Wednesday in Cluj (July 30)

Greetings from Cluj on a beautiful Wednesday evening! We have just concluded a productive day in the Lord's service. We were blessed with the opportunity to conduct a number of Bible studies, several of which were with repeat students. I am confident that at least two of these students will eventually obey the Gospel, but we are being thorough in our studies with them in order to ensure that they understand the commitment that they are making. Pray for Rebecca and Viorel as we continue teaching them.

Our nightly services at the House of Culture began this evening and we are thrilled to have made contact with 5 or 6 new individuals. We are hopeful that they will continue to attend on Thursday and Friday evenings and perhaps join us for studies during the day.

Before I close I want to share this story. We were in the middle of study today and the student had asked that we look at Matthew 25:34-36. The student was asking how and when the Christian should help others. As he was asking the question - and I mean at the exact moment - we saw a lady walk by the window and enter the church building. She proceeded to tell Claudiu that she was having eye surgery and needed financial assistance. Based on her appearance, I'm not sure if the surgery was legitimate or perhaps she just needed some money to survive. Over the years we have been put in similar situations many, many times. Not wanting to interrupt the study, I pulled out the equivalent of about $15 and gave it to her. As I turned around, the student was smiling and told me (through the translator), "That is what I was talking about. The Christian must help others!" It did not dawn on me until that instant that we had put into practice the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. At the same time, we provided the student with a living example. Doesn't God work in mysterious ways?!

I will close by offering a word of thanks for those who have sent e-mails and words of encouragement. Your kind thoughts mean a great deal to us!

Continue to keep us in prayer - especially that the seminars and other efforts will be fruitful in finding new students of the Word. God bless you!

Until tomorrow evening...

Marty