It is our deep conviction that we live at the edge of the end times which makes the preaching of the Gospel an imperative calling. Here, in Eastern Europe, we experience major changes in the geo-political structure and ideologies. The European Union appears as a new empire that promises a new vision of life. But, in fact, it is nothing else than the same old trick of Satan by which he deceives the world with false promises. It looks like the enemy uses every possible means to pull the people into a deeper darkness. The world is slowly moving toward greater disaster. But God’s plan will prevail and His glory will be displayed over all the nations of the earth.

The HeartCry missionaries continue to preach Christ with the firm belief that God has His own chosen people that He will save by the preaching of the Gospel. The four missionaries from Ukraine report about new churches that are planted among the Romanian communities from Ukraine. Pray that we will soon hear the news that all the Romanian villages and towns in Ukraine have an evangelical church that preach the Word of God. In Moldova, new opportunities are offered with the freedom that came with the collapse of the Communist regime. The two teams from Cahul and Aneni report a better dynamic in the work of God once the Communist constrictions have been removed. The Gypsy communities from Romania continue to be ministered to by the Gypsy missionaries that are preaching and planting new churches. Massive numbers of Gypsies have been sent back to Romania from the Western countries where they tried to settle for begging and stealing. These people that are without a country and despised by all nations need Christ! Please pray for the conversion of the Gypsies! The HeartCry missionary in Serbia is about to start a new church in a nearby city of 120,000 people.  A few more students have been saved as a result of the effective activity of our missionaries that work on the campuses from Bucharest, Brasov and Timisoara.  Pray for the new university year that is about to start! The five mission teams from Romania experience a new season in their endeavor of preaching the Gospel. It seems that people are more sensitive and respond better to the preaching. This is a direct effect of the major economical crisis with which the country is confronted. There is also much opposition. The Orthodox Church spreads confusion and heresy, making people think that evangelicals are the heretics. The governments promote a secular agenda instead of Christian morality. The result is a new generation that embraces materialistic, hedonistic and secular values.

But, in spite of what seems to be discouraging, we continue to do our job with the conviction that God is fulilling His plan through us. In this sense, let us move from this general picture of the ministry to a more particular one. We just finished two days of massive outreach in three towns from the southern part of Romania. All the mission teams from Romania joined together for two days of outreach to help one team in the area of Olt county. Over twenty missionaries completely covered each town, taking every street, going from door to door, and speaking to hundreds of people. Some received the Word with joy, others were reluctant, indifferent, or even ironic. To a young man who was visibly touched by the Gospel I said: ”You are not far from the Kingdom of heaven”. While I was sharing the Gospel with two students, I was stopped by another young man who came and mocked me and the Name of Christ with the most horrible words that one can use. With the risk of being abused, I told him firmly, ”your words will freeze on your lips when you face the justice of God!”

In a village close to Stoienesti we went from house to house. The first person I met was a man that stopped his car. I offered him a New Testament and told him the Gospel. I was surprised to see that he paid attention the whole time and did not want to leave. His name is George. He wanted to know where the church in Stoienesti was so he could attend the church. He seems to be an influential person in the village as he has two businesses.

In Stoienesti, I teamed up with Marian and we went down a main street. We shared with many people. At the end of the day we almost skipped dinner because of a great opportunity to share Christ. We talked with three young men that were Gypsies who were running a business in the village. They were so open to hear the Word of God! They were honest with us sharing their faults. One of them, even wanted to confess all he had done so he would feel released. I explained to him that this will not help much if he does not repent and follow Christ.

I was impressed to see that most of the people in Stoienesti knew our missionary, George S., and have a good opinion of him. George has a good reputation in the whole village.

The third place we evangelized was the city of Draganesti Old. Here, I felt more reluctance. We met people that refused to talk or even receive a Bible. This was the first place that was covered with the Gospel by the team of missionaries. Because people have more light they know more. But they were more reluctant. Young people have more ways of entertainment and seem less interested. However, I met some that were open to hear, and I used the time to preach Christ.

One women stopped her work to listen to the Gospel.  On another occasion, when I approached a man that was gathering plums he was very reluctant.

Examples like these are many.  At the end of the day all the missionaries celebrated with joyful anticipation that some will be saved! God is at work here! Pray that the seed will bring forth fruit one day and others will do the harvest.