We have tried to sow this semester so that we will have a harvest. But before it will happen we have a lot of work to do.  I noticed that there were many similarities between this life and the Christian life. Jesus Christ gives us many illustrations and images from harvesting the field to teach us how to work with people. It is hard as we sweat, face many problems, are contested (like the apostle Paul). We have to have a lot of patience as in the end we see a harvest. We know there is a time for harvesting.

There was such great joy in our home when we saw the physical harvest! When I saw the pile of corn I didn't feel like I had labored for nothing. But at that time, the communists had the power to take 80% of our produce. We could live on a fifth of our harvest, but the rest was taken by the State. It is the same in Christian work.  There are problems, discouragements, and losses which we suffer when someone is not walking with God because of the love of the world.  We suffer when there is no unity. We suffer when we are betrayed by our brothers.  We want the Lord's kingdom among the students, but we have seen that there is big price to pay. Sufferings, discouragements and problems are in their homes! But blessed be the Lord because in the end we will have a gathering.

At the beginning of the summer the Vox Domini Church (the church we are attending) had on their heart to work with students. So they encouraged members to go once a month through the universities and preach the Gospel there.

Bogdan V., a second year student majoring in psychology, moved with another student into a simple apartment that doesn't even have central heating. There was no bed to sleep on. By God's grace a beloved family gave us a hospital bed without a mattress. Although someone gave us a mattress, it is longer than the bed and rises up 10 cm in the air. But he was thankful. God changed his heart and he decided to live for the glory and honor of God. Every Thursday evening we meet in his apartment for a bible study with other boys (Robert, Mircea and Alex) and have a wonderful time together in the Lord's Word. I pray for Him that the Lord will raise up disciples.

The Work with the International Students

We were very happy to schedule a meeting with the international students. We had been planning a time with a few of them that are Christians. There are ten students. We spent two days in a beautiful Christian camp where we had a time to interact.  We are planning another event in which we can invite all the foreign students from Timisoara. We need a good room in the Medicine University for the program. We have planned this meeting for November 7.  God is answering our prayers about this event. I will tell you more about that in my next letter. Thank you for investing in the lives of students that one day will be the leaders in our society and other countries where they will have a big impact.

Sowjenya

Sowjenya is a third year medical student from India. She is very friendly, open and learns to live a real Christian life. She and another girl from India, Lisa, are going to begin a Bible study. Sowjenya studies the Bible alone and is excited about the book of Romans. I pray that God will raise her up and use her as a witness and leader among the students from India.

Radu and Cristina

I met Radu in 2003. Although he was a student that was full of energy and spontaneity, he couldn't avoid the problems of life. He grew up without a father and then with a father who was only ten years older than he was. After a season God came into his life and changed him. He was in his second year of architecture. After his life changed he met a girl from our group whose name was Cristina. She was an economic student. Then they got married.

Radu attended church where I went at that time which was very close to where he was living. He was baptized there and became a member of that church. At his baptism he invited his parents and little sister. After some time they started coming to the church, received the Lord and were baptized. Now Radu, Cristina and the rest of the family are in the church. God has now given them a baby. We pray that his son will follow his parents' example, remain true to God and preach the Gospel to the next generation. What impact will Radu's life and heritage have on the following generations? Truly the Kingdom of God is like a SEED OF MUSTARD, at the beginning it is small but after that it grows bigger. Matthew 13:31-32.

Prayer Needs:

• for our family's health and protection
• for our children to be responsible with their life and their time. Pray that they will apply themselves in school and be witnesses for Christ
• for the new university students. Pray that He would work in their lives.
• for the power to preach the Gospel
• for the physical refreshing of our bodies as we fill very tired sometimes