Waiting for my real life to begin

Just in case you thought we were crazy for doing what we're doing, let me share this story from our friends at NLI....looks like we'll be in some very good company.

Have you ever stepped out in faith, left the comfort and security of what you had known, trusted, and been a part of for a while to start something new? To go and do something that you had always wanted to do, but weren’t sure if it would work, knowing it would not be as easy or secure as what you were leaving? Yet something inside you just knew you really had no choice, if you wanted to keep dreaming, thriving, living, you had to go and do this no matter the cost.

This is what Nelu Chirita in Galati Romania did as part of the NLI church planting project in South East Romania. Nelu was the leader of the largest church in the city of Galati. He had lead this church for over seven years and was comfortable and well established in that community. However God was doing something in Nelu that he could not shake. You see God had burdened Nelu’s heart for the city of Galati. Galati is the most under evangelized city in Romania; with a population of around 300,000 inhabitants and only 7 evangelical churches. Nelu knew that God was calling him to leave the comfort and security of his well established church and to venture into a new location of the city and establish something, fresh and new.

So last year Nelu began to do that, with the support of 50 members of his previous church he moved across the city into a rented building to start a new church just down the street from a couple of schools. He stepped out in faith and said, “Jesus, I am going to do this because you have given me this desire to reach a new generation in Galati for You.”

Nelu has embraced this challenge head on, stepping out of the traditional mind sets that can be prevalent in Church culture and saying I am willing to do something different to reach someone different. He has opened his building up after school for students to come hang out and build relationships with people from the church. Providing a safe place for them to come, spend time, and play games. He has created opportunities for youth and young people to come and experience Jesus in a real way. Let me tell you that Nelu’s faith has been rewarded. His church has grown to over 80 members and close to 100 people meeting together on a given Sunday in less then a year. Not only that, but Nelu has had many others come see, experience and understand the church and the truth of who Jesus is in a whole new way.

We look forward to the day we will be working with Nelu, and the many others who partner with NLI as they strive to reach Europe with the Good News. Our hearts ache as we yearn for the day when we go from preparation and planning to "All systems are go for launch." . We've been waiting for our real lives to begin...and it is getting so close.

Praise report: The housing market is starting to improve here in Orlando. ..we've passed the 40% mark towards our financial goal...and we now have the ability to accept donations via PayPal.

Prayer needs: For that one buyer who sees our house as their new home...for new prayer and support partners...for patience.


Thank you for your interest, support, prayers, friendship and love.
Paul and Mary.

Maybe I'm Amazed

From the begining of this journey God has repeatedly shown Himself strong and true to His word. Who would have thought that two 50 year old grandparents would be considered missionary material? Yet the journey has started and we are that much further along the road.

In His most recent display of love and and support, God made it possible for us to be interviewed by a local TV station. Many of you were involved through the questions you submitted in a response to last month's newsletter. Many of you were involved through your prayers and encouragement. Well, now you have the chance to see how it went. The TV station (WTGL TV 45 Orlando) was gracious enough to provide us with a copy of the interview, and the broadcast schedule.

So, here's the broadcast schedule for those of you in Central Florida:

25 Feb 2009 at 7:30 AM, Noon, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM.
1 March 2009 at 6:30 PM

For those of you elsewhere, the video has been posted to our blog and for any of you on Facebook, it has been uploaded there too (look for us or for the group "going4the1".

Your feedback, thoughts, and/or comments are always welcome.

Weary not in doing well.
Paul and Mary.

Act Naturally

We were recently blessed beyond our wildest expectations when given the opportunity to share the vision of our ministry via a television interview on a local TV station. The video had been posted here for your viewing pleasure...I'll tell you now...Mary stole the show!!!

Since You've Asked

Hello. First and foremost we want to thank everyone for their responses to last month's request. You provided dozens of great potential interview questions. So, after sifting through them, and after much discussion, we've boiled them down to ten. Then we figured, maybe, just maybe, people might want to know what the questions were. Perhaps those same people would also like to know the answers. Sit back, relax, get that mouse scrolling finger ready....here are the first five;

a) How would describe the process you’ve been going through leading up to your move into the world of missions?

It is much like the relationship process that leads one to getting married. Our first short-term mission trips were "blind dates", a chance to meet with this whole idea of missionary work, but with no commitment. With our interest piqued, and our Spirits stirred, we decided there was more to this than the occasional one or two week missions trip. Our relationship with Next Level International had grown over the years, but it was a distance romance. We decided to get a closer look and moved on to the "it is time to meet the family" phase. Multiple visits to Europe to see NLI at work convinced us they were the ministry we would want to work with...so when God "popped the question"...the answer was yes. So as with any newlyweds, we know we will be breaking ties with friends and family, moving on in our lives...and enjoying every step of the way together.


b) What caused your initial interest in Europe?

