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
MARCH, 2007
Thursday, April 12,
2007
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).
I have
been asked to send special greetings to you not only from the folk here
in Bocsa, but the Brothers in Filiasi specifically asked that I send word
of appreciation to you from them. Though they know you not, they
feel kindred to you and are grateful to you for your help in getting the
gospel and other truth to them through us. So, on their behalf as
well as ours, Thank You!
Medical Trip: Brother Raul and I had to make an unscheduled
trip to Budapest, Hungary again since my last report. I had a couple
of instances of feeling as if I would pass out. Blood work showed
that my hemoglobin count was down. We are trying to remedy the situation,
of course. I may have to begin taking very small daily doses of a
corti-steroid. There should be little if any side effects according
to my doctor in Budapest. Overnight lodging was necessary and so
the total cost of the trip, seeing the doctor and the laboratory work came
to just over $600.
The Dollar: While a low dollar (according to the newscasters)
means more exports and more jobs for America, it means a lower exchange
rate here in Romania and thus less money for the work. The exchange
rate is presently down to less that 2.5 lei to the dollar – whereas it’s
high point had been more than 3.1 lei to the dollar. Please pray
about this situation.
Van Fund: We have an increasing need for a van. We often
have insufficient room in our car or Raul’s to transport people to services
here in Bocsa as well as other places. An anonymous donor has given
$2,000 to start a van fund. As is always the case here, there are
complications involved. We ask that you be aware of the following
facts. Only three companies make vans of the size we need.
Volkswagen, Mercedes and European Ford all make what is called an “8+1”
size – it has seats for 8 passengers plus the driver – total 9 people.
These are the largest vans you can drive with a regular driver’s license
in Romania. These also have removable seats that make hauling other
things easily possible – another need that we have from time to time as
“nobody” delivers anything here. Available with a diesel engine,
these vans all consume about half the fuel our Nissan 4x4 burns.
However, none of these dealers take trade-ins so we must go with the cash
in hand. But we cannot sell the Nissan first to obtain some cash
as we would then be stranded without transportation. In order to sell the
Nissan it will be necessary to leave it at a consignment place in Timisoara
and that would leave us without transportation also. Due to the very
low U.S. dollar a new van, taxes and full coverage insurance for a year
will cost about $45,000. This is a tremendous amount of money, so
we have investigated buying a used one. They are available and one
recently brought into Romania should be in good shape, not having the suspension
worn out by our rough roads. It is also possible to travel to Germany
and bring a second-hand one from there through a contact we know.
A 2003 or newer van of this sort will cost about $25,000 taxes, etc. included.
Obviously newer used ones cost more. So we have almost 10% of the
needed amount on hand at present. If it is the Lord’s will and He
leads our supporting Churches to enable us to purchase such a van, we have
the option of keeping the Nissan (a 4x4) for winter use or of selling it
and putting the money into the work. We think the Nissan will bring
about $12,000 if sold. Any funds received over and above the cost
of the van will be put into the work. We ask for your prayers about
this matter.
Literature: Two of our fellow members, Aurel Munteanu and
Virgil Fundeanu, both of Filiasi have made two evangelism trips since my
last report. By train they traveled to 9 villages and one sizeable
town, speaking to people in person and distributing many gospel tracts
that we produce. They report that they were surprisingly well received
in these Romanian Orthodox strongholds. Pray for these men as they
use their days off to boldly sow the gospel seed in places where only false
religion has been taught.
Easter Changes: Two weeks are involved in total including
four days of Easter among the Catholics and Orthodox. Even the Romanian
Baptists are involved in these great feasts. They call the day itself
“ Paste” (pash teh) or “Passover.” This holiday season mixes Old
Testament elements (eating lamb, for instance) along with pagan observances
and among most, much consumption of alcohol. Many religious services
are held these days even among the Baptists. Colored eggs, some of
intricate design, are made to remember the traditional Veronica who stopped
by the crucifixion and whose eggs the blood of Christ colored as she stood
there. I am happy to tell you that in at least one gathering of Baptists
in the eastern part of the country this changed (where we have the school).
About a month prior to Easter they started teaching against the celebration.
They studied our pamphlets “Wednesday or Friday,” and “Little Children
Keep Yourselves From Idols.” There was opposition from unexpected
quarters and support from others. But the Sisters made no colored
eggs and did not bake the fancy sweets for the feast. The people
decided instead to fast on Easter as a testimony that they were not a part
of the pagan celebration. Praise the Lord – His Word bears fruit!
Pray for these folk! They will have increased opposition if they
indeed “come out” and are baptized.
I always run out of space before I am finished. Thank you for your
earnest prayers and your faithful financial support! Your standing
with us is making changes in the lives of people here!
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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