December 2023 Gross family update

Looking back over this past year, we rejoice with all that the Lord has done. The seed planted individually and through larger outreaches, the salvation decisions of a few, the baptism of three, and the spiritual growth of others encourage us to press on for the Lord in the upcoming year.

The single missionary lady working in a village about 45 minutes from us brings a group to our Soroca services most Sundays. An older gentleman from her village, Victor, now professes Christ as his Savior and wants to be baptized. We praise the Lord for working in Victor’s heart and the hearts of others being reached in that village. Lord willing, Jacob and I will do weekly Bible studies again this winter after the new year in that village. Pray for the Lord to help the small group of believers to grow and those open to the Gospel to believe in Christ for salvation.

For several weeks, we had a believer from a village attend our services in the Bulboci church plant. We were blessed to have her with us for those weeks and hope to see her again once she returns from visiting one of her children for several weeks.

Harvest Sunday

Harvest Sunday

We had a combined service with both church plants to celebrate Harvest Sunday. We enjoyed the heart of thanksgiving to God, the fellowship, and the delicious food afterwards.

My family and I visited another missionary friend of ours in the southern part of Moldova. His daughter and one other young lady were baptized. My family and I sang, and I was also asked to preach on baptism. God added to our rejoicing on that trip with seeing a young lady and her sister also visiting the service for the baptism. Tania, one of the girls who attended our Bible Club in Cosăuți (ko-suh-oots) shared with me how she and her sister (now living in the capital city with a ministry that provides housing to vulnerable young people) trusted Christ for salvation. Our hearts rejoiced in having had a part in the sowing and watering, knowing someone else reaped, and that God gave the increase.

Please pray for inroads with teens and young people in Soroca. Some will politely listen to the Gospel, but we are seeking young people who are humble and hungry to know more. I recently ran into a couple of the teen boys from one of the two centers at which we used to do Bible clubs. I told them about our services and Bible study evening and also offered to meet with them. I also gave a ride to a 17 year old from a neighboring village. As I began to share the Gospel with him, his interest was very evident. There was an opportunity for me to stop sharing further, but he wanted to hear more. I left him with a Gospel tract, a Bible, and an invitation to call me to talk further. These all expressed interest but have yet to act on it. Please pray for “V,” “I,” and “I” to be hungrier for the things of God.

We have several winter outreaches right after the New Year: a program for the officers and their families at the penitentiary , 1 day VBS in Bulboci, and a 1 day VBS at our house in Zastînca. Please pray for the Lord’s blessings on these.

On some family news, Caleb finally got his braces off after 4+ years. Abby is awaiting the decision from the Moldovan government regarding her residence permit. Since she is 18, she is required to have her own. Lord willing, we will receive the decision next week. Thank you for your prayers and support!

October 2023 Prayer Letter

I struggle to write some prayer letters due to there not being much exciting to report on. This is NOT one of those prayer letters.  Read and rejoice with us for what He is doing here in Moldova.

Tamara, the one battling cancer and a host of other problems, had a brother named Nicolai. He was born without developed feet, living his whole life as an invalid. My heart sunk when she told me this year that her brother had cancer and was not expected to live long. I visited him and shared the Gospel with him, leaving him to think about what I had shared. A few days later, Tamara called me enthusiastically to say he called on Christ to save him.  In just a few months, he passed away.  I thank God for the chance to share the Good New with him before it was too late.  Please pray for Tamara as she continues to battle physical, emotional, and financial needs.

In September, I was in the States for 2 1/2 weeks to attend a Deliberate Discipleship Retreat. This was the first time I had been back to the States other than our furlough every 4 years.  I have been trying to attend one of the retreats by our mentor over the past three years but without success.  In addition to being fed spiritually and encouraged by the fellowship with other men, I surprised my mom for her birthday and spent three days with my parents, brother, and his family.  God opened the doors for many opportunities to share the Gospel on the way to the States and on the way home to Moldova.

While I was in the States, the children came down with a cold that has now lasted two weeks.  Simeon also needed medical attention due to lumps that started developing this summer but had increased in number and size.  The doctors in the capital did not know what the cause was.  They had us do a multitude of blood tests and recommended we see a dermatologist.  On Monday, we saw the dermatologist and found out they are callouses that developed due to his shoes being too tight and rubbing on certain spots on his feet.  We are thankful that it ended up being something minor rather than something more serious as some were speculating.

