An Autumn Full of Faithfulness

As we began a new school year at the International Church we witnessed the Lord bless in new and unexpected ways. In September the church trusted the Lord to bless an all new endevour. Over the years, we have hosted as a church a barbeque or picnic to welcome members of the church who have been traveling back to the city. Additionally, this event gives us a great opportunity to welcome new arrivals to the church. This year we took this idea to a whole new level. Not knowing how God would bless our efforts, we trusted the Lord and partnered with a local international school to create an Autumn festival for expat families all throughout the city. We called it, 'Family Fun Day.' What a day it was as over 100 individuals and families from all around the city participated. Take a moment, watch the clip below to learn all about what God did as we began the new school year. 

A review of the Family Fun Day

Early in October we had our initial meeting of the men of the church. We hosted a breakfast for the men where we spent a wonderful time in prayer, as well as, accomplished some needed house keeping items around the church building. It was a wonderful time of encouragement by all those who participated. We are so grateful for each of these men.

The men of the church enjoying a traditional Scottish breakfast

As the Fall continued we began to dig deep into the book of Hebrews. During these months we have made our way through a series in the book called, "Jesus Is Better." It has been a good time of challenge and encouragement by all who have participated. Our prayer is that it will help compele the members of the church to grow in love for Christ and in response, seek to make Him known. 

Sunday studying through the book of Hebrews

As we entered into the month of November, Naty and I were asked to participate with a local charity in their efforts to raise resources to run the organization throughout this year; they do this through a fund raising ball hosted by a hotel in the center of the city. This relationship between us and 'Light Into Europe' has been growing through the years. It is such a unique opportunity to bless the work they are doing amongst those society has forgotten; the blind and deaf. It's also a great opportunity to continue to develop an on going relationships with those in the greater expat community of the city. We are so grateful for this opportunity that has been extended to us through our friends at Light Into Europe. We pray as these relationships develop that doors will be opened for the gospel.

Naty and I at Light Into Europe's ball to raise funds

The week of the charity ball, the church hosted its annual thanksgiving celebration. Part of our partnership with Light Into Europe is their agreement to participate in our time of thanksgiving. Each year a team of musicians from Scottland make their way to Romania to help lead a time of Scottish dancing for the fund raising ball. Additionally, the week of the ball they come to church during our thanksgiving celebration and lead the church in a time of Scottish dancing as well. This evening has proven to be a wonderful time of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings, as well as, a fun time of celebration as our guests participate in the Scottish dancing. 

The thanksgiving meal this year

Scottish dancing during our Thanksgiving Celebration

Throughout the fall in conjunction with our series on Sunday mornings called, "Jesus Is Better", we've been studying in our home group through the book of Hebrews as well. A few weeks back as the autumn term of the school year has began to wind down, we hosted a Christmas party in our home for those who have been participating in our group. These special people have been such a blessing to our family. We do pray that God will continue the good work that He is doing in each of their lives throughout the New Year to come.

Our home group Christmas party this year

A week ago, the church hosted it's annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. We did so in partnership with the International British School of Bucharest. The school brought their choir to the church to sing carols for all in attendance. This resulted in many guests attending that evening. During the evening, our children shared the story of Chirstmas through a small skit and in song; they were a blessing to all. We concluded our celebration by sharing the good news about Christ with all in attendance. It was wonderful evening for all those in attendance. We pray that God will use the seed of the gospel that was planted that evening to cause those in attendance who are seeking to find the greatest gift of all this Christmas. 

The Christmas Celebration at the International Church

The children of the church sharing the Christmas story

Our friends from the International British School sharing

Listen to our children this Christmas

Naty and I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your partnership in the gospel all throughout 2018. You have been a tremendous blessing to our family and the lives of each that we have privilege of ministering to each day. We pray as 2019 will soon be upon us that God will continue His blessing upon you and yours and that this New Year will be your most fruitful year yet. May God bless each of you richly.

Serving Alongside Kingdom Minded People

Last spring our small group in our home made they way through a course that taught the members to effectively share their faith with others. It was a great 12 weeks together and there were several who participated. As the spring concluded, we took a beautiful Saturday morning in late May to go together to a local park to put in practice all that we had learned together. We had the opportunity to share the gospel with several that morning. Not only did others hear the good news, but we also had a chance to further develop our abilities to effectively share Christ with those who need to hear. Please pray that God will give boldness to those in the group to continue to share the gospel as God gives them opportunity in the days to come. 

Sharing Christ In The Park With Local Residents

Part of Our Small Group Participating In Publicly Sharing The Gospel

Over the last year, we have received the privilege of participating the good work of several charities throughout the city of Bucharest. One such charity is an organization called, Light Into Europe. They assist those living here in the city who are visually impaired and those who cannot hear. We have enjoyed assisting their work and we have enjoyed how this has opened doors for us to develop friendships all throughout the expat community of Bucharest. We are praying that through these friendships that God will open doors for us to have conversations concerning the gospel with those who need to hear it. Please pray along with us for these opportunities.

