November 2022 Prayer Letter

Greetings from Moldova! Thank you very much for praying for our return to Moldova. This was the easiest and best trip we have had between America and Moldova. No missed flights, the short layover in Istanbul was not a problem. We walked into the airport off one flight and found our last connecting flight just across the hallway! All our luggage made it, too! During our 10 days in Romania, I preached twice, had some meetings with individuals, and had our van in the repair shop three times.

As a short testimony, our serpentine belt shredded when we were right in front of a store where we could pull in and park our van (Cluj does not have much public parking at all). This was blessing #1. We needed a taxi to get home. After calling all the taxi numbers I could find online and none being available, we stopped and prayed in the parking lot. Right after we prayed, a guy threw some trash away in the trash can near us. When I looked up, I saw him walking towards his car in the back corner of the lot. It was a taxi cab! In addition to the basic maintenance and serpentine belt needing changed, we also needed to change the back wheel bearings urgently before the long drive back to Moldova. God provided the funds needed for all this through a generous gift beforehand from a supporting church in Florida. What a joy to see God provide.

Since our return to Moldova, we have faced a number of challenges. The 93-year-old man, Petru, passed away just a few days after I was able to visit him again. Through this, I was able to start witnessing to his son, who a couple of years ago was very antagonistic towards us. Please pray for Anatol’s salvation.

The last couple of months brought different health issues, too. Stephanie started having difficulty breathing, pains in her arm and blood pressure 40 points above her normal. After going through tests and doctor visits, they believe the problem is due to stress. We have since worked to lighten what we can from her responsibilities. The symptoms have been improving since. While playing goalie at the children’s center where we do Bible club, Abby fractured her wrist. After six weeks in a cast, she finally got it taken off yesterday. I have had some of my own health issues that I am working to get resolved. With all the time eaten up with doctor visits, I was reminded of how blessed we have been with the health God has blessed us with.

Some other discouraging news came just last week. The head office in the capital, that oversees the children’s center where we do Bible club, said we are no longer permitted to teach the Bible there. The director at the center was just as sad as we were of the news. Also, three teenagers, to whom Caleb had been witnessing and with whom he thought he had an open door, told him they didn’t want to hear any more. We know that closed doors mean we are to seek other open doors.

Now for encouraging news. Last Fall, I had mentioned that the husband of a lady in our Soroca church-plant had come to a couple of services before leaving for Russia for the winter. Since our return to Moldova, Vania has come to the last three services! Please pray for Vania to trust Christ. Jacob and I also met with a young man who used to be at Bible club. Please pray for Marcel to come to the midweek Bible study as he said he would.

While on furlough, the Hughes continued the weekly Bible study with Victor and his family in the village of Bulbocii Noi. Upon my return, I saw that Victor had really progressed during that time. His answers to questions were confident, correct, and sincere. A couple of weeks ago, I asked him if he knows where he will spend eternity. He answered, “In heaven.” I asked him, “Why? Do you think you are a good person?” He replied, “No, I am a sinner. But I am trusting in God. I am trusting in Jesus’s blood.” What joy filled my heart to hear that he is now trusting in Christ. Please pray for Victor to grow and for God to use him in his village. Also pray that we will find a reclining seat for him to have at services so that he can come. He weighs less than 100 pounds and cannot be in a regular chair for very long due to health problems.

Between the four from Soroca and the group from the village of Visoca (where a single missionary lady, Eli, is serving Christ), we had a really good group in Soroca for our Harvest Thanksgiving Service. We have been encouraged to see the room on Sunday filling up again. Please pray for the Lord’s blessing as we witness to folks in Soroca. Thank you for your prayers and support.