November & December - 2011

Following the many commitments made from young people in the summer we decided that there was a need for discipleship courses in the village. We began talking with the local pastor from the village about the weekly youth meeting we would like to hold for the many young people with nothing to do and little contact with church, in our village. This has been difficult to arrange as Nicu is a part time pastor who works full time. We have decided that initially a youth club night for all the young people will develop our relationships with them before we see who needs lead through bible study time.

Matthew has began the long preparation for the spring tour next year. It will be in the UK and Europe and there will be a small team from Romania. We plan to hold praise evenings with many well know hymns of praise in both Romanian and English. We hope to visit some of the churches while we are in Scotland for Christmas, weather permitting of course.

Matthew has enrolled at the Highland Theological College in Dingwall to begin a distance learning course. He is excited about the prospect of studying and has plans of making headway with this through the long winter. He has been considering this for a long time so pray God will allow him to focus as he begins.

Please remember Adi as he studies for his masters in theology. Although it will be a more flexible learning course it has been initially a lot of work and exams. He is thoroughly enjoying the new learning and challenge but he is away from home a lot so remember Tabita, Ruben and Filip.

Our neighbors are well although Mr Gita has been in hospital for 2 weeks with a knee problem. We left before he was released so don’t fully know how things went. Pray for them over the winter as the expect extreme temperatures

I am writing this from Scotland. Its actually Sunday and I have stayed home from church with Elijah as he has a heavy cold and high temperature. He is sleeping like a baby next door and long may it last! It is great to be surrounded by friends and family and great to be back in our home church for the holidays. Matthew has already spent some time getting to know our ‘not so new pastor’ as well as playing Santa for some of the church parties!

As some of you will know already I am expecting a little brother or sister for Elijah! While I am here in Scotland I hope to visit the hospital for scans etc but as we are here over the holiday period I am not sure this will be possible. Pray for us as we try to think ahead to this summer. The baby is due in June and as you know this is our busiest season. Pray we will find a way to continue with no disruption to the summer program yet Matthew and I will be at ease with the plans too. We know that Gods plan is greater than ours and we need to be lead in His will.

We plan to go back home to Romania early in January. This again will be weather permitting but we want to get back to begin the youth nights in the village as the winter can be a long boring time for the young people.

We are praying that you all have a wonderful time with family and friends over the festive period. May God bless you abundantly and we celebrate the true ‘reason for the season’.

Merry Christmas from The Marshalls