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It seems a little strange to be writing my first newsletter for 2006. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and that you are looking forward to a glorious New Year. It seems that the year 2005 has just totally flown past us. However, as I look back over this year there have been so many different areas of ministry that God has allowed us to be apart of under His direction in 2005. But then again, how did it all get done? All I know is that the awesome hand of God led each and every day. Each year it seems that God surprises the ministry with more and more activities and more requests than our little foundation has the means of answering. Yet at the end of each year when we compile all the reports we see just how much has been done, far exceeding what we were aware of or even dreamed. We all know that it has been from the mighty hand of God blessing, touching, and working through us to reach those whom HE sees are in the most need. To God be all praise for what we have been allowed to witness first hand on the mission field this year. We at Calea are looking forward to seeing what 2006 will hold with God. 
Harris Emanuel Pirvu: Congregations Corina and Doru! On December 10th Corina gave birth to little Haris Emanuel, weighing 9 pounds and 7 ounces. Baby and mom are doing great. Corina and Doru named him Haris from the Greek, which means “Grace”, and the Romanian “Har”, which also means grace. Of course, we all know that Emanuel means “God with us.” However, I learned when I visited baby Haris that his second name Emanuel was taken from Manny (Emanuela). Manny was thrilled to hear that the baby was named after her. Through the years of Corina working at the foundation, Manny and Corina became very close. Corina played a valuable role in Manny’s teaching. We know that Corina and Doru will be the Godly parents that little Haris will need and we thank God for His hand of protection upon Corina and little Haris during the delivery. There were no complications. Corina will be on medical leave from the foundation for the next 2 years and so we have had to hire a new secretary/translator - Codruta (Trudy) Chis- whom we feel will be just as great in handling the job. Great “Christmas in Romania” Ministry: Our December “Christmas in Romania” was an extraordinary time in ministry. Diane Smoot and team members did an outstanding job ministering as goodwill ambassadors this year. The team literally transformed itself each day to become “ministers for all seasons.” They proved themselves to be foot soldiers shod with the Gospel of peace ministering the love of Christ in a different way each day.· Speranta Kindergarten “Genesis” (Manny’s School): I was so impressed as the team taught the Word in Truth and shared God’s love to the children, the parents, teachers, directors, and governmental official observers there to evaluate the foundation’s activities. The kindergarten is a private Christian pre-school program that has 160 students. The children loved the program and were gifted with a packet consisting of a toy, school materials, gloves, hats, and fruit.· “Miracle House”: At the center for handicapped children, “Miracle House”, the team poured out loving acceptance and the oil of joy as they played, talked to, and loved on the kids. Smiles and joy bubbled everywhere and laughter literally rocked the building as the “kids” performed for the team. As always we were the ones that were blessed the most. God showed His miraculous power in an awesome way this year to some of the workers, who believed that the team members were really angels sent by God to personally demonstrate God’s love to them. Yes, it was truly a time of God reaching out through His children with the gift of love.· “Ferma Larga”: At Ferma Larga the team members rolled up their pant legs and plodded off through the muck and mire to share Christmas with the families in Ferma Larga and Cojocna. They carefully tended and watered the seeds that had been planted in previous years in Ferma Cojocna and Ferma Larga. Each family and home was visited and packets of hygiene items and food blessed each house. The team members benefited from the warmth and activities of each house while they shared one on one “the true reason for the season.” To my surprise God graced me with one of the most glorious Christmas gifts that I could ever have imagined during the children’s program at Ferma Larga. For all the years that we have been working in Ferma Larga there was one young boy, Cristian, who showed up at all the children’s programs but would not participate. Instead he just circled the site on his bike and caused distractions. But the day the team was in Ferma Larga I just wanted to cry when I saw him not only come to the program but actually participate, even to playing the part of a lamb. I was totally amazed. What had happened? Why the change? What had urged him to come? God of course! Then I remembered that when we were working on the building in November, Cristian came and circled on his bike and never said a word. The more we worked the closer he came and the more he tried to hinder those who were working. A little later in the day I took a shovel and pulled some old debris from· around the building. All of a sudden he said, “Let me,” and that’s what I did. All the rest of that day we worked side by side and I told him what a good job he was doing. The next day he came back ready to work so I give him some tools and boards and off he and I went to work together. What am I saying? I believe that day the team ministered in Ferma Larga barriers that had long kept Cristian from hearing the Word had been broken. Now there was hope that this young man would become part of the Shepherd’s flock in Ferma Larga. It was indeed a “God-moment” for me. My heart experienced such joy to see him out there talking and laughing with the team. I praise You, God, for this young man’s step of courage. · “Aghires Church”: On Sunday the team shared through song, testimony, and preaching of the Word at “Aghires” Church. Pastor Garry preached about “Two Kinds of People” and challenged us to be real in our walk with God.