Serve Romania News December 2011
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine
in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
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Important News!
We will be in the States in February and March and we'd love to see you. Please let us know if you want to "pencil in" a time to get together, have us speak to your small group, or just catch up over coffee. We would appreciate an opportunity to share with you what God is doing in Romania, plus our anticipated ministry going forward. In addition, our daughter, Hannah, will be getting married!
She and her fiancé, Kip Staton, will be married while we are at home!
Please scroll down to see important prayer requests. |
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Merry Christmas from Romania
We are ever so thankful that we are here and have opportunity to share the light of Christ. It is a privilege to serve with you and we thank God for you always!
Winter has arrived with a beautiful display of snow and we are looking forward to spending our first Christmas in Romania. Please enjoy the updates and don't miss the special announcements (left) and specific prayer requests to follow!
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A "Ro-merican" Thanksgiving
We spent Thanksgiving Day in nearby Buziaș, thanks to some precious friends who drove us there, then picked us up! Some missionary families in this area invited us to share a traditional American "pot-luck" meal. We met some special people and had a great day. Romania celebrates a "day of thanksgiving" in the Fall called Zuia de Mulțumire. It is a harvest celebration and time to reflect on God's blessings. We were privileged to be with the believers in the village of Iablanița for this special day in late October. The children and teens proudly sang songs and quoted bible verses they recently learned! The sermons reminded us that "thankful people are happy people." Several unbelievers from the village attended and heard the gospel.
Below left: Jim preaching with Brother Eddy translating. Harvest decorations in foreground. Right: The sweet folks from Iablinița gave us the huge loaf of bread to take home.
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The Titus II Woman study in Iablanița
"It's a beautiful picture..." Women in the village of Iablanița recently began The Titus 2 Woman study. The oldest of the group, Anna, is 74 years old. As we finished up our lesson one evening, we read one final verse referring to the loving care of our Heavenly Father. After reading Psalm 63:7, "because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings," they all looked up from the text, almost simultaneously, with the biggest smile on their faces. Then Anna said, "It's a beautiful picture." Their display of peaceful realization was a beautiful picture indeed.In a previous visit, we introduced the bible study and talked about how God reveals His plan to us in His word. At the conclusion of the intro, they asked with tears, "Please pray that God will help us understand what we read..." It seems that He is answering their prayers!
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New Man of God study group "They have so much joy.." The new men's group studying Man of God is growing and the church is very encouraged by what God is doing in their hearts. This village is very poor in material possessions, but very rich in their love for the Lord Jesus. They host us with the utmost love and hospitality.
In the summer, we told you about Anna, who stepped up to say she wanted to serve in reaching the children. They now have an ongoing, active children's ministry. God is good! After spending the weekend serving there recently, one of our friends remarked, "I love it in Iablanița. They have so much joy."
Top: Jim with Man of God leaders in trainng Left: One of the children singing newly learned songs Right: Sister Anna, with a brother accompanying on an accordion, leads the children |
Flexibility can be fun!
We are so blessed to have friends here and at home who care about us. We have new relationships developing with opportunities to minister in various ways. We've learned that being flexible can also be fun! A surprise birthday party turned into an afternoon of fellowship with families from Biserica Creștină după Evanghelie. A walk to school in the snow ended up being a light- hearted event when we ran into our professor and her hubby. An otherwise tedious trip to the train station turned into a cultural experience and a new walking route as we maneuvered around the parade preparations for Romania's Independence Day. You might say, "there's never a dull moment" here in Romania!
Above: Jim with Alexandra and Florin. Alexander is our
language professor and they have both become our dear friends.
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Special Update and Prayer Requests
Our first year of language study is almost over and our ministry opportunities will broaden.
We anticipate serving in many areas of Romania, from one end of the country to the other! In addition, it seems God is opening doors in Croatia and other Balkan countries for evangelism and discipleship training.
As ministry opportunities increase, our financial needs increase as well. Therefore, we are requesting that you pray with us that God will meet these specific needs:
- Funding to purchase a used car or small van so we can expand our ministry area. We currently depend on others for transportation outside of Timșoara which limits us significantly.
- Increase in monthly financial support to cover additional ministry expenses. Health and perseverance in God's work.
- For our growing family, in particular for Hannah and Kip, as they begin a new phase of life together.
God has been good to us and has provided for our needs. He has used many of you to bless us, just at the perfect moment, with whatever we needed. We trust Him to continue to provide.
If God leads you to join our sending team and help with these financial needs, you may contribute to our account by sending your donation to:
Denton Bible Church Missions 2300 E. University Drive, Denton, Texas 76201.
Please place our account number, 9699-01, in the memo line.
For other giving options or more specific information, please contact us or the SERVE office at 940 382-1761.
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May God bless you with a very wonderful Christmas!
We hope to see you during the time we are home!
Much love to you all, Jim and Brenda
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Contact Info
Jim and Brenda Brosch O.P. 16 C.P. 1161 Timișoara, Romania 300960 Vonage Phone 940 453-2677 jimbrosch@gmail.com
brendabrosch@gmail.com
Your contributions to Romania ministry may be sent to: Serve International at Denton Bible Church 2300 E. University Drive Denton, Texas 76201 Please designate our account number, 9699-01, in the memo line. For other giving options, please CONTACT US or call the Serve office at 940 382-1761 |
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