Japanese Family

Our guests at lunch on Sunday, left to right:  Gabi Hosu, Simi Hosu, Mike, Katsu Kawai, Kayako Kawai and Minori Nakayama

What a wonderful surprise it was Sunday morning when some Japanese guests came to church!  Katsutaro and Kayoko Kawai are missionaries from Japan and have ministered for many years in Cluj, the city just 45 kilometers from us.  They came Sunday morning to visit the Open Bible Church in Gherla because they have an intern staying with them for three months, Minori Nakayama, who is from the Open Bible Church in Kobe, Japan.  Kayoko grew up in the Open Bible Church in Japan also, so it was a joyous occasion to connect with church family from around the globe.  Katsu preached and led some worship and the ladies sang some songs with him, some in Japanese and some in Romanian.  The message was from Romans 10 about loving our countries and our people enough to pray and work fervently for their salvation. something we all committed to do.
After church, we invited our Japanese friends along with Pastors Simi and Gabi Hosu to have lunch with us.  Even though it was simple American food, chili and cornbread, they all ate it and said they enjoyed it.  It was exciting to be able to share about the Lord and about the brothers and sisters in Christ that we all knew including Tammy Swailes and Mike and Dara Rasavanh. 
We look forward to possibly working in the future with the Kawais in Cluj County.  May the Lord continue to bless and multiply their influence for the Kingdom of God.

Thanksgiving, Romanian Style

The beautiful Thanksgiving display arranged by the ladies

 Romania has no national Thanksgiving holiday, but that does not stop the churches of Romania from celebrating God's goodness and giving him thanks.  Last Sunday the Open Bible Church in Gherla did just that.  The ladies made a beautiful display of the bounty of the harvest from the Lord. The morning service included songs of praise and thanks to God and Pastor Simi gave a short sermon on the one leper who returned to Jesus to give him thanks.  The reason Pastor Simi's sermon was short was because many people responded to the invitation to come to the front and share what God had done for them and what they thanked Him for. 

Pastor Simi served beverages at the potluck

After the service there was a potluck with many delicious foods.  The pan of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting we shared were gobbled up even though they are an American specialty the Romanians had not tasted before.  The best part of the meal was the fellowship we had with each other and the opportunity to get acquainted with the guests who attended for the first time.
We thank God for this church and for the many lovely people here.  What a wonderful Thanksgiving it was!

We Appreciate Our Pastor

Pastor Simi Hosu, his wife Gabi and sons Elias and Lucas. (Pastor Simi is an avid selfie-taker.)

This month is Pastor Appreciation Month and a perfect time to say that we appreciate Pastor Simi Hosu.  He is a lover of God, an exceptional musician and has been a worship leader for many years who enters the presence of God and brings the rest of us into God's presence with him.  Pastor Simi is also a lover of people, always concerned with the needs of others, talking with and visiting with people to find out how they are doing.  He cannot go anywhere without meeting people he knows and he takes the time to greet them when he does.  The fact that Pastor Simi enthusiastically and humbly loves God and loves people is what led to him being chosen to pastor the Open Bible Church in Gherla, Romania.  It was not a position he sought after, but one that God placed him in.  It is our prayer that we will be able to be an encouragement and a help to Pastor Simi as he continues to grow in his role as pastor and field director.  We love you, Pastor Simi!

Pastor's Wife Appreciation

Gabi made this birthday cake for her son Lucas's 12th birthday.  The peach-yogurt cake was not only beautiful, but light and delicious!

 This is our pastor's wife, Gabriela (Gabi) Hosu.  She is an amazing woman of God and we thank the Lord for her.  Not only is she a vital part of the worship team, she also is the church bookkeeper and accompanies her husband on many of his calls. Like many pastor's wives, she handles a million details behind the scenes.  She is especially helpful to us in that she interprets for us any time we speak at the church or any time we need help communicating in Gherla. She even cuts our hair! May God bless her and meet all her needs!

Gabi interpreting for Mike as he gives a five-minute talk on being a blessing to others.

The newly-completed street in front of the church.

Update:  At the beginning of spring, the street in front of the church was torn up to be replaced.  Work on the street continued all summer and was only recently finished.  Instead of asphalt, it is now a cobblestone street which makes drivers slow down a bit.  Plus, the sidewalks on either side were narrowed a bit, making the street a little wider and allowing for better traffic flow.  We are so thankful the work is completed and cars can park near and in front of the church again.

Debrecen Visit

Over the weekend the two of us drove five hours to Debrecen, Hungary for a couple of days of ministry.  Friday and Monday we took care of some Inste business and on Saturday and Sunday Mike preached in four Open Bible churches.  We also did a little shopping and picked up a couple of items that we have not found here in Romania yet.  We had a wonderful time seeing our friends and enjoying the presence of the Lord.  Praise God for those who were filled with the Holy Spirit over the weekend.  Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Julicska neni listening to Mike speak.  She is 94 years old and told us she made a special effort to come to church to see us Sunday morning.  She is such a sweet, godly woman.

The small church in Nyiregyhaza received us with much joy and enthusiasm

Mike preaching in Kemecse.  Patrik interpreted for us on Saturday

Sunday morning at the Debrecen church.  We were pleased that three of our former neighbors came to hear Mike preach

Mike preaching in Gavavencsello.  Misha interpreted for us on Sunday.

Good news came this weekend, too.  Pastor Misi Gulyas announced that Open Bible Churches in Hungary is once again recognized by the Hungarian government as an official denomination.  That recognition has many benefits including eligibility for special financial programs.  The church has been praying for seven years for this status to be restored.  Praise God!