Storms have been rampant this month all across the world. During the first of September you had hurricane Frances brewing in the Caribbean with the path of the storm heading straight for Florida. Our concern over this hurricane was that we had a team of men who had already committed themselves to a construction project here at Calea at the exact time that the hurricane was due to hit land. They were faced with the decision of having to leave their families and come to Romania or stay behind. Four men chose to fulfill their commitment because they strongly believed that God had something for them to do here. I am sure their decision to come on and trust God to keep their families in the midst of the storm was not an easy one. I believe they will reap a mighty reward for their faithful service to God! The day after their arrival they ministered in a village church in Salaj County. All the church joined with them in lifting their families up before the throne room of God. The men’s concern turned to joy and excitement as the people’s hearts were moved with compassion for the men and their families. Then Monday morning bright and early they went right to work restructuring and remodeling the attic of the foundation headquarters building. They picked up their hammers and saws and the rooms began to take shape. All of us here at Calea were amazed by their dedication to their task. True servants, each and every one. We certainly noticed their steadfastness to trust their families to God in the midst of the storm swirling through their home state. Still they pressed on to complete the task they had committed themselves to doing. What a genuine witness to God’s call! Faithfulness once again proved that God always honors those who honor HIM. These men were not only a blessing to us in the natural as they transformed the attic but were far more a blessing as we witnessed them daily rest their cares in God. I learned a very important lesson watching these men, and that lesson is that “persevering faithfulness calms the storms of our lives.” Thanks to their hard work, we now have two lovely new rooms. We are continuing to work on the rooms - painting, cementing floors, installing heaters and putting in bathroom fixtures – and then we still have to build a back stairway. We praise Jesus that these men got the hardest part of the building done. Work is never finished here even after the teams leave. I truly praise Jesus for this accomplishment. While I was back home in the States, the Holy Spirit stirred my heart that I should make this one of my goals this year, even to the point of showing me how to draw it. To my amazement, shortly afterwards David and Diane Smoot from Network Limited called me asking if there was some construction project I had wanted to do this summer. God is Good! By faith I wrote the vision down just like the time that God told Jeremiah to do the same. I am truly seeing the fruit of that vision come to pass right before my eyes. Jesus is so worthy to be praised! I thank HIM for allowing me the awesome opportunity to see His glory take shape from a vision on paper to its manifestation in the natural. To God be all the Glory!

We are now moving right on into preparing for another team due to arrive on Sep. 29^th. Our own pastor from Clanton, Alabama, Randy Reid, along with Freddy and my sister, Shirley Rigsby, will be leaving America on September 28, to come on what Pastor Randy is calling a “scouting trip.” We will be meeting with the mayor of Ileanda to evaluate the needs of the people of a surrounding gypsy village. First Assembly of God is putting together a team of men for April 2005 to help in a community assistance project. Last year many of the scenes that Pastor Randy witnessed while visiting some of the poorer villages impacted his heart so that now he has committed himself to help the poor in these villages. His aim on this short-term trip is to gather information on how to facilitate a building project and to determine the exact project that will be pursued. He plans to be able when he returns home to tell his church and team members his final plans for the upcoming construction project. Pray for God’s divine will and purpose for their project to be in full compliance with the work HE has ordained.

The girls seem to be adjusting very well to school. In fact, the second day Manny attended she was awarded with a prize for being the best student that day. Praise God! It is good to know that they are good when away from home. Alex and Sarah have already had their first “spectacol” (play or drama) as the Romanians call it. We want to thank “Wings of Faith”, Kim Warren, and her daughter Hunter for all the school supplies they sent Manny. We wished you could have been here to see Manny’s face when she opened the book bag loaded with pencils, notebooks, coloring books, crayons, etc. Your gifts were not only a delight to one little girl but also a blessing towards her needed school supplies. Thank you all so much!

We want to thank each of you who support this ministry with your finances and prayers. We stand in awe of God as HE daily supplies our every need through all of you who faithfully heed the heart of God to give to the poor. Many of you are unaware of our needs but through your continued support God always uses someone like you to help meet our needs at the right moment. We thank God for your faithfulness to follow the leading of God’s heart to help us carry the gospel along with humanitarian aid in many surrounding villages. Your willingness to give is not taken lightly. We pray for God’s continued blessings upon you daily. Proverbs 22:9; “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (NIV)

Yours in Christ,

Freddy and Rita

Back to NEWSLETTER Page

Back to Top of Page