Ecclesia outreach
July 2005

This summer's missions project to the city of Donduseni in Moldova involved more than two hundred young Romanian Christians from Iasi and the United States. Little Texas helped to fund this rather mammoth undertaking for the third straight year. From the outset, it seemed that it was to be a pitched, spiritual battle royale. Upon arrival, the group was informed that they could not use the prearranged school building for their computer classes. Furthermore, the large room in the Cultural Palace, also promised months ago, would not be available. The idea was to attract people with sports activities, theater pieces, computer training and evening concerts. At the last minute, after much prayer, the mayor of Donduseni intervened and the City Prosecutor's building was made available. This turned out to be providential as the site is located right next to the main market area where most of the town passes by during a normal day.

Over the next three weeks, hundreds attended the dramas, skits, children's programs, concerts and nightly chapels in the big amphitheater. Using a variety of relevant vehicles, the Gospel was proclaimed and people came to Christ. Serghei was there, serving with all his God-given passion. Part of his gifting seems to be as a magnet to attract people. Serghei has a powerful and commanding presence which affords him a natural forum to share his faith.

The second week, some fifty young people attended an evangelistic camp also put on by our group. The biblical teaching focused on the usual thorny dilemmas facing adolescents. This morphed into a significant time of discipleship and getting close to those in attendance who were interested to hear God's plan for their lives.

In keeping with the long-term vision, a new church fellowship was started in Donduseni and had met twice by the end of the three weeks. The meetings now take place in a rented room at the Cultural Palace. The first week there were more than thirty seekers and new believers in attendance. The second Sunday, in spite of a torrential thunderstorm, some twenty souls braved the foul weather to be at the worship service.

By a movement of the Holy Spirit, our dedicated group of young missionaries established a beachhead. There is now a Christian church in that city of many thousands where no such Kingdom outpost had existed.

In September, Argentin and Jenna, one of our intrepid Romanian missionary couples from the neighboring town of Taul, will move to Donduseni. Once there, they will begin the all-important evangelistic follow-up as they pilot this fledgling fellowship. This sold-out couple is focused on taking the Gospel to towns and hamlets where it has not been proclaimed and planting new expressions of the body of Christ. Places like Taul, Tirnova and now Donduseni. We are no less focused on supporting and sustaining them spiritually, emotionally and, of course, financially. In large measure, the now greater fruits of Little Texas are addressing many of those needs. Pray for Argentin and Jenna as they prepare to pull up tent stakes and "extend" them, all the way to Donduseni.