EXTENDED HANDS MINISTRIES

BOX 1311                                                               CRIHALMA NR 148
BOISSEVAIN, MANITOBA                                          C0DE 507053
CANADA                                                                 JUD. BRASOV, ROMANIA
R0K 0E0                                                                 TEL:  40744-307762
TEL:  (204) 534-6585                                              WEB:  www.ehm-romania.info
E-MAIL: jmeisbrenner@wcgwave.ca                            E-MAIL: office@ehm-romania.info

“…whatever you did for one of the least of these …”

Last week Thursday, our busy life was shocked, our hearts wrenched from us when Laurentiu’s parents arrived and demanded that we give them their son!  We requested that they allow him time to get used to them, to get to know them but they refused and with Laurentiu kicking and screaming, he was pulled from Elvira’s arms and taken into their home.  Shocked beyond words we returned to the campground, empty and broken, not knowing what to do or how to feel.  Our internet was down and we were helpless even to get word out to our friends to pray until later the next day.   Three nights and 4 days passed, we were not allowed to see Laurentiu.  People reported that he seemed to be doing okay- was playing with the other siblings and that was all we knew.  Our prayer was for God’s will to be done and that we would have peace in our hearts if things were the way they should be – but no peace came even though we tried to continue on.  On the fourth day God orchestrated a miracle!!!   With great reluctance Laurentiu’s mother allowed Elvira to go in and see him.  The sight horrified her, shocked beyond words.  Laurentiu looked like a walking dead man!  All life had left his eyes, he was pale and had lost weight.  Although he turned and smiled when she walked in, he made no effort to go to her but started putting things in his suitcase saying, ‘I am taking these home’.  When his suitcase was loaded, he turned and ran into Elvira’s aching arms and began to cry the most painful, heart wrenching cry we have ever heard.  Elvira felt like he had died, no resemblance to the impish, fun filled child who so recently left our home.  When Albert walked into the room, he looked at him with empty, pain filled eyes and continued to moan.   Elvira looked at his mother and said, ‘I feel your pain, but this is child is dying, inside and out, we have to do something!”  The story is too long to report here, just know that your prayers were answered “… and the life of the child returned to him and he revived.”  I Kings 17:22.  Through the process we were able to tell Laurentiu’s parents that we love them, as does Jesus and that we want them to be a part of Laurentiu’s life but that he needs time to get to know them and learn to love them.  However, they said that he can stay with us, that they will not try to take him again but that they would not sign papers giving us custody.  Laurentiu is not the boy who was taken from us, he has no trust, wants us within touching distance at all times, whimpers with pain at night, clinging to Albert and sleeping lightly to make sure he is not left.  However, we believe that God is going to restore his life totally to him, that God is going to use him to win his parents to the Lord – that they too might have life!   We were afraid Laurentiu’s dad would get drunk and beat the mother as he usually does, however we have heard he has not drank, nor beat his wife, so we are rejoicing in the fact that God is working in his life!  Please pray- for Laurentiu, for his parents, for us, that God would give wisdom and heal the hurts.  His parents plan to return to Italy but we are not sure when and during this time we are going to need much wisdom to build a relationship with them, and let them know that we do not want to ‘steal’ their son, just want what is best for him, want what God wants for all of  us!

So much has happened since the last newsletter was written that it is hard to know where to start.   There was much rejoicing when Albert returned from Canada, by his family, by the churches, the village, everyone was thankful for God’s protection and for his safe return to us.  God blessed Albert’s endeavors greatly, making the moving of our foundation to Manitoba fairly smooth and we are so thankful for the people God has blessed us with to work with.  God also blessed financially, enabling us to replace the old and tired  Mercedes with a Volkswagen van and a trailer to use in moving building materials, people and humanitarian aid.  We are so thankful for God’s provisions and the people whom He chooses to work through!

We had our first family camp at New Hope Camp last weekend.  Although we were going through a difficult time it was so awesome to see God’s hand at work in the lives of the people who were there.  The children loved the fresh air and the water of course!  We were so thankful to God for providing us with loving care and at the same time were thankful that we were also able to bless them, to fellowship, eat, play and grow together spiritually.   Albert is presently working on putting the showers in place and slowly it is becoming a haven for the weary, a place of refreshing for all who come to visit!

Valentina is presently away at a camp – ‘Romania for Christ’.  We are praying she will develop a strong, personal relationship with Jesus and that her life will be changed for the glory of God.

