**SEPTEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER**
‘Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!’ (Psalm 107: 8,15,21,31)
Truly, we are thankful to the Lord for His lovingkindness and like David in the Psalms – we believe it bears repeating because God has been so faithful and the wonders which He has performed in our lives and ‘to the sons of men’ over the last few months have been awesome – and we can see His hand at work, even though it has not always been easy!
Where to start? Many of you have contacted us for info and once again we apologize – we have just found it time consuming to keep ahead of all the tasks that have been set before us. However, we are so grateful to those who continue to pray for us even when you do not know the circumstances we find ourselves in, it is so awesome that God knows and hears your prayers on our behalf and continues to show His lovingkindness and to work wonders in our lives.
It has been a busy and exciting summer. In June we saw the first 4 Bible School students graduate!! These men have become a part of us and it will be difficult not to have them return to us in October when we have the next Bible School session but we are so thankful that God continues to guide them and teach them and use them for His kingdom. In late October we will have another session with just one class in attendance but Albert will be traveling through out the winter months to recruit the new students for the spring session. There are many who are waiting to attend and so we ask that you pray that God would make a way for the men who He is calling into ministry to be able to come and study God’s Word.
In July, Elvira made a surprise trip to Canada! Sorry- she was only there for 2 weeks and although she would have loved to touch base with many of you, it was not possible as she was not able to be away long due to ministry and family responsibilities, however, she was able to surprise our son Karl on his 40th birthday and our grandson Kaleb for his 16th birthday! It was a very special time for them and a time of rest for Elvira as the kids blessed her in so many ways. Karl and Patricia and the kids are doing well and God continues to be faithful to them as they are faithful to Him. Please remember to pray for them as both Kaleb and Meghan are now in high school and the pressures of the world are so great!
You may also have heard that our daughter Shauna is planning a wedding! She has met a fine, Christian man from Ethiopia and plan to be married some time this winter as soon as some paper work is completed. We look forward to welcoming Kelo into our family – our family continues to grow in size and color!
We also welcomed a new grand daughter into our family in August! Abigael Stout was born to Frank and Rita, a sister for Timo!! Frank and Rita continue to work in Cluj and we are so blessed that God has chosen to use them for His kingdom and shown His lovingkindness to them in blessing them with a beautiful daughter!
Dana is returning to University this fall and is studying languages so that she will be able to work with the illiterate. Pray for her as she studies and continues to minister to the gypsy nation in the Cluj area.
Valentina has returned back to school. She has entered grade 9 and is attending in Rupea. This was a very big challenge for her as she has been out of school for one year. However, God has given her courage, and friends and she appears to be adjusting. Joshua stays with grandma while Valentina is in school and is also doing well, although he loves his mom and there is much joy when she enters the house!! He has 4 teeth now and is doing well although he continues to have stomach cramps during the night which no one seems to be able to find a solution for. He has grown and is such a joy, a blessing – truly a wonder of God. Valentina was baptized in water this summer and we are so thankful that she has chosen to follow Jesus, leaving her past behind her and looking forward to the things that God has in store for her. She also had Joshua dedicated to the Lord this summer and we ask that you pray with her and us – that God would honor her commitment to Him and use them both for His glory. Valentina has also been added to the praise and worship team at the church in Rupea – so- we continue to see the wonders of God to man – to us and our family!!!
Laurentiu has entered school!! Here it is called class 0 — but is actually the kindergarten final year. He is doing well, takes a leadership role and has a soft and kind heart for those who are hurting, who are smaller, who are less fortunate. We also had him dedicated to the Lord this summer and know God has great plans for his life! He continues to bless us with his helping heart and thoughtfulness towards others.
Because both Valentina and Laurentiu are attending school in Rupea, we have taken a small apartment there as traveling back and forth twice a day, plus for extra for worship practice was too much, especially with a baby who wants to see his mom – so – we are gathering furnishings for our part time home. While this will provide many challenges as we do not care for city living, we are also looking forward to having more Christian fellowship and for the opportunity for the children to have Christian friends as well.
We were blessed to be able to host several children, teen and family camps this summer. We were blessed by an awesome team from Canada who did several of them and are praying that God will cause the seed which was planted to grow – and once again we will see His wonders to man!!
After a difficult year with many health issues – we are believing that they are behind us!! Albert has had super reports from both his knee surgeon and his back surgeon!! The problem of losing weight to decrease the need for further back surgery still exists, however, we are looking forward to continued health for Albert so that he can continue the ministry God has called him to.
Home Bible Study group continues to meet. Several of the families have proven very loyal and determined to learn more about God’s word and we are trusting that through them, the gypsy nation can be reached for the Kingdom of God!
‘Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness…’
EHM PRAYER AND PRAISE REPORTS
1. Bible School: thanking God for His faithfulness in seeing 4 men complete the Bible School course as well as for the other men who continue to attend the school
a. praying for the October session – as well as the new intake of men in
the spring of 2015
b. praying for professors to come and share God’s word with the men
c. continuing to pray and believe for funds for expansion of the kitchen and dorm facilities
2. Family: thanking God for His faithfulness to our family- both Canadian and Romanian – for the additions to our family
a. praying for protection for all our children/ grand children as they attend school
b. praying for blessings on our adult children in their places of work/ministry
c. praying for adjustment to city life and that God would use us in His service to the people there as the fields are white to harvest!
3. Health: thanking God for His healing touch on Albert’s body and that He continues to give strength to minister – whether it be standing up – or sitting down — God is faithful!
a. praying for continued healing and strength for Albert
b. also praying for healing for Elvira as she continues to suffer from a lot of pain in her back and legs as well as having several other issues
c. Joshua continues to suffer from cramps during the night- and although we have looked for medical help no one appears to have a solution – looking to God!
4. Bible Study Group: thanking God for the faithful individuals who are hungry to know more about God and how to live lives for His glory
a. praying for committed people who can withstand the persecution of their neighbors, families and friends and will commit their lives completely to God
b. praying for wisdom for Albert as he leads the people and trains leaders to minister to their own people
‘Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!’
(Psalm 107: 8,15,21,31)