Jacob and Viola have started evangelistic Bible studies with two Russian-speaking individuals, a young lady from Soroca (“N”) and a young man (“V”) from a village where we pick people up for the Sunday afternoon service in Bulboci.  Please pray for these two to continue seeking the Lord and come to faith in Christ.

The Sunday after I returned, we had the privilege of baptizing three Moldovans, our first time to baptize Moldovans.  The two ladies, Iulia and Ioana, are the two that trusted Christ a few years ago through our chronological Bible study, and the man, Volodie, is the brother of a lady who used to attend services before moving to her brother’s village.  Pray for these three and for the Lord to add more.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 11th, we will be starting an ESL/Bible Club in the village of Bulboci at the library.  We have the permission of the mayor and school director, which has been encouraging.  We plan to have 30 min. of English lessons and 30 min. of Bible.  This will give us a more consistent influence in the lives of the people.  Please pray that the Lord will bless this new outreach in Bulboci.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

 

March 28, 2023 update

We enjoy having our garden.  We like different aspects of the work but enjoy seeing the growth and prospect of harvest the most.  The last couple months have been that kind of enjoyment in ministry.  As with our garden, the harvest is often in danger of disease or pests that desire to steal the fruit.  Please rejoice with us in the development of fruit but also pray for wisdom in tending to these precious souls so that there will be fruit that remains.

I would like to give you some updates from our last prayer letter.  Victor, though still with volatile health issues, recently received a motorized wheel chair, which has been a blessing to him.  David, the 80-year old, will be coming back to Soroca, Lord willing, some time this Spring.  After passing out invitations, doing a week of Facebook Ads, and having the door unlocked and place heated each Wednesday evening for seven weeks, no one came to the new Soroca Bible study.  Though this is discouraging, the Lord has other plans for that evening (more of that below).  “Love” has continued to come to both services each week and the evangelistic Bible study with Jacob and Viola.  What a joy when she invited a newly retired friend of hers to start coming, too.  She has also joined Love in the services and study.  We thank the Lord for using her already to draw others to God’s Word.  Lena and Vania have  not returned yet from Russia, but please pray for Vania to start coming to services upon their return.

For 9 weeks (middle of January to middle of March), we held weekly Bible studies in the village of Visoca with the group that Eli has been bringing to our Soroca services.  Being with a mix of believers and unbelievers who are seeking truth, the studies included topics like salvation, Bible study, and prayer.  We enjoyed the time getting to know them better and hearing their questions during the studies.  Please pray for them to take the next step of faith from where they are now.

For March 8, International Woman’s Day, we held an outreach for the women in Soroca.  Seven Moldovans came, only two of them believers.  Another two of them came a couple weeks to our midweek service.  Please pray for lasting fruit from the event. 

For a long time, we had been praying for Iulia and Ioana to start coming weekly to the Sunday service in Bulboci.  They had trusted Christ through my Bible studies in the village a couple years ago.  After a couple years of discipleship, they still were not coming to services, though.  I stopped meeting with them each week and encouraged them again to come on Sundays.  With the encouragement of another believer who has been discipling them, too, they have now been coming faithfully for several weeks!  Pray for this growth to continue and for them to take the next step of baptism this year.

Around the time I stopped trying to start the Wednesday evening study due to no one coming, the Lord brought a young man into my path.  He speaks English very well and has been meeting weekly with me.  It started with questions about God and is now a Bible study on Wednesday evenings.  Please pray for “V” as he seeks truth and to believe or not in the God of the Bible.

Like we did for celebrating Christ’s birth, we are planning to do programs about Christ’s resurrection at the Soroca penitentiary and in the village of Bulboci.  Please pray for the Lord’s blessings and for fruit from these outreaches.

Thank you for your part in our lives and ministry here in Moldova.  May you have fruit added to your account because of your part in giving and praying.

January 2023 Prayer Letter

The war next door in Ukraine has reminded me of the spiritual battles we face in life and ministry.  At times it seems we are gaining ground, and at other times it seems the enemy wins some battles.  As much as we want to see an end to the conflict, the war continues, and thus we must be vigilant and persistent.  Please continue to pray for us in the battles we face and rejoice in victories won.

