God is working mightily in Romania!

How shall I begin...My God is mighty to save, my friends, mighty to save!

My journey began on March 3rd, I had no idea what His plan was for me this time. Of course I was certain that whatever the plan, it is sure to be nothing less than phenomenal. He NEVER ceases to amaze me in ALL that He does. Words can't begin to describe the joy that fills my heart and soul when I return to my Roma families. I feel like I am right at home with family I didn't even know existed. My saviour lavishes me with unending love and joy when I am with my gypsies!

On the very first day of our project we headed straight into our mission, which was to encourage our Roma pastor in Sarata and fuel the fire that God went before us to light. While it was really cool to rekindle past relationships with "my people" it was exciting to make new ones too. I remember, during our home visits, sitting with a beautiful lady in her home,who resembled my grandmother "Meems". I had to sit and stare awkwardly at her and blink a few times before it registered that Meems is already in Heaven. Anyway, Berta (my grandmother look-alike), a believer but unsaved was on her stoop moving rocks and rubble around for what seemed like no apparent reason, stopped to wave and say Hi. I anxiously awaited this particular day to see Berta as God had burdened my heart for her. Pastor Paul (Sprout Springs Baptist) presented the gospel to her and she teared up as she gratefully accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. As I listened intently to her say the sinner's prayer I found it VERY difficult to contain my excitement so I did my best to control myself until after we prayed, her in her native tongue, I in mine...I remember being so overcome with a plethera of emotions that all I could do was jump up and down and shout in the street where we were standing. Yes, the others in the village looked at me as if I had lost my mind (they do that when I am around anyway! LOL) Someone (a gypsy) said "Oh, it's just those crazy American's!" Crazy for Jesus I thought to myself!

That same evening one of my translators (Mihai aka Cheetah) handed his cellphone to me to talk to his girlfriend Manu, a girlfriend I became close with during the August True Love Waits camp. She was so excited to hear I was there and very upset that she wouldn't be able to see me. I didn't realize the impression I left on her back in August until she all but begged for me to come see her. I couldn't promise her anything which just tore me all up inside. Again, a burden was placed on my heart. I spoke with Daniel (our missionary) about getting to her...the chances didn't look good. You see, our team was in Bistrita, Manu lives in Turda, the two villages are three hours from each other. I cried out to Jesus to make something happen, make a way for me to meet with Manu. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28 As you all know...God answers prayer! Amen? Amen! I prayed the same prayer for 3 consecutive days. My prayer was answered when Reuben, a Romanian pastor and brother of Alex (my first friend made in Romania) offered to drive me and my roommate Pat to see her. I was overwhelmed with excitement again, I remember asking God what verse from Your Word shall I share with her? What if I say the wrong thing? What if she says this? How will I respond to her? By this time I had worked myself up into a frenzy and couldn't even think straight (Not new, I know!) I could hardly sleep that night. On our journey to meet with Manu Pat and I went over what we needed to share and prayed for the right words to come from our lips. As we sat and conversed as best we could with our limited knowledge of the gypsy language and Manu with her limited knowledge of english, I asked her what would she do if she were drowning and I threw her a rope. Would you grab that rope or would you wave me away and say, "No, no, I'll wait for a different way out". She responded with, "The rope". I asked her how she would respond if I gave her a gift, would you offer to pay me for this gift or would you gratefully accept it? She responded with "I would accept the gift". I explained to her that Jesus is that "rope" and that "gift" , a gift from God. I asked if she wanted to accept God's gift to her, she responded with " Well, yes!" Now I am REALLY blown away because the gospel had been presented to her numerous times and that day at that time she decided to say yes to God! I was so thrilled at how easy this was at the same time thinking why had I made it so difficult. God had obviously gone before me and had prepared her heart. All praise to Him!! He is good! And Bruce, the yellow ribbon was given as a bookmark for Manu's Bible with the date of her decision. (I'm glad I had it with me because this was a special day!)

