Our four and a half month furlough is over, and we are back in Moldova. Rejoice with us on what God did during our furlough and so far since our return to Moldova.

In the span of four months, we visited 25 of our supporting churches. We enjoyed spending more time getting to know the pastors and congregations.

Despite being busy during furlough, we were able to spend the last four weeks with our sending church, Heritage Baptist Church. My pastor allowed me to preach several times during our furlough, which I appreciated. We enjoyed getting caught up on what God is doing in the lives of those in our church.

Over a month ago, I mailed out our furlough DVD and new prayer cards to all the churches we were not able to visit this furlough. If you did not receive our packet, please let me know.

It was a blessing to be able to witness in my own tongue again as we traveled around. One person we invited came to church the next day. Another person trusted Christ after a service. I even got to speak to a Russian lady and give her a tract.

In Moldova, I do a lot of spiritual feeding. On furlough it was nice to be on the receiving end again and challenged and fed spiritually.

This past furlough we again rented a vehicle from Baptist Missionary Transportation Ministries. Praise the Lord, in four months of traveling about 10,000 miles, we had no car trouble and no accidents.

In our travels we were also able to spend time with family in Michigan and Ohio. And my brother in Virginia drove to meet up with my parents and us in Kentucky. We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with Stephanie’s family in Memphis. We really miss family when we are home in Moldova, so it was a blessing to be able to spend some special time and holidays with family for a change.

Due to an engine problem with our first flight out of Memphis, we were delayed in getting to Moldova by 4 days. In the end, we arrived in Moldova on January 20th and all our luggage by the next day.

What a joy it was to see our co-workers again and get back to work here in Moldova. Shortly after our arrival, though, Viola’s father passed away. Please pray for her and her family as they grieve the loss of Mr. Hitz and for the Lord to comfort them in this time.

Other than the worst case of jetlag we have had as a family, we are feeling refreshed and very positive about what God is going to do this year in Moldova.

For example, after the service this past Sunday in the village church plant, the 90 year old man who has been coming for months stood up and said he wanted to be baptized and be a part of the group. We explained once again the need to repent and accept Jesus and his Lord and Savior. He said he wanted to do that right then. What a joy to see him trust Christ in front of all there. He is already wanting to be baptized, so we don’t have to convince him of that step of obedience. Even though his family has been against him coming on Sundays, he has been faithful. Please pray for “Peter” to grow in his faith with the time God grants him left.

We have two other prayer requests for you. First, we are renewing our residencies for Moldova. In the past, we have received two year residencies. Our lawyer is trying for a three year residency for us. Please be in prayer for our residencies to be extended, Lord willing, by three years.

Second, please pray for the political situation in Moldova. They will have elections on February 24th for seats in parliament. If the Socialists get the majority, that can be bad for Moldova and us as missionaries. The President is a Socialist, too, and favors Putin, who does not favor freedom of religion. Please pray for peace and freedom here to continue.

Thank you for your prayers for us and your continued giving. May each one of us be even more fruitful in the coming year.