Closing Thoughts (August 4)

The three of us arrived safely in Rome last evening and have enjoyed some much-needed rest and relaxation. We arrived at the Leonardo di Vinci Airport aboard an Alitalia flight from Bucharest. Having stopped in Rome many times, it was really confusing to me when we arrived at a different terminal. We began following the signs to the baggage claim area and found that our luggage was in a different terminal - the one which I am accustomed to seeing upon arriving from Bucharest. There was only one issue - we had not gone through passport control! We just walked right out into glorious Rome without so much as an official glance at our passports! We must have stopped 6 to 8 officials and all of them said, "No problem!" I suppose we will find out if they were right when we try to leave in the morning. Say a quick prayer for us about this issue!

I want to close out the weblog account of this trip with a few thoughts regarding the need for this type of work in Cluj and many other places.

Most of you who read this account are members of churches of Christ in the United States. You likely worship regularly in a building that was constructed some time ago. On average, your home congregation is 40-70 years old. You are probably part of the second, third, or fourth generation of Christians who have worshipped regularly at your respective church home. I'm reminded of this passage:

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” - Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Those of you who are second, third, or fourth generation members of your respective congregations are taking advantage of "wells that you did not dig." You're living in a "house that you did not build." That's OK! I believe that is exactly what God planned.

But, realize this fact - Moses told the Israelites not to forget the Lord who brought them out of Egypt. Neither should we forget the Lord who blessed our forefathers in the U.S. with the blessings that resulted in our current home congregations.

You have brothers and sisters in other places who are currently digging their own wells with help from God. They are planting the vineyards from which their children and grandchildren will harvest spiritual fruit. Here is the important part that I want you to consider: the work that we did this week in Cluj and similar efforts that happen all over the world are HELPING THEM BUILD THESE CHURCHES!

This week we had the opportunity to work with a newlywed couple of three weeks. They are both faithful children of God. I pray that the efforts they are currently expending with the church in Cluj will bear fruit in Murtaza children and grandchildren who are faithful Christians. Another Christian home will be formed this coming Saturday (August 9) and I pray that the Vintilla home will be blessed as well. Yet a third Christian home - the Motreanu family - will become a reality in October. God be praised that these homes are being formed!

Prior to leaving the U.S., all three of us had people ask, "Why are you going to Romania?" Each of us were asked why we weren't focusing on the "home front." It's a common occurrence to be asked that question. By the way, I am CONFIDENT that all three of us ARE focusing on the home front.

However, we all three recognize that now, more than ever, the church in Cluj, the church in other parts of Romania, and the church all over the world needs the help of brothers and sisters. They need the support and encouragement that comes from spending time together. I suppose you could put it this way: THE "WELL-DIGGERS" NEED OUR HELP!

So, that is what we have done. We have spent time encouraging our brothers and sisters. We have taught a number of excellent prospects who have never heard the true Gospel of Christ. We have built new relationships. We have shown those who were skeptical of Christians that we are "regular people" and not a bunch of "weirdos." (An actual statement that was made to us!)

We have all three grown immeasurably over the past 10 days. We're better men for having spent this time together in Cluj with our Romanian brothers and sisters. And we give ALL the glory to GOD! He is an awesome God!

We will be back in the U.S. in a little more than 24 hours and we are very anxious to be there. It has been a fantastic opportunity for which we are grateful to a living and powerful God.

Yours in Christ,

Marty