JULY 2010 NEWSLETTER

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55;8)

Wow – it has been a long time since we have written a newsletter.  Did not realize how long until I started looking for the last one and discovered it had been in December 2009!  So many things have happened since then, we have been so busy that it seems the time has flown by.   While we apologize for the fact that we have not keep in touch better, we trust you become more aware of how much we need help as the work load here is growing and growing and there are still only the two of us here to carry all the responsibilities that have been added to our load this last year.

Where to start?   February started the long task of Albert getting all our papers in order to receive our first container of humanitarian aid from Canada.   Many trips were made to Brasov,  Fagaras, Bucharest and then Constanta.   Finally the day came for the container to arrive.  It was a huge event in our little village to see such a big truck delivering goods and then to have a crane lift the container off the wheels and set it on the ground!  For the villagers it was more exciting than anything that had happened here in a long while!  Adding to the excitement was the fact that we had just had a severe winter storm –well- severe for us and so the roads were icy making the small corners difficult to maneuver so that the crane had to pull the truck backwards to get it out of our small crescent!  Not  so thrilling for Canadians but a highlight for people who seldom leave our little village!   Then the task of distributing all the aid before our first Bible School session began in March.   Albert was on the road for several weeks, put on many miles but made many hospitals, orphanages, and churches very happy and thankful for God’s provisions in a time when resources are extremely difficult to come by.
Two weeks before Bible School was to begin, we received a phone call from our son in New Sarepta, Alberta.  Our daughter in law was in hospital with double pneumonia and was not doing well.  Karl was trying to spend as much time with Patricia as possible and still care for the children and was struggling with it all.  So, Elvira flew to Canada!   She was able to be there for the kids so that Karl could be with Patricia and she would not worry about them.   Shauna flew out to join them for a few days and before Elvira had to fly back to Romania, Patricia was home from hospital, although not very strong at all.  How did one so young end up with double pneumonia?   Patricia has colitis and had been on steroids to help get it under control.  The steroids weakened her immune system and therefore when she caught a cold she did not rush to the doctor to have it treated, knowing that she would take longer than most to recover.  By the time she went to hospital, she was in very serious condition!   We thank God for sparing her and she is slowly getting stronger.  However, her colitis is acting up again and she is losing a lot of blood which is draining her of strength and she has recently been in hospital again.  We ask that you would pray for complete healing for her,  for strength for the family and that God’s peace would surround them at all times!
Elvira returned from Canada the day before our first Bible School session was to begin!  We had nine new students for this session.  These students are somewhat more mature than most students we have had in the past and eager to learn God’s word.  We then took one week break because of Easter and then started our second session with only three students returning.  We are blessed by the way the students are learning and even more excited by the reports we receive from the churches, how God is using these students to open their eyes to the truths in God’s word and that God is blessing and growing these churches!
During this Bible School session we received word that a second container was on it’s way!  We had asked for only two containers in a year so this was a little fast and not convenient and so Albert began to pray that it would be delayed so he would not have to be on the road during the Bible School session.  God does answer prayers – however, not exactly the way we had hoped!   The ship carrying our container was involved in an accident – at sea – just days before it was to arrive in Constanta!   The ship was so badly damaged that it had to be unloaded and all containers loaded onto another and with all the insurance investigations and so on -–arrived two weeks before our next Bible School session!   Albert decided that he would attempt to clear the load without assistance and see what would happen.  Well, the first day he drove to Constanta and back with no results, only with much anger at the corruption of the system and a strong determination that he would not be involved in it.   We prayed very hard during the time we waited for some papers to come from Canada.   Many people, including Christians advised us to pay the corruption, warning us that without it, we would never get our container cleared.   Albert returned to Constanta even more determined to make a stand against the corruption and found that the men who had previously given him so much trouble were almost eager to help him, that they were indeed changed men!!!   With only minutes to spare on a day before a big Romanian holiday – the load was cleared and on it’s way to destination – Crihalma – two days before Bible School started!   This time it had rained so bad that the truck could not make it into our corner and we had to unload the container onto wagons behind tractors which delivered it to our yard.   Once again, the village turned out to watch, this time able to see close up what was being delivered!   This container was off loaded at our site at the river, the future home of our camp site for churches, youth and children but not without getting both crane and truck stuck in the mud.   Seems our plans were useless – some one else was making plans for us – we are not sure why all the problems but we pray that we passed the tests!
In the end of May we began four weeks of Bible School, back to back in order to be done in time for Rita and Frank’s wedding.   Once again the Bible School went well, with six students for the first session and only two showing for the last.  However, God blessed and we believe the students grew in wisdom.   This time was somewhat stressful for Elvira who was cooking for up to 20 people some days and trying to have time for family and an ever growing medical work.  We have seen some serious injuries and operations which Elvira must tend to and which require a lot of time.   Juggling all these duties and preparing for a garden wedding was quite strenuous on Elvira and could be felt by the whole family.
During this time, Laurentiu’s parents also returned from Italy.  Their intention was to take him back to Italy with them, however, Laurentiu refused to go to them and they quickly realized that to Laurentiu – we are his family and although we have seen them from time to time, they have not indicated that they will be taking him back to Italy with them.
Then – the WEDDING!   A garden wedding was planned and we had worked every spare second to make sure the yards were beautiful and acceptable – BUT – it rained and rained and rained.   Until the evening before the wedding we still hoped to have the wedding in the garden but when we got up the morning of the wedding we  knew that once again our plans were obviously not God’s plans!  And yet — there was an awesome peace over the day – very few things went as planned and still it was a beautiful wedding!   Village people attended the service and cried as first Frank’s father and then Albert blessed our children and gave instruction on following God in their married life!   Rita was a beautiful bride!!!  Yes, we are prejudiced but it is still true!!  Frank and Rita have moved to Aiud where they will be in ministry together, working in gypsy churches, helping the pastor there reach the people with God’s love.
Valentina finished grade five with honors!   She has grown very tall over the last months and was a beautiful bridesmaid for Frank and Rita.
Dana was also a beautiful bridesmaid at the wedding.  For now she is still working in Medias but is looking to get a position in the education field.
Laurentiu!   Is growing in every way.  Mostly – in the more demanding way!  We need much prayer as we attempt to direct his over active little mind in the right direction!  He is a very helpful little person but also very attentive and once he has seen something done, he attempts to do it also, even when it is something he should not be attempting!  However, he is a blessing and we pray that God gives us the strength to train him in the way he should go.  He was the ring bearer at the wedding and so precious!
We are now waiting word that our third container is on it’s way!   We were hoping to head to the river for a brief holiday before our Canadian boys arrive to help us with the work there but we have had too much rain and only this morning, Valentina’s youngest brother died and so we are presently involved in the funeral preparations.
Elvira is expecting to leave for Canada in mid August and will be there until early October, returning once again in time to cook for the Bible School!   This time we will attempt to run both sessions at once and so will need much wisdom and strength from God!   If you would like Elvira to visit you or your church during this time – we ask you notify us as soon as possible so we can fit in as many as possible.  It will be a shorter visit than usual so it will be first come, first serve –to fit in the trip plan.
Most of our Sundays we are on the road, filling in for pastors who can not be in their church or who need a fresh word from God.   Albert has been anointed by God to teach His word and we are seeing great things happen as a result of his teaching.
Sorry we have attempted to share so much in one newsletter but trust you see just how busy we are and how much we need your prayers in order to continue the work.  Thank you for standing with us as we extend God’s love to His people here in Romania.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:4)

