Getting Caught Up After A Difficult Season

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

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.

 

Teaching the children this year at VBS 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.

 

 

Trusting The Lord On The Long Road To Recovery

Sunday, January 10th at approximately 8:00 am our lives changed rather dramatically.  Many of you have already heard, but for those who have not I had a very severe heart attack that morning.  Within moments I was being raced to the hospital where doctors within minutes of arrival raced me into the OR to place a stint in the central artery that runs through my aorta.  At the time I really did not know just how severe things were.  Since that time I have learned a great deal about what happened.  The cardiologist that have dealt with my case informed us that this was a very strange event for me.  The reason they said this was that my cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure were all within very normal ranges.  Often the cause of heart attack is the build up of plaque in an artery that cuts off the blood supply to the heart.  In my case the blood supply was cut off, but not by plaque, instead it was cut off by a blood clot.  This certainly got our attention and since they have done several tests to determine the cause of the blood clot.  We are still awaiting a definitive result to the many tests that have been done.

Here I am being loaded into the ambulance 

 

Here I am in the ICU soon after the procedure

After the procedure that morning I was taken to a large room with about 15 other patients.  ICU in a Romanian hospital is very different from an ICU in the states.  In Romania they place as many as they can possibly place into the same room.  The first night I was in the ICU the patient in the bed next to me was so close that he actually vomited onto me.  As I am sure you can imagine, this was quite an adventure itself.  The third day after the procedure the cardiologist released me from the ICU and allowed me to go to my own private room to continue my recovery. 

 

Here we are as a family in my private hospital room

I continued on in the hospital for the next week under the care of the cardiologist who was monitoring my recovery.  It was a blessing to be able to visit regularly with Naty and the girls as I was in a private room.  In addition, Naty was able to stay with me during this time night and day to be sure that there were no additional complications that were missed.  The 21st of January I was officially released from the hospital to return home.  From that time forward the cardiologist and the surgeon who preformed the procedure were very careful to be sure that I understood all that had happened.  They explained because of the severity of the heart attack that I would not be allowed to return to work for at least three to four months. They also explained that the heart muscle would take up to a year to achieve full recovery.  Therefore, the first few weeks after my dismissal from the hospital were spent simply resting at home.  About the middle of February I began a course of physical therapy appointments every other day for about three weeks.  Soon after I was allowed to begin to go out and do some small chores within specific limits (i.e. not lifting anything heavier than about 15 pounds).  

Here I am the day I was released from the hospital

This was one of my first shopping experiences after the heart attack

Since then I have continued along the road to recovery as prescribed by my cardiologist.  In April for the first time since the heart attack they allowed me to begin to attend church again.  It was a joy to be able to see those we have had the privilege of ministering alongside of after such a long period away.  That morning they asked if I would give the congregation a short update and it was very encouraging to hear about just how many had been praying for us so diligently during this time.  

 

Sharing with the church for the first time after the heart attack

Soon after the Lord brought us an additional challenge.  As you know we have been working on officially adopting Mina and Bella for almost 15 months now.  Saturday, April 9th after a rather disturbing blood test for Mina we took her to the children's hospital here in the city where after several hours of testing we learned that she is type 1 diabetic.  Immediately the medial staff checked her into the hospital which immediately began a second medical challenge in the last few months. Over the next ten days Naty had to stay in the hospital with Mina to learn how to care for her.  She had to learn to give insulin via injection.  She also had to learn how to prepare a proper diet for a child who would now be insulin dependent for the rest of her life.  April 18th they officially released her and since we have been making the necessary adjustments as a family.  

 

Mina being checked into the hospital

 

Mina in the children's hospital

As we write today we are hopeful soon to return to the states.  The reasons are two fold.  First, the cardiologist's here in Bucharest want me to meet with cardiologist's in the states to either approve of or to improve upon the care I have received thus far.  Second, we are hopeful to meet with doctors in the states to find better care for Mina as well. To be clear, we do believe we have received adequate care.  The doctors for Mina and the doctors who have cared for me have done very good work and we are very grateful for what they have done.  Personally, I am grateful for all that they have done through the skill that God has given them to keep me alive.  I will not forget how they have helped me throughout this ordeal.   

