HOPE CHURCH, DRGNETI-OLT

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. The month of May was a month full of joy as we welcomed back to the ministry Florina and Mark Darvell along with their 9 month old son, David. We are so happy that they will be serving our Lord here in Oltenia with us once again. The Darvells returned with wonderful news that they again will be parents for the second time when they receive a new little one in approximately 6 months. We pray for Gods protection to be upon them and for the Lords strength in these days. The week of May 17th, we were blessed by a visiting team from Atlanta, Georgia. Sister Mimi held special meetings to minister into the lives of the women. She spoke in the villages of Coteana and Stoenesti as well as Draganesti-Olt with approximately 30 women attending these events. The message to these women was that they are Special. The women participated and asked questions and went home encouraged by Mimis words from the Lord for them. Please pray for these women that attended that they would receive personal salvation from Jesus and please pray for us, as a team, to have knowledge in building healthy relationships with these same women and sew into their lives. The men from Atlanta, Georgia assisted Marian Stoica and other young men from our church family to renovate the bathroom and kitchen at the Mission House in Draganesti-Olt. The team was so helpful in making the conditions at the Mission House much better for visiting teams. May God reward these brothers for helping us in this way. During this same time in May, we also were blessed with a visiting team from Sumter, South Carolina who was with us from May 20- 31st. Both of these churches, Atlanta and Sumter; collaborate with the ministry here and visit us annually and serve us with much love from their hearts. The team from Sumter worked very hard during their 11 days on our church facility. In one day they laid all of the parquet flooring in the new sanctuary. They built us a stage and completed stairs for the

sound booth as well as they laid carpet for the stage and steps. During this same time, Brother Mihai and Brother Cristi laid tile on the hall and stairs in the entrance. It was with great joy that we were able to hold our very first service on Sunday, May 29th in the new sanctuary during Sumters visit. Thank you to our dear Brothers and Sisters from Sumter who made this possible for us. In Stoenesti, Brother George Serban was encouraged by a visiting team that blessed the ministry there by helping in many ways. They helped with construction on the church building; childrens ministry; and social aide for families in need. At the beginning of May, a Romanian family from Canada also visited and were touched by the vision for Gods work in Stoenesti. In this same week, on the Tuesday, they held a church meeting where 30 people attended to listen to the word of God proclaimed through this same brother. But, there was also a difficult time; a dear sister who desires to be baptized; was badly beaten by her husband for becoming a Christian along with her daughter. It has been a horrible experience for them, but, we have prayed and we rejoice in our Lord Jesus for comforting them during this time and she has said, my body can be broken but my soul cannot be touched. Please pray for this family, especially the husband, to be delivered and saved in the Name of Jesus. In Coteana, Brother Daniel Opris, along with brothers and sisters from Romania and across the Ocean; visited many in this village and shared the gospel with many on the streets. Sisters from Draganesti-Olt as well as a Sister from the USA invited women and girls to a meeting and 19 came. Praise God. We would ask you for prayer for this village and for 2 sisters who received Jesus into their hearts last year. We pray for growth and prosperity from the Lord in this village, Coteana. In Pestra, Brothers Mihai and Marian have obtained a contract for a donation of land there. This land is now under Hope Church in Draganesti-Olt and we pray for the future that we will have a house of worship there in Pestra on this same land. Please pray for this. We would ask you to please join in praying for the repentance and salvation of people here in our region. Please pray for the workers in the Mission here to be encouraged and for Gods hand of protection to be upon each one in every area of ministry. We want to thank you for what youve done for us and how Gods leads for the future.

HOPE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH, DRAGANESTI-OLT & MISSION TO SOUTHERN OLTENIA