Grateful Hearts

Kids Camp in Republic of Moldova

This year God provided once again all the resources needed for SUMMER CAMPS. 

Although, the number of people leaving Moldova increases daily, due to poverty, God blessed us with over 150 kids to share the Gospel with. 90% of these kids are unchurched. 

A great percentage of adults who start attending church, is a result of these little ones.

We fed the little ones breakfast, and lunch, and sent them home with a snack

Naty did the main teaching on the Armour of God

Children were fed breakfast, lunch and were sent home with a snack. The parents of a lot of these kids have gone abroad to make money. So, many of them lack parental love and care.

This year we were not able to use the communist campground to hold our YOUNG ADULT CAMP. So, we pitched our tents in the forest. We had around 100 young people. 75% unbelievers.

Bill did the main teaching that week. A lot of Naty's cousins from the USA came to assist with worship and more.

In spite of the dance between heat and rain, God worked in a surreal way.


40 young adults came to Christ. Some wanted to be on the spot. So, with a little creativity and some refreshingly-cold water 6 of them were baptised.

We've never had this before in all 20 years of camping ministry.

ESL kids doing craft

Every Wednesday Naty works with 10 kids teaching them English. These amazing children from the  ESL Club are invited to participate in various church activities.

So, some joined us for the Vacation Bible School we had at our church.

Vacation Bible School

The VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL was lead by a team from Canada came and worked with our children. The theme was 'You've been slimed' by sin and Jesus is the answer.

Our church organized a WOMEN'S NIGHT OUT at a Romanian restaurant. We had great conversations to reconnect.

As you notice, no kids allowed.

Mina and Bella are so excited to see baby Heidi. They think she's a toy.

We have A NEW NIECE, here in Romania. Naty has two brothers. Vali lives in the States and has 3 little girls. And Pavel lives in Bucharest, and he had his first baby this summer. Meet baby Heidi. Our girls think she's a toy.

Misha and Angelica have been our friends and co-workers in the ministry from day one. This summer we celebrated with them their daughter's WEDDING.

We started the beginning of the school year with a welcome back activity, a CHURCH PICNIC.
We do events like this every year to give new-comers a chance to get to know you in a more casual setting. We had eggs, pancakes and other treats.

Bill shared briefly a WELCOME and a word of encouragement as we got together.

GLOBAL OUTREACH, our awesome Mission Agency came and visited with us again this year. This is one way they show care to their missionaries. It was a joy to be with them.

Naty is also serving on the WOMEN'S MINISTRY for the IBC Convention. They are working on future conferences in Europe for women throughout the International Churches.

This is the Women's Ministry Team for the Convention, representing 6 different nationalities.

Every year ARFO (Romania Without Orphans Alliance) organizes a summit to train, inform, educate, and encourage families, organizations and government entities in regards to orphans in Romania. We were able to participate this year, and connect more with people to help our case.

This is Sarah. She was crucial in our meeting Mina and Bella.

Please continue to PRAY for the judge to release a paper that we've been waiting for the last 15 months, for the adoption to make progress.

And please pray for the girls not to lose hope.

Bill and Naty traveled to the States for a very short trip in August because of a unique situation.

After Bill's heart-attack, he was challenged by a family friend with this question "What would have happened to Naty and the girls had God not saved your life?"

With that in mind, this same loving friend has graciously offered the Tully's a $200,000 challenge for them to match, to raise funds for them to BUILD A HOME in Romania.

While in the States we traveled and met with friends, family and churches to let them know about this opportunity. Families and possibly churches are showing interest in supporting this. We have this challenge available to us for the next 18-24 months. Please help us spread the word!!!

Time Flies When You Stay Busy

Women's Retreat. End of January our church had the annual Women's Retreat representing eight countries. We were hosted by a Christian lodge called, Casa Elim. It's nestled smack in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. The theme for the weekend away was focused on The Word of God. Alongside two other ladies from the church, Naty had the opportunity to teach one seminar called, Quiet Time, A Refreshing Adventure; she also lead worship. On top of enjoying great teaching, singing and adding a few pounds from the delicious meals, the ladies had a blast sledding and having a holy and acceptable snow fight. 

During a teaching session

Naty in her comfort zone

Freezing smiles before take-off

Connecting Meal. About every 6 weeks, the church organizes a meal to connect people we know in the community with the church. It's also, a wonderful opportunity for new-comers to get to know our church. Each  time we meet at a different type of restaurant. This time it was a Thai food and everyone had a great time.

Enjoying Thai spicy food with our neighbor and her daughter

Always excited to eat and share

Birthdays. We enjoyed three birthdays in February and the beginning of March. Then we had to go on a diet. 

Yeap. Naty's 5 again!

Most birthday cards reassured Bill he's still young.

Mina's choice of homemade raspberry cake at school

IBC Women's Conference, Germany. Naty had the privilege to be invited to the annual women's conference in Rehe, Germany to hold a seminar. The theme for the conference was Unshakeable. The main speaker was Kim Blackaby. Naty's seminar was on How To Stay Sane When Problems Snowball. She also had the chance to sell about 40 of the children's books she wrote on adoption for our girls. We praise God for the opportunity to reach out even more internationally in this way. 

 

                Naty sharing in one of her seminars

Over 220 ladies attended from over 20 cultures

                                 

                                                          

Family Church Retreat. Each year we take a two-hour-and-a-half ride for a Family Church Retreat in the Romanian Mountains. Even though, this year we were blessed with a very wet weekend, everyone had a wonderful time connecting, playing games, hiking, laughing and worshipping together. 

Most of our group

A glimpse of the weather and the mountains

Lots of team building

We even made the kids chase colorful eggs in the rain

Easter When Easter came, the church had lots of visitors. The children put a smile on everyone's face with their special Easter program. After the service we had a pot-luck lunch, including some of the best Romanian cuisine, sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls with rice and meat). Immediately after the service we drove five hours to Moldova to catch the evening Easter service. God must have slowed down time, because we got there right on time. Our girls joined grandma's (Naty's mom) children's choir. 

                              Bill preaching Easter Sunday.

                                                               The kiddos singing I Am A Promise

First the savory, then the sweets. And then we diet some more.

With Naty's parents (and Lidia's sister in the back)

Light Into Europe is a charity run by one of our elders, a former British pilot. His family is trying to reach blind and deaf people in Romania. We have been invited to participate in their fund-raising events to connect and build bridges for the Gospel within the community in which they serve (ambassadors, business people, CEO's, school principles etc.). In 2019 we've already participated in two of these events, more coming up soon. We praise God to have seen some fruit from attending these events. 

                At times we clean up good.

                                                     

The traditional grace given by Pastor Bill to start off the event.