Monday, January 09, 2012

Dear Pastors and Churches,

Romania Mission work:  We were able to make four trips this past month. Two of them were to Filiasi, where we met with brethren from there and Rosiori. One trip was to Timisoara, where we met with several mostly University men. This Sunday, Lord willing, some of them will visit us here. The last trip we made was the longest, to Graz, Austria, to visit Bro. Peter and his family. We had a blessed time with them. The day we came back, I became sick with a stomach virus, and Miriam got it, too. We are over it, though, praise the Lord.

Literature work: We have had more new requests for literature. One such request came from a family from the center part of Romania. We sent them a packet of literature. They are studying it now. They told others about us, and we have another request from that town. Lord willing, we will try to make them a visit.

We sent a letter to most people in our database who ordered literature from us during the past years, and whose addresses we were sure to be good. There were more than 450 envelopes that we sent.  We also added up the total amount of literature we printed this year. It is close to 50,000 copies. This is a 50% increase in printing this year alone, but in spite of this, we are still low on most of our publications. This is because the demand for our literature has increased that much. We can only thank the Lord for that. 

The Risograph machine arrived at the dealer with some delay, and they will deliver and install it next week. We are so looking forward to have it and use it. I would like to express our thankfulness to two churches that gave special gifts for this machine: Portland Baptist Church from Plummerville, AR and Newby Baptist Church from Richmond, KY. We thank the Lord for laying this on their hearts and them for their giving.

Roof Expenses: I would also like to express appreciation on behalf of myself and my wife, Miriam, for the three churches that sent us special love offerings to reimburse us for the roof expenses to date (Grace BC, Winston Salem, NC; Heritage BC, Salem OH; and The Sovereign Grace BC, Craigsville, WV). We did not expect this, but we thank you for it.

Getting acquainted with Romania: This month I would like to tell you a story about Santa as viewed by Romanians. The nice, giving old man dressed in red and white that you know as Santa Claus, is Saint Nicholas, a Bishop. The Orthodox celebrate Saint Nicholas on December 6^th, with customs similar to those in the West. But on December 24^th, another character is celebrated. In fact, the name of the holiday is not named after Christ (properly so, for Christ had nothing to do with it), but the name of this old man. An official legend of the Orthodox people says that Craciun was the master of the inn in Bethlehem where Mary and Joseph wanted to spend the night. Now he was a mean old man, and kicked them out. His wife, however, was a tender hearted lady, who felt pity for Mary, who looked like she was going to give birth at any moment. So she sheltered them in the stable of the inn. Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in that stable, but when the man heard about his wife’s disobedience to him, he got so mad that he cut her hands off. Mary, however, performed her first miracle and healed the wife. When Craciun saw this miracle, he repented and started giving gifts around, and he continues to do that ever since. It should be no surprise that we refuse to take part in any such anti-biblical customs and practices. 

From our hearts we praise the Lord for all He is doing and we thank all of you for your part in this mission work.

Bro. Raul and Sis. Miriam Enyedi

 

Greetings to all of you from Oklahoma!

          Poteau Bible Studies: Due to Bro. Larry and his wife, Phyllis, being very sick, the Bible study here in Poteau has been intermittent.  But God has given us two lengthy Bible studies and very good fellowship together when we have been able to meet.  These folk have in the past taken a stand for salvation by grace alone and have been opposed and experienced nigh on to persecution for believing the truths that we hold dear.  So, perhaps the Lord will enable a Church to be started here in the midst of all these folk who think they are saving themselves by their prayers and works.  May the will of God be done!

          I continue with biblical articles in the local (countywide) papers.  Pray, please, about these efforts.

          Prayer Request:  On the 19^th of this month I am to enter Sparks hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas and be put under general anesthesia after which an oral surgeon will remove all my teeth.  They are breaking and crumbling.  Doctors do not know why, but have agreed the only remedy is to remove them.  I will have to wait 6 or 8 weeks before getting dentures.  As God may remind you, please pray regarding this procedure.

          Thanks and Appreciation:  Through you God has worked and provided funds for the Romania work as well as the Oklahoma mission work.  To God we give the praise for this is right, but we also are thankful to you for your part in giving to support both the literature work in Romania and the efforts to see a Church built here in Poteau.  So I take this opportunity to say a special “Thank you” to all individuals and Churches that share in these mission efforts.  Pray, especially please, for Raul, Miriam, Aurel and me and the saints in Romania and the Poteau area.    
    In the cause of God and truth,
    Curtis Pugh
    curtis@abaptistvoice.com