Our relationship with NLI. Both of us were part of a short term missions trip to the Czech Republic through NLI. We fell in love with the people we met, and with the staff at NLI. A few years later Mary had a chance to volunteer in NLI's office for a week while I attended a pastors training seminar, being presented by NLI, in Serbia. This additional exposure further solidified our relationship with NLI, and the Serbian people I met could not have been any nicer. I still stay in touch with a pastor I met at that conference. As we delved deeper into the possibility of actually becoming missionaries, we realised we had to be able to function within whatever culture we found ourselves. Working with NLI puts us in an English speaking country, but allows us to work with all 47 nations of Europe.


c) Why have you decided to make this level of sacrifice?

This may sound odd, but we don't see it that way. To us we are amazed that we have this opportunity to serve. Yes we have discussed the fact we are leaving all we know behind; our families, our children, our grandchildren...and more. When we leave we will be strangers in a strange land (or lands). But since this idea went from a "some day dream" to an up and coming reality, we feel blessed in the fact that God would find us worthy of the task. We have had to learn a whole new level of trust, dependency, and faith. In it all we are also humbled by the sacrifices being made by those who have offered to support us in this.


d) What are the steps that you have to take before you can land in Europe?

The two "biggies" would be the sale of our home. Granted the current market is unfavourable, to say the least. But fortunately God doesn't read The Wall Street Journal nor The Financial Times. The other one is building a support base, both prayer and financial. Our yearly budget is approximately $42,000 (US). This is God's idea and He has prepared a way for this to all come together. Our responsibility is to find those whom He has put in our path to be partners. Since we will be volunteers, not employees, we will be solely dependent on the blessings of others.


e) What can you tell us about Next Level International insofar as their mission and goals?

NLI started their ministry about 18 years ago, serving in Eastern and Central Europe. They have focused on 3 main areas: leadership training, church planting, and short term missions. The mission at NLI is simply this, to "Empower a whole new generation of radical leaders to equip, transform and expand the Church in Europe." Starting in 2010 their goal is to have a working ministerial relationship in all 47 nations of Europe.

f) What specific responsibilities will each of you have with NLI?

Mary will have a dual role. She will be using her office management/accounting background to fulfill the role of Financial Comptroller....every ministry needs to be good stewards of their finances. But the other part of her schedule will be investing in the creation of a new facet to NLI's overall mission....children's ministry. (Side note: We heard of NLI's plans for their new kids ministry whilst at their Eurosummit Conference in Poland. Once the speaker finished outlining the plans and goals of this exciting new ministry I turned to Mary and said: "That's you. Nana to the nations)

Paul will be working with the Short Term Missions side of things as STM co-coordinator. The Short Term Mission Coordinator is responsible for the coordinating and organization of teams and individuals going on short-term mission into Europe. He will be responsible for promoting teamwork and strong communication between NLI's various partners. This will include trip logistics, and working with churches/organizations at both ends of the process, those willing to send teams and those willing to accept them. Odds are his camera gear may make a few of those trips too.

g) Why Europe when there are many here at home that are unsaved?

Despite the great Spiritual history of Europe; The Reformation/Guttenberg's Bible/24-7 Prayer, just to name a few. Plus, many of us could trace their Salvation Genealogy back to the missionary outpouring from Europe. But decades of socialism, communism, fascism and the like, have left a barren Godless society in their wake. Here in the US there are many unsaved, but they are far from unreached. With the numerous churches, Christian TV and Radio stations,etc it is hard not to have heard of Jesus in this country. Most of Europe is unreached, having been generations since God was allowed in society. The 20-30 year olds in Europe are one of the most lost generations on the planet. The great cathedrals are museums or concert halls. In the vacuum left by communism in Eastern/Central Europe has come drugs, prostitution, consumerism....freedom, but unbridled and without a moral compass.

h) How is the current domestic/global economic upheaval affecting your plans?

Mostly good: The dollar has gained strength over the British Pound which means our support will go that much further.


i) Any fears or doubts?

More apprehensions that fear or doubt. We know life will be different. We know we will be 100% dependent on God's blessing just to make it from day to day. But we also know that there will be a network of prayer and financial supporters who will being right there with us. We are running on faith, but we are not running alone.

j) What makes you think you’re qualified to fulfill this call?

We're still thinking this one over. There is nothing special about us. This is just another step in a long series of other steps leading to this point in time. If we have any qualification it is obedience to answer the call.

Questions 67 & 68

Hello everyone...this update is a trifle different from the rest. We need your help!!!

We have the opportunity to be interviewed on a local TV station, and they are asking us to provide some sample questions. So....if you could ask any question about what/why/how/where or who in relation to our ministry plans....what would they be???
Hit us with the toughest questions you can...or maybe just one or two easy ones....we're open to your input.


