What a great time of year this is. Cities, towns and houses and are adorned with lights and trimmings. The shops never close and are full with things that glisten, light up and sparkle. We see toys for boys and girls, gift ideas for him and her to eat, wear, and spray on.
“While they were there (Bethlehem) the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn”. Luke 2 vs 6 + 7 NIV
I flew back to Romania on the 25th October and Dave (see previous newsletter) and Traian eventually met me at Cluj airport. I say eventually because it was about 4.00 in the morning when I arrived there. During take off from Budapest the Carpatair stewardess told us the plane would be landing at Oradea instead of Cluj because of fog. When we landed we were given 30 euros each and told to make our own way to Cluj. Some of the passengers (those in Romania for the first time) couldn’t believe it, those of us who had been to Romania before shrugged our shoulders and said, “Welcome to Romania, where are the taxis?” The fare to Cluj that night was 60 euros so together with two other passengers I finished the journey by road. We gave the taxi driver 60 euros with a 30 euro tip, he was well pleased and we have a story to tell.
One of the things I wanted to do while in Romania was to take part in a puppet tour. So Dave, Traian, Michaela and I hit the road. This would be my first Romanian tour. We had 12 performances before running out of time. At least it proves I can overcome the language barrier and the old age barrier. Next Christmas we plan to do an extensive tour. Dave was able to try his hand at presenting sketchboard messages and presenting memory verses. He still say’s he’ll be back in the summer!!!
…”When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told
them about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds
had said to them”
Luke 2 vs 17 + 18 NIV
The second children’s club is going well after a slow start. At the first meeting only eight children came. The second week sixteen children arrived and on the third week we had twenty four children. Please pray for more leaders for both this club and the Thursday night one.
Traian and Lidia are in Bristol until the 22nd doing a puppet tour with the OAC West Country branch. Pray for continued strength and ongoing opportunities for the team there. They have announced the date of their wedding. It is 9th July so if you are in the Alba Iulia area at that time you are most welcome. We join Constantin in praising God for a full summer programme of children’s holiday clubs and preaching opportunities. People have been saved and baptised. Pray for Constantin while his wife is in America seeing their first grandchild. She will be away for 6 months. As Constantin approach’s retirement age pray for strength to keep going. Cristi’s youth work continues to grow. Please remember him in your prayers as he leads the youth work at Maresti Baptist Church teaching them and leading them in several outreach events.
The summer programme of outreaches went really well with people again
joining us from different countries and we were privileged to see people
come to Christ.
Beracha is almost finished. We only have one outside wall to render and half
of the driveway to concrete.
The two children’s clubs are well attended, between 20 and 30 children come
to each club each week. We have had plenty to thank God for.
We praise and thank God that Paul’s mum’s eye operations went well and she
is healing nicely.
Julie’s health continues to improve and she is doing really well on her
diet.
Andrew has settled into work and is slowly paying off his debts, which is
good for his mum and dad!!!
Becca finished university with a 2:1. She is working part time at a local
pub while she looks for a full time job.
Julie and I will return to Romania at the end of January with our colleagues Paul & Sue Blocksidge. We will be training some people to use the sketchboard which will give us more people for the children’s clubs and the outreaches. We also want to visit Vatra Dornei (snow permitting) We will come back for the OAC European Director’s conference, the OAC GB Prayer conference and to take part in Spring Harvest as Powerpack team members before returning to Romania in May. It is possible that in 2005 we will see an increase of staff for OAC Romania and an expansion of the work into Bulgaria with Paul & Sue. We look forward to the exciting things that God is going to do.
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests”
Luke 2 v 14 NIV