Trusting God Through Challenging Times

AN  IMPORTANT  PERSONAL  NOTE

 

We want to begin by thanking each of you for the extraordinary ways in which you have stood with us through the years in the work that God has called us too in Romania and Moldova.  The last five months have went by in a blink and we are ashamed that we have not had an opportunity to report back to you till now.  There is many reasons, but we could never justify any in relation to the vitally important support that each of you have provided through the years.  Therefore, we also ask for your forgiveness and prayers.  We want to find ways even during these challenging times to be in better touch with each of you.

As many of you know we have been given a great blessing in the form of two little girls that God has allowed us to bring into our home.  We are thrilled to have both Mina and Bella.  They have been a great source of joy, but with them have come moments of great challenge as well.  They learned many habits before they came to live with us.  Now we are asking God to help us teach them new ones.  Specifically for Mina, this has brought about great struggles with bouts of anger.  As a result, this has demanded a great deal of time to teach and correct when necessary.  When the girls came to us we imagined that we could continue in the rush of all our ministry responsibilities, as well as be great parents to the girls.  Now we are learning that there is only so much that any one person can do in a 24 hour period.  Please pray that God would help us to be more patience with the girls and that we would have good balance between ministry and family. 

Bill, Bella (6), Mina (7), Naty

A  REPORT  OF  MINISTRY  ACTIVITY

In July and August we conducted our annual camps and bible schools for children in Moldova.  We were thrilled to that there were many children that attended this year.  Many heard the gospel for the first time and this opened the door to share Christ with many of their families as well.  Please continue to pray for these children and their families.  Pray that the seed that was planted will grow and cause many to accept Christ's free gift of eternal life.

 Lunch time at children's camp in Moldova

 Fun and games at VBS in Moldova

Once again this year we had the opportunity to minister to many children throughout the city of Bucharest in the month of August through VBS.  We were very encouraged as almost 70 children participated again this year.  Many live geographically close to the building of the church.  Therefore, we were very encouraged to have this opportunity to have this spiritual influence in there lives.  This year they had an Egyptian theme and they used this to teach how God delivered his people as the death angel passed over their homes as he saw the blood of the lamb.  This gave them a great opportunity to talk with the children about the Lamb of God who shed his blood for them.  Please pray that God would continue to help many of them receive forgive of sins from Christ. 

Naty participating in an Egyptian skit at VBS

Naty's team of children at VBS this year

Bill & Naty share Christ with all those who attended VBS this year 

In September the church hosted it's annual 'Welcome Back Barbecue'.  This is a time to welcome many of our families who have been traveling for the summer back to Romania and to introduce many visitors to the International Church.  This year many from the church and community attended as has been the case in years past.  We were excited by the opportunity to meet many new visitors and encouraged by the prospects of seeing them join us in the future for worship at IBC.

 Some of the women from Asia enjoying the barbecue

Bill sharing barbecue with members from the church

Since the beginning of the school year Naty has continued to partner with Melinda Williams, one the women from the church, in teaching a weekly bible study to women primarily from Asian nations. They have been teaching this study for quite some time now and it has been exciting to see all the women who have participated over time.  Please keep this bible study in prayer as many of those who attend do not know Christ yet.  Pray that they will come to understand Christ's gift and receive it.

Naty and Melinda with some of the women from their bible study

In November we had the opportunity to partner with many pastors from all around the International Baptist Convention in doing an evangelistic project in the Republic of Moldova.  During the project each pastor who participated visited unbelievers during the day in their homes and in the evenings preached a gospel message to those attending a local evangelistic service.  Many came to know Christ during this week long event, the local church's in Moldova were encouraged and many of the pastors from the IBC forged relationships that will continue for years.  We have been excited to see how God has used events such as this one to touch many in Moldova and effect many who participate in positive ways for the Kingdom of God from outside Moldova.  Please continue to pray that those who accepted Christ during this project will continue to grow in their new found faith in Jesus Christ.

 Pastor from Cologne, Germany sharing with unbelievers in Moldova

 The pastor from Munich, Germany preaching the gospel

 As we continue to serve at the International Church we have unique opportunities to celebrate wonderful moments with members of the congregation.  Over the last two years some of the best moments have been those where we celebrate the birth of a new child.  During this period of time we have seen well over 10 new children born to families at the International Church.  Below is one family.  Cristi and Jebii and their daughter Mikella, she was born during this time and I hand the unique pleasure of being able to help them dedicate her to the Lord.  Please keep these dear people in your prayers.

