July was one of the busiest months. There were many ministries and blessings. Following the July 5-11 youth camp the youth ministry has an increased attendance. We started new relationships with a large group of non-believers. Several young people received the Lord in camp. Four of them desire to start a Bible study. Natasa is a fifteen year old teenage girl who comes regularly to the church. We got her involved in personal evangelism in the districts. My wife will start a Bible study with her. Natasa told us that she would like to become involved in the children ministry too. Victor is a 17 years old boy. One evening I shared the Gospel with him and he prayed the repentance prayer. He is open for a Bible study. I didn't meet with him yet because of my busy schedule, but I invited him and six other boys from his group to several sport activities.

On Sunday, July 19, after the worship service we went out for a volleyball match. As soon as the youth camp was over we organized a children's day camp for five days. Around 120 children came. We also involved some new young people in this ministry. Daniela, Sasa, Sergiu, Natasa helped us during the camp. Natasa showed a special attachment to the children.

On July 23 along with our guests from USA we organized an evangelistic evening for the youth. That evening two new girls came, Iulia and Doina. We had shared the Gospel with them on the streets two nights before. Doina was crying at the end of our meeting. Olga asked her why she was crying. She said that she did not understand why we were talking about a loving God because He had allowed her father to die a few years ago. The youth pastor from the USA, Brandon, and I started a discussion with her. He told her that God was the only one who suffered the greatest injustice. His son was killed unjustly. He was the only one who could understand her experience. I asked her whether she had a solution for her heartbreak. After a few moments she answered that she did not know of any solution without God. Since then she comes regularly to the church. That evening there were around 40 young people. Although the day camp was for children, many teenagers came too. We do not have a special ministry for the teenagers at "Emanuel"church. On this occasion we have been challenged to pray for a new age group to minister to.

On July 25-30 we had a medical team who came to minister to the people in Cahul through "Emanuel" church. Along with them there were people who wanted to get involved in the teenager ministry. They organized a meeting and around 35 teens came. We invited the teenagers from the children group and others that came to the day camp. We have been challenged again to start a special ministry for the teenagers this fall.

We continued our evangelism project in the 12 areas around the church. We met around 30 people and I presented to them a brochure. The people were open to receive it. Those who rejected us actually challenged us to present the Gospel better.

On August 9 we celebrated Gheorghe and Aliona's wedding. I counselled them for several months and helped them organize their wedding. Last Sunday I officiated the ceremony and with my wife we were in charge of their whole wedding program. There were many non-Christian relatives, young people and other guests. We learned how to use such occasions to get more people involved in the church. The purpose was their spiritual growth and the beginning of new relationships with the unsaved.

Another special event was the youth meeting of the South Baptists Churches. I was elected as youth pastor for four years for the entire south area. I think this is a great honor and responsibility too.