Calvary Baptist Church

• Lana's Asthma
• Church plant in Baneasa
• Land for the church in Baneasa
• Christmas programs at our church

It is hard to believe that 15 years have passed by since we started our first church in Romania. It seems like yesterday that we held the first service in the cultural house. God has been very gracious to us and we had a wonderful anniversary service. We had over 120 in attendance, many visitors, testimonies of people saved through the years and a meal together. We are so thankful for all that God has done and we are looking forward to what he is going to do in the future.


A great burden of mine is to help parents in training the next generation. A large percentage of the families in our church have young children. Some of these parents grew up in the church, and now that they are married, have many questions about raising their own children.

So during the first week of November we invited Bryan and Yvonne Olden over to lead a Family Life Conference. For three days they taught our church people. Then we headed to another part of Romania and held a two day conference for national pastors and their workers. Many people told me that it was very much needed. In America you can find many books and materials that you can offer people, but here in Romania there is very little. I recorded the conference and have DVDs available for anyone who missed the conference or needs this kind of teaching. Thank you Tabernacle Baptist Church and Pastor Kevin Whitacre for sending the Oldens to Romania!

Even though we have lived in Romania for 15 years, it is still hard to understand what people face on a daily basis, especially when it concerns going to the hospital and dealing with doctors. Americans don't know how good they have it! In Romania, socialized medicine means you have to pay the doctor separate, and you never know what that means. We went to the doctor in September expecting to get Josiah's last pin out, but were shocked when he told us that he wanted us to get him an American soldier's uniform, a pair of American soldier boots and an American motorcycle. Not a Harley Davidson, but something for around 1-2 thousand dollars. Then he told us that we could come back in
2-3 months with his payment, and then he would take Josiah's last pin out!

Naturally, we were horrified and did not know what to think! We came back to Constanta and contacted a Christian doctor to find out if this was reasonable. She was shocked and told us that the doctor was way out of line! Then she took us to an orthopedic hospital in Eforia Sud. Dr. Nicholae, a Christian surgeon, was very gracious and scheduled Josiah for the following Monday to take the pin out. He said that it was not good to leave the pin in any longer than it had been in, and that the bone was healed.

We are very anxious to put this whole ordeal in the past! Thank God that His grace is ENOUGH for any trial. Thank God for his protection for the past 15 years and that we have not had more visits to the hospital! God has kept us, and He has helped us to realize that even when we find ourselves in the emergency room..... He is there with us!