The end of the school semester is just around the corner. The students are more and more stressed out as they are getting ready for examinations. We look at them and remember ourselves being just like that some years ago. We know exactly what they deal with ... the pressure, the emotions, the long nights and many other things. But we also remember that once we became Christians, the exams seemed to be easier. Therefore, we know that during this time, many of them think of God more often, and some of them, even pray and go to church. It is sad that people think they can manipulate God when they need Him. People put God in a box and take Him out only when they need Him.
Truly this people perish because of lack of knowledge. We say we're a Christian nation but we don't believe in the Bible and its values. If you dare talk about God's Word, people label you as being a weirdo belonging to a sect. They think they're good just as they are. If they don't believe in God, they look for pleasure somewhere else. But still, there are students who remain faithful during college years. Someday we'll all get to celebrate the coming of the Lord.

Andi, a student in Electronics, told me he didn't actually like what he studied. But somehow he realized he love the magic of playing cards. He was speaking so fervently about it that one could easily realize it was the hobby of his life. I asked him how he got to be so fond of playing cards. He told me that his father used to play cards and they always had playing cards on the table. I thought to myself, "Lord, we must be so careful with our children, what we teach and show them". I shared my values with him. I told them we were supposed to develop personally and intellectually, but also, spiritually, in order to understand where we came from and where we were going. We are supposed to understand the purpose of our life on earth, that there is a God who loves us and looks for us. And our answer should be repentance and faith. I don't know how much he listened but I can see that young people nowadays are looking for something to fulfill their lives and to invest them in. But as long as they don't meet with God, their lives will never be changed or fulfilled.

Age, a student from India, has parents who are Catholic. He is a good, diligent student and is nice to be around as he always has a smile on his face. When he came to Romania, he became fond of our group. When he was asked whether he believed in Jesus, he replied evasively, "Yes, I do..". But when they asked  him if he believed Jesus had died for his sins, he said, "well, I don't know". He told us he didn't have joy and peace. He had had the opportunity to choose between the Lord and the world's pleasures, and he chose the world. Not long after that, he realized that all these things were only temporary. He grew sad and hopeless. But God gave him a new chance to choose Him and he said yes. Now Age says he has peace. He tells everyone about the joy of his life with Christ. His desire is for other Indian friends to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Just a few weeks ago, you couldn't eve notice him in the crowd, but now, one can see him talking to other students, friendly and full of joy. He always comes to church and together with Dennis and Marian makes up a good team working with the foreign students. Pray that God will strengthen him from now on and make him grow in his relationship with Christ and be a light for his colleagues.

"I felt so lonely and had no friends all through the college years. It's been very hard. I'm sorry   
I didn't meet you earlier! I look at you and can see so much joy. I wish I were like you!"  These
are the words Anca said to us. She is a senior in college. But we know it's not too late for her
either, God can give her joy and a fresh new start if He changes her heart. Pray that God will
continue to work in her heart.

May 1 - Going out with the students in the open

It's a great opportunity to spend time with the students as they can see what a Christian community
means. God brought 25 foreign students and 55 Romanians. It's been a very nice time as we could talk and get to know each other better.

This summer, our life will take a new turn. After many prayers and seeking His will for our lives,
Ani and I made the decision to move to Brasov. We want to be there and help with the campus ministry, but also start a new church with healthy biblical teaching. We're gonna be working together with two other missionaries and friends, Sorin P. and Alex P. We'll give more details in the next report.