Just one day after my return to Romania I plunged back into the swing of things. Once again very early in the morning on Thanksgiving Day, I found myself traveling through those mountain roads to appear before the Children’s Protection Agency in Zalau to request the yearly approval to house the babies. No! It wasn't a problem, just routine! Of course, we received our approval with honors! Praise Jesus! However, it seemed to be a little different this time. Yes, all the formal legalities were the same but when I walked in the president over the commission smiled a big smile in a sense signaling us that she was glad to see us once again. The vote lasted only a few minutes and we were approved for another year. Before I walked out the vice-director stopped us short and asked us to stay about another 10 minutes because he wanted to speak with us. Once the commission meeting was over, he rushed out to take us to his office to discuss “some business.” I learned right away that He was eager to know our plans for working in Salaj County this coming New Year. He told me that they are in need of foundations like ours to offer help to their county. This was a major change from where we were last year. If you remember only 2 weeks after my arrival in Romania I was taken off to the police station first in Zalau. Now they are telling me that they need foundations like ours to offer as much help as we can to their county. Praise Jesus! God has all things in His hands and at the appointed time. He allows it to work for our good. I believe they have seen that even in the face of persecution and ridicule we stood our ground and held to our beliefs regardless of what others said or thought. Now they are asking us what is our vision for future outreaches in their county this year. Also, we were asked about taking more children and Mr. Basa’s vision is for us to take handicapped children. I am willing to do what God has in His plan but I ask that you be praying for us. With more children we will need more workers and more financial help. However, God knows all before hand! Just pray that His will will be done to the fullest. They are in much need in their county for help with handicapped children. We are scheduled to go into the orphanage on Dec. 16^th with a team of Americans (Diane Smoot) who will be taking love and joy to the children. I have already ordered $300.00 worth of pampers that will go to the orphanage. Plus I took Mr. Basa around 200 adults pampers that day which had been miraculously sent to us in a box from the States. You should have seen this vice-director’s smile and joy as we loaded his arms with all those pampers. I had never seen anyone so joyous for such a small gift and it wasn’t even for him but for the handicapped children who are in their care. It was a pleasure to watch him as he bounced across the road going back to his office with that load of diapers. I saw a different side of this formal, well-spoken bureaucrat on this Thanksgiving morning! I am praying that we will have the funds in the future to help meet needs such as these more often. Pray with me that God will open up hearts of many to help us touch these children just by taking care of physical needs such as pampers this year.

We will be going into the orphanage to take fruit, hygiene products and toys to the children and workers. Please pray that many of these children’s lives will be touched with God’s love. Also, we have scheduled many village outreaches while the team is here. We have already purchased 125 Bibles to be given away in these new villages. So be praying for the team as they come to share the message of Jesus this Christmas season. We thank God for willing servants who will take time out of the rush of Christmas to bring God’s loving Spirit to many hurting and hopeless in Romania.

Vali has been involved in mission outreaches in Bosnia. We are very proud of Vali as she pursues the path the Lord has led her to this summer. Just after her arrival back into Romania she came over to share her heart as to what God had allowed her to see and witness. As she entered the house she ran right up the stairs and into my arms. She began to cry. I stood there holding her in my arms for the longest time and then for the first time Vali said, “I love you, Rita.” I could truly sense that God had done a special work within Vali. Of all the transition girls I had never pictured Vali going on the mission field but God’s ways are higher than ours, right! Continue to pray for Vali! She will be on school break until the first of January and will be helping us in the Zalau office with the babies. Pray God will continue to lead Vali in His ways and that He will provide for her every need.

Ana and Manny are still doing well! Except that Ana has had a great deal of medical problems the last few months so we ask that you be praying for Ana. I have noticed that she is getting a little better in caring for Manny. Manny is the sweetest thing in the morning when she looks up at Ana with those little arms wrapped around Ana’s leg saying. “Mama, Mama!” To which Ana will bend down to kiss Manny bye. Praise Jesus! I remember when Ana never told her good-bye or even noticed when Manny came near her.

Isn’t this glorious! I am at awe of what God has accomplished in the lives of these girls. When we came to Romania I never would have thought Monica and Vali would have such a passion to serve God. If for nothing else it has been truly worth it all to know God chose to send us here to see their lives radically changed. It has been nothing short of miraculous. I see them now in a different light drawn by a vision to win the lost not only in their own country but also in the other surrounding countries. God is raising up soul winners all over the world to carry forth the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Update: While I was home many of you asked me if I would start making mention of our needs. I have never been one who likes to solicit funds nor do I want you to think that I am constantly looking to you to help meet our needs. However, because you have requested that I will let you know when we are in need and so I am listing some of them in the following segment.

First of all I want to let many of you know that the heating system you helped us replace in the Cluj office/house is working great. I was very pleased with the work that has been done while I was in the States. Lyn did a super job overseeing this matter.

Ø Also, I would like to let you know that only 3 weeks after the major repair job in Cluj that the heater was found to be defective in the Zalau office where Barbara, Alexandra and Sarah are living. I had accumulated only $551.00 toward that project. However, the total expenses for the new heating system and radiators in Zalau cost me $1000.91. If any of you feel led to help with this cost please do so by sending gifts to CMO. It was a critical expenditure since the safety of the children is foremost to us and the heat is necessary for the long hard winter months ahead!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I pray that your holiday will be filled with all joy and peace as you take time out to celebrate what Christ has meant to you this year. This is my favorite time of the year. Not for any special reason on my part but because at this time of the year it seems that people all over the world are more open to think about others. After several years in Romania I see the same in the hearts of all the Romanian families. They seem to find such joy as they go door to door sharing the spirit of Christmas with others. I have also noticed all over the world that families too are the closest this time of year. People’s hearts and minds are upon love, joy, peace and good will to all men. I pray that this year we all will stop to think more clearly upon what Jesus as the Christ has truly done for us. This year to me, He has been a deliverer of a special kind! I have felt the Lord in a more intimate way as I heard His still small voice whisper answers to countless difficult questions. He was a leader in areas in which I seemed to have no directions or means of escape. He was my hope when everything looked very hopeless! He was our healer when all means of health looked gone and He was the restorer of broken relationships! He was especially my strength. For when I was weak, He remained strong! Even more He was my full provider! Jesus has been my all and all this past year. For I see without Him I would fall and without Him all hope would have been gone. I give Jesus thanks for His great blessing of allowing me to know you all in a special way. For you all have chosen to partner with us to help advance His kingdom’s work. My prayer for you is that the warmth of Jesus’ love fills you up this holiday season. Thank you for your support and your prayers! Be blessed in Jesus name!

Isaiah 11:2 “ The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”

Isaiah 49:6 “Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’"

In Christ,

Freddy and Rita

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