How can anyone see the beauty of the sky and clouds and not realize the awesome power and the love for us that our God has?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Beauty of God's Creation - Simple but Awesome!
On Friday evening, Buddy noticed some unusual looking clouds and tried to capture the nature and beauty of God's creation with the camera.
How can anyone see the beauty of the sky and clouds and not realize the awesome power and the love for us that our God has?
How can anyone see the beauty of the sky and clouds and not realize the awesome power and the love for us that our God has?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Day Retreat for Agrisu Mare Bible Club 7-14-11
Today we had the children from the Bible Club we help with in Agrisu Mare to come to Vinga for a Day Retreat. Below is a picture of lunch we served. We had 5 boys and 10 girls attend plus 3 leaders. Emma Stefan is the main leader of this Bible Club. Her father raises sheep and make cheese from the milk. He is also a deacon in the church in Agrisu Mare. 
Emma Balaceanu and Emma Stefan leading the children in songs as we prepare for the Bible Story. We shared the story of Jonah with the children and emphasized that you can not hide from God.
The 2 teams getting ready to paint their team flags and prepare a song.
Emma Stefan and her team working on the flag.
Beni working with the children in learning their team song.
Emma's team were the Sharks!
Beni & Rebeca's team were the Bears!
Emma Stefan enjoying treats from her gift bag.
The little ones checking out to see what they received.
Our group picture wit the children wearing the sun visors they made as their craft project.
It was a great day and the children had a wonderful time playing games, listening to the Bible Story, making their crafts, eating lunch and snacks and making and presenting their team flag and song. May God bless the word that was shared with them and it sink deep into their hearts so that they will grow in the knowledge and understanding that God created them to serve Him, He loves them and He sent His son to die and pay for their sins. Amin!
Emma Balaceanu and Emma Stefan leading the children in songs as we prepare for the Bible Story. We shared the story of Jonah with the children and emphasized that you can not hide from God. 
The 2 teams getting ready to paint their team flags and prepare a song.
Emma Stefan and her team working on the flag.
Beni working with the children in learning their team song.
Emma's team were the Sharks!
Beni & Rebeca's team were the Bears!
Emma Stefan enjoying treats from her gift bag.
The little ones checking out to see what they received.
Our group picture wit the children wearing the sun visors they made as their craft project.
It was a great day and the children had a wonderful time playing games, listening to the Bible Story, making their crafts, eating lunch and snacks and making and presenting their team flag and song. May God bless the word that was shared with them and it sink deep into their hearts so that they will grow in the knowledge and understanding that God created them to serve Him, He loves them and He sent His son to die and pay for their sins. Amin!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Day Retreat for Children from Bible Club in Arad
Today we enjoyed having 16 children plus Emma, their leader and Emilia, one of the moms, come to Vinga for a Day Retreat. We shared the story of Jonah with the children, let them make a craft, fed them lunch and they played games. It was a long and tiring day, but very rewarding. The children seemed to enjoy it. Below are a few pictures we took during the activities. 
Barbara and Emma sharing the story of Jonah.
The children listening as the story was told so they could answer the questions at the end.
Emma divided the children into two teams. Each team made a team flag and prepared a song that represented the name and purpose of each team. Here is Emilia preparing the flag for her group.
Emma with her group preparing their song.
Emilia's group presenting their flag and song.
Emma's group presenting their flag and song.
I think Beni is having as much fun as the children. It was a very hot day, so the water was refreshing to the children.
A group photo at the end of the day!!
Barbara and Emma sharing the story of Jonah.
The children listening as the story was told so they could answer the questions at the end.
Emma divided the children into two teams. Each team made a team flag and prepared a song that represented the name and purpose of each team. Here is Emilia preparing the flag for her group.
Emma with her group preparing their song.
Emilia's group presenting their flag and song.
Emma's group presenting their flag and song.
I think Beni is having as much fun as the children. It was a very hot day, so the water was refreshing to the children.
A group photo at the end of the day!!
