Elder
Curtis Pugh
Missionary
to Romania
sent
by the
Berea
Baptist Church
P.O.
Box 39
Mantachie,
Mississippi 38855
(601)
282-7794
PRAYER LETTER FOR
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2000
Wednesday, December
20, 2000
Dear Pastors and Churches:
“Grace be with
all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Ephesians
6:24)
I am
somewhat late with this report, but much has been happening in our lives
and some of these things are the reasons for my tardiness. First
of all, let me tell you about Janet's health. She is growing stronger
daily, I believe. She is very determined and after sitting and working
on teaching materials for boys and girls, every hour she gets up and walks
9 times around the fellowship hall here at our home Church. At first
she had to use a walker, then graduated to pushing a wheel chair, but I
am happy to report to you that she now uses a walking stick – and sometimes
ventures without it. She has yet to master stairs, etc. The
problem is dizziness - which is constantly with her, but at times is less
bothersome. Perhaps it will go away in the future. She has
no hearing in her right ear, but at times does “hear” popping and bubbling
sounds. Perhaps her hearing in that ear will return. Its loss
is a result of the surgeries. She still has problems focusing, but
it seems the nerve is healing very well as she is able to follow motion
with both eyes and her vision is definitely improved. The surgeon
said a year after the surgery we might need to have her fitted with “prisms”
– special glasses that will enable her to focus properly. Please
continue to pray for her!
I am doing well, though still not back to “normal.” Perhaps “normal”
is what I could do when I was twenty years old and now that I am fifty-six
I don't “bounce back” as quickly as I formerly did. Cooking, washing
dishes, housework, and the washing of clothes are among my added duties
at the present time.
Our younger daughter, Anna and husband Mark and little Bethia came from
Illinois to visit us here in
Mississippi just after
Thanksgiving. Anna volunteered to stay and look after her mother
so that I could make a necessary trip to Romania. So on the 28th
of November I flew from Tupelo, MS. to Timis’oara, Romania. (Actually,
because of heavy, freezing fog, it was necessary to land in Arad, 44 kilometers
distant.) I remained in Romania until the 9th of December.
In Romania I preached three times and heard two sermons. I was able
to visit with several Brothers and Sisters and discuss spiritual and doctrinal
things with them. I rejoiced to learn that a young Brother with whom
we have had considerable contact has determined that he is called of God
to preach. He is a good student in university and studious in the
Word of God. He understands something of the grace of God and church
truth. He is presently studying using T. P Simmons in English.
I gave him several good books in English and Romanian for his study.
I was also able to meet with three Romanians who are doing translation
for us. I paid them what was owing and assigned work to them.
The TRAIL OF BLOOD is ready to go to press and THREE WITNESSES FOR THE
BAPTISTS should be when we return, as well as several tracts and booklets.
I visited with the Brother in Arad who does printing for us and obtained
a small supply of two recently translated booklets by C.H. Spurgeon – one,
ARMINIANISM AND THE GOSPEL and the other, ARMINIANISM CONTRARY TO THE BIBLE.
Several of these I was able to distribute to Brothers and Sisters whom
I judge to be persons of influence both in Boc’sa and in Timis’oara.
I paid our overdue rent and arranged for the old car to be inspected and
the documents updated. I left our tithes and other funds (in advance)
for preachers as well as funds for the purchase of milk and bread for hungry
Brothers and Sisters in the Boc’sa area. I mention this by way of
explanation to those of you who receive the full financial report our Church
adds on the back of the conventional prayer letters – e-mail recipients
receive only the prayer letter at this time.
I found that Romanian currency has continued it's downward spiral, making
life even more difficult for our Romanian Brethren. I also found
the countryside brown and parched – the earth for the most part
hard packed from the
long summer's drought. They are forecasting rain or snow for the
last of January, I
believe. There
was a mediocre small grain harvest, but the corn crop was very, very bad!
As you may know, Romania voted to return to power a “former” communist,
Ion Iliescu (“John Elijah-son”) who was president from 1990 to 1996.
Probably he will favor equality for all religious groups and that is encouraging.
All of our acquaintances were anxious to know when Janet and I would return
to Romania – all except one dear Sister who loves Janet much. She
said tearfully, “E prea greu pentru sora Janet.” (It's too hard for
Sister Janet – referring to life in Romania.) A dozen or so children
as well as some adults spoke of desiring the return of English classes,
etc. We hope to return to Romania either in January or February,
Lord willing.
Janet and I thank you heartily for your interest, your financial support,
and most important of all, your prayers on our behalf and on behalf of
God's elect people in Romania! Please continue to stand with us in
earnest prayer. We continue to be amazed at the good reception the
Word of God receives as I preach and distribute literature in Romania.
Plans are underway to make trips among Romanians in the Ukraine on our
return and after several more books and tracts are printed in Romanian.
Pray for the Pughs, please!
In the cause of God and truth,
Curtis and Janet Pugh
curtis@rdslink.ro
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