School ministry

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes “ Isaiah 54 :2

We know that majority of missionaries got to a point of asking God to enlarge their area of ministry .We did the very same thing and after many prayers God did the miracle .

Even though in our country it is forbidden to talk about God in public Institution (in fact we were used to this from communism ),God opened up a door so that we can proclaim His truth in school system . and the opening gets wider and wider.

Recently went to one of the kindergarten and there was a teacher from another school just visiting She was trilled with the Christian program and insisted that we go to her class as well and do the same thing.

Another day we got a phone call .At the other end was a 4^th grade teacher : “ Heard from one of my friends you do kids programs .Can you put my class on your list too? And the opening gets wider and wider without us having to run and get contacts .

What we do in fact? Our ministry involves bible crafts. Under communism we were not allowed to be creative and also we were not allowed to find ways to develop creativity .Now we want to use crafts to share the truth with the kids and on the other hand to help them be creative .Anytime we are there we do a bible craft ,but before doing it we need to give a Bible explanation of what the craft means .

God proved us that this is useful for children, parents and teaches as well.

Last week’s bible lesson was about God’s power of making miracles and how He multiplied bread and fish . Usually we ask the kids right before we get out of the class ,”what do we want the craft to remind us of?”

One of the boys from the class said “about the boy that fed God “

Many times parents stopped us on the street and thank us ,some said “the only reason my child is willing to come to kindergarten is your program”.

We give glory to the Lord for many lives already changed..

However in the last 3 days Satan started to attack this ministry and there is a possibility of stopping the ministry in the whole county .The ex principal from the kindergarten in Grui wants bad to come back as a principal and the way she uses to be up on the top again is by attacking the present principal for allowing children to learn about God .Three days ago there was a sort of Christmas celebration and kids had couple of songs .There is no way to skip God’s name on this time ,you do not even have to have a relationship with Him to say Christmas is somehow linked to Jesus .Mares Gabi –the ex principal looks like she used that and made a huge deal out of it .Local Tv was present and a talk show started soon .We were socked and are still shocked .All parents that have kids in these kindergarten were asked in the talk show to take position and stop this in school system . They encouraged parents to ,take steps in stopping this and also authorities were asked to do something about it .

These days ,until Friday some decisions will be made regarding this and on Thursday or Friday we did not get an exact day ,an open talk show will be on at local TV .The man that does the show it is known as very against Christians .His name is Adi Popa .We beg for your prayers during these days .

Please pray for Mares Gabi-ex principal , David Luminita –the new principal -we pray for wisdom for her as she will have to be accountable in front of a whole county and her boss ,and may she have the right words and God will give her favor in front of all listening and watching .We also ask prayers for minister of education for our county and all authorities to realize the importance of christian programs in kindergartens and prayers for the parents to take good attitude about this .So far they were ok with the program and excited ,but because mass media put it in a bad light ,some of them started to change their opinion .

Satan is using another thing this days to destroy our word and favor as Christians .We were supposed to receive the shoe boxes about 2 weeks ago .So far they did not show up ,thought in most of the counties they were already distributed .

We are expected to do a Christmas rallies in some schools and institutions ,but the bad news is they take vacation in couple of days and there is no gift .The devil uses this to destroy our reputation .

It is Sunday and by Friday we were supposed to distribute about 4500 boxes and do a Christmas rally in some villages.

I (Estera) fight with God for few days already ,thinking that He knows the impact of this on the ministry and on us as Christians and still nothing happens .Please pray for our attitude in this trials and for God’s wonders to continue in this area…

Looking forward for more miracles

Vio&Estera

Learning from poor kids in villages

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Luke 18:17

Do you still have moments when you stop and think of what a Bible verse might mean ? The verse in Luke tell us so much of things we forgot to do or are not willing to do ,thought we say “we are His followers” .

Like ,how many of you are willing to walk in a muddy day miles and miles ,with your only pair of boots that you try to save for school ,but still you will not miss a weekly bible study .

