Upon arriving in Taul, Moldova five years ago, Florin and Kati began to live their lives as witnesses for Christ as our sent missionaries. One initial idea for outreach was to show the Jesus film. At no small expense, posters were printed and posted. The backlash began immediately against these "Pocaiti" (Po-kah-yeets, a derogatory term for Christians). A professor from the local college tore the posters down. During this time the Secretary for the Communist party, a woman of fierce reputation, set about to organize a village-wide riot, aimed at driving the heretical evangelists out.

Florin and Kati clung to their faith, their calling, and God's promises. They did not hide His light under a bushel basket. Florin and Kati shined that light in the darkest places by living a life worthy of their calling. In the face of such threats, Christ, our anchor, held amidst those early squalls and storms.

The Word took root, people came to Christ. The fledgling ministry spread and churches were planted. With your help, and that of Little Texas and Bethel, our Mission Center was completed last year. Miraculously, the Lord opened the dental clinic as well, with Kati as dentist. Overnight Taul and the surrounding villages learned of the caring and heretofore unavailable essential services offered by those "Pocaiti."

Providentially, in the passage of time, the Communist party Secretary began to suffer from a badly infected tooth. At length, in excruciating pain, she appealed to Kati for relief. Kati obliged. The former foe was treated, the virulent infection healed. A relationship, then a friendship ensued. The woman, a devout atheist, came to accept the existence of God. She appealed to the Almighty for forgiveness. Kati now meets routinely with this new friend, teaching and explaining the Christian life. But mostly Kati models holiness for yet one more who turned and was healed-body and soul.

And, oh by the way, the poster-shredding professor has also become a good friend. A gifted musician himself, he now teaches piano to Ema, Florin and Kati's 7-year-old daughter. That puts the good professor in their home and, thus, in God's radiant light.

Mission Center Update

The Mission Center and Dental Clinic in Taul, Moldova, has become somewhat of a haven for the socially marginalized and ostracized.

Village life in Moldova has its vicious, almost vulture-like side. The good citizens can tend to voraciously feed on the carrion of people's shattered, decaying lives. Sadly lacking a port in the storm, many come to the Center for simple refuge. It is an oasis of unconditional love and acceptance, a lighthouse of hope.

Ion and Aliona, he a fireman she a seamstress, are among those drawn to that light. They both came to Christ and wanted to be baptized. In doing so they faced great opposition from family, friends and not a few vultures. They became marginalized, ostracized. Their only refuge was to be found in their new community of believers.

For a time, Ion and Aliona left for Moscow, seeking to earn more money. Aliona's mother begged her not to go. Soon after Ion and Aliona arrived in Moscow, back in Taul, Aliona's mother hung herself in a fit of despair. Severely shaken, Aliona blames herself for the tragedy. She carries a deep-seated sense of guilt. Aliona knows the truth, her mother was not a believer and, therefore, she is lost for eternity.

Pray for Ion and Aliona, for continued growth in their new faith and Jesus' emotional healing.