Wednesday, March 15, 2000

Dear Pastors and Churches:
    "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."  We can wish nothing greater for you,  Brothers and Sisters, for if Christ's grace be with you, all shall be well and He shall be glorified in you!
    As of this writing we have been in Romania more than 9 months!  We continue with language school and it seems, finally, that things are beginning to "come together."  We have been exposed to most of Romanian grammar, and are familiar with the 5 usual tenses, etc., so that now we can carry on conversations about most things.  Haltingly we sometimes pray in Romanian - it seems this is the most difficult for of course in our prayers we speak from our hearts and are not usually concerned in our heads as to how we speak. My goal still is to be able to preach in Romanian before this calendar year is out.
    The translation work continues!  More items by Pink, Spurgeon, Pettingill and others are in the works.  I have also prepared THREE WITNESSES FOR THE BAPTISTS for translation as we see a real need for an understanding of the Lord's Churches here.  Several CD's with the Online Bible program have been prepared and distributed.  More are in the works.  This program contains quite a library, including John Gill's EXPOSITION, etc., etc.   Work continues on the Baptist writings CD.
    It seems that our old car has fulfilled its purpose.  We have had problems from time to time - many of them small things which I have not mentioned, but as of this date, during February and March I have had to spend almost one thousand U.S. dollars on it!  Not only that, I have been unable to keep preaching appointments five different times and one language class due to breakdowns. Many highways on which we must travel are really bad.  Even the ones which have had patches made are not good!  I have conferred with people here whom I believe have knowledge of what is best as well as with some of you in the States and believe it is time that we buy a new vehicle.
    The best vehicles here are 4x4's, not only because of winter road conditions, but because of the extra strength built into the suspensions, etc.  Used 4x4's which appear to have been well cared for are scarce and expensive.  A used Nissan Pathfinder, for instance is priced locally at $10,000 and it is a 1991 model!  I have priced several new models which are available here. Some are very, very expensive.  Romania, wanting to enter the European Union, has enacted strict emission and safety regulations which has driven the prices very high.  Toyota, for instance, with a diesel engine is more than $48,000! (Diesel engines are best here because of longevity, less maintenance and a diesel supply that is both cheaper and of better quality than Romanian gasoline.) Mercedes makes a strong 4x4 which is a luxury model, probably the best 4x4, but is very expensive as you would expect.  (We were surprised to see that in Europe Mercedes makes not only cars, but passenger and cargo vans, trucks, road tractors and busses.)  The Land Rover models are good but also expensive. Keeping in mind that we expect to be transporting a great deal of literature in the future, we have also gotten prices on a British 4x4 made by Vauxhall sold under the Opel name.  An Opel Frontiera costs about $25,000 but we understand there are some suspension problems.  We believe the best deal for the money is a vehicle called a Musso.  It has German (Mercedes) engine, power train and suspension. The cab is similar to most 4x4's and is built by an oriental company associated with Daewoo, the Korean car maker.  Daewoo sells these vehicles here in Romania.  Daewoo has manufacturing plants and many sales and service points in cities across Romania, so that parts availability and service should be good.  The cost of a new Musso is $29,500 U.S. This is among the cheaper ones, but is a strong one. This car is registerable anywhere in Europe.
    If I could finance a car here I would do so and not mention the need to you, but we cannot due to our residency status.  I have never asked for money for ourselves and never want to be a burden or a bother to anyone or any Church.  I only ask you all to help us by praying about this need and if God would lay it upon your hearts to help financially as well, a "car fund" will be set up at our home Church.  Funds toward this vehicle should be sent there.  Please mark checks suitably.  We have a few thousands of dollars on hand here and in the States, but have obligated much of this towards the translation and printing of literature.  As translation projects are ongoing, we must pay the costs as projects are completed, so we cannot use all the money on hand towards a vehicle.
    My intentions are to have a variety of books and tracts available by summertime.  We have three translators busy now.  During the summer months when there will be no language classes I hope to be able, with a suitable vehicle, not only to preach in many places, but also to widely distribute these literature items across Romania.  I expect this literature part of the ministry to grow.
    There are many things we would like to tell you, but space does not permit!  From our hearts we extend our "Thank you!" for your prayers and for your financial help.  Please continue to pray for the Pughs!
    In the cause of God and truth -
    Curtis and Janet Pugh
    curtis@rdslink.ro