The Lord Jesus used to take his disciples to a certain place and have fellowship with them. Most of the time that experience would turn into opportunities of service. We felt pretty much the same on May 7 - 8. These two days meant a time of edification for the students but also an opportunity to serve others. There were 24 students. Apparently, that is only a number (either small or big) but if I try to visualize their stories, this number has a new meaning.

FLORIN is a freshman who is studying history. He is from Valcea, an area influenced by the Orthodox tradition. God used one of his colleagues to get to know a group of Christian students who met together to pray and serve Christ. God opened his eyes and he understood that the God he had heard about when a child was living and the Bible was his word. Florin started to understand God's plan about salvation through grace and not based on our efforts. He gladly received the forgiveness of sins through faith and now he is ready to give his life totally to God. I had the opportunity to do outreach with him and to tell 5 other young men about God. At the end, he told me that all our conversation was nothing but an answer to some of his questions.  Once again, I realized that the gift of faith comes from God before having all the answers to complicated theological questions. After people believe God and start to see His reality, He then answers the questions we have on our mind. As we get answers, the faith in our heart becomes stronger and unmovable. Praise the Lord that He makes things like that, to trust Him first and then find answers to our questions. This is the correct order of things, first preaching the gospel and then apologetic Bible studies.

OLAH is a student from Nigeria. He is a sophomore studying business administration. He is Muslim and whatever he knows about Christ is from an Islamic perspective. But I can see the love Jesus has for this young man as he gave him the opportunity to be with a Christian community.  I talked to him about the gospel of the Lord on several occasions. He saw the unconditional love and care in us. He thinks we are pretty different than the other Romanian people. We are different. We belong to Christ and whoever belongs to Him is different. Olah is interested in knowing more about Christ. I pray that he will receive the gift of faith and get answers to all his questions.

ERNEST is from Nigeria too. He is also a freshman in business administration. He is the 7th child in his family which is the youngest. One of his brothers is a an evangelical pastor in Nigeria. Ernest is a short young man but he is impulsive and has strong character. He can start a fight pretty easily but he regrets it as soon as it's over. He is gifted when it comes to music. He is particularly drawn to Jazz music. He states that he believes in Christ but his faith allows him to do pretty much everything. I still need to understand him. Could it be his culture is more permissive or his faith is a worldly one? But despite these things, I love him. He asked me if I could find him a fridge. I haven't managed that yet but I hope I will soon be able to give him the good news that I found one. Ernest is pretty poor, he cooks his own food in his dorm room. But he needs a fridge especially because the summer is almost here.

VICTOR is from Nigeria and he is a freshman in business administration. I met him when visiting someone in the dorm. He told me he had a Bible and reads it. I got to know him better after a while. He is pretty serious in his walk with God. He showed his faith in God whenever he had the opportunity. He doesn't use a lot of words but each of them weigh a lot. He is the most serious young man from the group of Nigerian students. I have met about 10 Nigerian students so far. Most of them are not trustworthy. Victor is different, he respects his promises and encourages others to come to our meetings. Pray for Victor that he may be the key to salvation in the other Nigerian students.

Going back to the 24 students, it is either a small or a big number but when we think of every person and heat their story, it is simply fascinating. Right away it makes you think of God who looks over the billions of people and knows everyone's story. What a wonderful God we have as He doesn't deal with a number but with each person that makes up that number. We thank God because you're a number of people who chose to stay close to us. You are part of our lives and ministry. We are a blessing to those people and you are a blessing to us.

CHRIST'S  CHURCH  IS  FOREVER  VICTORIOUS

Why is that? Because we have victory through His victory. If we look at the number of people who make up our church, we may be very discouraged. It takes a great effort to prepare a good sermon. Then we have to seek the power of the Spirit. And then we realize there are only a few people who come to listen. We are very limited by the walls of the place where we meet. The people in Brasov do all things but go to church and hear God's message to man. Brasov is nothing but a "stiff-necked city", like any other place on earth. The gospel is being planted but we don't see much fruit. People are confused, indifferent, ignorant and seek their own pleasure. But we won't despair or turn back. We have our young people and they'll be the foundation in Christ's church. They have to be taught how to live for their faith and serve God in a world where technology has alienated people from good things, even God.

We have some very special young people who have the gift to play instruments. Ani and I decided to have a time for them. We entitled it "Story of the Soul, Pure Relationships Before Marriage". The starting point was the Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade". We put Fridays aside to go and take the gospel to people from Brasov. The weather is nice and there are many people outside in the parks. Many of them are older ones. Most of the conversations with them tend to slip to politics. We find it hard to keep the good track and tell them the gospel. They are usually frustrated by the politicians' decisions and their effects. We need wisdom to work with such people so that the gospel would cause repentance and faith in them.