By the fourth day of our project all 7 team members had been so spoiled (blessed) by God's amazing work that there couldn't possibly be anything that He could do to top what He had already done in the beginning of the week. Well, He did top these things. He grew His Kingdom by 16. Arcalia, a small village we served with in March of 2010 is on fire for the Lord. His presence was all up on that frigid little 10x10 room house. That place was PACKED. Triple the people from the year prior and still growing. He continues to draw more to Himself! "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:47

I am no more special than any other believer and often think "How could God possibly use a person like me, I am not a theologan, I don't say eloquent prayers, and I'm a little on the quirky side!" I have never been used to reap the harvest and was settled to just be the sower, the tiller or the waterer. I praise Him for how He uses me to further His Kingdom!!

I can't wait to see what He has planned for our August discipleship camp!!

Peru Team Update #2

Okay - we're now in Canta. It has been wonderful and FREEZING! We got up Sunday morning and went to Wong's for groceries. Then we headed up the mountain to Lachaqui. That trip took about 6 hours. We had safe travels, other than a minor delay for a landslide that blocked a large part of the road. We stopped in Canta for lunch. The hostel in Lachaqui was certainly a different experience. More on that later. Even though the rainy season is supposed to be over, it poured that evening and most of Monday. We spent Monday and Tuesday in the schools in Lachaqui. The director, Dulia, gave us full access and is very excited that we are returning. We sang songs, played games, taught Bible stories, and loved on the children. We were also allowed to pass out a New Testament (with Psalms/Proverbs) to EVERY secondary student, along with a lesson on the Romans road! We gave out many pairs of reading glasses to the adults, as well as New Testaments, and sunglasses to the children. We met with the village nurse and president (each village has its own) and discussed community needs, who we were, and future visits. Everyone is very welcoming at this point. This morning, (Wed.), we headed down the mountain to Carhua. The school director remembered the Renshaws and Liesa Holeman, and welcomed us in immediately. We were again able to sing, play games, do Bible stories, and love on the kids. We passed out New Testaments to every child in both the primary and secondary schools, and the director gave them an assignment from Matthew to be completed by Monday. He is also excited about a return visit and is willing to let us use the school for any activities we may plan. We gave away more glasses, spoke with some of the ladies that had attended Bible studies in July with another IWC trip, and headed down the mountain to Canta. The schools are closed tomorrow for Holy Week holiday, so we are planning to head over to see the waterfall, then stop by Huacos to see the progress that has been made on the church there, and possibly see Pastor Jaime. Tonight we are having dinner with Pastor Miguel, who works with the Canta church, Pariamarca, and possibly Obrajillo. This has been a wonderful vision trip - we have had the opportunity to meet community leaders and persons of peace in both villages. We have heard the needs of the community and are bringing back ideas for what we can do in the future. God has blessed us at every turn! Keep praying!

Peru Team Update #1

Peru Team arrived in Lima and then safely up the mountain to Canta and beyond to Lachaqui. Please, be in prayer for Candi, Kevin, and Brian!

Tim Deans Update #2 from Aurora, Philippines

Tim Deans called last night to share that 400 people have given their hearts to Jesus after a week of medical mission points. Praise the Lord!

Tim Deans Update #1 from Aurora, Philippines

The fist week I was in the Philippines, we camped out a the beach of Belaie while we taught a true love waits camp! That was so great we had so many people choose to stay pure until they are married. It rained every night so we got wet every night that was so fun! Another person on the NC team and I were sick now but with Gods grace we got better! On Wednesday the medical team from NC came to start the medical missions which includes vision and dental. Thursday we started the medical mission in Balair where we did vision and we had 150 people show up and registered. That doesnt seem like allot but it is hahahaha. While the people were waiting to be seen we had people sharing the gospel with them. By the end of the day we found out that out of 150 people 100 acepted Jesus as there Lord and savior! Can I get an AMEN!!!! God is so good all the time and all the time God is so good! Today we are going to another location for medical mission and we have 5 places to go so please keep all of us in your prayers! Next Tuesday the team from Parkway arrives and I can't wait!

Tim Deans