FMÎ RAPORTURI DE LAUDĂ ȘI CERERI DE RUGĂCIUNE

1.   HEALTH:   We are so thankful and praising God for good health.  Albert’s diabetes is under control and other than the normal aches and pains – we are doing great!   We have not yet had Laurentiu’s blood levels checked but he appears to be healthy and  developing normally.

2.  BIBLE SCHOOL:   So thankful for all the professors God has blessed us with.  Also thankful for the students He is sending our way- many more waiting for the next intake!  Thankful for the way in which God is using the Bible School to further the Kingdom of God.  Pray for the October session – that the students will all return and that God will pour out His spirit on all!

3.  ROMANIAN FAMILY:   Thankful for God’s protection over all.  Thankful for the beautiful wedding He blessed us with.  Pray for Rita and Frank as they begin their lives and ministry together.  Praying for wisdom as we continue to raise the children God has placed in our care.

4. CANADIAN FAMILY:  Thankful for God’s healing on Patricia and praying for complete healing.   Thankful for His protection over the whole family.

5.  TRAVEL:   Thanking God for His protection over Albert as he travels around Romania delivering aid and speaking in the churches.  Pray for continued protection and also for Elvira as she travels to and in Canada in August and September.

6.  FINANCES:    We continue to stand in awe of God’s continued provisions for the work here in Romania.  Praying that God will continue to supply financially as well as for wisdom in using the resources that He blesses us with.

7.  WORKERS:   Pray that God would equip and send some people to join us in the ever increasing work here in Romania.  We need long term workers as well as any who would feel called to do some cooking during the Bible School sessions.

8.  CAMP PROJECT:     Pray for us over the summer as we begin development on the camp land.   Pray for wisdom and direction as well as protection.  Also protection for the materials and supplies.