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Romania: Since the beginning of this year we have been dealing with all the new laws that the Romanian government has passed last year so that Romania will line-up with the goals of the European Union. It has been difficult to rearrange everything to adjust the work at the foundation to these new laws. Compliance with the laws will affect the continued working and well being of our foundation and the children that have been placed in our care. The more we read about Romania’s fight to win the favor of the European Union, the more we want to cry out in anger or in deep rage. Why the rages of anger? Why the deep concerns? Of course for the children of Romania! It seems that anytime these new laws begin to change it always seems to place the children of Romania in harm’s way. When it comes to dealing with the new laws and all the approvals and re-approvals for every activity of the foundation, I have to get alone with God so that I can get my mind back into a state of Christ-likeness instead of my own enraged feelings. We never know from day to day what laws will apply in any situation. Working from an American mind-set, I am at a loss to figure out how their country got to be so unstable. They have a daily struggle to change their government into a prosperous, just, and efficient-working government. The leaders and the people of Romania truly need our prayers. We know that the only hope for true prosperity in Romania is when the nation as a whole cries out to the One True God and pursues a right relationship through Jesus Christ. This month God reminded me as I was praying for His hand of protection upon the three girls in our foundation that He has everything under control. Sometimes we have to be reminded from God that He indeed sees far more than we. Many of you have received my updates through email regarding the new law concerning adoptions and the children that are placed in foster care. For those of you who have not received these updates and to make it short, let me just say that it is very shaky ground for the children of Romania at this time. In fact, all international adoptions are definitely closed and as of January the children in foster care are being targeted and are being returned to their natural families regardless of the reason that they are no longer with their families. This causes my emotions to run hot. However in my despair, God pressed my heart through His Word and encouraged me that HE IS STILL GOD. Many times dealing with governments brings our faith to a high level of testing, especially if we start looking at the laws of man and not the laws of God. God reminded me HIS WORD stands true. Through the years of loving, providing for, and seeing the girls grow up in the foundation, we all have grown attached to them and it would truly shake us if we think anything or anyone may want to bring harm to them. Yet God’s Word in Isaiah 45: 11–13; says, “Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Would you question Me about things to come concerning My children, and concerning the work of My hands [would you} command Me? I made the earth and created man upon it. I, with My hands, stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. I will raise (Cyrus) up in righteousness (willing in every way that which is right and proper), and I will direct all his ways; he will build My city, and he will let My captives go, not for hire or for a bride, says the Lord of Hosts.” AMP Bible God spoke this to Isaiah on the behalf of His people Israel and I believe that HE still speaks it today concerning us as His children. I believe God is building my faith to pray for the new President Basescu of Romania. I know that God can and will use this man for such a time as this to bring about the freedom of these abandoned children and loose them to the abundant life that He has already prepared for them. We are certain that God placed Alex, Manny, and Sarah in the care of the foundation and as God ordered their paths 4 years ago, so we are equally certain that He will continue to speak the fulfillment of His purposes into their lives. Our job is to look beyond the natural law of man to the law of God and truly believe that all things are possible with God. New laws hold nothing to the right hand of God or to HIS spoken Word.
The Creator can use anyone from anywhere that He chooses to bring about His purposes. We must trust God even when He works in ways that are beyond our understanding. Building: As of now the building is still in the negotiation stage. We have run into some opportunities in trying to get some of the details worked out with this purchase. Of course, this is everyday life in Romania. We feel sure that these opportunities will be resolved shortly and we will soon be off and running with the building. What God has begun, He is sure to finish. Again I want to thank everyone for all your help and your faithfulness to make this vision an actual work in progress. Van: Last month I made an appeal to you in my newsletter about our desperate need of a van. As of now we have had a pledge of $500.00 toward the van. I want to give you a little explanation of why this appeal came so soon after our plea for the building. After several months of battling within my spirit as to whether or not I should ask for your help with the church building, I finally said, “Okay God, I know that You tell us in Your Word that we have not because we ask not, so I choose to trust You.” It was indeed a step of faith to ask for your help with the church building but now I see how God was just waiting for me to step out and believe Him for the impossible. However, two weeks after the letter about the church went out, our van, “Old Blue”, died. This too is another one of those testing of our faith opportunities. The day “Old Blue” died she had been running better than she had ever run. There was no reason to think that she was going to stop permanently on us. Yet I know that our enemy does not like it when he is overcome and he will go to any length to stop the work of God. With the money now to build the church the enemy knows that we cannot proceed with God’s plan unless we have a means of transportation. This is why I say it is another one of those testing of our faith times. I believe that God can bring this about this month. Why this month? Because on March the 15th I will be returning to Romania and when I get back I need to hit the ground running. In order to do that, we will need transportation. I have purposed in my heart to trust in our God who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills. (Ps. 50:10) Only He can bring this need about. The Word says, “He will supply all our needs.” (Phil. 4:19) This is not a desire, but indeed a need! Would you be in agreement with us that this will come about quickly? Again the Word of God says, “When I call, answer me quickly.” (Ps. 102:2) We need a miracle and I have petitioned God that when I return we will have the money to purchase the van. So last month when I asked you for help in regards to the van it was not something that I wanted to do, specially after you so generously gave toward the building. But it is one of those things that just happened. We truly are in need of your prayers and also your financial help if you feel that God would like to use you to help meet this need. As you make the commitment to help, we will commit to be in prayer for you. We pray even now this blessing to be upon you, Deut. 1:11; “May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you as He has promised you!” AMP Bible. Our Gratitude: We would like to thank the following pastors and churches for your warm welcome as we shared with you our work in Romania and also for the love offering you gave toward the continuation of our work in Romania.
Our thanks to you all for your continued prayers and your financial support to us monthly! We thank you so much for your help so that we can continue to take the message of Hope to those who are lost. Remember that thousands still have not heard of the love, freedom, and security that can be theirs through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is through your giving that many will continue to hear. Yours in Christ, Freddy and Rita
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