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!