God gave us grace and we managed to continue the work in Patrauti de Sus and Patrauti de Jos. I want to share briefly about the most important events this month.

PATRAUTI DE JOS

I spent more time here this month, I visited several families and helped with the church services. As I mentioned in my previous report, the church is going through a difficult time. I want to share that with you so that you can pray. There are several parties in the church and there is no unity. Many people from the church adopted the Pentecostal doctrine, especially the doctrine about the Holy Spirit. Beside the church service, they also have a prayer meeting. I have already talked to the church members and I think we are going start a Bible study meeting soon. It is still a time for us to become familiar with one another. I have not met all the members yet. I want to visit them but it is not the best time of the year to find them at home because they have to go and work in the fields. I mostly get to visit them on Sundays. The lack of unity can be felt in the church. We had several committee meetings this month when I motivated the people to be more active in outreach and bringing others to church. There are other things that don't work here. Many young people are coming in the church but they do not attend the church services. The main reason is because of the division in the church. I will have a special youth service next Sunday. I want to talk with listen them and try to find solutions.

I am happy that the kids ministry is going well. They have a short program in the church every Sunday morning. They are always a blessing for the church and their families.

I visit this village twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday. I usually visit the old and the sick on Wednesdays. I got to visit brother Vasile again this month. He has had his legs amputated. But whenever I visited him, he is full of faith and he encourages me instead of the other way around.

I visited brother Grijincu too. I prayed for him to be strengthened by the Lord.

I managed to visit four families this month and I got to know their lives, talents, and children. I was able to meet the Schipor family. I had a good time with them. The wife has a wonderful voice and I encouraged her to serve with this gift. I also visited Clodnitci family. He is a deacon in the church and we talked about several things related to the ministry.

Beside the families from the church, God gave me the opportunity to share the gospel with two people from Patrauti de Jos. I gave them a ride and told them the gospel. I invited them to church as well and look forward to seeing them there.

My wife, Lena, continued to teach piano. Some of the kids are already doing pretty well, while others gave up.  But we are glad for those who have stayed faithful. She also started a choir but it is not easy to work with people living in the countryside who have to work the land.

I would like to share with you something that happened here. A gentleman from our church had a  truck in his yard that weighed around 25 tones. They were doing something in the yard when something happened to it's speeds It happened that the five year old girl of another man from our church was in its way. People were shocked as they thought the little girl died. But to their amazement, the girl was safe and sound, she only had a scratch. As a church, we thanked the Lord for being so good. We feel like one body with no barrier between us.  This experience has given me hope and I believe that things will change in our church because God will remove all obstacles that can destroy the unity.

PATRAUTI  DE SUS

I did not have to go to this village very often this month. We have an older gentleman there who is retired, but still very active. He knows the situation in Patrauti de Jos and is always ready and willing to help. I go there every Wednesday. We had guests from Romania twice. They continue to help with the ministry there. I am glad that we always have people from the village who come to church.

On the 25th of the month, we visited two families where only one member is a Christian. It's about Raia and Misa. When we got to her we found her crying. She was going through a hard time because of her sons who are alcoholics. She was overwhelmed by the suffering. When we saw her she said it was God who sent us to her. We prayed together and encouraged her. We and the church body have continued to pray for her. Brother Misa was in a pretty similar situation, being the only Christian in his family. His daughter was divorcing her husband. There was a lot of tension in his family. I talked to him and am believing God will strengthen him during this time.