We're not in Kansas anymore! #2

I've been in Europe for 9 years and I've seen many strange things! But this even shocked me! Not too long ago the family was on a little trip back from Budapest, Hungary. Like most families bathroom stops become a routine when you've got kids. It can be difficult just finding a place. Luckily enough on the highway you can find gas stations about every 100km or so. We'll we're driving and one of the kids let's me know that it's time to stop somewhere. We've not been in the car that long, so like the good dad that I am , I tell them just a little longer. This goes on a while until I know that if I don't stop I'm going to be sorry. I began the task of trying to find a clean place to stop. So I drive, and drive and then drive some more. Before I saw gas stations everywhere, but now it's like we were in the wilderness! Then like an oasis in the desert the sign began to appear out of the dark. We began to think is it real? Are we dreaming? As we got closer we realized that our oasis was real. A brand new gas station with bathrooms! Hallelujah! I think angels were singing or maybe it was the kids. I slide into the parking lot, OK not really I'm embellishing the story now. We do get out rather quickly and hurry a long to the restrooms.

This is when I learn I'm not in Kansas any more! The bathroom is locked down and the only way to get through is to pay!!! Most places in Europe you have to pay for the bathroom, but this place was to the extreme! Never have I seen a barricade blocking the entrance. You can see this in the picture above. You put money in the little slot and then it opens for you. One at a time!

I learned two valuable lessons from this experience: First, always keep plenty of money from the country your traveling in on you at all times. Second, drink less coke and water when your traveling. With any luck you wont have to stop at all!

Where's the bottom!

Just wanted to give you a quick update on our ministry here. Tonight it seemed as though the bottom fell out. Last Wednesday was so great. We packed 21 in a 9 passenger van. Our people were so excited, to see so many children come to church. They all promised to come back on Sunday, which was tonight. Well as you can already tell they did not. Ljubica, brother Rich's wife really prepared this week for them. I was excited to see her take so much initiative for the work of the Lord. When I pulled up with an empty van, the sadness spread quickly through the church.

However I can say we are looking unto the Author and Finisher of our Faith! He is still in control, we simply must be faithful.

Please pray that we will get them back next week. Also we start a Bible conference on Thursday. Please pray for God's power to be on the services!

Don't mean to sound like I'm whining, because I'm not. We just need you to pray for the work here!

Is that legal?

We had a great blessing last night at church! I drive into the Gypsy village to pick up a family that comes faithfully to our church. As I turn the corner I notice what looks like a mob in front of their house. As I got a little closer i noticed that it was about 16 kids, and they were ready for church!

We only have a 9 passenger van! By the time they all got in we had 21 people in our 9 passenger van! Praise God! I don't know if it was legal, but I didn't ask. I was able to preach to them at the church. I was surprised at how well they all listened! They all said they were coming back!

I learned later what caused them all to come to church on Wednesday night. Last week Ruben and Rebeka, Brother Rich's children, were praying for more children to come to Sunday school. A little Gypsy girl heard them and ask the teacher if she was allowed to invite people to church. This little girl went around the village inviting people to church! You never know what prayer can do, and you never know how much one person can influence others. What a blessed night it was!

Am I mad?

I was saved from a life of sin and heartache. When Jesus found me He didn't find much, that's for sure. I can honestly say with Paul that I am what I am by the grace of God! After I got saved I had the privilege of going to an independent Baptist Church. There I was taught the Bible and learned that we are to take up our cross and follow him; I learned that this world was not our home, that we are just passing through; I learned that one day soon the Lord was coming back for His children, and that we are to be living for that day! I am so glad I learned these things from the start. I had the privilege of learning from great men of God, who preached hot and heavy against sin! My heart was so stirred that my life began to change! The more I read the Bible the more I wanted to follow it, and to do what it says. Many men of God and older Christians were there to direct me into a more perfect walk with God. I developed many convictions from the beginning.

I am sadned to see so many of the men of God and Christians that I looked up to: Change! The ones that taught me the standards that I hold too no longer hold to the same standards! What's happening with America? What's happening to Bible Christianity in America? What's happened to the old fashion Preaching, and the old fashion practising what you preach?

Am I mad (crazy) or is everyone else going mad? Dear Christians we need to wake up! Souls are dying, and going to hell! Christ is on His way! Are we ready to stand in front of our Savior? What will you be doing when He returns?

God can do anything!

Praise the Lord! We have been serving in Croatia alone for sometime. Our last furlough we learned that Brother Scott Holcomb and his family surrendered to come to croatia as missionaries. Shortly after they surrendered to come here, the Croatian law changed and new missionaries could not come into the country! What a bummer. Brother Scott continued with deputation by faith. I just received a phone call from our national pastor, and he said, "I have good news, the law changed!", all I can do is praise God! For He is able to do anything! He can even change the hearts of governments! Please pray for this dear family as they try to get here as soon as possible! You pastors out there can find his information here: http://burdened4croatia.blogspot.com/

He is a good guy, and is doctrinally sound. They are coming to work along side of us, as we endevour to win this country to our Lord Jesus Christ!