In our last prayer letter, I mentioned Victor and his choice to believe the Gospel and trust in Christ.  While he was in the hospital this last time, he had talked with another person about the Bible.  What a joy it was for him to call me and ask me for a Bible to give to the person.  Please pray for Victor as his health continues to be very volatile.  He currently cannot even walk with crutches due to the weakness in his legs.

Two days after writing our last prayer letter, I received a phone call from an 80 year old man named David.  Many months before, my auto mechanic friend gave him my number.  As he sat alone at home, the Lord put on his mind to finally call me.  I had just finished my monthly planning meeting with Jacob and was able to go right away to visit him.  He began coming to each church service and was very open to the Gospel.  After going through the Gospel with him one evening at his house, he said he understood and planned to accept Christ later that evening.  Shortly thereafter, he moved to the capital for the winter to be with family.  After talking with him on the phone since, it still isn’t clear to me if he made the decision or not for salvation yet.  Please pray for David to trust Christ if he has not yet.

For several months, our coworkers, Jacob and Viola, have been meeting with an older woman “Love,” taking her through the evangelistic Bible study we have been using.  She has been coming regularly to services now and continues to have a hunger to know more.  Please pray for her to continue to grow in her understanding as we explain the Gospel and Bible truth, and for her to be saved.

Vania, Lena’s husband, continued coming to services until they left for Russia at the beginning of December.  Though it will still be a time before they return in the Spring, please pray for Vania to resume coming upon their return. 

In January, we held an outreach in Bulboci for all ages, with the theme of “The Greatest Gift.”  We had about 22 children and 11 adults come who do not normally attend our services in the village.  The one-day program went well, and the Gospel was preached.  Please pray that our influence will grow in that village in this year as we have additional outreaches planned.

The next day, we held a program on “The Prince of Peace”  at the Soroca penitentiary for the officers who work there and their families.  We had prepared 163 gifts for all the officers’ children between ages 2 and 14.  In the end, we had around 80 of the children come plus parents.  In addition to the gifts, we had games, snack, singing, prizes, and a clear Gospel presentation.  Ivan Nebesni (John Heavenly) continues to meet with the folks there and reach them with the Gospel of Christ.  Pray for the seeds to continue to be watered and grow.

For the last two weeks, I have been trying to start a new group in Soroca for the evangelistic Bible study.  Unfortunately, even after putting up advertisements in town, personally inviting folks, and putting an invitation on the programs handed out to the officers at the penitentiary, no one has come yet.  Please pray for wisdom to either continuing pursuing this or not at this time.

Thanks again for praying for us.  Pray for strength and wisdom as we continue in the battle for the Lord.

May 16, 2022 Prayer Letter

Why should you read missionary letters?  Unlike the news or most of what is on social media, you get to read testimonies of how our God is still mighty, working to guide and provide for His children as He has done for thousands of years.  You also get to read about how God uses His children to bring others to Himself.  Reading missionary letters can encourage you, strengthen your faith, and motivate you to live for Christ.  I pray this letter will do just that.

God’s provision for financial needs – Over the last couple months, we have seen God provide for our needs as those needs have arisen.  I mentioned in the last prayer letter how God provided the funds for us to rent the apartment in Romania for those first three weeks and then free accommodations for the last three weeks.  God put in the hearts of churches and individuals to give without me even mentioning the specific needs.  Several churches and individuals even asked me to let them know if we have any other needs come up.  When we had to change our airline tickets to fly out of Romania, my travel agent told me approximately how much it would cost.  I do not usually do this, but I wrote those churches and individuals that has specifically asked, to let them know of this need.  God had already met each need either before or as they came, so I almost didn’t feel right writing them.  About 3 hours after writing them, I received an email from a pastor informing me that the church had decided a couple days previously to send us money to help.  It was almost the exact amount we were charged for changing the tickets.  I had to write back those churches and individuals to let them know the need was already met.  I felt convicted for even letting them know of the need since God knew of it and had already made the provision.

Even after we arrived to the States, there were some others who generously gave, allowing us to cover medical, clothing, and some other needs.  What a joy it was to see our Father take care of us.

God’s provision in our travels – We flew out on April 13th, fully expecting to be pulled aside by Homeland Security for extra interrogating as we were the last two furloughs.  I had applied for a “redress number” with hopes to avoid this inconvenience.  When our boarding passes were printed, I did not have the “SSSS” marking as we had previously (a designation for additional screening), but Stephanie did.  I forgot to have her apply for the redress as I had.  When we arrived at US customs, we passed through without any difficulty this time.