Rita and Frank have just had their one year anniversary and are doing awesome.  They are a blessing where they are ministering and are so excited and enthusiastic about how God is using them. They have a deep love for the poor people and it is exciting to see their love continue to grow.

Dana – recently wrote her exam to be a teacher.  However, she did not quite make it.  This fall she is hoping to be able to teach with some Holland missionaries in a kindergarten and we are praying that this will help her to pass her exam next year.  Continue to pray for provision for Dana and that she might know the love of God.

Our home made children in Canada – Karl has gone through much with his leg but believes he is over the worst and is trusting for full restoration.  Patricia says she is doing much better and the kids sound happy.  They are 11 and 13 now – wow – such old grandkids.  We would so love to see them – but placing them in God’s safe keeping for now.  Shauna has been struggling with some personal issues and we ask that you continue to lift her in prayer and we know that our Heavenly Father is taking care of her – giving her His life!

Once again we had a great Bible School session.  Only 4 students have stuck it out but the changes we see in those students is incredible.  Once again – we had awesome professors who love the students and whom the students quickly grow to love.  We also had a young lady do children/teen program and we are thankful for the love she shared and pray that her gift of love to the children/teens here will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.  We have only one session left and then the present class starts a new level and we expect to have a new intake.  Please pray that even now, God would be preparing the hearts of those He wants to attend and that God would give wisdom to Albert as he does the administration work and scheduling for the next sessions.

For years, since a car accident in his teens, Albert has had trouble with his right knee.  Lately the problem has become rather serious and he has gone for medical attention.  The doctor says he needs surgery to repair the damage but that he must lose more weight before it would be feasible to do it.  He is to wear a leg brace at all times but it is causing him trouble.  We need prayer for healing and to help Albert lose the necessary weight.

Elvira’s health has stabilized, her blood pressure is now under control and she is able to deal with the pain caused from the rheumatism which the doctor says is radiating from her back causing abdominal pain.   We continue to pray for complete healing but thank God for help getting through each day.

Albert continues to be in high demand, travelling to the churches and teaching.  Continue to pray that the anointing of God would lead and direct him as he feeds the people from God’s word bringing life – God’s life – to their dying souls!  Albert is also planning his return trip to Canada for late September, October and November.  If you wish to schedule him in your church please let us know as soon as possible!

We have not had a container with humanitarian aid since spring.  We understand there are several loads waiting to be shipped but there are no finances for the shipping.  Please pray for this part of our ministry that God would provide!

Once again – we would like to thank you for your support – your encouragement – your prayers.  We can not tell you often enough how much you mean to us, how much it means to us to know that you are standing with us, that we are not alone here.  We would love to hear more often from you, what God is doing in and through your lives as we continue to pray for you all as well – knowing that God answers the prayers of His children!

1. HEALTH:  Praising God for continued strength to do His work.
PLEASE PRAY for:  Albert’s knee – healing!
Elvira’s pain    — healing!

2.   OUR CHILDREN:   Praising God for protecting and caring for all of them, no matter where they are!
PLEASE PRAY:   Karl:    continued healing in his leg
Patricia:   protection from any colitis attacks
Shauna:   healing of mind and body!
Laurentiu:  inner healing , freedom from fear
Dana:  a job for the fall
Valentina:  that she could stay true to God
PLEASE PRAY : that God would protect each one from attacks of the evil one who would like to destroy God’s children

3.   BIBLE SCHOOL:   Praising God for all that He is doing through the Bible School  — for the students, for the professors, translators.  God continues to supply all that is needed!
PLEASE PRAY:  for the next session in September as well as for the students who are planning on attending in 2012

4. NEW HOPE CAMP:  Praising God for the work that has been done and for the plans that are being worked on at present.   Praising God for the campers who have met with God and been blessed by the facility which God has blessed us with.
PLEASE PRAY:  that New Hope Camp would continue to reach those in need of a touch from God, in need of rest and healing.

5. FINANCES:  Praising God for providing for our every need  – in abundance!  We are thankful for the funds for the camp site, for the new vehicle and trailer which we have recently purchased.
PLEASE PRAY:  for funds for the humanitarian aid to be shipped as well as for the necessary funds to begin work on the Bible School addition.

6.   TRAVEL:  PLEASE PRAY:  for Albert as he travels to Canada again in September – for receptive ears to hear what God wants him to share!