A picture review

Dear friends,

Please pray as you see the pictures and read the notes below.

The picture above is of what the church typically looks like on a baptism day... over 250 people in a 150 seat sanctuary. Makes one rejoice, yet also lament.

Rejoice because the gospel is proclaimed through the symbol of baptism, the testimonies of those baptized, and the evangelistic preaching by a guest pastor.

Lament, because a lot of unbelievers (mostly family members) come for the show, without much regard for the gospel; sadly, this has become a testimony unto condemnation for many during these past four years.

Pray the Lord has mercy on this community and on us as we serve Him there.

In Christ's love and service,

Dan & Ana, Alex and Adora

Baptism on April 9, 2018

With catechesis finished, on April 9 seven souls publicly declared their trust in Christ. Pray for these seven that the Lord continues to strengthen them in His grace through the Spirit by His Word.

Our family highlight

Alex coming home in May for three weeks after his first year at college! Here it's the meeting of a happy sister with her beloved (and happy) brother. Makes one think of what brotherly and sisterly love should be like in the body of Christ!

Happy mother... and son!

Perhaps we often don't realize how much we miss our loved ones... One wonders what the heavenly reunion might be like!

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart!

This is what such joy looks like ... And not to spiritualize everything, but I do wonder how much of our joy in the Lord is so visible on our faces!

Enjoying each other's company thru sports ...

Something Adora missed, especially since my back problems!

And looking forward ...

... to more time together at Cedarville beginning perhaps next year!

Graduation at Timotheus, June 24

18 students got their college degree at Timotheus this year. Pray the Lord brings more workers to be trained!

NJ medical team at Jina

A team of five from Maranatha Grace Church was with us for a week, helping reach out to the people in Jina (and beyond). From left to right: Sarah, Dong, Pastor Jon, Noah, and Dr. Tom.

Worshiping together

Everyone on the team shared a testimony, Pastor Jon preached twice, the team sang a couple of songs, and Dong also joined Adora in leading the congregational singing on Sunday, July 1.

Fellowshiping together

We usually had breakfast together, lunch at church in between morning and afternoon clinics, then VBS from 4:30 to 6 PM, going out for dinner afterwards.

Our hometown, Cisnădie

Attested since the 1200s, the town and this church building have witnessed generation after generation of men and women in need of Christ, our fortress and salvation.

Dr. Tom at work

Assisted by Ana, Dr. Tom saw over 130 people during the three-day medical clinics. Noah, Sarah, Adora, and Rebeca (from our church, on vacation now from high school and Bible school) helped with registration / blood pressure / Accu-Chek, while Dong, Pastor Jon, and I took time to share and pray with the patients after their doctor's visit. We were able to use the three Sunday School rooms downstairs together with the large hallway to accommodate for the clinics and the team's needs, converting some of the space for the VBS afterward.

VBS

The first day we had about 40 kids, the second close to 70, while the third we came close to 100. Here is Noah holding their attention with one of his card tricks.

VBS on Abraham

Team members took turns teaching about Abraham and the faith we need to have in Christ, Abraham's seed. Here the kids are singing "Father Abraham" (with motions!). For VBS we also had help from two missionaries in the area (Sue and Margret, who also helped us in years past).

A walk through Sibiu

One of the nights we took a walk thru Sibiu, the main city in our district. Here is a shot of the team on the famous Liars' Bridge (legendary meeting place for hunters and fishermen!).

The People's Palace

The team in Bucharest before departure day. The colossal building was Romania's former dictator's achievement, being the 2nd largest government administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon).

At Timotheus University

While in Bucharest the team got to tour Timotheus, as I also had to be there that Friday for some administrative issues and exams.

Back at Jina

We thank the Lord for this team and all their efforts to serve the Lord by serving others - here is Dr. Tom with little John (11), diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, expected to have quite a short lifespan. Pray for little John, for our community, and pray for us as we continue ministering.