As we reflect back over these last months much has happened. We want to update you on the comings and goings of the Tully's and the ministry here in Eastern Europe.Yet, before we do, we want to thank you for your perseverance and patience with us. As we have been readjusting to life after the heart attack we have had to learn how to better balance all our responsibilities. One of the things that has suffered a bit during this time of growth and transition is our ministry blog. So for those of you who may have been wondering what happened to us and how we are doing, we simply say thank you! Thank you for your patience throughout these past 18 months. Thank you for continuing to demonstrate your faithfulness to the work of ministry God is doing here and to our family. Finally, thank you for your continued friendship. During this past year we have been so blessed by the out pouring of love that we have felt in so many ways.
As we reflect back one thing we forgot to report to you about was our time of thanksgiving as a church in November. We have been doing this for several years and this year was extra special as many from the church participated. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the blessings of God in each of our lives. All those who did participate seemed to be encouraged as we celebrated the goodness of God in our lives.
The Church's Time of Thanksgiving Together
As we entered into the New Year the church had its annual evening where it celebrated the love that God has given couples in the church for each other. We had our annual Couples Night Out! This was well attended as well. It was very encouraging to here husbands brag on their wives and wives share about how they admired their husbands. As is the case in all marriages, it is hard work to have a good one. Yet, it was encouraging for us to see how God has been working in the lives of the couples in the church. Seeing God teach the men how to love their wives as Christ loves the church and to see the women growing in their abilities to be that perfect helper for their husbands, was so encouraging.
IBC Couples Night Out
As we entered the early part of the month of March we traveled with the church up to the Romanian Mountains for our Annual Weekend Away with the church. This year we took the church to a facilities up in the mountains that offered horseback riding, as well as, all the other outdoor activities that one would normally find in the mountains. We spent two wonderful days in the word and in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the church. This was a really encouraging time for each one who was able to participate this year.
The church's Annual Weekend Away
Later in the month of March we had the opportunity to go with the girls to Athens, Greece so that we could participate in the International Baptist Conventions Annual Leadership Conference. This was an encouraging time to be able to rub shoulders with other pastors from other international churches around the world. It is always helpful to spend time with your brothers and sisters who are on the front lines of the ministry in the international church movement. Since we drove to Athens from Bucharest this year, we also had an opportunity in transit to take in many of the ancient biblical sites as well. We had an opportunity to go to Mars Hill in Athens, to ancient Corinth, to the site that represents ancient Berea, to Thessaloniki and to ancient Philippi. What an encouraging time this was, not just in spending time with other pastors, but in being able to visit the same places where the Apostle Paul and his companions walked.
Teaching at the IBC Leadership Conference
Visiting Ancient Athens
Finally, just like other believers around the world we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior this past Easter at the church in Bucharest. We were encouraged by a good crowd that morning and by the presence of several visitors. We pray that God will bless the message that was proclaimed by causing those who attended who have never trusted Christ for salvation to turn to Him and find forgiveness of sins and eternal life. We would ask that you would pray along with us that God would increase the fruit of the church; that it would result in a great harvest of souls for the glory of God. A large portion of the Easter service was video taped for many of you around the world who were not able to participate with us as we celebrated Christ's resurrection in Bucharest this year. If you would like to watch and see all that happened that morning, please click on the following YouTube link. It will take you directly to the recording where you can worship and celebrate along with us.
Easter at the church in Bucharest
