I read last night that Russia stationed around 80,000 troops at the Ukrainian border and Crimea. The eastern part of Moldova, Transnistria, which declares itself independent of Moldova and has over 1,000 Russian troops stationed there, has had increased Russian military activity, too. Soroca is only about 15 miles from the northern border of Transnistria. Ever wonder if those in power think, “People are tired of the pandemic. Let’s make things more interesting!” But we need not fear what circumstances or man may do unto us. We have the promise of God’s sufficient grace, His mercies that are new every morning, and His great faithfulness.

As we rest in His promises, we continue on in the ministries God has for us. At times they have been cancelled due to not knowing how the government expected churches to comply with new restrictions. Thankfully, we are able to meet for church at present, but our weekly children’s ministry and my teen mentoring are still on pause.

There have been some unexpected opportunities and open doors recently. In shopping for a need at the outdoor market, I talked to the vendor, trying to steer the conversation to spiritual things. He did a lot of talking so I thought it was going to be another dead end conversation. I was able to ask questions, though, and the man became sober as I talked about the coming judgment and our sinful state. I was able to encourage him to read his Bible, and gave him three questions to answer in the book of John. With his promise to read, he invited me back to talk again about these things. I plan to continue to visit him and hope to start a Bible study with him. Pray for M to see His need for Christ and become one of His disciples.

In December a lady O called me and told me she had a need. This phone call has resulted in her coming to church with her three small children and starting a Bible study with my wife. She has been saved for several years but has been taught little from the Bible. She has a great desire to know more. Pray for O to continue to grow in Christ, and pray for her husband V to have the same insatiable desire.

I have mentioned Tamara in my prayer letters many times over the last few years. After leading her to Christ I have kept in contact with her, though she lives an hour away. She is still suffering with cancer and diabetes as well as financial difficulty. In the last few months she has been able to get the surgeries and radiation treatments that she needs and she is feeling so much better. The terrible sores on her back are mostly healed. However, she is still having sores surface on other parts of her skin, which is baffling the doctors, who have not seen this sort of thing in their thirty years of work. Pray for the doctors to have wisdom to treat her successfully, and pray that Tamara will continue to be a light to her husband A, and her two grown children.

Our whole family has been delighted to step out of the gray of winter into the green and loveliness of spring. The children are excited to play outdoors more regularly and ride bicycles again. With Spring always comes planting for us. We enjoy supplementing our food budget with fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables. We usually try something different in the garden each year, so this year we are trying raised beds. we am still in the midst of assembling them and filling them, hurrying to get the Spring seeds planted.

Back in November our oldest had voiced concerns about feeling different emotionally. We thought at first that it was just hormonal changes. But when it didn’t go away and became worse, we sought outside help. Now she meets with a Christian counselor each week online, and we praise the Lord for the improvement we have seen. Please pray for her success and growth in facing these challenges and for us to have wisdom in helping her.

Other children have been battling their wills. Pray for us as we endeavor to point them to Christ in all things, that they may conquer and stand strong as good soldiers and delight to do God’s will. It is not enough to produce good children; our desire is that they will love God with all their heart, soul, and strength.

Over the past many weeks the Lord has given me an opportunity to meet with a young man C, who lives nearby, to teach him English twice a week. I have also been able to test his interest in spiritual things, and he seems to be open. Several years ago, he had comet the VBS at our home and showed much interest. Last night, after our lesson, he told me that he would like for us to start studying the Bible together! He is almost done with school and seems very teachable. Pray the Lord will use the study to make another disciple for Christ.

For over a year now I have been doing a Bible study with V and L. Due to V’s trips out of the country each month in the past and due to the pandemic, there have been many weeks when we could not have the study. In spite of the intervals, they have continued to show their interest in the studies. Since we arrived at the Ten Commandments L has seemed more detached from the study. Perhaps the Lord is convicting her. But V has been right with me understanding and agreeing. They seem close to salvation in some ways, but we know Satan does not want to see this through. He wants to hinder. Please pray the Lord will conquer in their hearts and that they will repent and be made new creatures. We would love to see them become disciples of Christ, baptized, and added to the church.

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. We could not do the work over here without you holding the ropes.