Opportunity.... Grab It!

In honor of heading back to school we will now have a pop geography quiz. 

First question: What is the capital of Romania? 

Second question: What famous mythical character called Romania home?

How many of you reading this wish they got in on the ground level of buying stock in Apple? or Google? or Facebook? Would have been a pretty good return for your initial investment. Opportunities in front of you, not acted on, are opportunities lost. The world of missions has opportunity; we need to move on them or they will pass us by.

Often we think of missions being "out there somewhere". Well, GBC has several members of our church "out there". Chris and Faith Anderson are working hard at this very moment in Mangalia, southeastern Romania. It is located on the Black Sea thus a bit of a mecca for vacationers.

Modern Romania is only about 160 years old in the sense of the term yet is quite diverse. Physically it is ⅓ mountainous; ⅓ forested and ⅓ city-town and farms. Most of the population is ethnic Romanians with the main religion being Romanian Orthodoxy.

On the world history scene, Romania was liberated from Nazi Germany in 1944 and became a satellite of the Soviet Union in 1948. However, with the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1989, we now see Romania in NATO '04 and in the EU '07. Big changes for them as the opportunity to spread the Gospel opened up.

Chris and Faith have an ongoing church ministry in Mangalia as well as a coffee shop ministry. This summer has them (and their family of 7 children) keeping quite busy with Faith leading a girl's Bible study. As well, they lead a Bible study in a nearby village… church on Sunday's… as well as keeping up with a busy, busy home life.  

Understandably, much goes on at their home. They even have a youth group meet at their home. Needs are there as an opportunity arose in the recent past for them to obtain a ministry house. Now this house would be multi-functional thus a real boost to their ministry. The GBC staff is planning a fundraiser in mid-October on a Saturday to help the Anderson's raise the ministry house funds needed. Please pray about helping that day or at least attending and having some fun… and good food… .with us. More to follow on this soon!! Look for it!

So you see… opportunities do come along knocking on your door. We as a church body recently sang the hymn "Build My Life" on a Sunday morning. In part, the lyrics spoke out saying… "Lead me to those around me". Maybe we can't go to Mangalia, Romania today but we can help our brothers and sisters there by praying, coming out in October to the fundraiser and never stopping giving our Lord and Savior all the Glory!!

 

Mission Fact: The population of Romania has steadily declined in the last several years. This is partly due to a declining birth rate but migration to western countries is the primary reason. This is a trend being seen in many former Soviet Bloc countries.

Answers to the quiz:

1. Bucharest

2. Count Dracula of Transylvania

All Romanian facts, figures and information is credited to Wikipedia and Britannica: Romania Facts. 2020.

Step It Up

I can recall while on a long march during my army days, our sergeant extolling us to "step it up or you WILL be left behind." He was attempting to motivate us to work harder, push on and not to quit. Let me encourage you to continue on as we get the saving knowledge of Jesus out to a dying and lost world.

I receive many mailings, emails and info from mission boards and other sound Christian organizations. All tell a worthwhile story or of a need. However, I love to read about the victories we as Christians can claim.

For instance: Advancing Native Missions (ANM) reports that from 2016 to 2020, 103,000 Bibles were distributed in North Korea... yes, that North Korea. From Vietnam; 3 unique people groups are hearing the Gospel for the first time. From Mongolia: in 1994 there were fewer than 10 proclaiming Christians in the whole country, today in 2021, there are over 50,000 Christians.1 From far away Bangladesh, John Sircar writes that the government has shut down train service and long distance buses. Despite these inconveniences, John states they are still building a pastors house and witnessing. They have difficulties we in America can only imagine. Dr. Sircar says "The Lord is so good. He is taking care of us."2

Moving along… every place where TWR (Trans World Radio) shares the gospel there are people who have never heard it. As well as those who need to be discipled, which is of eternal importance. From Yemen (where Christian missionaries are few and far between). "I found an episode of your broadcast (TWR). So, would you tell me about this God you are talking about?"3 That was from a listener in Yemen. GBC supports Duane Gow (TWR) as well.

Taking a different tact here now. Closer to home: remember our VBS recently past? Well, that's a mission work right here in our backyard. The Burmese children ministry is another God honoring work that you don't have to travel too far to engage in. 

Let us never forget why we are here. Our main purpose in life is to honor and worship our Lord Jesus Christ. Be not afraid, though our time to witness will one day be past. "The Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6. Nothing else needs to be said… lean on God's promise and step it up. Time is moving on rapidly. All Glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Mission Fact: As Josh and Allie Miller get set to head to Peru this December, the population there will have grown by 2,500 people... .per week.3 It is a rapidly growing field needless to say. The Miller's are expecting child number 3 in August so please pray for a safe delivery and that they're plans for departure go on unabated.

1. Advancing Native Missions: Spring 2021 Impact Report.  page 6 and 7

2. Prayer letter: June 2021.  Dr. John Sircar

3. TWR; spring info card. 2021