These are the words to a song we learned at a "Time of Refreshing" that we attended in Cluj 3 weeks ago. We were most impressed by the fourth line. This is what we strive for--to permit God to work in us and through us such that not only are our names written in the Book of Life, but also so that our names bring honor to Jesus Christ. What a goal!
We want to thank you again for your support of our ministry here in Romania, through your financial gifts and your prayers. We rely on both, knowing that the Lord will provide all that we need through His people who are part of our ministry here through their support and their prayers.
We just returned from the funeral of one of our guards, Florin. He was 56 and collapsed on his way to work Thursday evening. He had a long history of heart disease, but no recent sign of it worsening. It was an Orthodox funeral and the liturgy and the message given by the priest were meaningful and designed to give hope. On the other hand, many of the traditions involved in the Orthodox wake, funeral and burial are definitely pre-Christian, like tucking money in the pocket of the dead person so he will have money in the afterlife with which to buy what he needs. We believe Florin was Christian--he appeared to have a definite belief in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was unable to become "pocait", the Romanian term for "born again", because an Orthodox thinks that means that you no longer can drink a beer, you can't party with your friends, you can't have any fun. When we explained to him in the past that what is important is what's in your heart he seemed to understand. Now his wife is left without his pension, without his income and with only her own pension of 2.5 million lei, about $75/month.
On another sad note, our friend and colleague Dr. Gabi lost her baby at about 26 weeks gestation of her pregnancy. She had early dilatation of the cervix and even though she stayed in bed, mostly in the hospital for 2 weeks, and the doctor tried everything he could, she lost the baby. The care in the hospital was not very good, even though the doctor was well educated. But even in the U.S. most 26 week babies die. She is still recovering from that emotionally.
On a good note, our friend and neighbor, a young man of 18, gave his life to the Lord last Monday! The Lord had been working in his heart for quite some time, and we had several discussions about spiritual things recently, and last Monday we went over a "4 Spiritual Laws" type pamphlet with him. He told us the next day that he prayed to receive Christ that night.
Also, Linda's sister visited for a week, which was very nice. She caught a cold on the way here (we hope it wasn't a cat allergy) and so was a little under the weather. But by the last couple days she was feeling better. She enjoyed her visit and so did we. She also helped us with some brainstorming on clinic management.
Friday night a retired nurse flew here from Kosovo, where she has been working with the Southern Baptist Mission. She will be visiting the clinic tomorrow and then on Tuesday traveling with Kara Kelley to see her work in the rural areas north of Bucharest.
Another bright note, Linda's almost done at the Embassy! Next Friday the full-time nurse practitioner arrives, and presumably will be working by the next Monday. So Friday should be Linda's last day there for some months at least. She will still cover during vacations, etc., but not on a regular basis.
Also, the church plant, Biserica Buna Vestire (Good News Church), at our clinic had a special event last Saturday and Sunday for children and adults in the neighborhood. We pray that those who heard the Gospel for the first time will let it affect their lives and be interested in returning to church. Because the number of people that came increased the total attendance to 40-50 people, they are thinking about starting construction soon on that room in the basement. So we are also thinking more seriously about at least framing the basement and completing the bathrooms and another room or two. We don't have the funds for this yet, but pray that God will bring donors in His time and as He sees the need.
We are also starting the planning for the Christmas parties for children of our patients this year. Daniela is working hard on that already. Also, a friend in Minnesota donated 16 bags of almost new or in good condition clothing while we were in Minnesota in August, and last Monday the shipment of 31 boxes of medical equipment and supplies and the clothing arrived. So we have another way to assist the poor among our patients.
We wish to thank you again for praying for us, our colleagues and for our clinic's needs, as well as for your financial support. We couldn't be here without you!