I know that we sent out a prayer letter recently, but we have several large items we implore you to take before the throne of God.

Tomorrow (Sunday) Moldova will vote.  The divide in Ukraine between those who want ties with Russian and those who would rather join with Europe is paralleled in many ways here in Moldova.  Around Moldova there are signs for parties that say “Moving ahead with Europe” while the Socialist Party (Communist Party) declares “Together with Russia.”  In talking with people today, there are many mixed feelings, mostly negative ones.  One person told us that they are concerned that the same conflict in Ukraine will erupt here as well tomorrow.  Others have said that they do not know for which party to vote since none stand out as trustworthy or as a clear answer to the many problems here.  I personally read through a couple of the party fliers that have been handed out.  I shook my head at the ridiculous promises some were making without any explanation as to how they could accomplish such goals.  This amounts to many empty promises in order to win votes.  In the past, missionaries ability to serve in Moldova have been threatened with the Communist Party was ruling.  At the same time, there are other problems that come with a greater connection with Europe.  We ask that you pray for the voting to allow us to lead a “quiet and peaceable life” here in Moldova.  Please pray for the government to have wisdom in dealing with people’s response to the election results.  Please pray for us believers to trust the Lord, regardless of the result.

Several months ago, I had mentioned a lady named Maria, with whom I had begun shard the Gospel.  Last week, Jacob and I went to visit her and see if we could pick up where I had left off.  Last week and today, we have continued explaining the Gospel to her.  With her Orthodox background, we are trying to be very clear and patient to explain the Gospel to her.  Today, she had several “aha!” moments.  She had really struggled with the idea that salvation is not based upon our works but faith alone in Christ.  She believed that all people are children of God.  We showed her that, even though payment in full on the cross by Christ, it must be personally received by faith in order for that payment to be applied.  In explaining passages of Scripture to her today, she bluntly asked us, “What must I do to become a child of God?”  She is soooo close to trusting Christ alone for salvation.  Please pray for Jacob and I to have wisdom in what we cover with her from the Bible.  Please pray for the seed that has been planted and watered to not be choked nor stolen but to bring forth fruit.  Her husband, a Russian, is against us simply because we are American.  Pray that we continue to have an open door with Maria.

Jacob and I also visited Oxana again, who was part of the previous Baptist church in Soroca.  When we tried to talk with her last week, she was talking with a friend and did not seem to want to discuss things with us at that time.  Today, she was open and talked much with us.  She was hurt by the situation in the pastor leaving to Russia and the church dissolving, leading to cautiously considering any other churches.  She said she wants to be a part of a church that is doctrinally sound and not just “church-hop”  Please pray for her as she considers allowing us to minister to her and possibly join us.

We also had a great visit with a man who invited me to come back and talk to him.  Victor is an insurance salesman and very busy.  We had a profitable visit with him today.  We gave him a Russian Bible, which he promised to read.  Please pray for him as well.

While picking up some items before heading home today, I saw a lady who did not look Moldovan, but Asian.  When I found out she did not speak much Romanian, I asked her if she understood English.  I had heard today that there was an American teaching English at one of the schools here and thought maybe she was the one teaching.  She very happily said that she does speak English and was surprised to find out that I spoke it, too.  Jeanette is a Filipino, married to a German involved in the road renovation project in Moldova.  She has been here for a little over two years.  When she heard that we are Baptist, she was very excited.  She trusted Christ as Savior back in 2005 and has been longing for Bible study with other believers here in Moldova.  Lord willing, I will be picking her up with the Hughes tomorrow morning to being to our service.  Usually Jacob preaches in Russian and I preach in Romanian.  But since only our two families meet on Sundays right now, we can switch to English for at least one of the messages tomorrow for Jeanette.  Depending on how the elections go tomorrow, she said she may be staying in Moldova longer.  Please pray for us to know how to minister to her and help her along with her walk with the Lord.  Also, please pray for us to have an opportunity to witness to her husband, who is not saved.

This week, we were able to begin witnessing to Abby’s friend, Sabina.  She has only been to the Orthodox church a couple of times.  She knows very little at all.  She believes God exists but could not tell me anything about Him.  Her reputation in our neighborhood is not good at all.  Please continue to pray for Sabina and for boldness for Abby and I when we go to visit her parents and talk to them about Christ.  Her father does have a problem with alcohol.

Thank you again for your continued prayers for us.