04/05/02 Bacau, Romania
Greetings to all that take the time to come here and read this, and I
hope to pray for us as well. At the present, we are all still in
Romania. Paul has continued the journey with Peter and John Dobrovot,
visiting the villages of Romania and Moldova, but Steven and myself (James)
felt we should wait here in Bacau. We have felt a tug to expedite our
travels to Israel, and have purchased airplane tickets that are
scheduled to leave this Monday at 12:45p.m. Romanian time. If all goes as
planned, we will have about a 12 hour layover in Athens, Greece, and end up
in Tel Aviv, Israel very early Tuesday morning.
We had not planned the trip this way at all, and initially I thought
that we would continue the remaining 2 weeks with Peter and John here. I
guess that the wind blows where it desires, and we have felt a pang
inside to head to the land that once flowed with Milk and Honey. We have
heard the reports on every side, about what is happening in Israel, but
once the noise of them quieted down, there is still an inner peace in
heading there. So, I hope that you all would know that your concern is
not disregarded, and we are blessed to know that there is so much care
for these pilgrims and strangers, but we feel it is time to go.
It seems as though Paul has been touched by travelling the villages
here. We all have had opportunity to go to several villages, to very
humble houses of prayer and worship, to try and encourage these people. I
think that these village churches have many things that Americans would
do well to learn- foremost Humility. Anyway, as we told Paul how we
felt we needed to go to Israel, he voiced his leading and strong desire
to stay here in Romania. We are blessed to see his burden for these
people (not that we don't share in it), and I am interested to see if he
will end up staying here for a season, or will try to rejoin us in
Israel.
If the Almighty is pleased to keep us and give us opportunity, the next
update should come from Israel.
Sincere thanks and salutations from us here in Romania