Elder Curtis Pugh - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Missionary To Romania

    As we enter into this new year of 2004, our desire for you is “. . .That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge." (1 Corinthians 1:5). We are well here except for the things that are usual with us. God continues to be both merciful and gracious to us, enabling us to do those things that re necessary in life and in the work set before us – and for this we are grateful! We realize that your prayers are one of the means God uses to supply even our health needs and so we thank your for this – and regard this very much as some of your part in this work.
    Bocsa Mission:
    The services here in Bocsa continue regularly on Sundays and Wednesdays, although we have had continued opposition. Since last reporting we have had three visitors. Besides this one of the members, Sister Eunice, has been with us for two weeks. She returned last Saturday to Vienna, Austria where she has work. Please pray for her as there is no sound Church there for her to attend. Perhaps through her some others may be reached with the truth as there is a significant Romanian community there. She asked for and has taken copies of all our literature with her this time as well as on her first trip. We would also request prayer for Sister Ana who, although not a member, is faithful to attend. She is in her 70’s and suffers much from a painful back condition which occasionally hinders her coming.
    Oltenia Preaching Point:
    Through rain, thick fog and snow-covered roads God has enabled us to keep every appointment in Oltenia since our last letter. Interest and Bible questions continue. Sometimes I must do research during the week to be able to answer their questions next Lord’s Day. The last three Sunday evenings a new Brother has attended with apparent interest. In addition, last week we received a phone call from a man who was delighted to hear that we are independent Baptists, happy with our literature, and interested in attending the meetings in Oltenia. We will see. We look forward to spring and lower water levels and the planned baptism there. One young man who is faithful in attendance, Larentiu, has a health problem for which he has asked for our prayers. Please join us in praying for this need.
    Republic of Moldova:
    One Romanian citizen who is pastor of an unregistered “Baptist” church in this troubled country is having problems with immigration officials. He was formerly arrested for preaching on the street and it seems that they are harassing him now in an effort to force him out of the country even though he is married to a citizen of Moldova and has lived there for some years. Please pray for him and this situation. While we do not believe his church is properly organized, he is sound on the free and sovereignly bestowed grace of God. I do not know how much news you have from Moldova, but the Russian 14th army, stationed in the Trans-Nistru Region, was scheduled to leave the last day of December. Russia has evidently determined to keep this portion of her army in that part of the Republic of Moldova against the wishes of the people. What effect this may have on regional stability yet remains to be seen.
    Statistics for the year 2003:
    By the grace of God through your help, from mid December 2002 through the end of 2003, we have distributed without charge 28,922 books, booklets, tracts and brochures. This figure does not include Bibles or CDs given away (the latter numbering about 500). Some of these have gone to theological students and pastors. Through the zealous distribution by the Brothers in Oltenia, some in the Romanian army have received and read our materials and one “Presbyterian” pastor has written to us asking for a copy of all our literature. The bulk of this literature has been distributed here in Romania, but smaller amounts have gone to Romanian speaking people in the Republic of Moldova, the United States, Sweden, and Austria. This has been accomplished in spite of inflation and the continuing devaluation of the U.S. dollar. (CNN has recently reported that the U.S. dollar has lost almost 1/5th (20%) of its value against the Euro – and Romania has tied its currency to the Euro with the result that both inflation and the devaluation of the dollar affect us here.) I cannot tell you the number of persons to whom the Gospel has been presented, others dealt with regarding doctrinal matters, sermons preached or the miles driven. (Because of the work we now travel more than 320 miles each Lord’s Day to Oltenia and back. This causes us to be away from home an average of about 14 ½ hours each Sunday – including a little more than 9 hours spent in travel.)
For those of you who receive our financial reports, the annual report will be prepared after the final figures are received for the year, i.e. December, from the bank in the United States.
    We look forward to doing more as God may enable us in the days ahead – and we realize that through you God has enabled us to come this far. We thank you for your regular praying and your faithful financial support as well as special gifts. May God bless each of you gloriously to the praise of His grace!