Japan in Romania?

We were able last weekend to make a trip to Gherla, Romania to minister in the Open Bible Church there.  We had a blessed time ministering and fellowshipping with our friends there.  On the way back, we were invited to stop in Cluj and meet a missionary from Japan.

Katsu in the chapel at the back of the Japanese tea house.

 Katsutaro and his wife Kayoko work with the Church of God in Romania, but Kayoko is originally from the Open Bible Church in Kobe, Japan.  They not only lead a church, but also minister to those who come to the Japanese Tea House managed by Katsu in downtown Cluj.  Katsu also finds time to teach Japanese culture in various schools. After Katsu introduced us to their work in Cluj, Kayoko treated us and our friend Karen Rose to a wonderful home-cooked Japanese meal.

One of the employees of the Japanese Tea House

We enjoyed the afternoon listening to stories of God's wonderful acts in Japan and Romania.  It's always good to make new friends, wherever we find them.

New Grandbaby

We are happy to announce that we have a new grandbaby!  Mychael JoAnn was born Thursday to our son Mark and his wife Nadine.  She weighed 9 pounds and 7 ounces and is 20 inches long.  She is welcomed by her older brothers Nathan (4) and Isaac (2). 
We are very excited to have a baby girl in the family!  After three sons and three grandsons, this little girl will be well spoiled by her Grandma and Papa!

Traveling to Romania

We leave on Saturday for a couple of days in Gherla, Romania.  Mike has been invited to preach at the Open Bible Church there, something he is always happy to do when he can.  Please pray for good traveling weather.  We must drive over a mountain pass and they are having a snowstorm today.  We also ask that you pray for God's anointing on Mike as he speaks and that God will raise up godly leaders for these dear people.

What's that?

Doesn't this just make your mouth water?  Know what it is?  It's Nancy's lunch--pizza with ham and corn.  Yumm!

Almost Finished with First Book

Many of you already know this, but we wanted to let everyone know our latest news.  The first book of Level Two INSTE, Church Leadership, is in its final reading!  That means that the book has been translated and edited and is now being proofread.  Soon it will be ready for a pilot group to study.  We are hoping to have all four books of the first semester finished by fall so our pilot group can start then.  Two more books are in the process now.  The second book is being edited and the third book is being translated.  Soon the translators will begin work on the fourth book.  This is so exciting!  The need is great in Hungary for pastors and other church leaders to be trained.  God has provided INSTE as a wonderful means of meeting this need and we--and you--have a chance to be a part of it.  Special thanks to all of you who have given funds to have Level Two INSTE translated into Hungarian.  God bless you!