Spring 2007
ROMANIAN YOUTH IN HUNGARY
My first mission in 1990 changed my life. It has been our desire to get others involved in looking beyond their own country. What could be better than introducing the young people from the Romanian Church we visit, with the youth of the Church in Hungary. For many of them it was the first time out of the country, a time they would never forget!
We had talked about it for a long time, but now the day had come. I will never forget the sight of the row of 16 Romanian young people, as they walked single file across the border. The youth of both countries shared a wonderful time together as they evangelized in the community. The return visit was filled with the same excitement as the Hungarian band performed in an open air concert in the park at Lipova. The fellowship they enjoyed was a pleasure to see. At the end of the day they laughed and chatted in a café owned by one of the church members. The visits had proved to be an insight for both groups of young people. One of the Romanian girls said, ”This has been the best day of my life”.
UKRAINE BELARUS & RUSSIA
It was a great pleasure for us to visit Belarus for the first time. The worship band on the left sang with passion and skill. As we presented them with an electro acoustic guitar, the girl with the mic, broke down in tears as she told us that they had been praying since last October for such an instrument. They needed a guitar that could be used both in the church and for outreach on the streets. They appreciated the gift so much, that in spite of being poor themselves, they decided to take up an offering for our work with Guitar Aid. I received their gift with gratitude and dignity. Giving is not about wealth, but about obedience. What they gave was from the heart. It was a humbling experience.
The people in Belarus
have a lovely spirit. Poverty and persecution has given way to power and passion. It was a pleasure to stay in their homes and share time with them.
Taking the scripture, God would give us every place our feet tread, we took the opportunity to catch the over night train to Moscow. What an experience! What a place! Since we were kids we had dreamed of standing in Red Square. This part of the world is advancing so fast that it’s hard to keep up with the progress. This is a busy year for us. Next month we are taking our 8yr old daughter Becky with us to the orphanage in Romania. This will be her first visit there. She is planning to teach the children how to make birthday cards. In June, John and I will be taking guitars to Togo and Ghana in West Africa. If you would like to sponsor an instrument, in spite of the effects of inflation, we can still give someone a guitar for as little as £39.
Getting a visa for Belarus can be quite a lengthy process. Last time we went to the Ukraine, we had to be content to meet Pastor Dima and Cola on the Ukrainian side of the Belarus border. This time was different, with our visas we were free to travel wherever Dima wanted us to go. Visiting the Gypsy churches was an eye opener for us. As we arrived the confusion seemed to border on anarchy! We were not used to their ways! Soon things were under control and the room was transformed as the presence of God entered the place.