If you would like to schedule us to share about our mission work in your church or organization, please call (205) 755- 4000 or email ritamc98@bellsouth.net.

I have been updating you each month about Alex and Sarah’s adoption. Shout to the Lord!   On March 17^th, the girls’ biological parents verbally declared before a judge that they did not want the children returned to their care and they wanted the girls to be adopted. Praise Jesus!  God has his own time and His own way to work and perform on behalf of His “Chosen Ones.”  The Director of Children’s Protection is just as relieved as we are to finally see some progress for the girls. God has finally turned around all the trouble, hindrances, and obstacles that we experienced with government officials, the police, and even the girls’ biological parents.  The Glory is all HIS. As always God has proven Himself as the “FAITHFUL ONE.” Why? Because through all those circumstances God’s perfect plan was that the world might see “HIS GLORY.” In fact, not one of us can point to ourselves and say, “Look what I have done.” No, it was all His work and His time.   We thank you all for standing in the gap. In doing this it has ushered in HIS Perfect Will. God delights in ordering our steps when we allow him to have full control of our lives.  His Word becomes a light to our path and brings life into each dark situation. We praise God for directing the words that flowed from the mouths of the biological parents on March 17^th. I truly knew within my spirit that this would be a day of great victory. THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. Please continue to believe with us that God will quickly bring forth the end results – that the adoption papers will be signed, sealed, and delivered to Barbara in a very short time. We have received word from Children’s Protection that they expect the process could be completed by July or August! Again our hearts hold dear God’s promise that if we listen to His Word and continue in Him “how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” (Ps. 81:14 NIV)

 Help is Needed:

We are scheduling teams to come and help in the renovation of the building in Ferma Larga. Plans are in the making for a team from Ocala, FL to come sometime in August. A lot of work has to be done in advance to prepare for the work. You may be thinking, “Why plant a church? Why now?” The souls in Ferma Larga who have already received Jesus as their Savior must continue to grow spiritually.  How can they grow, if they have no teacher?  Also other families around Ferma Larga have yet to be reached with the Gospel of Christ. Here in America we take for granted the freedom we enjoy of worshiping God an

d also the availability of churches everywhere.  Each week we make the choice of not only going to church, but where we choose to attend.  However, the people in Ferma Larga have no church and are limited to outdoor meetings in the summer if the weather is favorable. Last year many of our meetings were hindered because of rainstorms that suddenly came up and forced us to stop. This year God has pressed our hearts to focus on HIS plan for this church. I believe that God has ordained this church and that now is the time and the season. If we don’t move now we may lose those whom God has raised up through the preaching of HIS Word. Every Christian needs a place to be fed and nurtured with the Word.  I feel humbled that God would invite us to participate in His plan to feed His sheep.   Freddy and I are the least in the kingdom for this task, but for some reason God has chosen to use us in His plan. We know nothing about planting a church nor do we know anything about remodeling a building of this size and turn it into a fully operational facility. Nevertheless, I do know one thing. I know that God holds all the plans for this building in HIS hands and when we submit our lives to HIM, HE will direct us each step of the way to accomplish HIS will.

 I am asking you all this month to stand with us in prayer regarding the work on the building. All of you know that it takes time, money, and effort for this to come about. I never thought when Freddy and I said, “YES, God, we will go to Romania,” that one day we would be writing you about a project of planting a church. However, God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His plans are higher than our plans. So how can you help? To begin with, we need you to be in agreement with us that this project will all come together and that the funds will be provided. We already have a donation of $5,000.00 toward this project. But $5,000.00 will not even put a new roof on the building and one of the first things we need to do is to weather proof the roof.  It has been explained to me that unless the roof is restored first, the rest of the renovation will not be able to be done. I know that God is “Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider” and that nothing absolutely nothing is impossible with God. I know He owns all the gold and silver and the cattle on a thousand hills.  I have seen time and time again how HE has miraculously provided for us in so many things – not the least of which was providing money to purchase the foundation property in just the “nick of time” and even last year when HE provided money to purchase a van just days before boarding the plane back to Romania. Time and time again when our pantry supply was low I have heard Him say, “Just put your trust in ME, I will provide.” And then sure enough it would not be long before a truck would arrive with humanitarian boxes filled with groceries hand-picked by the Martins and Manna Ministries. Isn’t that just like God? He is always concerned about our needs and He is always on time in meeting those needs. So how can you help? By helping us with these needs:

· We need workers.

· We need people who will commit financially in funding this work. Could you help by being HIS hands in giving to plant this church?

· We need a gas-powered generator. It was brought to my attention by Pastor Gene, our Missions Director, that if we had a generator the work could go more effectively.

· We need tools. If some of you could help by sponsoring the purchase of badly-needed tools or even if you have some you would like to donate, that would indeed be a blessing!

· We need God’s Vision and God’s Plan to unfold. We need you to pray for HIS perfect plan as teams come to help in the re-construction of this building. We need His protection for all the workers.

· We need prayer warriors.

Thank God for His Mighty Work and thank God that one day He called us out and led us to Romania for “such a time as this.” Are we afraid of the unknown? Yes indeed!  I am just as afraid as I was in 1998 when God said, “Go.” But one thing I know for sure is that if we had not stepped out in faith, regardless of the unknown, we would have never fully known God in such a real and genuine way. Personally, I would have never experienced seeing all the miracles HE has performed and that HE has allowed me to witness first-hand over the last 8 years. This year we are headed into our 9^th year and I am expecting an even greater year in Jesus. I am expecting to see the hand of God move over that building and transform it.  I am expecting that the building will be filled to the brim with worshipers who will worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth. I am expecting to see more souls won to Christ than the 13 who received Jesus last year. Thank God for His call. Thank God that He has allowed us to be a small part of His plan of spreading the Gospel of Christ to HIS people across this world.  I am waiting to see with great anticipation how God will display HIS Glory this year.

Thanks to Your Churches:

Our thanks to the following churches that allowed us this past month to come and share about our mission work.  Monika has been traveling with us to the churches so that many of you could finally meet one of the girls that you have heard about for years. Thank you for allowing us to share. Your interest in Romanian missions is sincerely appreciated.  Our thanks to Pastor David and Wanda Martin of Manna Ministries, in Marbleton, GA. for your generous love offering and for your continued support in regularly sending those wonderful humanitarian aid boxes. While we were visiting with them, we saw one of their shipments already boxed and waiting to be sent to Romania. Our thanks to Pastor Walter and Dorothy Johnson of Jones Baptist Church, in Jones, AL for your charitable love offering and for the wonderful fellowship we had in sharing dinner with your congregation. Also, our special thanks to our own pastor, Randy Reid of First Assembly of God, in Clanton, AL and our church family for your continued support in our mission endeavors and our thanks to the church for your generous love offerings and prayers. We also thank the church for the bridal shower you gave Monika and Mark on March 26^th.  Your gifts were most appreciated by Monika and Mark.

We also want to express our appreciation to all the churches that have been so kind and compassionate in helping advance God’s kingdom with the Gospel of Jesus over the last 8 years.

Last but Certainly Not Least:

Our very special thanks to all our monthly supporters! Your monthly gifts are what continue to keep us on the mission field. We thank you for giving regularly to help others in need. We certainly appreciate your willingness and your obedience to God in helping finance the work in Romania.

Yours in Christ,

Freddy and Rita

We are continuing to schedule churches.  If you would like for us to come and share with you about what God has done in Romania, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us at 205-755-4000 or email at ritamc98@bellsouth.net.