Baptism in Vinga, July 10, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011was very special day for the Vinga Baptist Church and the lives of 9 people who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. The ones dressed in white were the 9 persons who were baptized by Bro. Daniel Crisan (in the middle dressed in the black robe), pastor of Vinga Baptist Church. We were happy to be a part of the celebration of the most important decision one can make in their life.
The next 3 pictures are youth we have seen grow up in the church. They were children when we moved to Vinga.
This is Andrei, his brother and mother have both worked with us in the past. It
The next 3 pictures are youth we have seen grow up in the church. They were children when we moved to Vinga.This is Andrei, his brother and mother have both worked with us in the past. It
is good to know he has made this step of faith.
Roxanna graduated from High School this year. She has helped us with Bible Clubs for many years as a helper and a translator.
Catalina was in my Sunday School class and so it a great blessing to know she has accepted Christ.
At the end of the service the pastor and other ordained men prayed over the people who were baptized. The prayer for them is that they will follow and grow in Christ and share their faith with others and also that other Christians will disciple them in the knowledge of living for Christ.
Roxanna graduated from High School this year. She has helped us with Bible Clubs for many years as a helper and a translator.
Catalina was in my Sunday School class and so it a great blessing to know she has accepted Christ.
At the end of the service the pastor and other ordained men prayed over the people who were baptized. The prayer for them is that they will follow and grow in Christ and share their faith with others and also that other Christians will disciple them in the knowledge of living for Christ.
Team from Donalsonville FBC June 27 - July 7
We enjoyed the 4 person team from FBC Donalsonville, GA. led by Danny Watson. It was a unique team put together by God. Danny has been to Romania 7 seven times, so this not not new to him. There was a mother and daughter, Annice (works with G.A.'s) and Fawn, and Mr. Troy, a gentleman who has worked with children for many years especially R.A.'s.
I say mission trips to Romania are not new to Danny, but the experience of this year was definitely new to him. He was excited last year to hear us share about going into the Oltenia Region and sharing the gospel with children who hear it for the first time. This got his heart pumping and his mind thinking that he would like to do something on that order. So we planned the trip with the help of a pastor, Iosif Zene, who works in the Oltenia Region. It was an experience that definitely got us out of our comfort zones. The team arrived all excited and ready to go, so on Wednesday, June 29, after Buddy had his stitches removed from his foot he had the cyst removed from, we set out on our 6 hour journey. When we arrived we were shown where we would stay by the pastor in the village of Miluta. The home we stayed in belonged to a family who are presently working in another country to earn money to complete their house. The house was nice and we had a bathroom with hot running water and sink and a tub and shower, for which we were very grateful. But the toilet was in the garden in the back. But we all survived that obstacle. The cooking and washing dishes aspect of the trip was a lot like going camping. We had a gas stove, which I'm not used with gas so somebody had to light it for me every time we cooked. And we washed dishes in a large stainless steel dishpan. After a few days, I finally wised up and realized we could at least rinse them in hot water inside the bathroom. It was not like the conditions we are used with, but again we are very grateful for the things God did provide, it could have been worse. The stove was set up in another house in the yard with was not completed, just basically block walls and cement floors with no windows and doors. We had a table to sit down at to eat, so this was good. We prepared food for 9 people each meal and with it being in a remote area there was not a grocery store within a reasonable driving distance, so we had to take all our food with us. That ice chest has never kept cold so well in all the times we've used it, but again God provided for our needs. With all that said, the true blessing came from the purpose of the trip, THE CHILDREN!!!
The team shared the story of Creation, The Birth of Jesus, The Crucifixion of Jesus and The Resurrection of Jesus. Each of the four team members had their part and they shared from their hearts with the children about the love of God and how He created them and sent to Son to die for their sins. The children listened attentively and enjoyed all the activities that went along with the Bible stories. Then the children enjoyed Danny making them animal balloons and getting a chance to jump in the space walk.