This evening Vio got the chance to take some of the kids home and we were humbled how far this kids would walk up the hill to come and her about God and His love .Therefore we are determine to learn more and more from the children we are supposed to teach to. For we choose His kingdom ,but in our ways.

Also how many of us take things for granted …crafts in Romania it is a big deal ,and to us it is a great tool in the ministry ,for it reminds kids what they have learned and also they could show their parents what they have learned and share with their household the truth of God ,and not to mention it helps them be creative .Not only that kids here are not used to do craft ,but this evening in Bughea de Jos ,(a village that we started to teach Bible only few weeks ago for the first time ,there are 13-17 kids coming every week) they did not care for not having room and did the craft ,on the table, under the table ,on the floor and wherever ,but they all wanted to do it, including 13 years boys .Thanks to all people that gave craft supplies or school supplies ,so precious in this ministry and we encourage all of you to consider if this is a part of ministry where you want to get involve ,by providing crafts supplies and ideas . In this village one of the boys confessed to Vio that other kids and teachers at school laugh on them because they come to learn from Bible and they meet with “born again ones” ,but what he replied it really got our attention “ I rather be with them at a Bible lesson and go to heaven than kiss icons ,curse with you and go to hell”.

In Pauleasca- Micesti the poverty of the children became like routine to us ,but every week God with His sense of humor brings something new to this club as to others as well. Romanians in the villages and country side ,do not allow animals in the house .Well, couple days ago in Pauleasca the family’s cat was allowed to attend the bible club for” all creatures have to hear it” . So ,there are about 44 kids and cat attending the bible lessons now.

Every Saturday Vio goes to 3 villages to teach children there from the Bible .Badesti is one of these 3 villages where kids of different ages come .There are about 40 attending .Soon kids will have to be divided in age groups ,but no workers available .Please bring this up to the Lord ,as well as safety for Vio since he drives in 7 villages every week .

We thank God for giving us the chance to minister among such wonderful children ,so honest and eager to know the truth and hear of love ,for we get the chance not only to teach them ,but learn from them as well .Also we thank the ones that are part of ministry by praying or giving ,for thanks to their generosity hundreds of children here learn the truth and the way to Heaven in Jesus.

Teaching children and learning from them

Vio&Estera

Clothes from Neemiah House

The Lord Jesus said once “ you have the poor with you all the time” and we get to see them all over around us. Praise God there are not only poor people but generous Christians as well , willing and ready to do something about it .

Neemiah House ,proved to be such Christians that care about the needs of others around and they provided us with clothes for some people and children in our area.

To some of the people that benefit from this generosity we took pictures , and it will take many pages to write their reactions ,but they were all excited.

Florin –he is 13 and he is paralised since he was 7 or so .We noticed that his parents have a hard time looking after him ,it gets harder and harder and they did not have enough clothes to change him since he has no way to go out by himself .

He was sure glad to receive the clothes .Florin watched us as we got his jacket ,vest ,blouse and most of all his jeans . None of his parents have job ,his father drinks whatever he makes working here and there .He is staying with his parents ,his sister and his grandmother and grand-grandmother .When his grandmother saw his huge smile ,she started to cry.” You do not get to see him smiling often ,but now he is happy. Somebody cares”.

An old lady ,a neighbor from the place we do camps – Tia is 74 .In the last weeks she was sick all the time ,but when we look down to her feet she did not have proper boots ,just a pair of plastic sleepers and wet socks

For her we could find a pair of good boots ,a green vest that since last days when she got it ,she wears it even when she gets to bed ,soooooo excited about it .With her are staying her daughter with 2 little children and her husband .

Little Betty got a pink jacket .That made her forget we are there ,though usually she is excited to get visitors ,but this time ,she has her own jacket , and on the top of everything it is pink one.