Participating With Light Into Europe

An additional way that we are trying to reach out, is through the development of periodic community meals. We are encouraging members of the church to periodically participate in these meals by bringing their unbelieving friends. Through these times together, it allows us to build relationships with those who may be seeking spiritual answers. Our hope, as we develop these relationships, is to get some of these individuals into small groups oriented towards unbelievers. In these groups we will more directly try to answer their questions about Christ. Please keep these meals and there purpose in your prayers as we continue to develop this new means to reach others around us.

Community Meal at Local Indian Restaurant

The men and women of the church periodically meet together to encourage deeper spiritual growth. This spring the men of the church got together for a home cooked breakfast, made by the men of the church (it was great), to encourage one another. The women of the church have been doing the same. This spring they gathered at a local coffee house for TEA, to focus on encouraging one another in their spiritual walks as well. It was a good season of growth together.

Men's Breakfast at The Church

The Men Prepared the Feast Themselves

Ladies Tea at Local Coffee House

It late June we gathered as a church for worship and celebrated all that God did in the school year of 2017 and 18. It was a great day of testimonies, songs of worship and an encouraging message focused on the faithfulness of God. Below you can watch a few moments from that Sunday as the children celebrated God's goodness.

Celebration Sunday at The International Church

As we began the new school year of 2018 and 19 this September, we did so by hosting a new inititive the life of the International Church. Every year up till this year, we had celebrating the beginning of the school year with a barbecue or picnic together. This year we tried to reach out to the expat community a bit more. This year we hosted a festival for the community called, Family Fun Day. It was an event focused on the whole family and it was an opportunity for us to develop many new relationships with many of them. If you would like to experience a bit of what happened that day, please watch the clip below. 

Family Fun Day at The International Church

Finally, we would like to thank you for all that each of you have done and are doing to assist the work that we are involved in hear in Romania and Moldova. We are very aware that God is using your sacrifices to allow this work to move forward. Thus, we pray continually for God's rich blessing in your lives. We pray the new school year of 2018 and 19 will be a very fruitful year for each of you.

The Seasons Are A Changin

Since the beginning of the year much has happened in our lives and in the church. Naty and I have had the opportunity to be directly involved in the work of serval charities in the city that are doing some wonderful work. One is called Light Into Europe. They are a Christian charity that focuses on helping those with severe handicaps; the blind, mute and deaf. We have been excited about helping them. This has also helped open an important door for outreach into the international community here in the city. There are approximately 400 individuals and families from the expat community that have directly been involved with their work. As we have helped, we have had the opportunity to build many bridges for outreach into many of their lives.

On Our Way To A Light Into Europe Event

We continue to work with another organization called the Refuge Center as well. They focus primarily on helping orphaned and abandoned children here in the city. We are excited about the work they are doing as well. We would ask you to pray for both organizations and ask that God will make them fruitful as they minister to each and their tangible needs. Also, pray that God will make them fruitful in light of eternity as well, as they have many opportunities to share the gospel with each.

In February we hosted our annual couples night out, February 14th. This is a night for the couples of the church to get together and celebrate God's faithfulness in their lives. This years event was a big success as well. We were most excited by the fact that several unbelievers attended this event this year as well. Pray that God will continue to keep doors for the gospel open to these who attended.

The Couples Night Out

In March we had our annual Weekend Away as a church in the Romanian Mountains. This once again was a great time of fellowship, encouragement and refreshment for all who attended. This year Jonathan Moore-Crispin who was the assistant pastor at the International Church a year or so ago, returned to give the morning message on Sunday morning while we were there. There were a few guests that did come and participate. We were excited by this because they were exposed to the gospel during our time there. Please pray for these that they might continue to seek Christ. Pray that God will bring them to the place where they trust Christ as well.

Having Fun At The Weekend Away pt. 1

Having Fun At The Weekend Away pt. 2

Jonathan Sharing The Morning Message

About the middle of March the Ladies of the church went away for their annual retreat. Many commented afterward that this was one of the best retreats they had ever had. There were women from many countries and different walks in life that came together simple to exalt Jesus Christ. I believe most said they wished the retreat could have lasted longer. Below are a few snapshots from this encouraging event to the women of the International Church.

The Ladies Growing Together In Prayer

During the Ladies Retreat Naty Lead Them In Worship

As a church we have been preparing for the Easter season for some time now. The middle of March we began a series called ID = Discovering Our Identity In Christ. If you would like to listen to one of our services, please click on the following link to watch and listen. (International Church - March 11, 2018) At the end of the service Naty and the worship band concluded the service by singing about the love of God. Finally, the first of April we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at the International Church. This years celebration was a bit different from others in the past. This year immediately after the service we hosted an Easter meal for all who attended. We were thrilled by the success of this event. Not only were there many who came to worship with us, but many of our guests also stayed and ate lunch with us as well. Please pray for those who heard the gospel for the first time. 

Sharing With The Congregation Easter Sunday

The Children Enjoyed Celebrating The Resurrection

The Easter Meal pt. 1

The Easter Meal, pt. 2

Finally, we want to thank each of you once again for your partnership in the work of ministry here in Romania and Moldova. We have been blessed tremendously by each of you through the years and we pray that God is rewarding you in the same rich way that you have blessed us and so many others here through the years. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13