to advise and encourage through God’s Word.

Albert has been trying to sell our van as it has become very difficult for him to climb up into it. Thus far we have not been offered what Albert feels we should get for it and we need enough money to replace it with a lower, automatic vehicle to make driving easier for him. Pray with us that the van will be sold and he can find a suitable replacement so that he can continue to get around safely and with ease!

It has been a challenge to keep up to lawns and maintenance of the ministry buildings and camp site but we are so thankful for God’s strength and that He always provides what we need! Most of the gypsy men in our village have left for Italy and Spain for work and so it is very difficult to find hard working men to help with some of the work which needs doing but we know that in His timing, it will happen!

This month our son turns 46, our eldest grandchild 22? Where have the years gone? Our children are all doing fairly well, always some problems but we place them all in God’s hands and trust Him to help them through each difficult situation, to bring them unto Himself and that they would all trust Him and serve Him!

We are still feeling the need to build onto our kitchen so that we would have a bathroom on ground level and make it easier for both Albert and Elvira. We know that finances and help will come in God’s time but ask that you pray and believe with us to make this happen!

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” ( Isa 43:19)