Elder Curtis Pugh - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Missionary To Romania

Curtis Pugh
Missionary to Romania
Sponsored by the Grace Bible Baptist Church
26080 Wax Road
Denham Springs, LA, 70726
Elder Jerry Dodson Sr. - Pastor
(225) 664 – 3223
jerrydodsonsr@wmconnect.com
www.geocities.com/heartland/grove/3718
Field address: Curtis Pugh
str. Izvor nr. 3
Bocsa, C-S, 325300
Romania
Telephone: 011 40 255 555 136
E-mail: curtis@xnet.ro

PRAYER LETTER FOR DECEMBER, 2007

Friday, January 11, 2008
Dear Pastors and Churches:

“All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen” (Titus 3:15).

    This new year we wish for you the blessings of God – and may He give each one a multitude of reasons to rejoice! “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5).
   Fellowship Meeting: January 3rd was the date of our first fellowship meeting here in Bocsa. Five of the 7 students in the Theological School rode the train from the eastern end of the country - riding part of one day and all night in order to get here at 7:00 AM. From the southern part of the country 6 people came (5 men and Estera, the wife of Aurel from Filiasi). They boarded the train sometime before midnight, having walked about a mile in knee-deep snow to get to the depot. (One Brother walked in this snow about 9 miles to Filiasi and then after resting, walked the mile to the depot also. None of those who came to Bocsa own cars.) Six came from Bocsa, and one Brother who missed his train from Timisoara hitchhiked in order to arrive on time. There were a total of 18 people present – 4 other men not being able to attend. We could have invited more, but due to limited space could have only 22. When these folk arrived at the mission property, Janet prepared breakfast for all – sausages, scrambled eggs, toast, jam and bubbly water. The family of Aurel (of Bocsa) owns a coffee maker and so Aurel brought it and the Brothers enjoyed hot strong coffee as well. I preached in the morning on “The Absolute Necessity of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit.” Aurel (of Filiasi) preached on “Finding Our God-given Purpose in Life,” and in the afternoon I preached on “Are We Protestants Or Baptists.” After each message time was allowed for questions and discussion. Brother Aurel (of Bocsa) led the singing and Brother Raul “emceed” the meeting. The singing was great, the fellowship enjoyable, and we are hearing that the meeting and the messages were a great blessing and help to all.
   Medical: The hematologist insists that I have myelodysplasia, but I have a host of other symptoms that do not quite “fit.” At this time my bone marrow does not manufacture hemoglobin, so it is necessary that I go every 4 or 5 weeks and get 2 units of blood. Without this blood, my hemoglobin level would fall to the point I would have a heart attack and die, according to the doctor. At the present time, Janet is having an attack of “shingles” and is on medication for the virus and for the pain. But we are both able to function and so our work goes on with much help from Raul and Aurel who labor with us in all aspects of the work.
   Medical Expenses: It has always been our purpose to live by faith, trusting Christ to supply needs. We would rather not write about our needs, but leave it to the Lord to burden His people for the work here. However, we have been asked to be more specific about needs and so we shall, at least now. Janet and I had some personal savings, but we have had to dip into that for medical and other expenses – a new metal roof on part of the mission property, for instance. We have made arrangements with the clinic as to the time of testing and can in the future get everything done so that we only have to spend one night in a hotel in Budapest when we go there for me to get blood. This will save quite a bit. Fuel, tolls, meals, hotel, tests and 2 units of blood (at today’s exchange rate) should cost about $672.00. This amount will be needed monthly. I know that some Churches cannot do more than they are doing, but we ask all of you to pray!
   Statistics: In the year 2007 we distributed more than 36,000 pieces of literature that we produced as well as Bibles, New Testaments, and books that we purchased. This total is down considerably from the previous year – not because of a lack of requests for literature, but because of increased costs of paper, supplies and postage as well as the terribly low value of the U.S. dollar. We have done what we could. I cannot tell you how many miles were driven (broken odometer), how many sermons were preached, how many hours were spent in prayer, how many classes taught, or how many question-and-answer visits were made, but we have stayed busy. Here in Bocsa, if we were not away on mission-related business, work was going on in the office and the print shop during regular hours - 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM weekdays.
   Web Site: Brother James Reynolds of Philadelphia Baptist Church, Decatur, AL. continues working on our web site. Thanks Brother Reynolds! Although it is not finished yet, we have had several compliments as to the material available on the site as well as on the site itself. Go to www.abaptistvoice.com then scroll down choose either the English or Romanian language pages as you may prefer.
   An Opportunity: Due to the increased size of some of our newer publications, such as our study, “The Doctrine of the Grace of God,” we are in need of a plastic comb binding machine or a spiral binding machine. There are some really heavy duty ones that cost between $2,000.00 and $3,000.00 and even more. We do not think that we need such an expensive one, but we do not want to waste the Lord’s money on a piece of junk either. We have located a new one that we think will be of sufficient strength and durability for a price of $1,052.60 at today’s exchange rate (all taxes and transportation included). We ask you to pray with us about this needed binding machine and do what God leads you to do. That is all we ask.
    As always I am out of space before I am out of things to say. Thank you for your cards and letters, your very generous special gifts as well as your regular support! Above all, thank you for your prayers! Please keep praying for the work here. God is using you in many ways to “hold the rope” for us as we proclaim the Gospel of the free and sovereign grace of God – the finished work of Christ on behalf of His elect people – and the truths of acceptable worship and service in one of Christ’s Churches.
    In the cause of God and truth with you,
    Curtis and Janet Pugh
    curtis@xnet.ro

Preaching Baptist Baptism, the Blood, the Book, and the Blessed Hope
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