There were also many storms in the States the day we traveled.  By God’s grace, we had no delays or cancelation for the last flight.  Though we had the most turbulence we have ever experienced, we made it safely to Memphis on time.

God’s provision for health needs – Upon arrival, we had some doctor appointments we were hoping to squeeze in before the end of the month.  When I called the eye doctor to get four of our children in for appointments, the lady said they were booked for several weeks.  Before we hung up, someone had called in and canceled, opening up 3 appointments that morning.  While she was checking on our insurance, another appointment opened up, allowing us to get all 4 children in for their much needed eye exam.  I was also able to get right in to the podiatrist and get the treatment that I needed.

God’s working through us individually – We have enjoyed getting to give out Gospel tracts and witness to people in our native language once again.  We have had several reminders that people in America are still open and seeking for answers.  One lady I gave a tract to at a store received it with emotion, saying that she was going through some difficult times and really needed to hear this.  Caleb met two Christian teenagers in my in-law’s neighborhood and has spent time with them in Bible study and prayer.  We look forward to seeing how God will use us during our time in America.

God’s working through our meetings – We have been in the States for a month thus far and have had meetings in four churches, spoke for a Sunday School breakfast, spoke for a meeting at a retirement community, and Stephanie spoke for a ladies luncheon with over 100 ladies present.  We are currently in Oklahoma and making out way out to a supporting church in Cortez, CO before heading to the Midwest.  People’s responses to the messages have been very positive, for which we praise the Lord.

Please continue to pray for the Lord’s provisions and protections in our travels.  Thank you again and God bless you.

 

Ukraine conflict update

We are still trying to exit the fog of all that has occurred this past week.  On Thursday morning, February 24th, we heard some odd rumbles around 6 am.  When I looked at my phone a little later on, I saw several messages from my co-worker asking if we are getting out of Moldova due to the hostilities.  I immediately looked on the news websites to see what had happened.  That rumble we heard was the same sound that others in Moldova had heard during the Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian runways and arms deposits.  At first we were puzzled at how we would have heard the effects of the bombing run with being so far from the SE conflict zone in Ukraine.  While in Soroca later that morning, we saw “V,” the border police who trusted in Christ over a year ago. He showed us a picture of where there were reports of airstrikes.  We were stunned that the strikes were not just in the SE part of Ukraine where Luhansk and Donetsk are but at spots all around the country.  According to the map he showed us, one of the strikes was 80 miles from our house.  Soroca is situated at the river that separates Moldova from Ukraine.  I see Ukraine every day I go into town.  This was a very different situation than we had expected.  This was all by 9:00 am on Thursday.

We had already taken a number of preparatory steps over the past month due to the talk of a possible invasion, but I was amazed at how unprepared we felt at this point.  We began packing and preparing so that we would be able to leave quickly if things were to get worse.  We were waiting to hear if the US Embassy in Moldova gave news recommending an evacuation.  Even as of right now (Monday, Feb. 28), they have not issued that.  So the plan was to stay.

To complicate things, our Moldovan residencies and license plates on our van expire March 10th.  We can’t pick up our new residency cards till March 7th.  After I have that, I can apply for the new plates.  Thursday was filled with paying church rent, paying bills, and a host of other preparatory steps.  All of our passports were 2.5 hours away in the capital city with our lawyer.  I decided on Friday to drive down, pick those up, meet with some friends, and get powers of attorneys made on our house and van in the names of two men I trust.  By Friday evening, after being in contact with my pastor, field director, and family, we were highly advised to take our family across to Romania as soon as possible.  I felt somewhat sheepish leaving this early, but several factors presented to us.  We live on the border with Ukraine and the airstrikes are covering all parts of that country.  Moldova already has over 1,000 Russian troops and loads of armament stationed in the separatist region in the east called Transnistria.  We are about 12 miles from the northernmost border of that Russian occupied part.  The stories of people staying for over a day at the Ukrainian customs to get out is not fiction.  We met people from Ukraine that spent days traveling and then over 20 hours at the border to get in to Moldova.  If we wait too long, we end up at a border over night when temps are still dropping below freezing at times.  There are many who believe that if Russia takes Ukraine, Moldova will be the dessert after that meal.  Moldova is not part of NATO and does not have the means to ward off an attack like Ukraine is doing.  Our counselors wanted us to get out.  I made reservations across the border in Romania for a week to see if things settle.  We finished packing and cleaning on Saturday and left Sunday.