Would you take a minute right now as you read this and simply send us an email with your questions?

This is a huge opportunity for us and by bringing your questions with us...well...that makes you part of the interview too.

A million thanks for your responses, prayers, and support.
Paul and Mary.

We are running on faith, but we are not running alone.

One more...in the name of love

Ever hear this one? A young boy is on vacation with his family, and this is the first time he has ever seen the ocean. Very early, on the first morning of their stay, he heads outdoors to walk the beach. The sun is just rising and the tide is out. As his eyes adjust to the growing daylight he realises the beach is covered with starfish, left behind by the receding waters. In a near- frenzy he begins picking up the stranded starfish and running them to water, to safety, away from death. In the midst of countless trips back and forth from sand to sea, he is interrupted by a man passing by. The stranger asks him "What are you doing young man?" "I trying to save all these starfish, they will die in the sun. They must get back into the water!", was the boy's reply. The man looked up the beach at all starfish and told the boy, 'You're wasting your time. You cannot save them all....all you work won't make a difference." The young boy looked up and down the beach, then down at his feet. Picking up one more starfish and casting it back into the sea, he looked the man straight in the eye and said, "It made a difference to that one."

I love the simplicity of that story. The message is so clear, so innocent. In a contest between childlike faith and cold hard reality, my money will always be on the kid.

Does this mean we live in a fairy tale world where everything always comes out right in the end? Is this adventure of ours to serve as missionaries in Europe just some kind of Peter Pan escapism? Or are we just crazy? The answer to at least two of those is definitely a resounding "No."

Granted, interacting with people, especially when we are strangers in their land, is not as simple as casting starfish into the sea. Nor is trying to open their eyes to a God that has been outlawed in their nation for decades. But we are called to go. We seek to save one more...in the name of love.

NLI had over 30 short term mission teams working in Europe this past year. These teams came from across the globe to minister in Slovakia, Romania, Spain, The Czech Republic, Poland and Romania. Over 300 volunteers gave of themselves to share the Good News. Not in massive rallies or outreaches, but in small groups, where they could meet people face to face, Where they could shares prayers, tears, and laughter. Did it make any difference? Allow me to share some feedback from the teams themselves, and you be the judge.

Slovakia>> "In the Crisis Orphanage we entered a room where the children were not familiar with visitors; these precious ones had been horribly abused and many could not even speak because they were so traumatized. Some never smiled, some were fearful of the males in our group. We began to blow up some animal balloons and interact with the children, after 4 hours of playing, skits and having fun almost every child was laughing and squealing with delight. When I asked the director of the home if there was anything we could do to bless them her answer was, 'You already have, just by coming and playing with the children. Apparently many churches come to the home to drop off toys etc. but no one will come in because there are gypsy children in the home, we were the first to actually go in, this was just one of the many open doors of which we were privileged to be a part."



Romania>> “The incredible love and commitment shown by so many local folk, many of whom have been through much persecution, put my own faith in the shade, but I know God used us to bless and be blessed.We have had our hearts and vision enlarged; we have been raised to a higher level of intimacy with God and of hearing the Holy Spirit; and we have returned so excited about who God is and what He can do. Our perspective has changed and we can never be the same again - nor would we want to.”

So there's a peek into the world where we will soon find ourselves. A short trip down roads we will soon travel. You're invited to join us, in prayer, by way of financial support, or perhaps some day coming to see what we see..and joining the adventure as we make a difference to one more...in the name of love.


Praise reports: We have reached 34% of our support goal and are now proud owners of UK Visas. Yipeeee!!!!! (We've been told few people get their visas without some complications, our applications were processed without a hitch)
My employer has been most gracious to allow me to stay on staff until the house is sold. I had intended to leave my job as of 12/31/08.

Prayer requests: The US housing market is in one of its worst slumps ever. Thankfully God doesn't read the paper. Please join us in our petition that the right buyers come at the right time with the right offer. Also, we do need to raise the remaining 2/3 of our support. Your prayers for this are much appreciated. Lastly, would you help us pray for patience? Our hearts are in Europe, but everything else is still here. Thank you.

A Blessed and Happy New Year to all.
Paul and Mary.

We are running on faith, but we are not running alone.

Here, There, and Everywhere

Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.... Mary and I had flown to Colorado to visit our favourite second daughter, her hubby, and our favourite #3 grand daughter for Thanksgiving. In the midst of some very enjoyable family time (and cold weather complete with snow) we received word that Mary's mom had passed away. So here it is about 6:30 PM MT and we're getting ready to catch a 1:00AM flight from Denver to NYC and then on to Maine. May we ask for your prayers not only for us as we travel, but also for Mary's brother and sisters as they too make the trip? And for prayer as the decisions, always brought about by someone's death, can be discussed and worked out with grace and understanding? We would certainly appreciate it.