On the other hand, we have been advised to go to the states so that my medical condition can be verified by more advanced methods and for Mina so that she can have access to more advanced medicine and devices.  Therefore we would value your prayers during this time.  You might ask how you can pray specifically.  Below you will find a list:

1)  First, please pray that God will work out the details for the girls to travel with us to the states.  They will need to obtain visa's to travel and these can only be obtained through the cooperation of children's social services here.  Please pray that God will give them a cooperative heart.

2)  Second, please pray that God would provide all that we need financially during this time.  As I am sure you can imagine, we have had many medical bills over the last few months.  In addition, soon we will have some rather extensive travel expenses as well.  A few friends here locally within the church have begun a fund raising campaign to help us.  You can find it by clicking on the following (https://www.gofundme.com/pastorbilltully).

3)  Third, please pray for my continued recovery from the heart attack and for Mina's adjust to living with diabetes.  These certainly have slowed us both down.  Yet, we do believe that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28).  So please pray that God will help both of us throughout this time.

4)  Finally, please pray for Naty and her own personal physical strength to endure.  If there is anyone I feel very bad for throughout this ordeal it is my wife.  She has shouldered such a heavy load all throughout and done it admirably.  She has cared for me and Mina so well and done so without much assistance or sleep.  Therefore, please pray for her health and strength during this season as well.

Finally, we would like to thank each of you for your friendship and partnership.  During this season we have learned just how blessed we are.  This was evidenced by the many who reached out to us from literally all around the world during the initial days immediately after my heart attack.  We have known through the years that we have been blessed by each of you, but this season has specifically shown to what degree.  I am very grateful to be alive and in the days to come there may be some uncertainty, but I know the few things I am certain of include how blessed we are through each of you.  We pray God will continue to demonstrate his manifold blessings to you and your families in very rich ways in the days to come.    

Trusting God Through Challenging Times

AN  IMPORTANT  PERSONAL  NOTE

 

We want to begin by thanking each of you for the extraordinary ways in which you have stood with us through the years in the work that God has called us too in Romania and Moldova.  The last five months have went by in a blink and we are ashamed that we have not had an opportunity to report back to you till now.  There is many reasons, but we could never justify any in relation to the vitally important support that each of you have provided through the years.  Therefore, we also ask for your forgiveness and prayers.  We want to find ways even during these challenging times to be in better touch with each of you.

As many of you know we have been given a great blessing in the form of two little girls that God has allowed us to bring into our home.  We are thrilled to have both Mina and Bella.  They have been a great source of joy, but with them have come moments of great challenge as well.  They learned many habits before they came to live with us.  Now we are asking God to help us teach them new ones.  Specifically for Mina, this has brought about great struggles with bouts of anger.  As a result, this has demanded a great deal of time to teach and correct when necessary.  When the girls came to us we imagined that we could continue in the rush of all our ministry responsibilities, as well as be great parents to the girls.  Now we are learning that there is only so much that any one person can do in a 24 hour period.  Please pray that God would help us to be more patience with the girls and that we would have good balance between ministry and family. 

Bill, Bella (6), Mina (7), Naty

A  REPORT  OF  MINISTRY  ACTIVITY

In July and August we conducted our annual camps and bible schools for children in Moldova.  We were thrilled to that there were many children that attended this year.  Many heard the gospel for the first time and this opened the door to share Christ with many of their families as well.  Please continue to pray for these children and their families.  Pray that the seed that was planted will grow and cause many to accept Christ's free gift of eternal life.

 Lunch time at children's camp in Moldova

 Fun and games at VBS in Moldova

Once again this year we had the opportunity to minister to many children throughout the city of Bucharest in the month of August through VBS.  We were very encouraged as almost 70 children participated again this year.  Many live geographically close to the building of the church.  Therefore, we were very encouraged to have this opportunity to have this spiritual influence in there lives.  This year they had an Egyptian theme and they used this to teach how God delivered his people as the death angel passed over their homes as he saw the blood of the lamb.  This gave them a great opportunity to talk with the children about the Lamb of God who shed his blood for them.  Please pray that God would continue to help many of them receive forgive of sins from Christ. 

