How Your Prayers are Helping Change Lives
An essential part of effective missions is to be able to share the Gospel with the people in their heart language. Therefore, during our first three-year term here in Romania, our primary priorities are to grow in the language and start building relationships with people around us. Whether it’s in a store, at school, or over coffee, our goal is to be present, connect deeply, and build relationships. So far, we have had to build those relationships in English, but now we are starting to be able to build relationships in Romanian, even if imperfectly.
Sean and Katie in Oradea meeting people for coffee.
Here are some of the opportunities the Lord has given us recently:
Dr. Costa
You may remember that after my surgery last September, something unexpected happened: My doctor, Dr. Costa, had a stroke right in my hospital room, just the day after my surgery.
Dr. Costa with Katie at her latest appointment.
At the time, I asked many of you to join us in prayer for him, and I let him know we were all praying. Dr. Costa isn’t a Christian, but over time, it’s been clear that he’s curious about the Christian life. He’s even said that he sees something “different” in us (a good different!).
He shared recently that our prayers meant more than he could say. “I didn’t know how comforting it could be to know that people were thinking of me and praying for me. It made a huge difference,” he said.
He’s now fully recovered and back at work, with no signs of the stroke at all! I was able to see him for a follow-up in early July, and he’s doing wonderfully.
During that same visit, he gave me a clean bill of health, too; no signs of the infection remain. God has been so faithful, and we’re so thankful for your prayers.
Thank you for praying! Please keep lifting Dr. Costa to the Lord! We are praying that God will continue placing believers in his path and that he will come to know the difference between religion and a true relationship with Jesus.
Street Evangelism in the City
This month, Sean joined a group from our church doing street evangelism in the town center. Before going out, we all prayed for God to lead us to the people He wanted us to speak with.
We shared the Gospel with about 12 people, and three gave their lives to the Lord! The group leader followed up by giving them his contact information so they can stay connected and continue growing in their new faith.
It’s so exciting to see this kind of ministry just getting started here in our city, where there is a church, and already making an impact! Please pray that the outreach team will stay bold and Spirit-led in the weeks to come.
Language Progress & A New Home
We recently finished our second Romanian language intensive! It’s been a challenging couple of months, but we can really see progress. We’re already preparing for intensive number three.
I’m (Katie) finally getting to the point where I can understand most of what’s being said around me. Recently, I was even able to have a full conversation with the school secretary (who didn’t speak English) while turning in the kids’ paperwork! Is my grammar perfect? Definitely not. Can I be understood? YES, and that’s a huge answer to prayer!
We also recently moved to a new home. While we’re still getting settled, we’re so thankful for this next step and excited about the opportunities it brings to connect with new neighbors and new classmates (for the kids), and deepen local relationships, as we are still near the city of Oradea.
Romanian Corner: Language Fun
Here are a few fun expressions we’ve picked up this month:
• “fără să ne batem capul prea mult” – Literally, “without hitting our head too much.” We’d say, “without bothering too much.”
• “îți țin pumnii” – “I’m holding my fists for you!” (Romanian version of crossing your fingers)
• “floricele” – Means popcorn but literally translates to “little flowers.”
Although the language may be tricky at times, it’s full of meaning and beauty, and we love sharing the cool expressions we discover along the way with you!
How You Can Pray
Thank you for continuing to partner with us through prayer. Here’s how you can join us this month:
• For Dr. Costa, that his curiosity about being a believer would grow, and God would place followers in his life who show him the love of Jesus.
• For the three new believers from street outreach, that they would grow in faith and stay connected.
• For our ongoing language learning and local relationships, that we’d have grace, new opportunities, and open doors.
• For our family as we settle into a new home, that it will be a place of peace, rest, and connection.
A Note on Support
Over the past several months, the Lord has taken home some of our faithful partners. Others have faced financial struggles or illnesses and have had to pause or drop off in their support, and we completely understand! We’re so grateful for the generosity that has carried us this far. At the same time, we’ve also felt the impact of the U.S. Dollar decreasing in value. When we exchange funds into Euros or Romanian Lei, it now stretches less than it did a year ago.
That said, we are currently about $600/month short of our full budget. If you feel led to help fill that gap, whether through a one-time gift or ongoing partnership, we would be deeply grateful. And if you can’t give right now, we’d love your continued prayers for provision and stability.
Stay Connected
We’d love to hear from you! Connect with us and let us know how we can be praying for you.
With love and gratitude, Your missionaries in Romania
Sean, Katie, Elsie, Bryan, & Liliana
