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!