This has been hard for me since my heart is for the people in Moldova and a great door of ministry is open for the refugees flooding into Moldova.  The other missionary families haven’t left yet and are doing a great job serving the Lord in this crisis.  Where do I fit in this puzzle?  When we arrived at the border, there were 76 cars in front of us (Stephanie went for a walk and counted).  At least 90% were from Ukraine.  I was able to hand out tracts and witness to a some of them.  When we asked if they need any food or anything, they said they did not due to the Moldovans’ generosity upon entering Moldova from Ukraine.  I am so proud of the people of Moldova.  After 5 hours, we made it through and on our way into Romania.

In route, we found out that Eric Chapman and his wife are trying to get to Moldova to help setup his camp for refugees.  Flights into Moldova were canceled so he was stranded right before his last flight.  He is flying in to the city where we are right now in Romania.  I will be leaving my family here and picking them up on Thursday to drive them into Moldova.  I plan to help in any way I can, then head up to lead the service on Sunday in Bulboci, come down to the capital to hopefully pick up my residency permit on Monday the 7th, apply for new plates, and hopefully get those in a day or two after that.  I will then head back to Romania and re-evaluate things from there.  All of this is a matter of prayer.

Thank you to all who have contacted us, offered us help, and have been praying for us.  Though the past week has been overwhelming, it is nothing compared to what the Ukrainians have been enduring.  Keep praying.

February 2022 Update

Each year I appreciate God’s immutability more and more.  Though life’s changes continue to roll out at an ever increasing pace, God, His promises, and His purposes remain rock-solid.  Here are some changes we have recently been facing and will face in the near future.

We are currently in the middle of two “State of Emergencies.”  The first is in regards to the energy crisis caused by natural gas issues with Russia.  The second is in response to the drastic rise in COVID-19 cases.  Currently, without a COVID pass, we cannot go to most “non-essential” businesses.  Thankfully, we are able to still continue on with our ministries.  At the end of January, some illness went through our family, possibly the omicron variant.  We thank the Lord that most of us are well again with just a lingering cough and fatigue.  Please pray for Stephanie, though.  She may have some sinus infection.

A couple weeks ago, I showed up to lead the evangelistic Bible study with a older man, Vladimir.  Sadly, I found out that he moved to Chisinau.  Jacob and I had been witnessing to him for many months.  There seems to be evidence that his interest and understanding of things has been weak.  Please pray that I will find another open person to take his place.

Most of you probably are aware of the warnings the West and America has made of a possible Russian invasion into Ukraine.  We thank the Lord that thus far, there has been no actions from Russia to validate those claims.  Since Moldova is stuck between Ukraine and Romania (NATO’s eastern border), there has been concern over what would happen to Moldova, were Russia to invade Ukraine.  In response, we have been in contact with our pastor and field director and have an evacuation plan in place were the need to arise.  Please pray for the world leaders and for us to lead a quiet and peaceable life (1 Timothy 2:2).

We have turned in the needed documents to our lawyer in order to renew our residency permits.  Though we do not know of any reason they should be denied, please pray for us to find grace in the eyes of Immigration and be granted another three-year permit.  On February 4th, we celebrated our 12 years anniversary of service here in Moldova.  We pray the Lord blesses us with many more years of service for Him here.

The Hughes are scheduled to return to Moldova from furlough later on in March.  Upon

Family News: Abby got her braces off!

their return, we will have about three weeks together before we head out for our four-month furlough on April 12th.  We are focusing on visiting the churches we were not able to visit last furlough in 2018.  I thank the Lord that the meetings are all booked now.  To those of you that were able to schedule us in, thank you very much.  To those churches we were not able to visit this furlough, we will do our best to schedule you in on our next furlough.  As I did for our last furlough in 2018, I will mail prayer cards to all of our supporting churches and make our furlough video available for you to view and show.  Please pray for us as we continue to prepare for furlough (as it is no small task preparing to leave your home and ministry for months).  Pray that furlough will be a time of refreshment for our family and an opportunity for the Lord to use us in the lives of other believers.  Please also pray for the Hughes as they continue on with the ministries here in our absence.

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support.  We are looking forward to seeing many of you this summer.