With Cristi and Jebii at the dedication of Mikella

Also in November we had the opportunity to travel to Bratislava, Slovakia for the annual meeting of the International Baptist Convention.  This year while we were there Naty was part of a team that presented a new master plan for the future of the convention.  This team has worked hard for a few years on crafting this plan and we are hopeful that it will allow the IBC to be more proactive in planting new churches and expanding the reach of its missions activities.  We are grateful that the Lord has given us opportunities to be involved in this way with the convention.

Naty and the strategic team presenting to the convention delegates

Finally, we would like to take a moment and thank each of you for the extraordinary ways that you have demonstrated your friendship and partnership to us through the years.  Many of you have given of your time and treasure in such generous ways.  Only eternity will tell the real measure of your generosity.  So we thank you and we pray as we enter into this season, that you and yours will have a blessed time this Christmas.  That you will know the rich abiding presence of our Savior as you celebrate his birth.  Last, that the Lord will help you realize the abundant blessing of the priests for God's people as the prepared for the promise land; "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)  Merry Christmas to each you!

 

Merry Christmas to each of you and your families!

Another Summer Full of Opportunity

Over the years Naty and I have had the opportunity to serve alongside many throughout the International Baptist Convention.  This past May Naty had the chance to represent the IBC Women’s Committee at their annual women’s conference which took place this year in Budapest, Hungary.  This was a very special event for both of us this year.  The reason was that a friend of ours from our home church in Lafayette, Indiana was the main speaker at the conference this year.  Amy Baker from Faith Church came to the conference with her husband and was a tremendous blessing to many.  She spoke about how life is not perfect and how God has equipped us in his word to deal with the daily challenges that life presents us.  We heard from many at how grateful they were for Amy’s teaching.  Many stated that her teaching was very practical and useful for the common daily issues that they face.  We personally thank Amy for being willing to take time from her busy life to come and bless some many in the IBC.

Naty sharing at the women's conference

Naty and some friends with Amy Baker the conference speaker

The women who attended the conference in Budapest

Over the last year and a half we have also seen the church grow in unexpected ways.  During that period we have seen 6 children born within the congregation and currently we have another child on the way.  We are thrilled by the life that new children have brought to the church.  As a result of the all the new children I have been given the opportunity to participate the dedication of some of these children to the Lord.  In May the Prodan’s dedicated their son Noah to the Lord.  Later this summer we are aware of other families who have expressed their desire to do the same.  As many of you know our lives recently changed as well with the two little girls that God brought into our home.  So we ask for your prayers as we guide them and as we assist all the new parent’s at IBC. For us, it is a joy to have the opportunity to affect the next generation in such a positive way.  So pray for us that we will be faithful with such a great opportunity.

The Prodan's dedication of their son Noah at IBC

As time races along much of the activity of bible school’s for camps, both in Bucharest and in Moldova, will soon be beginning.  In Moldova the summer of ministry begins this week.  Please pray for all the children that will be attending.  Pray that God will open their hearts to the good of the gospel.  Here in Bucharest we recently we had a planning session for the bible school that will take place at the church in August for the children of the community here.  Last year we had at least 75 children who attended.  Once again this year we expect a great number of children to attend once again.  We look at this as a great opportunity to tell them and their parents about Christ.  Please pray that God will bless these efforts this year as we try to reach those around us.  Pray that some will com to know Christ for the first time.

The planning meeting at the church a few weeks ago

Finally, we want to thank each of you once again for you consistent support in prayer and through your generous gifts.  We could not do the work that God has given us to do without your support. We wish it were possible for us to be able to more formally thank each of you.  Yet we want you to know that we do pray for you and your families that God would bless you.  We pray that God is continuing to help each of you grow in your relationships with him and that your lives are full of fruit for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom.

Life Changes ... And Much More

Over the last year and a half we have seen God open the door to reach children and families in our community in ways we have never been able to before.  Much of this is due to the extraordinary willingness of the family of faith at the International Church to volunteer and get involved.  As a result of their willingness to serve and make a difference in someone else's life we have been able to see tremendous inroads made into our community over the last year and a half.  Recently, we held a time of recognition to thank each for all that they are doing to make a difference.  Please continue to keep these volunteers in prayer.  They really are the life blood of this outreach, we couldn't do it without them.

Saturday Kids Community Kids Club

Kid's Club Time of Recognition

About a year ago the International Baptist Convention of which the International Church is member asked Naty to participate in a new strategic planning committee to establish direction and guidance for the future of the convention.  Three times this past year she participated in these meetings that is beginning to make real progress towards giving the convention real direction as we move forward as a family of English speaking International Churches.  She has considered this an honor and she asks each of you to pray for as she seeks to be a useful member of this committee.

