God never changes… but life often does.  Some of the changes are intentional, others are unexpected.  Rejoice with us in some of the changes, and please pray for the other changes.

SOROCA CHURCH PLANT

      In December, we saw a drop in the number of people coming to services.  Three ladies left for Russia to visit family during the winter months and have yet to return.  One lady has been at home sick most of the winter.  Another couple left to visit friends in another country.  Lord willing, we will see people back home and together with us this Spring.
I am currently teaching on the Lord’s ekklesia, the church.  As I am teaching through this series, we have the goal of officially organizing the group we have into a church.  Please pray for wisdom for us as we work on this and for the people who come to commit to the Lord’s church.

BULBOCI CHURCH PLANT

     In the last prayer letter, we mentioned the work in the village of Bulboci.  We have been meeting with the group of believers each Sunday afternoon, and I have been going out each Wednesday for visitation and to lead a midweek Bible study with believers.  The Lord has recently opened up a door for me to start building a friendship with and mentor in the Lord an 18 year old young man from the village.  Please pray for the Word and work to grow in Bulboci.

WINTER VBS

     We held our first Winter VBS in Soroca this past January.  Though we did not have the number of children we had during the summer, we were encouraged to see two of the girls again who trusted Christ this past summer at VBS.  Please pray for these two girls to grow in the Lord.

“T” UPDATE

     About a week ago, I visited “T” again.  Her health declined again, causing her to go back to the hospital.  They said there are additional tumors which have been causing complications.  The doctors said that without treatment, she may only have months to live.  She is currently back in the hospital for further tests and possible surgery.  Lord willing, when she arrives home again, we will set up a meeting at her house for me to share the Gospel with her friends and relatives.  She told me during the last visit that her husband said he has noticed a positive change in her after she trusted Christ this past summer.  Please pray for her to trust the Lord through this health trial and for the Gospel to be preached to her family.

FURLOUGH PLANS

When is our furlough?
This Fall, last week of August through first part of January

Where will we be reporting?
We are scheduled to report to over half of our supporting churches, visiting churches in 13 states.  Thankfully, our schedule has come together and meetings are already booked.  If we were not able to schedule a meeting in your church, we will have our furlough video available for you to see or show.

Why are we taking a furlough?

1. Not because we want to get out of Moldova. We love serving the Lord here and find it very hard to have an interruption in preaching and teaching the people.  There is still so much work to be done… and the laborers are few.

2. Not to raise more funds.  We thank the Lord that we have had only two churches that had to discontinue supporting us financially.  Some have increased support, which has made up for what we had lost.  Thank you for your sacrifice and faithfulness that allows us to not feel the need to seek additional supporting churches this furlough.

3. Our last furlough was four years ago.  Yes, hard to believe, I know.  We are due to report back to supporting churches. Time really has flown.  Lord willing, the next furlough after this one will be to drop off Abby and Caleb at college.

4.  We have family we have not seen for four years.  Ana and Simeon have never been in America, and will see many family members for the first time.

5. We will have time to reconnect with our sending church.  I love my pastor and want to be with the body of Christ that has done so much for us to be here.

Please pray for the remaining furlough plans to come together (housing while in Memphis area, vehicle for furlough, securing our house for while away, creating our furlough video, etc.)

MY DOCTOR VISIT

     During December and January, I was in pain for about three weeks.  So much so that I made an appointment at the hospital in the capital.  About a week and a half before the appointments, the pain started to subside.  That is the good news.  The disappointing news is that the doctors gave me a clean bill of health overall and were not able to give any conclusive reason for the pains I had for three weeks. For those of you who were praying for me, thank you.  I am feeling normal again.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.