I think the total of the 5 Bible Clubs was 196 children and approximately 75 adults. Bibles were given to every child and to the adults who wanted one. This was a blessing to know Bibles were going into these homes so that the word can be read and studied and that the people may have the opportunity to read the truth for themselves and come to know Christ in a personal way and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
So many pictures were taken during this week, I have not had time to sort through them and pick out the ones to share but I plan to do this at a later time, because I want you to see the future of Romania and how God's love was shared with them.
We appreciate the ones who prayed for this team and helped them to be able to come and share.
I say mission trips to Romania are not new to Danny, but the experience of this year was definitely new to him. He was excited last year to hear us share about going into the Oltenia Region and sharing the gospel with children who hear it for the first time. This got his heart pumping and his mind thinking that he would like to do something on that order. So we planned the trip with the help of a pastor, Iosif Zene, who works in the Oltenia Region. It was an experience that definitely got us out of our comfort zones. The team arrived all excited and ready to go, so on Wednesday, June 29, after Buddy had his stitches removed from his foot he had the cyst removed from, we set out on our 6 hour journey. When we arrived we were shown where we would stay by the pastor in the village of Miluta. The home we stayed in belonged to a family who are presently working in another country to earn money to complete their house. The house was nice and we had a bathroom with hot running water and sink and a tub and shower, for which we were very grateful. But the toilet was in the garden in the back. But we all survived that obstacle. The cooking and washing dishes aspect of the trip was a lot like going camping. We had a gas stove, which I'm not used with gas so somebody had to light it for me every time we cooked. And we washed dishes in a large stainless steel dishpan. After a few days, I finally wised up and realized we could at least rinse them in hot water inside the bathroom. It was not like the conditions we are used with, but again we are very grateful for the things God did provide, it could have been worse. The stove was set up in another house in the yard with was not completed, just basically block walls and cement floors with no windows and doors. We had a table to sit down at to eat, so this was good. We prepared food for 9 people each meal and with it being in a remote area there was not a grocery store within a reasonable driving distance, so we had to take all our food with us. That ice chest has never kept cold so well in all the times we've used it, but again God provided for our needs. With all that said, the true blessing came from the purpose of the trip, THE CHILDREN!!!
The team shared the story of Creation, The Birth of Jesus, The Crucifixion of Jesus and The Resurrection of Jesus. Each of the four team members had their part and they shared from their hearts with the children about the love of God and how He created them and sent to Son to die for their sins. The children listened attentively and enjoyed all the activities that went along with the Bible stories. Then the children enjoyed Danny making them animal balloons and getting a chance to jump in the space walk.
I think the total of the 5 Bible Clubs was 196 children and approximately 75 adults. Bibles were given to every child and to the adults who wanted one. This was a blessing to know Bibles were going into these homes so that the word can be read and studied and that the people may have the opportunity to read the truth for themselves and come to know Christ in a personal way and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
So many pictures were taken during this week, I have not had time to sort through them and pick out the ones to share but I plan to do this at a later time, because I want you to see the future of Romania and how God's love was shared with them.
We appreciate the ones who prayed for this team and helped them to be able to come and share.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Agrisu Mare Bible Clubs - May & June 2011
Agrisu Mare is about an hour's drive from Vinga. But it is a wonderful place at the foot of the mountains to minister and work with children. We love helping the 2 Emma's with the Bible Club. It is a blessing to see these young ladies have a heart for working with and teaching the children about the love of God and how to have a personal relationship with Him.
The children in the picture below are singing songs and making a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Buddy having fun with the puppet and the children!!
Barbara sharing the story of Zaccehus with the children.
The children doing their activity sheets.
Time for a little fun with musical chairs. I guess this game is universal.
The youth at Agrisu Mare doing their activity sheets.
The younger children on June 17, working on their activity for the Creation Story.
Anxiously waiting for the fun time watching the spacewalk blow up.
Patiently waiting their turn to jump in the spacewalk. This was donated by an organization in Louisiana who ships 2 containers to Romania each year. We appreciate their kindness and the children certainly enjoy the spacewalk!!
The children are blessed by the spacewalk. It is a joy for them and we certainly like to see the wide smiles on their faces when they see it and know they get an opportunity to jump and play!!!
