Saturday, August 17, 2002
Dear Pastors and Churches:
    Ours is the God of all grace! Not only is He able to supply all our needs, He does that very thing! May this letter find each of you rejoicing in His fullness!
    July was a very busy month. A month ago I was in the hospital in Budapest, Hungary and on this date had surgery. As you will probably already know, the operation was a success. Raul and I were in Budapest a total of 13 days. I made the trip back home to Romania in good condition, although sore and very tired. At this point in time I am continuing to recover and am "up and about" although feeling quite tired by mid afternoon now. I am still weak, but doing well and have no problem with the former bacterial overgrowth, so I continue with the various aspects of the work here as my strength returns. Praise the Lord! Janet is about the same as usual for her and did well staying by herself here in Berzovia while I was in Hungary. One of the ladies who help in the housework came each day and there were visits from some of our friends here in the village as well so that she was not abandoned. I should tell you that she is staying busy not only working on lessons, etc., but now is boxing things up getting ready for the move to Bocsa.
    Shortly before going to Hungary for the operation, we purchased for Raul's use, a laptop type computer. He had been working on translations with pen and paper at various times and then going to the office to keyboard these things into the computer. Having access to such a portable computer will allow him to work much more efficiently while at home and also on our projects in spare time when he is away at university next term. I believe he completed translation on 8 or more soon-to-be-published tracts in the 13 days we were in Hungary; besides looking after me.
    Hospitalization in Hungary was "interesting" to say the least. The building was quite old and of course the rooms without air conditioning; but God gave a break in the really hot weather we had been having. The operating room looked shinny and up to date. The surgeons spoke very good English as did the student doctors, but the nursing staff and I made do with "sign language." I was in hospital a full week; Monday through Monday and during that time I believe I had 4 instances of of hot food; twice I had a clear soup and twice I had mashed potatoes and meat; a wiener one day and two small pork chops another. I am not complaining, but the rest of the time I had bread. Bread certainly is the "staffof life" in Eastern Europe. For my other meals they brought me each time 3 large "buns" with jelly or honey. Bread is quite tasty if you are hungry! Raul saw to it that I had juices to drink as there is a place in the hospital where you can buy such things. Oh yes, I also learned that (as in many public rest rooms here) you are expected to furnish your own toilet paper!
    We have continued having services in our home. Raul and I share the preaching. He seeks to glorify the Lord by faithfully preaching and teaching the truth of the Word. Others are watching and we hope more will take a stand for the truth after we get moved to Bocsa where we can have more contact with them.
    During the summer months Romania is "invaded" by all sorts of religious "missionaries" who come for a week or two and then disappear back home. All we know about; those who come to our area; are Arminian and given over to long "invitations" in which times they press for people to "come to the front" and make a decision for Christ so that He will be able to save them. Because of his good command of English, Raul was asked to serve as translator for one of them. In refusing, he gave the church officer his reasons, that is, that the message and practices of these visiting Americans is unscriptural and he was not in agreement with them.
    I told you in our last prayer letter that we hoped the house would be ready to move into by my return from the hospital. This has not been possible as the work goes more slowly than we had anticipated. There have been also additional repairs needed. I suppose such "discoveries" are the norm when doing renovations on an older house. Wiring has had to be replaced as well as flooring. But the bathroom is almost complete and we can probably move in two or three weeks. Hope to have hot water heating unit purchased and installed by then and also running water; only the pump must be installed and some pipes put in place for this. Our well continues to be strong and the water good!
    We have on hand $500 in the benevolent fund and when I am able will take this to Brother Gitsa, the pastor in Oltenia, who is now preaching the free grace of God. It is not safe to send money through the mail and checks are "unknown" here, so funds must be hand carried. They have two building projects; a new meeting house and a mission.
    Rejoice with us and continue to pray about new doors of opportunity, please. Sami Avram, the young preacher from Bocsa who now preaches free grace, has recently returned from preaching in the N.E. part of the country. He has met Brothers there who are interested in having us come an preach and bring literature; these doors are in not only in Romanian Moldova, but also in the Republic of Moldova, the Ukraine, as well as in Serbia. Also we have been invited to take materials to Rome, Italy where there is a Romanian community. Please pray also regarding Sami's future; it looks bleak as far as the Romanian Baptists are concerned since he believes now as we do. He may not be allowed to graduate from seminary because of his "Calvinism." Perhaps he can be encouraged and helped buy us. Perhaps God will use him to travel and preach and distribute sound literature. Who knows?

    In the cause of God and truth,
    Curtis and Janet Pugh
    Pray for the Pughs.

   curtis@xnet.ro
    CURTIS PUGH
    str. Tudor Vladimirescu nr. 376
    1742 Berzovia, jud. Caras-Severin
    Romania