Naty participating in an Egyptian skit at VBS

Naty's team of children at VBS this year

Bill & Naty share Christ with all those who attended VBS this year 

In September the church hosted it's annual 'Welcome Back Barbecue'.  This is a time to welcome many of our families who have been traveling for the summer back to Romania and to introduce many visitors to the International Church.  This year many from the church and community attended as has been the case in years past.  We were excited by the opportunity to meet many new visitors and encouraged by the prospects of seeing them join us in the future for worship at IBC.

 Some of the women from Asia enjoying the barbecue

Bill sharing barbecue with members from the church

Since the beginning of the school year Naty has continued to partner with Melinda Williams, one the women from the church, in teaching a weekly bible study to women primarily from Asian nations. They have been teaching this study for quite some time now and it has been exciting to see all the women who have participated over time.  Please keep this bible study in prayer as many of those who attend do not know Christ yet.  Pray that they will come to understand Christ's gift and receive it.

Naty and Melinda with some of the women from their bible study

In November we had the opportunity to partner with many pastors from all around the International Baptist Convention in doing an evangelistic project in the Republic of Moldova.  During the project each pastor who participated visited unbelievers during the day in their homes and in the evenings preached a gospel message to those attending a local evangelistic service.  Many came to know Christ during this week long event, the local church's in Moldova were encouraged and many of the pastors from the IBC forged relationships that will continue for years.  We have been excited to see how God has used events such as this one to touch many in Moldova and effect many who participate in positive ways for the Kingdom of God from outside Moldova.  Please continue to pray that those who accepted Christ during this project will continue to grow in their new found faith in Jesus Christ.

 Pastor from Cologne, Germany sharing with unbelievers in Moldova

 The pastor from Munich, Germany preaching the gospel

 As we continue to serve at the International Church we have unique opportunities to celebrate wonderful moments with members of the congregation.  Over the last two years some of the best moments have been those where we celebrate the birth of a new child.  During this period of time we have seen well over 10 new children born to families at the International Church.  Below is one family.  Cristi and Jebii and their daughter Mikella, she was born during this time and I hand the unique pleasure of being able to help them dedicate her to the Lord.  Please keep these dear people in your prayers.

With Cristi and Jebii at the dedication of Mikella

Also in November we had the opportunity to travel to Bratislava, Slovakia for the annual meeting of the International Baptist Convention.  This year while we were there Naty was part of a team that presented a new master plan for the future of the convention.  This team has worked hard for a few years on crafting this plan and we are hopeful that it will allow the IBC to be more proactive in planting new churches and expanding the reach of its missions activities.  We are grateful that the Lord has given us opportunities to be involved in this way with the convention.

Naty and the strategic team presenting to the convention delegates

Finally, we would like to take a moment and thank each of you for the extraordinary ways that you have demonstrated your friendship and partnership to us through the years.  Many of you have given of your time and treasure in such generous ways.  Only eternity will tell the real measure of your generosity.  So we thank you and we pray as we enter into this season, that you and yours will have a blessed time this Christmas.  That you will know the rich abiding presence of our Savior as you celebrate his birth.  Last, that the Lord will help you realize the abundant blessing of the priests for God's people as the prepared for the promise land; "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)  Merry Christmas to each you!

 

Merry Christmas to each of you and your families!

Another Summer Full of Opportunity

Over the years Naty and I have had the opportunity to serve alongside many throughout the International Baptist Convention.  This past May Naty had the chance to represent the IBC Women’s Committee at their annual women’s conference which took place this year in Budapest, Hungary.  This was a very special event for both of us this year.  The reason was that a friend of ours from our home church in Lafayette, Indiana was the main speaker at the conference this year.  Amy Baker from Faith Church came to the conference with her husband and was a tremendous blessing to many.  She spoke about how life is not perfect and how God has equipped us in his word to deal with the daily challenges that life presents us.  We heard from many at how grateful they were for Amy’s teaching.  Many stated that her teaching was very practical and useful for the common daily issues that they face.  We personally thank Amy for being willing to take time from her busy life to come and bless some many in the IBC.