The children in the picture below are singing songs and making a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Buddy having fun with the puppet and the children!!
Barbara sharing the story of Zaccehus with the children.
The children doing their activity sheets.
Time for a little fun with musical chairs. I guess this game is universal.
The youth at Agrisu Mare doing their activity sheets.
The younger children on June 17, working on their activity for the Creation Story.
Anxiously waiting for the fun time watching the spacewalk blow up.
Patiently waiting their turn to jump in the spacewalk. This was donated by an organization in Louisiana who ships 2 containers to Romania each year. We appreciate their kindness and the children certainly enjoy the spacewalk!!
The children are blessed by the spacewalk. It is a joy for them and we certainly like to see the wide smiles on their faces when they see it and know they get an opportunity to jump and play!!!
Bible Clubs in Arad - May & June
These children meet weekly in the apartment of Pastor Florin Balaceanu for a Bible Club under the direction of his daughter Emma. We enjoy going once or twice a month to help her with the Bible Club. We also assist her with providing supplies such as crayons, markers and teaching aids needed to carry out this ministry. Emma does a great job with them and we are blessed to be a part of this much needed ministry for children.
As the weather warmed up we have moved outside for the Bible Club. This club on June 13, 2001 was a special time because the children did a program for the parents to show what they have been learning over the past months.
As the weather warmed up we have moved outside for the Bible Club. This club on June 13, 2001 was a special time because the children did a program for the parents to show what they have been learning over the past months.
Buddy - Surgery on his foot.
Buddy's foot before surgery.
As many of you know, Buddy has had a problem with a ganglion cyst on the top of his left foot. After finding out what it was and having it drained 3 times while in the U.S. furlough it kept coming back. So he decided to have surgery on it. He had the surgery on June 20, 2011 at the Genesys Hospital Clinic in Arad. It is new and a very modern private clinic. He received very good care. The picture below is before the stitches were removed. It seems to be healing okay. It has been a slow process but part of that is due to the fact we had a team come in only a week after the surgery. I don't think he stayed off of it as long as he should have. Probably not the best planning on our part.
Logos Church - 10th Anniversary Celebration 6/12/11
The Logos Baptist Church in Arad celebrated their 10th Anniversary on June 12, 2011 in the mountains. It was a beautiful service held in the setting of God's creation and natural beauty. That morning was a traditional service and then lunch was prepared and served in the afternoon. For the evening service Bro. Mircea Aioanei, the pastor, shared a little of the church's history and beginning and then each family shared their testimony of what the church has meant in their lives. God has blessed this church with many young families and strong Christian principles. We were glad to be a part of this celebration.
Logos is the church we attended when we first came to Romania when we lived in Arad, before moving to Vinga.
There is a camp near the area where they held the church service. We visited it with Angi and Flavius. The WILD HOGS are after Buddy!!
Logos is the church we attended when we first came to Romania when we lived in Arad, before moving to Vinga.
There is a camp near the area where they held the church service. We visited it with Angi and Flavius. The WILD HOGS are after Buddy!!
Sprucing Up for the Summer!
June has been a very busy month. God has blessed with many activities of Bible Clubs and preparations for a team coming the end of the month.
Buddy took some time to spruce up the building by adding a fresh coat of paint to the back porch area.
Also the back of the building needed fresh paint.
The stairwell going to the second floor was long overdue for a fresh coat of white paint.
As well as the upstairs bathrooms.
Now everything looks clean and fresh. You know our lives are like this as well. We need to take time to clean up our hearts frequently by asking God for forgiveness in areas where we fall short of what God expects from us and keep them pure and clean like a fresh new coat of white paint.
Buddy took some time to spruce up the building by adding a fresh coat of paint to the back porch area.
Also the back of the building needed fresh paint.
The stairwell going to the second floor was long overdue for a fresh coat of white paint.
As well as the upstairs bathrooms.
Now everything looks clean and fresh. You know our lives are like this as well. We need to take time to clean up our hearts frequently by asking God for forgiveness in areas where we fall short of what God expects from us and keep them pure and clean like a fresh new coat of white paint.
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