Since we got bunch of diapers for babies, we went to the gypsy camp in Valea Badenilor and gave to all babies, diapers and clothes .We almost forgot of their needs ,but when you see no running water in their homes and think of the young moms washing with cold water from the river all their clothes ,then you think “ these diapers really make a difference”

Not to mention they do not know what a crib is …for the ones of you do not know ..they keep their babies in a basket, hanged over parents bed

All of them said “thank you very much “.

As we noticed these clothes brought joy into people and children’s hearts . We continue to bring some needs before the Lord ,and as God provides to take them to the ones in need.

Therefore , please pray for

• medical needs in villages (vitamins ,medicines ,diapers etc)
• hygiene supplies
• more people to get involved in the work, since the opportunities are great.

What about them?

A great man of God said once"if you want some one poor to accept your Christian tract then wrap a sandwich into it".We learned that is true especially for the kids in the orphanages we work...So many times we go and tell them about God's love and we struggle in showing it.

Last evening we had the chance to combine the Good news and practical love in one ...We had 3 birthday cakes and went in Rucar orphanage to celebrate the kids that have their birthdays in November.
They really enjoyed the cakes and we were humbled to notice their reactions for real food ,and not to mention they did not remember when was the last time they had desert or something sweet.
The little one with red blouse and green cap on ,came up with an idea and he saved all the plastic tea spoons (with leftovers of cake) so that he will have the most of cake and have some later on in his room .

After cake we went to one of their rooms and had a bible study in ‘What God meant for me”. It brought tears into some eyes ,and also some very deep questions into the older kids’minds

During the Bible study and after that we realized why was that.

As they turned 18 they have to leave the orphanage .That scares them, including the little ones thought that seems far, far away. One of the older guys from the orphanage committed suicide –he was to scare of the street and no future ,no place to stay, no way of getting a job without paying a bribe .Other ones just made it to the prison ,for the very same reason .The future looks dark right now for all the kids in this orphanage ,not only the older ones as they lost their building .

Some years ago, under communism the state had the building ,now we have democracy and people claim their properties .The same happened to the orphanage .A 93 years old lady from Bucharest ,claimed it, she got it back and according some papers she was supposed to allow the orphanage to use the buildings for 5 more years…well ,some how things stay different .She got back one of the buildings and soon she will get back the other one. Right now over 46 are crowded in one small building .Because of this the leadership of the orphanage has to find reasons to kick out the kids form the orphanage one by one .

It just happened couple of days ago with Remus .All of the sudden he was in the street ,he is one of the older guys .

Most of them look a lot older than they are though they did not even finish their school .Well, school it is not right now their main concern ,but a place to stay and a place to work for the older ones .Recently when we had a bible study on “authority” with the older ones they bought me a flower ,a little plant ,to remind me of them ,since we never know who is going next and where .It got tears into my eyes ,and in spite of all miracles we experienced before ,it also brought concern and fears for their life and future.

To them future and present does not look very well. Most of them go into village and help people to work for a piece of bread .If you think in the way back they have steak or salad or any kind of special meal then you are wrong .Their supper, after a whole day of starving and work was sort of milk(lots of water added) with soaked bread .

Please pray for:

• their troubled hearts and minds to be open and receive God’s peace and most of everything to trust God
• a place for some of them to stay , especially the older ones .
• Strength and help for us as we plan to offer them once a month a proper meal( we know it is almost nothing but it could be a start)
• Wisdom as we need to prepare future bible studies ,so that the bible studies are according their needs and reaches their hearts .One of the reasons we ask prayer for this issue it is also for we do not have resources to have bible studies for their needs ,or Bible studies for older ages. If any of you have idea or web pages as resources we would appreciate a lot your help.

For more pictures ,please check anytime http://www2.snapfish.com/home/t_=91878311

Thank you for not giving up on us and for your willingness to pray and continue to be part of ministry or start to be part in the ministry in new ways…

Estera & Viorel