May 2012

How Great the Father’s Love

We had a bit of a scare last month with one of the “aged-out” boys, Iulian (Yul-ee-an). He was chopping wood at the family center when the ax bounced back into his face. We initially thought that he had broken or shattered his jaw. Horrified, we rushed him to the hospital. An hour later he was transferred to the WORST hospital in our area because they could not get an accurate x-ray due to the swelling in his jaw.

My heart was torn up at this point. This young man, in particular, is very close to my heart. There are a few kids for whom God has placed a mother’s love in my heart; he is one of them.

There was a period of time that Iulian was alone between his transfer to the second hospital and the time it took us to meet him there. The poor guy couldn’t answer any medical questions; he could not even open his mouth. My heart broke as I envisioned him alone, in pain, without the one person I would want by my side — my Mom. I have been working with these kids for many years and it still takes moments like this for me to see the reality with which these kids live. It made me want to run up to him and smother him with love, but I am not his mother. I never will be his mother. However, this one thing I can offer him, and that is the Father’s love. Thank you, Father, for your amazing love.

After x-rays, they found that nothing was broken (amazing) and they stitched him up. Later that week we did find out that his jaw was fractured but did not need surgery. Thank you to all our Facebook followers who prayed for Iulian when I sent out the prayer request. God is healing him.

Casa ‘BETANIA’ UPDATE:

The long awaited clothing donations arrived early March. When we pried open the containers, we could see all the hard work and love that went into organizing and packing the clothing. A BIG THANK YOU to all who donated, sorted and packed the clothing! You guys know who you are and I am thankful for you. Betania received the clothing with great joy.

Surprise Visitors

WOW! Praise Report: Andrei and I were in the kitchen waiting for our one or two faithful attendees of our Sunday night Bible study. I hear a knock on the door and I see two new faces. “Come in!!” I open the door wider and realize that there is a line of people going all the way down the hall of our apartment building wrapping down to the stairs!! WHAT?! Inside I am screaming “OH MY GOSH!” and outwardly I am calmly taking jackets and offering coffee. Andrei and I were scrambling to find seating for everyone. It was amazing!!

Please keep us in prayer as we minister to the people the Lord is bringing to our door.

The Lord is moving mightily in Petrosani and Romania.

A Thought

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20

I am tired of merely talking about God. I want to see God move through me and through the worldwide body of Christ. I refuse to live the remainder of my life where I am right now. Please don’t misunderstand me, God has already done so much in my life, and for that I am grateful. I am just convinced there is more. There is more of the Spirit and more of God than any of us is experiencing. I want to go there! Not just intellectually, but in LIFE, and with EVERYTHING that I am. — (Paraphrased from Francis Chan’s Forgotten God)

“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!” Psalm 68:35

I choose to live my life by these principles: First, I will read the Word of God. Second, I will consume the Word of God until it consumes me. Third, I will believe the Word of God. Fourth, I will act on the Word. God give me strength!

Prayer Requests:

• Continue to pray for the aged out youth of Romania. That they would walk in the power of the Spirit and not by their own might. Cover these youths in love and pray for their ears to be sheltered from the constant assault of negative words and discouragement. Pray that they would become a light in a dark place and BREAK the chains that imprison them to poverty in the name of Jesus Christ.
• Please keep Andrei in prayer as he prepares the Bible studies for Sunday nights. Protection over his mind, heart and study time. Pray for another godly male to come into our path with whom he can fellowship and find friendship.
• Pray for our Saturday Bible school. That God might be magnified in the lives of the children attending.
• For wisdom and direction in ministry.

THANK YOU FATHER for what you are doing and going to do. We give YOU praise!