A Whirlwind of Activity

Over the last six weeks we have been very busy with various opportunities. It all started the second weekend of March as the International Church of Bucharest traveled to the mountains of Romania for it's annual weekend away. Once again many of those who call the church their church home while they are here in Romania attended this event. Many where encouraged in their faith and we were excited to see just how God used this time to bond the local body more closely together.

The church enjoying the weekend together in the Romanian mountains

The beautiful Romanian town of Busteni played host for the event this year

The end of March Naty and I had a chance to attend the International Baptist Convention's Annual Pastor's Conference. The event was hosted at a sight just outside of Pompeii, Italy. During our time in Italy we attend the pastors conference and were encouraged by some of the friendships we have developed over the years with other pastors and their wives in the convention. Our first few days in Italy were spent working with the committee in the convention directly responsible for the planting of new churches. There are four different regions represented for church planting and we are part of the southern team. Currently we are doing a study of different locations in southern Europe that could potentially be a sight for a new International Church plant. Please pray for these efforts. Pray that God will bless us by helping us clearly know which places He would have the convention potentially plant new churches.

Naty and I with the group of pastor's & leaders at the conference in Pompeii

Naty & I at the conference in Pompeii

The first of April has been full of activity. Saturday, April 7th my assistant at the church in Bucharest was united in marriage to a girl he met here in Romania. It was truly our privilege to be involved in the ceremony and we look forward to working alongside Jonathan and Lidia in the years to come here in the church in Bucharest. Please pray that God will bless their union and that He will use them to produce much fruit for God's glory.

The wedding ceremony

Naty and I with Jonathan & Lidia at their wedding reception

We celebrated Easter the next day, April 8th at the church in Bucharest. It was an extremely busy weekend, but we praise God that He blessed the weekend the way He did. Easter Sunday the building was full. There were 140 in attendance. There were several who attended who had never attended before. We were grateful to be able to share the gospel with many of them for the first time. We praise God for how He has been blessing the church here in Bucharest.

The beginning of worship Easter Sunday

The message Easter Sunday