Dear Family and Friends,
These past three months have been quite an experience for us as we have moved into our village apartment in Bretea Romana. We are in the center of the village and the noise and commotion is something we have to get used to. Our neighbors have been helpful and we see more and more signs of acceptance This encourages us as we reflect on God’s leading and provision. We have spent many days working on our apartment and have more work to do but are at the point where we feel comfortable in our home and are practicing hospitality.
Another new experience has been the application for long term residency in Romania and the request for a 5 year visa. We discovered that Americans must register with the district police if they stay more than 3 days in Romania, and have since been informed that the local police want a copy of all of our documents as well.The visa request involved more time and paper work than we’ve done in the past as we learned what was needed to meet the new requirements. Some of the key documents were the Letters of Recommendation from both our sending church and the church here in Bretea. Resumes, diplomas, essays, etc.were sent to the Baptist Union headquarters and then on to the the Ministry of Culture and Cults(Religions) in Bucharest for their approval. We also had to find a family doctor and buy RO medical insurance for each one of us. Government fees and taxes for the visas totaled about $525. Fortunately, our request was accepted at the end of May and we expect to have photo ID cards and visas in hand by the end of June. We are very happy to have completed this necessary paper work to be legal residents.
Our ministry in the local Baptist Church continues to be our priority as we lead services, teach, and attempt to meet the needs of the people. The leaders and hosts, Saul and Dora, have been hospitalized with serious health problems for a total of 28 days since we arrived here. We helped with transportation, visitation, gardening, animal care and butchering, and homestead oversight. One morning we were called just before sunup to assist with an emergency health need. Thank the Lord for all the past experience in dealing with such issues in our lives. Some neighbors say that Saul and Dora have had “good luck” with the Americans coming here while others realize that it was God who brought us here to be of service to others. This testimony of our lives has a greater impact than talk alone can have. Please continue to pray for us and these folks as we seek to give God the glory. Also please pray for our youth ministry which involves many children from a new church family and more un-churched children.
On June 20th Joanna Holden, a young lady from the Romulus Lighthouse Fellowship, will be arriving to live with us and help in the ministry. She was here for a short time last year and we’ve invited her to come for a longer experience in foreign missions and to see how the Lord leads in her life as she serves Him. Her father, Mark, will accompany her, assist us, and observe the ministry for 10 days. We are looking forward to their visit and thank the Lord for them. Please pray for God’s blessing upon their trip.
It is the beginning of Summer and this is the busiest time of the year for our ministry in the village of Bretea Romana. The young people finish school this week and we will be offering free English classes in our home during Summer vacation. There will be three levels for young people with the goal of learning English as a second language for education requirements and improving their job options. We also intend to have a class for adults. There is a great interest in learning English and we are happy to help people in this way.
Besides the ministry and paperwork we are working a large garden by this apartment building. It is divided into sections for the 10 families who want to raise vegetables. We have 22 kinds of veggies growing and some of them are not grown by the neighbors. This provides us with the opportunity to share new foods and possibly add some variety and vitamins to their diets. There is a tremendous problem with weeds, insects, and disease involving the crops and I am amazed at the difficulties these folks face while providing food for their families year round. The Agricultural sector in Romania continues to struggle to be modern and efficient.
We want to thank everyone who prays and supports us and this ministry. Many people have given sacrificially so that we can be here. Now that we are established in this town we are looking to the future and what the needs are. It is obvious that our little apartment has limitations as a classroom and that Saul’s meeting room in his home isn’t big enough for a larger congregation. We are not certain how much longer it will be viable or available to us. Please pray that others will help to provide necessary funds for mission property and a small building. The ARMS PROJECT (Archers’ Romanian Mission Station) was begun in 2007 with the goal of raising funds for a permanent ministry location in this village. Anyone interested in giving to that project can specify this when contributing to the RO Fund at Faith Bible Chapel.
All contributions (marked for Romania) should be sent to: Faith Bible Chapel at 117 Jamestown St. in Randolph, NY 14772
Our WEB SITE – www.outreachhunedoara.wordpress.com
In closing we list some specific prayer needs since many supporters have asked for this. May God’s grace and peace be with you all. Chuck, Barb, and Curtiss
Personal Prayer Requests:
1) Good health and resistance to allergies and complications.
2) Monthly support and ARMS PROJECT.
3) Spiritual growth for us and the local church.
4) Daniel and Whitney Archer – first child is due in July.
Filed under: Ministry, Prayer Requests, The Archers, Updates
