It has been sometime, since we have had the opportunity to communicate in this fashion with many of you. In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon tells us there is a time and season for everything. The last few months have been a time for recovery and transition for us as a family. It has been tough as we have been seeking to find new ways to do life after adjusting to some difficult news concerning different health challenges God has allowed to come our way. Yet we have taken great hope in God's promises, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) This became very real to us the middle of May just before our scheduled departure to the United States to see a cardiologist there. A few days before we were to travel the doctors discovered a blood clot in my heart. They explained to us just how dangerous this was, especially since we would be traveling by plane to the states. They put me on a high dose of anticoagulant drugs and we came trusting that God would keep me safe through the journey. As things worked out, my dad was able to meet us half way in London and travel the rest of the way with us to America and praise God we arrived without incident.
My dad traveling with us to the states in May
Teaching the children this year at VBS in Bucharest
After our arrival we spent the next 6 weeks or so seeking the medical attention that I needed. By the end of June we received the good news that the clot was gone and my recovery from the heart attack seemed to be on schedule. Over the next few weeks we began to prepare to return to Romania, as well as, spend some time together as a family. During this time period we were even able to spend some time with some friends that we had not seen for quite some time. Some of which used to be part of the church back in Bucharest when they lived there.
Spending some time together as a family
It was good seeing some old friends from IBC in Bucharest
While we were still in the states a few very important things took place. First, Naty finally finished all her requirements to become a citizen of the United States. In July she was officially sworn in as a citizen. We celebrated as a family and we praised God that He helped her accomplish this. We are very grateful for his faithfulness in this way. Next, for the first time since my heart attack, I was able to preach in a church in Indiana that had invited me to come and share before we returned to Romania. This was an important event since I had not had the opportunity to serve in any fashion in ministry up till that day. By God's grace, all went well, we had even more reason to give him glory.
Celebrating with Naty after being sworn in as a US citizen
Preaching for the first time since my heart attack
After we returned to Romania in August we slowly began to acclimate ourselves back to the ministry. Shortly after our arrival the church conducted its annual VBS. There were few factors that made this such a special event this year. First, it was our families first opportunity to participate in the church's ministry since our return. Next, it was exciting to see the church press forward, not just in Sunday worship, but also in the work of ministry in the community even while we were unable to serve because of my health issues. What a joy it was to see the church step up and do all that they did. We pray that God will use the labor of love given by so many to continue to impact many around us in the community here in Bucharest.
Those who attended VBS did many special projects
As we entered the month of September we began to put in place all the preparations that had been made for the new school year. We began a new sermon series at the church where we are studying our way through the book of I Peter. We also introduced the church to our theme for the year, "Growing In Godliness". We have been excited to see how many have engaged in this and we have been very encouraged by several new individuals who have recently joined us as well. To kick off the new school year we celebrated our annual barbecue / picnic as a church. This year we did things a bit differently than before as we traveled together as a church to an adventure park about 30 minutes away. It was a great time of encouragement and fellowship for all who attended.
Enjoying a wonderful meal together at this years picnic
A few of the church's members tried some additional challenges
As I conclude we would ask you to pray for my continued healing. The doctors are pleased with the progress of the heart muscle, but they also have been clear, progress must continue. Please pray that God would allow my heart to fully recover. Next, please continue to pray for us as parents. This parenting thing is still very new to us. We know we have much to learn and we would ask you to pray with us that God would equip us in every way to teach and guide the girls. Also pray that God would continue to go before us and open all the doors that are necessary to finish the adoption of the girls. We are thrilled to have them in our home and hope, if God is willing, to make them a permanent part of our family soon. Finally, please pray for God's continued financial provision to pay all our medical bills. As I am sure you can appreciate, we have had several medical bills to pay during this season. God has provided thus far for most of what we must pay. Yet we still have a few medical bills to finish paying off. Please pray with us that God would continue to meet every need.
Finally, we want to thank each of you for your patience and continued prayers and support during this very difficult time for our family. We are aware that God has been better to us than we deserve and each of you have certainly been a visual manifestation of the blessing of God in our lives and we thank you for this. We pray that God will bless each of you in a rich way for your kindness toward us.
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