PRAYER LETTER FOR JANUARY, 2004 February 15, 2004
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).

    Greetings from snowy Romania!  We are well and “enjoying” cold weather once again.  Week before last we had sunny, warm days, but winter has returned with a vengance!  The huge storm that dumped snow on Athens, Greece and Istanbul, Turkey came northward with the result that we received several inches and thus were unable to travel to Oltenia today in time for services there.
    Bocsa, Mission:
        Sickness has kept two of our “regular” visitors from attending some services since our last report, but today they returned.  Our Sister Eunice is still away working in Vienna.  One of our “regular” visitors, Sister Mariana, is also away working in Germany.  Presently I am teaching through the Books of Romans and James, and preaching through our proposed confession of faith.  Brother Raul has been bringing a series of messages on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    Oltenia Preaching Point:
        Since our last report there have been two Sundays that we have not been able to travel to Oltenia because of the snowstorms.  But we are happy to report that the Brothers there remain faithful and meet on Wednesday evenings as well as Sunday mornings to pray, sing and have Bible study among themselves.  Nearly every Sunday evening after the services there, they have Bible questions for me to answer.  It is a joy to see them studying the Word!  They are also zealous for the truth, visiting door to door, distributing our literature, in an effort to evangelize their city as well as surrounding villages and cities.  Our new visitor has become a “regular” and recently testified to the Lord showing him that regeneration is the cause of faith and not vice-versa.  Please pray for the health problems of Laurentiu, and his mother, Sister Elena.
    Republic of Moldova:
        We rejoice to tell you that the pastor for whom we requested prayer – the Brother who was having problems with the Moldovan immigration officials – has notified us that the problems have been resolved and he is back in Moldova.  We have this past week mailed to them a shipment of literature that we believe will prove helpful to them.  They have requested that we come to them for special meetings in April, but at this time it does not look as if this will be possible.  We have an open door to distribute literature in another unregistered Baptist church in the Republic – when we can go once again to that country.
    Literature:
        Thus far this year we have distributed more than 2,600 pieces of literature.  We also have 400 new books ready to go to Oltenia, but since they have not been delivered are not included in this number.  We have completed the production of three new titles since our last report besides a new “catalog” – i.e. a pamphlet that describes each of our publications.  The new titles are these: Wet or Baptized, a 48 page booklet by Mark Fenison dealing with the Scriptural requirements for baptism and emphasizing the necessity of a New Testament Baptist Church as the proper administrator.  What Is Wrong With The Kids Today, a 12 page brochure by Brother Milburn Cockrell pointing out that much of the problem with young people is the fault of the parents.  The third title is Can You Pass This Test, by Curtis Pugh.  This 7 page evangelistic brochure is an attempt to show that lost people need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit and deals with aspects of total depravity.
    Trip to the United States:
        As most of you will already know from letters received, I must come to the U.S. in the very near future.  Berea Baptist Church has licensed Brother Raul so that he is free to preach without my immediate supervision.  Thus he will be able to continue the preaching and teaching services here in Bocsa, and with the use of the car, travel with Brother Aurel to Oltenia for services each Lord’s Day evening.  Present plans are that Janet will remain in Romania to look after the mission property, etc.  Brother Aurel and Brother  Raul will assist her.  They can also continue in some measure with the translation work and can continue the production and mailing of literature as requests come in.  All this means that the expenses here will remain much as they usually are.  Since this is an extreme circumstance and an unplanned one, I ask that you pray about the needs for funds to purchase airfare for me to fly to the States and the funds needed either to purchase a used car or to rent one for the duration of my stay there.  Already I have invitations to visit, and need to visit Churches in Ohio, Kentucky, Texas and Florida.  Of course it will be necessary for me to visit our home Church in Mississippi and I would like to visit my mother in Oklahoma who just turned 92.  I expect that other Churches will contact me in the days ahead with requests that I visit them.  If God leads you to help with these extra financial needs at this time, please mark your contributions as “travel expenses” and send them, as usual, to our home Church, the Berea Baptist Church, P.O. Box 39, Mantachie, MS. 38855.
    Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are always mindful that we are able to serve here because of your faithful interested prayers and financial support.  You are always most generous and we thank God for each of you!  Please stand with us in prayer as we seek to go forward on two fronts at this time.  The work here in Romania must continue and yet I must be away in the United States for at least several weeks, perhaps a few months.  We thank you and praise the Lord for you!  May God bless each of you in your service to Him!