I would like to share with you some of the events that happened in Patrauti de Sus, especially in the Baptist Church. The Lord gave us grace to serve and work with Him this past month.

First of all, we prepared for the caroling. We invited young people from other churches from Noua Sulita county to help us bring the good news of Christ's birth. We were accompanied by young people from Dimnauti, Dranita and Cernauti. We split in two groups and went to bring the news that has changed our lives throughout the village. Although it was a very cold evening on January 6, our joy and enthusiasm kept our hearts warm. I insisted to carol as many houses as possible. We gave out booklets and Christian calendars and also invited people to church the following day for listening to more carols and the message of the Saviour's incarnation.

The people's reaction was different. Some welcomed us and desired us to sing them more carols. Others, namely fervent orthodox people, forbade us to carol. They said the priest had forbidden them to receive the sectarians and they had their own carols. Our joy was that most people were happy to listen to us. We caroled before about seventy families, inviting everyone to church. We also went to Corcesti village where people speak Ukrainian. We caroled to two families who were open to listen to the Word. To my amazement only one person out of the seventy families came to church the following day. Many promised and didn't come. We were frustrated. After all the effort and the expenses we expected more people to attend church. I am sure God has a special plan with this village, but I don't know when. We continue to pray that the Lord would bring repentance into this village full of idols and religious people.

Along with several men from other neighboring churches we planned more evangelism methods with a greater impact. Nowadays people don't come to church because of the priest. I ask for light and guidance from God in using other methods. Although many people had tears in their eyes when we caroled to them, they were very reluctant to visit our church. I believe God will bring fruit from the seed that we sowed.

Another event that happened in our church was my ordination. It was a special day for me and my family. We had many guests and the church was full. Six pastors, a group from Dranita who sang and our relatives were among those who attended. My prayer is that the Lord will make us more efficient in this ministry.

Still another special event was a little girl's dedication whose name was Csenia. Her parents are not Christians, but Csenia's grandmother attends our church. I was amazed that the little girl's parents accepted to bring their daughter before the Lord and church. During the blessing the baby's father had tears in his eyes. We gave them some money and also a few books on educating children. But the most important gift was the Scripture that we offered them. We pray that God would touch this family and give them repentance.

This past month I attended several conferences and the Baptist Union meetings for elections. On January 9 we had the election of the conductor for the Romanian churches, Partica V. On the 16th we elected the conductor for the Cernauti community, Petrescu P. We pray that the Lord would use them to work more efficiently for His kingdom.

In January we had many guests in church. Also with the entire church we visited a church in Crasna village. We had a wonderful fellowship there. I was invited to the church of Patrauti de Jos where I preached and officiated a wedding.