News From the North....

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Greetings from the Fall Colored North,

Yep, it’s fall here already. In fact, fall usually begins here at the end of August. We talk to folks from “down south” and it’s still summer, they’re still battling heat and wishing for rain while we’re seeing winds of 40+mph, lots of rain and getting our cars winterized. But there the up side… the Coho’s are here, duck season is upon us and deer season is in full swing. 

Can we talk about Romania? It lacks the romance, the allure of Africa or India. It’s Europe, for crying out loud. How bad off can the Church there really be? The Gospel has been on the continent for many hundreds of years; there are churches, there are preachers. Why Romania? Because the truth is that generations of communist rule and isolation has crippled the Church there. Romania actually ranks below India in standard of living and quality of life. Atheism is still the dominant world view. The isolation that the Church suffered has created a dearth of leadership and an abundance of bad doctrine. And it created an atmosphere of distrust that makes it hard to connect with people, whether in the Body or not.

For whatever reason, God has given us favor in this nation; favor with influential leaders in the Church and favor with the people. Doors have been opened that will allow us to train and equip leaders in the Church; men and women that will disciple a nation, win the lost, plant churches and shepherd congregations.  We believe this is critical not just for Romania but for Eastern Europe. We see this as a peaceful insurgency, a battle to see our brothers and sisters set free to bring the Kingdom of God to their nation. We see schools of ministry springing up across the nation, training and releasing mighty men and women of God, people full of the Father’s heart, motivated by love and moving in His power. 

But we can’t do it without going. And we can’t go without your help. This trip is coming up fast. November 7th is just days away. 

Unfortunately, Julie won’t be able to make this trip. But we are hoping and believing that she’ll be able to make the next one. 

Wow, what a cool thing the Father is doing here, forging relationships that have the potential to reach a city for His Kingdom. Pastor Ondicho has been hard at work getting ministry opportunities lined up and it looks great. Open-air evangelism, teaching in churches, and a seminar for the Body of Christ! All we have to do is show up! This will also be an exploratory trip. A big part of the reason for going to Kenya is to see if God would have us partner with Pastor Ochindo in reaching Kenya for the Kingdom. 

THE OUTSTANDING NEED...
The need for this 2 country trip is $4800 - $3000 for the Romanian leg and $1800 for the Kenyan leg (covering airfare & room and board). To date, we have received $2100, leaving a balance of $2700 needed immediately! Please, prayerfully consider joining the battle by giving towards this trip.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...
When we get too introspective, too focused on our performance or our love for God rather than delighting in His love for us we run the risk of turning our love for Him into an unfulfillable work. We love Him because He first loved us. This doesn't mean we never check our hearts: of course we do. It just means we don’t get stuck there. Our intimacy with the Father should result in joyful wonder at the love He has for us and a desire to bless Him with our good works; not from a need to be accepted but because we are accepted!

Yours for the Kingdom,

Mark & Julie

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