Elder
Curtis Pugh
Missionary
to Romania
sent
by the
Berea
Baptist Church
P.O.
Box 39
Mantachie,
Mississippi 38855
(601)
282-7794
PRAYER LETTER FOR
APRIL, 2002
Friday,
May 31, 2002
Dear
Pastors and Churches:
Warmest greetings from Romania! May this report find each of you doing
well is our prayer for you all. We pray often for the Churches and pastors
of the Lord's Churches in North America!
It has been a time of many "interesting things" since I last wrote; and
I do apologize for this late report, but hope you understand. Health wise,
Janet is about the same although she has had a few consecutive days of
really, really, bad dizziness. I am presently on medication to combat another
attack of overgrowth of bacteria, but cannot continue indefinitely on this
strong medicine. Doctors in Hungary, Canada and the U.S. are saying I need
intestinal surgery. The cost will be less in Hungary than in the States
and should not exceed $3000. It will require both of us going to Budapest
as well as someone, probably Brother Raul, going along to drive and assist
Janet in getting around. Of interest also in these last few weeks has been
the springing up of some opposition to the truth of God's free and sovereignly
bestowed grace. Some have learned from Americans the practice of decisional
regeneration and are following that humanistic course. These natural and
spiritual trials are to be expected, but we can see something of the Father's
hand in them even now.
On the other hand, God has blessed in several ways since I last wrote.
Through His people the Lord raised the funds to purchase the house in Bocsa
(BOK shah). Besides the cost of bank transfers and 1/2% fee charged by
the bank to get dollars out of my account, the bank wanted between $400
and $500 "commission" to change the dollars into the new Euros. However,
we were able to locate a moneychanger who took much less and so we saved
about half the amount the bank wanted. So, praise the Lord, the house has
been purchased. After some failed attempts at getting all the parties to
the office of the "Notar" at the same time, it was accomplished quite quickly,
really, once everybody was present.
"Renovation" of the house; putting in a new bath and making some other
necessary and not unexpected repairs is underway. We hope to be able to
move in after a couple of months, as we have funds available to complete
the work. I have hired a Brother who is well experienced in this kind of
work to "oversee" the work. He knows where to purchase things cheaper
than I can buy them.
We a so rejoice also to tell you that the $2,300 needed by Brother Mircea
came in and has been given to him to purchase the needed automobile. Please
continue to pray for him and the new church he pastors.
Unknown to us previously, there seems to be interest here in Bocsa in the
preaching of free grace. I have renewed opportunities to preach here at
least at present. Last weekend Brother Raul and I went to Oltenia at the
request of the pastor where we had the conference last fall. Saturday night
we had a great time of fellowship with three young men, the pastor and
his wife, and the soon-to-be-wife of one of the young men. These all are
convinced of the doctrines of grace and are interested in setting the church
in order according to the Scriptures! This young school teacher is the
one I wrote about who walks every Sunday some 4 miles each way, crossing
a perilous narrow swinging bridge, to teach boys and girls in a village
mission. By the way, after our fellowship Saturday night, her future husband
spoke with the pastor and told of his desire to go to this village to preach.
So, next day, immediately after the preaching, this young man and woman
left to go to the mission. The other two young men are also very zealous
for the truth. They were baptized last fall when I preached there and in
the year since their conversion have, I believe, read their Bibles through
more than 4 times each. They were full of questions and are strong in the
doctrines of free grace! Great fellowship!
On Sunday I preached three times from John chapter 6 and
attended the graveside portion of the funeral of the pastor's grandmother.
She was in her eighties and had a good testimony. One son, a grandson,
and a grand-son- in-law are all Baptist pastors. They walk, hitchhike,
and ride bicycles to accomplish their ministry. Last time I was there I
gave the pastor with whom we stayed money sufficient to purchase a used
bicycle, as he had none. We have helped also by supplying them with books,
tracts and literature for distribution and for their own spiritual growth.
These are bearing fruit! Praise the Lord!
Janet
did most of the work of copying the CDs in our most recent venture. Because
of shipping problems and the nearness of the closing of the school year,
it was necessary for me to make the 8 hour drive each way to Bucuresti
to deliver the 252 CDs to the seminary students. We made 84 copies of three
CDs;
(1) THE WORD Bible Study Program (which contains Gill's works and others),
(2) a collection of Spurgeon, and,
(3) our own CD full of books and the writings of sound Baptists on various
subjects. Please pray for these young preachers that God will use the truths
in these CDs for his glory. We expect to see more requests for these CDs
in the future. We expect also to see opposition to these writings! But
God is able!
I
see I am out of space again! How to adequately "THANK YOU" is impossible
for me! But we do so very much appreciate your interest, your prayers and
your financial support. Continue to pray, please for us and the various
efforts as we seek to spread the glorious Gospel of the grace of God here!
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
Preaching Baptist
Baptism, the Blood, the Book, and the Blessed Hope.
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