IBC Strategic Planning Committee

The first of March we had our annual weekend away in the Romanian mountains.  As always, this seems to be one of the most popular annual events in the life of the International Church.  Once again, most the church participated and were greatly encouraged in their faith from the time away together.  We continue to hear testimonies of how these sorts of times have been very instrumental in helping families grow closer, in establishing connections throughout the body and in fostering deeper spiritual growth in individuals lives.  Please continue to pray that what God started during this weekend away will continue.  Pray that each will continue to pursue deeper growth in Christ.

These Are Most of Those From The Church Who Participated

It Was a Very Encouraging Time Spiritual for Most

The end of March Bill had the opportunity to travel to Moldova to continue work that has begun with local pastors and leaders training there to become better equipped to do biblical counseling.  This was an exciting time as many finally completed their course of training that began almost three years ago. For many who have finished their course of training they are already beginning to use their newly acquired skills to help people in their local church's and communities.  They are even talking about the possibility of taking the training to other parts of Moldova that have not had access to it so far. These are exciting times there. We ask you to pray with us that God will make each new graduate fruitful and that he will make his direction very clear for each of us.

Those Who Recently Finished Training In Moldova

A week ago we celebrating Christ's resurrection at the International Church.  This year I asked my assistant Jonathan Moore-Crispin to give the Easter message.  I had the privilege to lead the congregation in the musical portion of the service.  It was an exciting time for all as we celebrated the fact that Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

Bill Leading The Musical Part of The Easter Service

Finally, as many of you know our lives have seen a dramatic change recently.  If you have not heard God has blessed us with two little blessings from the city of Bucharest.  These two little girls certainly have made our lives much busier, but they have also added a richness to our lives as well. The women of the International Church in response to the change that has taken place in our lives wanted to do their part to be an encouragement to Naty.  Therefore, in response they held a surprise 'baby' shower for her.  Yes, we understand that they are not babies, but the women of IBC still wanted to have a shower for Naty to recognize her arrival into Motherhood.  We both were blessed by their generosity towards us and the girls, and Naty was tremendously encouraged by each as they took time to build into her life.  

Naty's Surprise Shower

Finally, we would like to thank each of you once again.  We cannot tell you just how much each of you are a blessing to us.  All that God has done through the years is a result of his unfailing faithfulness and the incredible generosity of each of you.  We are blessed to have each of you in our lives and we trust that God is continuing to bless each of you and your families richly. 

A Year Ends, A New Year Begins

The second to the last weekend of November the church here in Bucharest hosted its annual men’s retreat. This year we were honored to have Doug Marksberry a missionary from Kentucky come and be our guest teacher for the men who attended. The men who attended represented 7 different countries. The theme this year was, ‘Becoming God’s Kind of Leader’. We were thrilled by what we saw take place in many of the men’s lives who attended. As the retreat came to a close, many of the men developed a means through Facebook to continue to encourage each other towards this sort of growth.  Please keep these men in prayer as they endeavor to become the type of leaders God would have them be at home, on the job and in the world.

The men who attended this years retreat

The end of November we celebrated Thanksgiving as a church. This is an exciting time to come together as a congregation to give thanks and to worship and celebrate all that God has done in our lives. When you have so many from various cultures celebrate God’s goodness, it certainly makes for an exciting event. There was turkey with all the sides and even pumpkin pie, but the fellowship was even better. We praise God for his faithfulness and goodness in 2014.

Some of those from around the world who celebrated Thanksgiving

As we entered the month of December we celebrated Christmas with the community Saturday, December 13th. Once again this was one of the highlights of the year for the church as almost 130 attended to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We not only were thrilled to have some many in attendance, we were also thrilled to have so many visitors. We are thankful that God opened the door to clearly share the gospel with so many that evening. Now we pray that God will use this event to cause many of those who visited to come to trust Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Please pray with us that God will complete the work that he started in many of these people’s lives.

The IBC Christmas choir singing at this years celebration

A bit later in the month we had the opportunity as a church to continue an outreach project that we have had the privilege to engage in every year since we have been part of the church. We had the opportunity to bring shoebox gifts to all the children of a local shelter called 'Casa Ioana'. When we delivered the gifts we had an opportunity to share the gospel, as well as, inside each gift was a clear explanation of the gospel. We pray God will use this to cause some to receive God’s gift of eternal life. 

One of the children from Casa Ioana

Finally, Naty and I want to thank each of you for your participation in the work of ministry here in Romania and Moldova. It is a fact that we could not do this work without God enabling us to do this, it is also just as true that we couldn't do it without your generosity as well. We pray that each of you are being blessed and that God is richly rewarding each of you for your generosity towards the work and towards the work of God's Kingdom in Eastern Europe.