· Messeni de Jos: On Monday the team visited Messeni de Jos. Even though the foundation had evaluated the gypsy community in the town earlier in the spring, we had never performed a humanitarian or ministry project in the area before. Team members mingled and fellowshipped with the families as they gathered in the community center. Pastor Garry held a short children’s program and afterwards the team gave pointers on hygiene and presented a salvation message. We all sensed that the people had heard very little if any salvation message before. Praise God though, the people stayed and sat quietly while the message of Jesus Christ was being delivered. I thank God too for the Mayor of Messeni de Jos’s invitation to minister to this gypsy population and for his invitation to return and continue the work that was begun this Christmas. If only other government officials would open the doors in their communities for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ until all the people have heard!· Fundatia Agape: The last ministry day was spent at the “Agape” elderly center in Tiheu. The team brought tidings of good cheer to the meek, the bent, and the broken. The whole day was spent in handing out hugs, showing love, and praying for them one by one. What a glorious way to end the year - ministering to the hearts of those in need of love and most of all sharing the Perfect Love of our Lord and King.Transitioning Student: You all know that in 1998 we began our very first ministry project – the transitioning program. The program was designed to transition young girls who had been released from orphanages into becoming productive members of their communities and families. They were taught English, the work ethic, and independent living skills. We began our program with Monika Pantya. Later other girls came into the program and then after a while left for different reasons. Some are now wives and mothers and are doing very well. Others live on their own and have jobs and some regrettably have returned to the same struggles they had before coming to the foundation. I am proud to say Monika has completed the program with honors and has even received her high school graduation certificate while working for the past three years. God has given us 7 wonderful years of working with, training, and caring for Monika. She has turned out to be a remarkable young Christian woman and is now about to venture out on her own to become a married lady. Monika has an appointment with the US Embassy on Jan 10th and 11th for her interview for her finance visa. God has honored her faithfulness and has graced her life with His blessings. She feels that it is God’s Perfect Will for her life to marry Mark Dedman of Clanton, Alabama. I thank God for Monika’s faithfulness to the transitioning program but most of all for her heartfelt commitment to God.Center for Chosen Children: Alex and Sarah. The court date for Alex and Sarah scheduled for December has been postponed until sometime in 2006. I told you last month that their parents had requested that the girls be placed back into their care. Continue to pray for God’s protection over these girls. We truly know that God is able to turn this situation around for HIS Glory and that HE will finish what HE has begun in these girls’ lives. I will keep you updated on this as I hear. HOME: It seems impossible to be home again. The trip home was good and there were no delays except in Chicago. However, by then I was so tired I did not think about the time. Thank you all for you prayers. Remember we are scheduling engagements to speak. If any of you would like us to share about the mission work in Romania please call (205) 755-4000 or email RitaMc@tdisp.com.· On Dec. 28th we spoke at Popular Springs Baptist Church. Thank you, Pastor Rick and Mission’s Director Cindy Rice for your invitation to come and share about our work in Romania.· On Jan. 4th we are scheduled to speak at Alpine Baptist Church. We also thank you for your invitation.Our Appreciation: Thank you all for another year of support for the work we feel God has placed within our hearts. We feel overwhelmed to be used in God’s work and are overjoyed that you too have partnered with us to take the Gospel of Jesus to many that are in need of hearing. Thank you so much for your faithfulness! I pray that God will continue to use “YOU” to advance His kingdom in the upcoming year. Your financial support is most appreciated. God bless you all and have a “Happy New Year.”
Yours in Christ, Freddy and Rita
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