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"Though one may be
overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."---Ecc. 4:12 | ||
| Dear
friends and fellow stakeholders, It is amazing how much better the battle with Darkness goes when you have a supportive group behind you. For their valiant service with us over the past three months, Aurelia and I would like to dedicate this letter to the team. Looking back in my prayer journal, today, I found an entry on June 7; it was for our team to grow stronger. We can't help but think that the events of the last few months were God's answer to that prayer. Friends tell me that the Iraq war has made Americans battle-weary or perhaps many have just grown out of the spiritual battle phase implied in I John 1:12-14. The easiest thing for us to do would be to give up the battle and permit immorality to pervade the church, homosexuals to marry and raise children, etc. But we are all called to lead this mission of Love, regardless of what is on CNN. So although this might not be financially lucrative, I'm going to use military analogies with the hope of bringing you some encouragement, strength and healing from our loving Commander in Chief (God who spoke from the burning bush, not the presently burning Bush). My advisers have reminded me that many of you have never served in uniform, so whether you disapprove of the present war or didn't serve in uniform, think of a war movie you liked--Braveheart, Ben Hur, M*A*S*H, Veggie Tales' Joshua and Jericho. Got it? OK, read on.  A key to winning battles is to have soldiers of the highest quality. By drawing our team only through your recommendations, we have sacrificed financial gain to limit membership to only people whose lives are characterized by love and integrity. For we know that "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16). And, as when I was in the armor battalion calling upon the field artillery, we felt the power of your prayers with us destroying the strongholds of Darkness.  For soldiers to win
in battle, they must know each other and how they will act in battle.
(For David, even how his soldiers drank water was important.) Soldiers
often don't get to go home in the evening but live, sleep, and fight for
months in the foxholes. There is no way to know someone better. We make
sure that we know our supporters and they know us. We are a team, so I
am open with you about our correspondence, our trials, and even our
failures. You, the stakeholders in this ministry should be as involved
as you desire. In a world recently shaken by the likes of Enron, many
people are seeking love and honesty. "Love and integrity" was our battle
hymn long before it hit Wall Street and it will be long after it is out
of style. We are determined to make this ministry an outlet for those
who cherish these character traits and a source from which the children
of Romania can receive them. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in
the counsel of the wicked." (Ps. 1:1) Human nature is such that we
become like those with whom we associate. Thus, we choose and review our
partners carefully. We take relationships seriously and one thing that
the Army impressed on me was to give people every opportunity to
succeed. I am very impressed with our team and how they gave our former
accounting agency every opportunity to correct themselves and put into
practice written policies. But, when a soldier refuses to make
correction to ensure victory in battle and safety for himself and the
group, he needs to be gently and lovingly released from his duties as
Matthew 18 advocates. Feeling like Larry the Cucumber among creamed French peas from Jericho, we are seeing fruit in our year of learning and planning. Sure, there will still be some terrorist action. But what is meant for evil is achieving good and God has richly blessed us beyond what we could ask or imagine. Let me share that with you.  Operations
The Romanian house assembly is going well. Pisti and Geta lead some
phenomenal worship and I have led some Bible studies. They seem to show
the fruit of salvation and should be a big help in our plans to train
missionaries in Romanian culture. Please pray as I prepare studies to
teach how to study the Bible. |
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Praises
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 Prayer requests
In loving service of our Commanding Officer,Laurent & Aurelia Pictures: Above and right, just some cherished members of this team. After each paragraph: the crest of the IV Infantry Division where I served prior to serving in the Lord's Vineyard. |
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© 2004