GOSPEL LABOR

The first days of this month I was in the city of Rimnicu Sarat. I served at this mission where Cosmin C. was called by God to plant a church. The church is slowly growing. Praise God that during 2008, three young people accepted the Lord and were baptized. They have showed a genuine change and presently serve in various capacities in the church. While I was at the church on the first day of 2009, I was given the opportunity to preach God's Word. Afterward, the whole congregation had fellowship over a meal together. I had meetings with some families that we had visited for this special event.

In the first days of January, I took time to do some planning for 2009. It looks like a very busy year, but praise God that my agenda is full with events that will hopefully contribute in advancing God's Kingdom.

At the end of the first week, I drove to Timisoara, crossing the whole country. During my travel I picked up two students from Brasov and witnessed to them. There names were Mihai and Costin. I bless God for such a good conversation. They opened their hearts and I shared the Gospel with them. They showed interest in continuing to be visited, so I called Alex P., our missionary on the University Campus of Brasov, and I gave him their addresses.

I arrived in Timisoara and spent a day and a night with the HeartCry missionary Ion T. and Ani, his wife. They have been working for many years on the University Campus of Timisoara. We discussed the ministry and changes that have taken place over the last weeks.

From Timisoara, Ion and I went to Serbia to visit missionary Zoran M. from Kovin. We had Christian literature with us that we thought would be confiscated at the border, but the officer did not check the whole luggage except for one small box. He asked us if we were Protestants and I confirmed that we were without hesitation. As soon as I said that he stopped checking and said "have a good trip". I wished him a Merry Christmas. We were actually going to celebrate Christmas with the church in Kovin and other churches. The Sirbs celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian Calendar.

The Lord blessed us with a wonderful week. We spent much of our time with missionary Zoran M. and his family. Although he seemed to be tired, He was so glad to have us. He had had many events over the past weeks that exhausted him. The Lord is using Zoran in an unusual way in Serbia as he is one of the national leaders in the evangelical church in Serbia. He has established many relationships with the Romanian churches and is involved in teaching leaders from Serbia where he has partnered with Emmanuel Baptist University in Oradea, Romania. We visited and preached in the church from Kovin and Pancevo. We also visited some other cities such as Smederevo and Vriset where the work of God is advancing. I realized the great need of supporting the work in Serbia. Christians there need a fresh vision and courage to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

While I was in Serbia, I met with the RAM director, Cristi C. He came with two American brothers from the Romanian American Mission, the mission agency where I used to work in 1998-2000. We had great fellowship as we discussed many things that we could do together as mission organizations that share the same theological stand and vision.

I returned to Timisoara, where I spent a few days with Ion T. We had a blessed time together in fellowship and in evangelizing students on campus. We went for two nights on campus and preached to various students in their rooms. The first night we had a group of students that came for a prayer meeting. On the second night we visited a group of Indian students that were Hindu. Our discussion began about faith in God and I explained to them the Gospel. They were all very attentive to what I said. We contrasted the Christian faith with the Hindu religion and I affirmed the unique event of history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I was very direct with them and saw much interest in their response. I pray that God's Spirit will move in their hearts and they will come to know the only Savior, Jesus Christ.

I continued my trip to Arad, where I visited a Christian family that served in this city. HeartCry supports Valentin V. He does a very good work in radio. The next day I arrived in Zalau, my home town, where I was asked to preach at the First Baptist Church of Zalau. God moved that evening as I challenged the church to live a holy life. The next three weeks I spent in my home town as I needed to help my mother. Since my dad passed away in November, mother has lived alone. Many things had to be done after the funeral as she was not able to manage by herself. Because of sickness in January, she was admitted to the hospital for two weeks where she had an operation. I had to watch the farm and work for several hours each day. At the same time I accepted invitations to preach in several churches from the neighboring cities of Zalau, Cluj, Pecei.

I had an unusual experience that revealed to me the power of God. I have an uncle, Emil P., that was in hospital with leukemia. He also suffers from diabetes and hepatitis C. He was convinced that he would die in a few days. I went to visit him to anoint him with oil and pray for his healing. It was for the first time that I did what we read in the book of James. Although my uncle was a skeptic and reads a lot of paranormal magazines and philosophy, he was so open on this occasion to hear God's Word and confess his sin. I prayed for him and then returned home where I kept praying. After a few days his health began to dramatically change as he felt much better. It seems the Lord gave him another chance. I went with two other brothers and we shared the Gospel with him again. His heart changed a lot in those days. Pray for Emil P. He seems to be seeking the Lord in a sincere way. While visiting my mother and my uncle in hospitals in different cities, I had opportunities to represent the Lord in visiting the sick and praying for those in great need of healing.

The Lord is doing great works in these days. We need faith and a greater knowledge of Him and His Word. Also, pray for me that I will preach the Gospel without fear and live a holy life. Pray for us, as we continue this great calling. We appreciate your support and faithfulness in praying for us.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Pray for this year. It is extremely busy as I am taking an on-line Greek Syntax class. I want to do all things in a God honoring way.

Pray for my spiritual life. I need a greater desire to seek the Lord. I need to spend more time in prayer.

Please pray for a revival in my spiritual life. I want to know the Lord more and more and be transformed.

Pray for guidance in planting a church in Romania.

Pray that God will give me a godly wife. It looks like it is the time to pay attention to this area.

Pray for my mother (Mary) and my uncle (Emil). Pray for all those that heard the word of the Gospel in January, shared in various circumstances.

Pray for the HeartCry family in Eastern Europe. We face many challenges, but we know who called us and we know He will build up His Kingdom.