It flies. It helps to heal hurts. We race against it. We often wish we had more of it. Time. My mind has recently been pondering how short life is and how the time we have is so precious yet fleeting.

TEAM RETREAT
The first week in August, we had our annual team retreat. Looking back over the past year, it was amazing how much time was taken by lockdown and quarantine. Though not as planned, we thanked the Lord for many things accomplished and look forward to what He is going to do in the following 12 months.

2016

2020

SARAH BODALY
It is hard to believe that Sarah worked alongside of us for over four years and has already left. Thank you for praying for her return back to the States. She, her cat, and all her luggage made it safely to America. Please pray for her as she transitions to the next stage of ministry and life.

MILESTONES
So does the rest of the world call them kilometer-stones? Just kidding. In July, our little bundle of laughter and joy turned 6 years old! Hard to believe. Ana loves putting smiles on other people’s faces and brightening things up with her presence. She loves to help others, do her school work, and learn more about her Savior. In August, Stephanie and I celebrated 16 years of marriage, and in September, I turned 39. God has blessed me with a beautiful, content, hardworking wife who loves the Lord. She has sacrificed so much and continues to do so to follow me and the course set before us. Pray that our marriage will stay strong and be an example to others of Christ and the church.

TWO NEW BELIEVERS
When our mentor first introduced us to the “Firm Foundations: Creation to Christ” evangelistic Bible study, I cringed at the thought of the study taking a year to complete. He reassured me that he has seen the most lasting fruit from those who come to Christ through the chronological Bible study. The time paid off and ended up being a worthy investment. The two lost women who have faithfully come to the study trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior! Not only do they believe the Gospel of Christ, but they also understand the main message of the Bible and how it threads through Genesis to the New Testament.
I am now discipling them as we study through the Gospel of John together. They long for others in their families to hear and believe the Gospel. Please pray for these two women, Iulia and Ioana, to grow in Christ and learn to make other disciples for Christ in their village.

EXPIRED TIME
Last week, while talking with another neighbor, he asked if I had heard that Victor died a month ago. My heart sank as I realized which Victor he was referring to. The Victor who used to prune our vineyard. The Victor who surprised me by going sober for over half a year last year before falling victim again to the cold clasp of alcoholism. The Victor with whom I pleaded once again this past winter to repent and trust in Christ. The time for him to do so expired. After hearing about his death, I really struggled the rest of the week. I was thankful that I had preached the Gospel to him on multiple occasions, but I still wondered if I could have done more. Please ask the Lord to give us boldness to continue preaching the Gospel.

EXTENDED TIME
Several months back, I met my friend’s neighbor, a young man, who usually works in France. Since he also knows a good bit of English, we were able to strike up a conversation. In the end, I asked if he was interested in us getting together. We began meeting at a cafe in town once a week to study English and the Bible. What I thought would only be a couple weeks before he would return to France has now stretched on to a couple months with no set date on him leaving. Not only has he been doing his Bible reading homework, he has been asking wonderful questions like, “What did Jesus mean in John 3 that we must be born again?” Unexpectedly, the barista has joined in our discussions on the Gospel of John. Please pray for “M” to continue learning more of the Gospel and trust Christ and for the barista, “V” to start reading through John on her own.

God continues to meet our needs through your prayers and faithful support. Thank you and God bless you.