Ministering to Women…
Her crestfallen countenance telegraphed to the world a mother's anguish. Olga had already borne the weeping agony of a seeping heart wound for years when Jana, an across-the-hall neighbor, began to reach out to her. Olga and her husband are a fifty-something Russian couple who run a small-animal veterinary clinic in Donduseni, Moldova. They had two grown sons. Two, that is, until one son killed the other with a knife in a fit of rage. Horrified, numbed, and in shock, mom and dad buried one son and watched the other taken off to prison. Three years later, this modern day Cain was released.
Savagely haunted by the pointless tragedy, Olga could never bring herself to forgive her wayward, but remorseful son. Jana began ministering to her-sharing and living out the love of Christ. Olga was tortured daily by her private family demons. Jana brought the only ray of white light into the dark night of that very dark soul.
Upon entering 2006, I felt that this should be the year in which we focused more on ministering to women. In our neck of the woods, women are the LAST in line to receive essential care and nurturing attention. I was approached in early April with a request to have Little Texas help sponsor a women's retreat in the mountains. I jumped at the chance, the decision made all the easier since a banner year had brought an increase in profits available for ministry. Added to the appeal was the fact that non-Christian women would be invited from both Romania and Moldova. Jana, now her precious and trusted confidant, invited Olga to attend. This was to be Olga's first trip out of Moldova.
Moreover, it was the very first time that Olga would experience the love of Christ through the fellowship of believers in a warm and nurturing environment. The Holy Spirit's anointing helped to lead Olga beside the still waters out into a spacious place, an oasis of grace and mercy she had never known before. Later, Olga would confide to Jana that through the conference she had "found the grace to forgive her son." Olga is in the process of turning to the Lord so that He might heal the jagged scar left on her heart by that knife thrust all those years ago.
Pray for Olga, for Jana and for our new church plant in Donduseni-there are many more "Olga's" in town.
A gracious gift from a former enemy
Part of our Moldovan vision was to open a dental clinic as a Christian touch-point where no such facility existed. With the help of many of you, and profits diligently applied from Little Texas and our real estate projects, this vision has become a reality. Our first dental clinic, put on in July with dentists from Memphis, yielded more than improved oral hygiene in the village.
Igor is a veteran of Russia's war in Afghanistan. He is also a product of the Communist regime's propaganda machine. America, the dogma asserts, is the "Great Satan, the enemy." Igor's dilemma was what to do now that he was suffering and in excruciating pain from an infected tooth. The whole village of Taul was abuzz with the news that American dentists had come to provide free dentistry in that new clinic built by the Pocaitii or "Repented Ones" (derogatory slang for Christians). At length, agony won out over geopolitical angst. Igor came to the clinic. Once there, he was treated with respect, Christian kindness, and professional dental care. All of this through the very American hands of his lifetime enemy, America. All of this at no cost because it was a free, unmerited gift. Through caring American hands, Igor was cured.
His pain now gave way to perplexity. "How could my avowed enemy treat me with such compassion, receiving nothing in return?" Unable to fold and fit his old paradigm into this new gift box, Igor was inextricably drawn to ask more searching questions. The quest for answers has led Igor each week to attend the bible study that takes place at our missionary house with Florin and Kati. You know them … they are those "Pocaitii" who have opened a new dental clinic in town.
Pray for Igor to accept the Lord's free gift of grace as well.
The reality of the spiritual battle in Moldova
I have likened our ministry in Moldova to urban spiritual warfare, fought house to house and soul for soul. One of the houses is that of Boris. His wife-the long-suffering Lyuba-is a believer, wretchedly scratching out an existence while she fervently prays for salvation to come to the rest of her family. Their oldest son is in prison for nearly beating a man to death and forcing him to eat glass. Their son Valeriu, age twenty-three, came home recently after a night "on the town" and proceeded to brutally beat both Boris and Lyuba. We visited just days later. Lyuba gingerly sat on the couch, wincing noticeably from the pummeling. Boris was in the other room sleeping off another drunken bender.
Their nineteen-year-old daughter, Olia, attended a Christian Summer camp we helped to put on two years ago. During the time of evangelism, she began to manifest demonic behavior. Shrieking wildly, she flailed her arms, writhing violently. Two strong young men could not subdue her. This dark and sinister manifestation sent tremors through the entire camp. Olia has a reputation as a girl of easy virtue.
That day, when we again visited Lyuba, we spoke at length with Valeriu about Jesus. He was clearly penitent for having beaten his mother, staying a long time to speak to Dan and myself about spiritual things. Satan's skin is tightly stretched around their home. Lyuba, the only flicker of light, perseveres in faith.
A month later we were again in their home, this time with Sam Metcalf as part of our group. Boris was sitting in a chair, dead drunk. Dan began to speak to Boris. Boris was scarcely intelligible as he slurred his words. Sam asked for permission to pray for Boris. We all bowed our heads. Sam commanded Boris to look directly at him. Eye contact is something Boris never made. Sam prayed a prayer of deliverance, speaking more through rather than to Boris. I sensed a sulfur-like burning around my eyes and nose. As Sam finished praying, I raised my head and noticed at once the clear and calm expression on Boris' face. He was stone sober. My days as a bartender in another life told me that one does not "sober up" in a matter of minutes. Clearly something had transpired.
In early October, Dan and I were again in Boris and Lyuba's home. Boris had only taken one drink in the intervening days. As we spoke to Boris, I sensed that he was on the right path. He even played his beloved accordion for us. He was pretty good, too! It is sad to think what his life could have been. But we seek to save his soul. Truly the Lord is at work as the battle rages on in this home, like so many such homes in Moldova. We are in the thick of the fight, as well, and you are all there with us.
Thank you for supporting and sustaining our ministry.
A moment of joy in the midst of suffering
After standing by helplessly for several years, watching both their son's lives ebb away due to a wasting muscular disease, Volodi and Maria were adrift in a sea of heartsick sorrow. Through our missionaries, Maria eventually came to Christ. Volodi, a master builder, accepted our offer and was hired to help build our mission center in Taul. He has been, however, noncommittal regarding the salvation issue. The toll of losing both sons, and the challenge of Moldovan life in general, contrived over time to rob Maria of her health. Although not yet fifty, her vital internal organs are virtually wasting away.
Sensing her death was drawing near, she had Volodi phone to Argentin, begging that he arrange for her to be baptized that very night. Dan and I were in Taul at that time with a group from Birmingham. A hasty baptism ceremony was immediately scheduled to take place in the mayor's bath tub (indoor plumbing being a rarity). That night, we crowded into the tiny kitchen outside the bathroom. Prayer was offered for Maria as she gave public witness to her faith and conversion. Her husband Volodi was there, giving mute testimony to his anguish while witnessing what were perhaps his wife's final moments.
As a couple they are, in fact, devoted to each other. Maria, weak, pale and wan, nevertheless arose from the makeshift anointing with a beaming countenance. Maria's one wish is to see her beloved Volodi come to faith in her Beloved Savior and receive the believer's baptism.
Would you join us in praying for Volodi's soul?
With grateful hearts for your partnership
Back in Iasi we rejoice in the fruit of our collective labor in running Little Texas and our real estate endeavors. At Little Texas, the Lord has provided us with an unexpected 20% increase in revenue and profits over 2005.
Furthermore, by God's grace and through Ben and Gerimie's faithful toil, the housing projects have produced an additional $160,000 in profits for ministry. Pray that we might be given great wisdom and discernment in stewarding these resources for the Kingdom.
Your investment in our ministry has helped to create and sustain all of the foregoing. For this we are truly grateful to the Lord.