Naty sharing at the women's conference

Naty and some friends with Amy Baker the conference speaker

The women who attended the conference in Budapest

Over the last year and a half we have also seen the church grow in unexpected ways.  During that period we have seen 6 children born within the congregation and currently we have another child on the way.  We are thrilled by the life that new children have brought to the church.  As a result of the all the new children I have been given the opportunity to participate the dedication of some of these children to the Lord.  In May the Prodan’s dedicated their son Noah to the Lord.  Later this summer we are aware of other families who have expressed their desire to do the same.  As many of you know our lives recently changed as well with the two little girls that God brought into our home.  So we ask for your prayers as we guide them and as we assist all the new parent’s at IBC. For us, it is a joy to have the opportunity to affect the next generation in such a positive way.  So pray for us that we will be faithful with such a great opportunity.

The Prodan's dedication of their son Noah at IBC

As time races along much of the activity of bible school’s for camps, both in Bucharest and in Moldova, will soon be beginning.  In Moldova the summer of ministry begins this week.  Please pray for all the children that will be attending.  Pray that God will open their hearts to the good of the gospel.  Here in Bucharest we recently we had a planning session for the bible school that will take place at the church in August for the children of the community here.  Last year we had at least 75 children who attended.  Once again this year we expect a great number of children to attend once again.  We look at this as a great opportunity to tell them and their parents about Christ.  Please pray that God will bless these efforts this year as we try to reach those around us.  Pray that some will com to know Christ for the first time.

The planning meeting at the church a few weeks ago

Finally, we want to thank each of you once again for you consistent support in prayer and through your generous gifts.  We could not do the work that God has given us to do without your support. We wish it were possible for us to be able to more formally thank each of you.  Yet we want you to know that we do pray for you and your families that God would bless you.  We pray that God is continuing to help each of you grow in your relationships with him and that your lives are full of fruit for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom.

Life Changes ... And Much More

Over the last year and a half we have seen God open the door to reach children and families in our community in ways we have never been able to before.  Much of this is due to the extraordinary willingness of the family of faith at the International Church to volunteer and get involved.  As a result of their willingness to serve and make a difference in someone else's life we have been able to see tremendous inroads made into our community over the last year and a half.  Recently, we held a time of recognition to thank each for all that they are doing to make a difference.  Please continue to keep these volunteers in prayer.  They really are the life blood of this outreach, we couldn't do it without them.

Saturday Kids Community Kids Club

Kid's Club Time of Recognition

About a year ago the International Baptist Convention of which the International Church is member asked Naty to participate in a new strategic planning committee to establish direction and guidance for the future of the convention.  Three times this past year she participated in these meetings that is beginning to make real progress towards giving the convention real direction as we move forward as a family of English speaking International Churches.  She has considered this an honor and she asks each of you to pray for as she seeks to be a useful member of this committee.

IBC Strategic Planning Committee

The first of March we had our annual weekend away in the Romanian mountains.  As always, this seems to be one of the most popular annual events in the life of the International Church.  Once again, most the church participated and were greatly encouraged in their faith from the time away together.  We continue to hear testimonies of how these sorts of times have been very instrumental in helping families grow closer, in establishing connections throughout the body and in fostering deeper spiritual growth in individuals lives.  Please continue to pray that what God started during this weekend away will continue.  Pray that each will continue to pursue deeper growth in Christ.

These Are Most of Those From The Church Who Participated

It Was a Very Encouraging Time Spiritual for Most

The end of March Bill had the opportunity to travel to Moldova to continue work that has begun with local pastors and leaders training there to become better equipped to do biblical counseling.  This was an exciting time as many finally completed their course of training that began almost three years ago. For many who have finished their course of training they are already beginning to use their newly acquired skills to help people in their local church's and communities.  They are even talking about the possibility of taking the training to other parts of Moldova that have not had access to it so far. These are exciting times there. We ask you to pray with us that God will make each new graduate fruitful and that he will make his direction very clear for each of us.

