A Hot Summer Full of Blessing & Opportunity

This summer began with the privilege of dedicating a new life for God's purposes at the church. David Elcarte the son of Edmar and Carmen Elcarte dedicated their son to the Lord May 29th. This was an exciting event for all the church as the church had the opportunity to experience watching a couple who love the Lord choose to dedicate the life of their son David to the Lord and his service. I also think it was challenging as they enlisted the help of the whole church to live lives that reflect Christ so that as David grows up over the years he will be encouraged by everyone around him to believe in Christ. They are aware that it is their responsibility at home to lead David to Christ, but they also have challenged us to live in such a way that we assist them. For Naty and I we were very encouraged to see the church respond to such a challenge in such a positive way.

Dedicating David Elcarte to the Lord

This last Sunday we celebrated Father's day at the International Church. Celebrating Mothers and Fathers Day through the years has proven to be a very positive thing to do as it helps the church highlight the need for parents to be highly instrumental in the spiritual guidance and direction of their children's lives. We ask you to pray along with us for these dear parents that they will continue to strive to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Praying for our dad's on Father's Day

As well as celebrating Father's Day, we also said goodbye to a family who has become a very important part of the International Church. Tracy Arnold and her son David have been attending the church since their arrival in Bucharest almost seven years ago. Since her arrival she has been extremely instrumental in the children's ministry even to the extent that over the last five years she has served at the church as the director of our children's ministry. As we said goodbye to her and her son on Sunday she took a few moments to share with the church to share a few thoughts of encouragement for the entire church. For those of you who have been involved with us for quite some time you will want to take a moment and listen to her words, I know you will be encouraged as well.

Tracy Arnold's testimony about the International Church

Soon we will begin the season of summer camps that will take place in Moldova. We are prayerfully preparing for several camps to reach many young people there with the gospel of Christ. As we prepare we praise God for the provision He has made thus far for the camps and we continue to pray for the needs that still exists. Please pray along with us that God will bless the work of the camps and that many young people will come to trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins and salvation.

One of the camps last summer

A Report for June 2010

Early this month Naty's parents visited with us from Moldova. A few month's back her mother had a routine check-up in Moldova where they found some spots on a mammogram. Her parents came to Bucharest to be sure that what was found was not cancerous. We were thankful to have had the time we had with them and we were even more grateful when we received positive reports back from the doctors Naty's mother came to see. They told her that none of the spots appeared to be cancerous, we praise the Lord for this report.

Enjoying dinner with Naty's parents

As is the case in most places around the world, as the summer months come many take time away and go on vacation. That is the same here in Bucharest. Yet we have been thrilled thus far this summer to see how many are still prioritizing there time on Sunday's at church. Throughout the spring months the church has seen strong, steady growth. That has continued to remain the same as we have entered into the summer, praise God! Below was our first Sunday of the month as we celebrated the graduation of four of our international students. The four students were from Nigeria and Kenya. We pray as they prepare to move to the next stage of their lives that God will use the things they have learned here at the International Church to help each of them go on from this place to places where they will bear much fruit for Christ's Kingdom.

Prayer Time During Worship The First Sunday of The Month

The Worship Team Leading The Congregation In Worship

Celebrating Jennifer's Graduation (She Is Girl In The Middle)

Over spring one of the nationalities within our fellowship that has grown the most is our group from the Philippines. On any given Sunday you may see as many as 20 individuals that originate from the Philippines worshiping with us. This is an exciting opportunity for the church as we now have the opportunity to more directly impact this culture. We are so grateful for those God has brought to the church from there. Recently we had the chance to share the gospel with four new women from this culture. After visiting with them we were able to determine that they are genuine followers of Christ, but two of the women have never been baptized. They agreed that the bible teaches that they should be baptized and soon we will have the opportunity to do this with them. We praise God for the work He is doing amongst the cultures.

At Least Eight Women In the Picture Are From The Philippines
The Others Are Romanian, British, Nigerian and Kenyan