Final preparations

As the last few days hurry by me, preparations are in full swing. I have packed most of my bags. I am preparing for a month of living out of a suitcase and it is my hope that I will not have to wash clothes while I am gone. However, such is wishful thinking as I do not think I can carry enough socks to get by for a whole month. I could always turn them inside out and wear them twice. hmmm

I have forgone the usual temptation to take a suitcase of familiar foods, as there is plenty of food in Romania. The prospect of eating sarmale, mititei and mamaliga again makes me want to hurry, but the schedule is set and there will be no rushing now. Soon enough I will be there, Lord willing. In place of foodstores I plan to take blank CD's (about 200) with the hope of compiling and distributing teaching materials in the Romanian language. The main presentation will be a lesson entitled "Have You Died With Christ?" - Ai Murit Cu Hristos?

My goal in teaching in Romania is not to proselyte people AWAY from Orthodoxy. Rather, I will seek to call honest hearts back to God, back to the original orthodoxy found in the teachings of the New Testament. I have found that those who are weary of a life of darkness respond favorably to the light the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will be seeking to be a bearer of good tidings to those who seek salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The time is near

Less than a week before I leave and preparations are in full swing. I am packing my bags and preparing my materials. It is overwhelming, but necessary. I will take too much "stuff" for sure. But, perhaps it will be better to have too much than to have too little. It pays to be prepared.

I have decided to try to have whatever teaching materials I will use - copied, duplicated, printed in Romania. I realize that it may cost more to do it there, but I do not have room for heavy printed materials in my suitcase. I will take a few examples, but for the most part I will have to print it when I get there. Also, I will take blank CD's and after I arrive in Romania I will have some of the Christians there look over the materials I have prepared. If there are no serious mispelings, I will go ahead and make copies on CD to give away.

As the time draws near my emotions begin to rise as I truly look forward to seeing my brethren in Romania again. It is hard to explain the feelings that I have toward those who are my family in Christ - who live so far away. Having an opportunity to see them and encourage them once every year or so means a lot to me. I know that they struggle in life, as do we all. But, I hope that no one has to struggle in their faith. It is truly in Christ that we can learn to put the difficulties of this life in context.

Romans 8:16-18 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: 17. and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.

On the road again

The time is near for me to make another trip to Romania. I will be leaving on September 25 to arrive in Bucuresti on the 26. I will leave on October 24. I am in the process of deciding where I will be and for how long during my visit to Romania. Here is how it looks for now:

I want to visit the village of Falfani - and spend some time in Pitesti during the first week I am there. After this I will spend most of my time in Constanta. I will be in and out of Bucuresti. I look forward to seeing old friends again - and maybe making some new ones.

What is the purpose of my visit? I am glad you asked. I am an evangelist. I have been invited by Christians in Romania to come and teach the truth of God as revealed in His Word. That will be the focus of my visit... teaching.

I appreciate the oppotunities I have had in the past to study the Bible with my Romanian friends. A door has indeed been opened for the gospel in Romania and it will be my purpose to share the truth of Jesus Christ with all who have an interest in truth. I hope to be able to publish reports on my trip here. Look for them... if you have an interest in this work.

More to come... as I prepare to go.

Upcoming Trip to Romania

Hello all

This is my first attempt at blogging, but how hard can it be? Hmmm, we will see. I have a purpose for this blog. I want to find a way to send reports and updates when I visit Romania later this month (September 2006). For those who may be interested in these reports - I hope they will appear here.

For those who may have stumbled across this blog by accident... stick around. If you are interested in Romania - as I am - then maybe something will appear here that will interest you.

I lived in Romania for four years (1995 - 1999) residing in Bucuresti, but visiting many other places (Constanta, Pitesti, Piatra Neamt, Ploiesti, Timisoara [one visit]... and a small village called Falfani - frequent visits). I learned the language si pot sa vorbesc in romaneste... chiar pot sa scriu putin daca nu privi prea atent la gramatica mea.

Let me post this for now... and I will go look and see how it appears on the blog. Like I said earlier, this is my first attempt. Let's see if I can get it right.