Those Who Recently Finished Training In Moldova

A week ago we celebrating Christ's resurrection at the International Church.  This year I asked my assistant Jonathan Moore-Crispin to give the Easter message.  I had the privilege to lead the congregation in the musical portion of the service.  It was an exciting time for all as we celebrated the fact that Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

Bill Leading The Musical Part of The Easter Service

Finally, as many of you know our lives have seen a dramatic change recently.  If you have not heard God has blessed us with two little blessings from the city of Bucharest.  These two little girls certainly have made our lives much busier, but they have also added a richness to our lives as well. The women of the International Church in response to the change that has taken place in our lives wanted to do their part to be an encouragement to Naty.  Therefore, in response they held a surprise 'baby' shower for her.  Yes, we understand that they are not babies, but the women of IBC still wanted to have a shower for Naty to recognize her arrival into Motherhood.  We both were blessed by their generosity towards us and the girls, and Naty was tremendously encouraged by each as they took time to build into her life.  

Naty's Surprise Shower

Finally, we would like to thank each of you once again.  We cannot tell you just how much each of you are a blessing to us.  All that God has done through the years is a result of his unfailing faithfulness and the incredible generosity of each of you.  We are blessed to have each of you in our lives and we trust that God is continuing to bless each of you and your families richly. 

A Year Ends, A New Year Begins

The second to the last weekend of November the church here in Bucharest hosted its annual men’s retreat. This year we were honored to have Doug Marksberry a missionary from Kentucky come and be our guest teacher for the men who attended. The men who attended represented 7 different countries. The theme this year was, ‘Becoming God’s Kind of Leader’. We were thrilled by what we saw take place in many of the men’s lives who attended. As the retreat came to a close, many of the men developed a means through Facebook to continue to encourage each other towards this sort of growth.  Please keep these men in prayer as they endeavor to become the type of leaders God would have them be at home, on the job and in the world.

The men who attended this years retreat

The end of November we celebrated Thanksgiving as a church. This is an exciting time to come together as a congregation to give thanks and to worship and celebrate all that God has done in our lives. When you have so many from various cultures celebrate God’s goodness, it certainly makes for an exciting event. There was turkey with all the sides and even pumpkin pie, but the fellowship was even better. We praise God for his faithfulness and goodness in 2014.

Some of those from around the world who celebrated Thanksgiving

As we entered the month of December we celebrated Christmas with the community Saturday, December 13th. Once again this was one of the highlights of the year for the church as almost 130 attended to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We not only were thrilled to have some many in attendance, we were also thrilled to have so many visitors. We are thankful that God opened the door to clearly share the gospel with so many that evening. Now we pray that God will use this event to cause many of those who visited to come to trust Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Please pray with us that God will complete the work that he started in many of these people’s lives.

The IBC Christmas choir singing at this years celebration

A bit later in the month we had the opportunity as a church to continue an outreach project that we have had the privilege to engage in every year since we have been part of the church. We had the opportunity to bring shoebox gifts to all the children of a local shelter called 'Casa Ioana'. When we delivered the gifts we had an opportunity to share the gospel, as well as, inside each gift was a clear explanation of the gospel. We pray God will use this to cause some to receive God’s gift of eternal life. 

One of the children from Casa Ioana

Finally, Naty and I want to thank each of you for your participation in the work of ministry here in Romania and Moldova. It is a fact that we could not do this work without God enabling us to do this, it is also just as true that we couldn't do it without your generosity as well. We pray that each of you are being blessed and that God is richly rewarding each of you for your generosity towards the work and towards the work of God's Kingdom in Eastern Europe.

A Long Time Coming

As we report to you at this time we must begin by asking for your understanding and forgiveness. Over the last few months our ministry schedule has kept us very busy.  As a result, it has been very difficult for us to find the time necessary to give you a proper update and we wish this was not the case.  So as we bring you up to date, please understand that we are very sorry for the delay in getting this out to you.  Now let us take a moment and share with you all that we have been doing since our last report.

