Final Thoughts - 9 May 2009

I'm happy to report that all three of the American workers for our recent efforts in Cluj made it home safely and without problems. The other two brothers brought home a good old-fashioned cold, but other than that we are all fine. It was a real joy to see our families on Tuesday evening! All three of us are thankful for our wives and families. They are so generous in allowing us to do this work and be away from them. God has truly blessed us in that respect.

The past two weeks in Cluj have been a real inspiration! I am amazed at how God works in the lives of people and within His church! We rejoice in the fact that the family in Cluj has grown by three in recent weeks. The spirit that these three bring to the church in Cluj is a blessing indeed.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention those brothers and sisters in Cluj who have continued to be so faithful through the years. Some of them have been Christians for many years and their dedication, through good times and bad, is an inspiration.

Please pray for the church in Cluj-Napoca, asking God to bless their efforts in reaching out to the people in that city. While we were there we had the opportunity to meet over 50 people who have enrolled in English courses being offered by the church. These courses, offered by World English Institute, are taught using the Bible as text. Inevitably, some are led to the a deeper interest in things spiritual through the material. Pray that the Word will find fertile soil in the hearts of these students.

Pray for Claudiu and Anca as they continue their work with the church there. They have grown so much in Christ and I am thankful that they have each other. What a team! Also remember Anca in your prayers as she continues to deal with the loss of her mother, Violeta Fekete. Sister Violeta was a faithful Christian who was a member of the church in Sibiu. The American missionary in Sibiu, Lee Skelton, tells me that the church in Sibiu is still reeling from her death. She was such a true, humble servant to the church in Sibiu and they miss her terribly.

Pray for our new brother, Paul Ionav, as he grows in Christ. For years I have prayed that God would bless the church in Romania with brothers and sisters who were gifted in music so that they could write and compose spiritual songs in their native tongue. There are now THREE Christians in Cluj who are professional vocalists and the wife of one of them teaches music. God works in mysterious ways! Two of the three sing with the philharmonic orchestra in Cluj and another sings in the opera company at the National Theater in Cluj. Wow! Think of the possibilities!

There is a renewed and refreshed spirit within the church in Cluj. We all know that Satan will use all at his disposal to destroy that spirit. Pray that God will protect them and guide them.

Thanks to so many of you who supported us financially, through prayer, and by your words of encouragement. We are thankful that God was able to use us in His work.

Until the next work in July...

Marty, Al, and Curtis