Some pictures the events that centered around Christmas 2007 for us.... Thanks so much for all your letters and support. Especially, FBC who took the time to Blog their "Merry Christmas" to us..... Lanny your a great friend....and I praise God for all of you at FBC who take the time to make our family and the families we minister to feel so loved and appreciated, and also from our church family at LWBC, we even recieved some Christmas cards from them! So many of you wrote encouraging words....thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
first an update on Bogdon and Paul, Gabriela is home from the hospital and has recovered from the serious burns that she received. (not fully but the situation is getting better) We credit this to your prayers......thanks!
This is a picture of a pig that was soon be ....well let's just say...put in little bags that can be carried and put in a freezer for later...if you get my drift. This a big tradition in Romania around Christmas the pigs are in big trouble. Much like our turkey's around Thanks-Giving! It was an experiacne to say the least for me to spend the day with my very good friend Roland. He knows how to cut up a pig, let me tell you! This is not Roland in the picture as he asked to NOT be in the pictures for fear of being thought of in a bad light! But this is his home in the little village of Bestepe past Tulcea.
Karla made treats to hand out to the people in the valley....they are sooooo good. I have gained at least five pounds this Christmas thanks to my wife's cooking.
We had someone from the Romanian church donate 1000 RON, (400 USD.) for us to buy food for people in the valley. This was actually probably the best part of Christmas for me. It was a real pleasure to see a Romanian give to the Gypsies in the valley. We were able to help around 13 families. I saw over 100 people Christmas eve in the valley. This was a big blessing for me.
It was COLD that night and almost no one was out. 
I decided not to show you the pictures that led to the pig looking like this. Let me say this though we have three bags of pork in our freezer thanks to the generosity of Roland's family. I thought this was really a neat way to experience the Romanian Christmas particpating in a long held tradition. We Americans know that pigs should not be treated this way. Everyone should just go to Wal-Mart and buy it off of the shelf where it is clean and tidy. We don't have to be a part of this kind of bloody Christmas.
first an update on Bogdon and Paul, Gabriela is home from the hospital and has recovered from the serious burns that she received. (not fully but the situation is getting better) We credit this to your prayers......thanks!
This is a picture of a pig that was soon be ....well let's just say...put in little bags that can be carried and put in a freezer for later...if you get my drift. This a big tradition in Romania around Christmas the pigs are in big trouble. Much like our turkey's around Thanks-Giving! It was an experiacne to say the least for me to spend the day with my very good friend Roland. He knows how to cut up a pig, let me tell you! This is not Roland in the picture as he asked to NOT be in the pictures for fear of being thought of in a bad light! But this is his home in the little village of Bestepe past Tulcea.
Karla made treats to hand out to the people in the valley....they are sooooo good. I have gained at least five pounds this Christmas thanks to my wife's cooking.
It is common also to have people come and sing at your door. This didn't stop for about two days. (once the word got out that we were giving out food it got much worse. we had to stop answering the door for fear that the neighbors would have us thrown out) These three precious kids below are part of what we call the "family with ten children." Some of you have been in their house.
We had someone from the Romanian church donate 1000 RON, (400 USD.) for us to buy food for people in the valley. This was actually probably the best part of Christmas for me. It was a real pleasure to see a Romanian give to the Gypsies in the valley. We were able to help around 13 families. I saw over 100 people Christmas eve in the valley. This was a big blessing for me. I appreciate my family also who helped sort and sack all the food buckets.
It was COLD that night and almost no one was out. I decided not to show you the pictures that led to the pig looking like this. Let me say this though we have three bags of pork in our freezer thanks to the generosity of Roland's family. I thought this was really a neat way to experience the Romanian Christmas particpating in a long held tradition. We Americans know that pigs should not be treated this way. Everyone should just go to Wal-Mart and buy it off of the shelf where it is clean and tidy. We don't have to be a part of this kind of bloody Christmas.
Remember that our perfectly sterile Christmas cards, that show Jesus born in a manger are more of the clean sterile Wal-Mart variety. Jesus was treated no better then this pig when he came to the earth. We must remember that when we see all these pristine Christmas cards showing Jesus and his parents in the five star Hilton type manger. Let us be thankful for one more year, 2008 to give the call to repentance and the Good News to all that have ears to hear. (It seems many are just like this pig and no longer have ears to hear as the Devil has done his butcher work on them)
This entire ordeal only took about three hours. I was amazed and really wonder if the people these villages that we americans feel so SORRY for really have it all that bad, being isolated from the rest of the world and just minding their own business!
We love all of you and look forward to a great 2008. May we all be found faithful this year to serve our Risen King. He has been incredibly good to my family and it drives my determination and resolve even deeper to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible this upcoming year. I know many of you will be a part of that so please be praying now for us as we try to navigate through the winds, rocks, and reefs this upcoming year. May God bless each and everyone of you.