Much of the month of August was spent in preparation for and the execution of a bible school that had as its goal a group we have never been able to reach before.  As you know from one of our prior updates we have started a ministry that is reaching out to many of the families and children from those who are less fortunate and disaffected in the area around the church.  Since this ministries inception we have seen some real tangible progress made.  The best evidence of this is the success of our project in August.  August 26 – 28 we conducted a bible school specifically focused on these children.  By the end of the week we had as many as 75 children from the neighborhood attend.  We were thrilled as this opened the door to meet many of the children’s care givers as well.  We say ‘care givers’ because many of these children are being raised by someone other than their parents.  Once the bible school concluded, we were thrilled by the doors of ministry that had been opened into each of these children’s lives.

These are many of the children who attended

Naty with some of the children from the bible school

This is a video we used in the church to encourage involvement

(It will give you a bit of an idea what took place)

Late in the month of August we also had the opportunity to participate in the summer camps in Moldova.  This was a great summer once again as many young people throughout the south of Moldova attended.  Many of them heard the gospel for the first time and for those who knew Christ prior to attending the camp their faith was strengthened.

Camp in Moldova this summer

In early September the church hosted its annual ‘Welcome Back Barbecue’ once again.  This is always a wonderful time of fellowship and getting reacquainted as many who have been traveling return to Romania.  During this event we had a chance to not only see old friends, but we also had the chance to make new ones as well.  One family we met for the first time is a new family from China.  In the city of Bucharest there are several thousands of people from China living here.  We have prayed for some time for an open door into that community and this family is proving to be such.  Since the barbecue they have been attending the church and we hope that as we continue to build this relationship with them that we will be able to use this open door to extend our reach into the Chinese community in Bucharest.  Please pray along with us that God guide us as we seek to find greater inroads into this culture.

Catching up with old friends at the barbecue

These are our new friends from China that we met at the barbecue

Later in September we had the opportunity to experience a very special event.  Jonathan & Lidia Moore-Crispin, whom we are very privileged to partner with in the ministry here in Bucharest, had their first son dedicated to the Lord’s service.  We were thrilled for both of them when Joseph was born in April and even more thrilled to participate in this important event in their lives as well.  We pray that God will bring Joseph to the place where he will trust Christ as Savior and Lord early in life.  We will also pray as he grows up that God will use him mightily to accomplish his will and purposes in this world.

With Jonathan and his in-laws at their son Joseph's dedication

Sunday, September 21^st was our annual ‘Ministry Fair’ at the International Church.  This event has grown to represent the various opportunities that God has given the church to reach out into the community.  Currently God has given members of the church opportunities to serve with organizations such as Hospice of Hope (helping those with terminal illnesses), Open Door (reaching those effected by human trafficking), Touched Romania (helping disadvantaged children in the city) and Casa Ioana (helping the homeless).  These are unique opportunities to not only serve, but as God opens the door, to share the gospel.  During this event we also have the opportunity to expose the congregation to various ways in which they can serve in the church as well.  Please pray for our members as they continue to seek to make a difference in the city of Bucharest.

This is the video we used to encourage involvement in Sunday School

(It will give you a bit of an idea of what happens each Sunday)

In the month of October Naty and I spent two weeks in Germany attending the International Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting.  The event took place in Ramstein, Germany this year.  At the event both Naty and I participated in many ways.  Naty has been asked to serve on a committee that is developing a strategic plan for the convention for the next decade.  In addition to this, she serves as the coordinator for the women’s ministry team.  For quite some time I have also been involved in various ways.  Currently I serve as the coordinator for the conventions current missional relationship with the Baptist union of Moldova.  In addition to this, I also serve on the church ministry health team and one of the teams in charge of seeing new international churches planted in the south of Europe.  As you can see, these responsibilities keep us very busy.  While we were there, we had to report to the conventions members concerning our involvement.  We pray as we continue our involvement in the IBC that God will continue to use this relationship to open further doors for ministry.

Pastor and leaders from around the International Baptist Convention

Bill talking to the IBC about our missions partnership with Moldova