Paul Krempl
July - August 2001
While in Romania, Dorothy and I celebrated our 37th anniversary. It wasn't really much of a celebration as we were apart most of the day, and then worked together at the camp snack bar until 11:30 PM. But we shared the joy of knowing that God is the center of our marriage and it is because of Him that our marriage relationship has been so blessed.
While there are many keys to the success of our relationship, I would like to share two principles that have been very important to us and I believe apply to all relationships, not just in marriage.
1) We have tried to live Eph. 4:29; "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." And Hebrews 3:13: "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Yes, neither of us is perfect and yes, we do need to be corrected and challenged. However, we earnestly try to avoid criticism and condemnation so our words can edify and bring grace to each other. And even though we mess up time and time again, we try to look for the progress we see in each other and to encourage each other.
2) Years ago at a conference, we were challenged by a pastor when he said: "Anticipate the needs of your spouse and meet these needs before they ask." As we tried to do this, we found that regardless of how we were feeling, we had to focus on the other person. We had to look at things from his or her point of view. As we did this, we realized that we were dying to self and developing a servant heart attitude. We also learned more about the joy that comes with serving.
In all honesty, I have to say I don't always feel like serving. But I've come to learn that obedience to God's word is more important than my feelings, and as I obey and serve, He truly blesses me.
Dorothy and I have found these two principles have transformed not only our marriage relationship, but also our relationship with our parents, children, brothers and sisters as well as with members of our church and community.
Jesus was a radical in that he did things contrary to the culture. Following these two principles requires you to be a radical as well -- they are contrary to the ways of most people in today's society. As you live God's word, He will bless you and your relationships.
In His Love,
Paul Krempl
"Judge not, that you be not judged" Matthew 7:1.
Jesus' instructions with regard to judging others is very simply put; He says, "Don't." The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.
There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matt. 7:3-5). Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24). Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person's situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleansing. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lost all hope of, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.
Taken from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers, An Updated Edition in Today's Language.
CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR FULL SIZE VIEW
We had a wonderful trip to Romania. All eight team members stayed in good health. We had a great time working with the Greater Europe Mission (GEM) teams. They had a team of construction workers and a team that taught English as a second language to about 40 Romanians.
Pastor Ben-Oni met us at the airport in Timisoara along with Carey Holmquist of GEM. Custom officials wanted to check all our bags. We were carrying a lot of clothes, crafts, toys, power tools and a chain saw. As we approached the inspection area a woman said for us to just pass through. We learned that she attended Pastor Ben-Oni's church and he had talked to her. All 16 bags arrived with us - something the GEM teams did not experience. We had a 3-hour ride from the airport to Camp Bradatel high in the mountains.
The next day Paul went with Pastor Ben-Oni to meet with the Pincus and to buy supplies. Our team started the work project of tearing down concrete fences, building interior walls, busting up concrete floors, ripping out old plumbing and bathrooms. It took almost 10 days to accomplish it all. Classrooms were prepared - concrete poured, walls and ceiling painted, one building had to be washed down with bleach because of the mildew.
Then there was landscape work. Relocating clothes lines; cleaning up years of junk - garbage, stones, cables, trees, shrubs etc. to make a park area which was partially seeded. There was much over-growth to be cut and removed. A scythe was used to cut the over-growth. Many large rocks were also removed.
Several folks worked on laying tile and grouting in the bathrooms. All the trim on the front of the first building was sanded and repainted and some general repairs were also done.
After the first day on the construction team, Dorothy was put in charge of the snack bar - coffee was made for all the workers, teachers, and students - 72 cups per day. Snacks were provided for the breaks and the snack bar was open from 7-11 PM daily. It was a 7-8 hour job each day. Paul helped with the snack bar and the hauling of filtered water for the coffee and drinking - usually 30 liters per day.
Paul was freed for much of the labor because of unexpected preaching/teaching preparations. When we left the States we were scheduled to teach four evenings and preach once. At the completion of our time, we counted a total of sixteen preaching and teaching times.
Workdays were Monday through Saturday. Devotions were at 8:30 AM and work began at 9:30 AM ending at 5:45. We had two 15-minute breaks and 1 hour for lunch. Supper was at 6 PM and the evenings were free for the construction workers. The English classes continued until 10 PM most evenings. Our teaching or preaching was done in the evenings.
Our team visited an orphanage in Lupini. It is a Christian orphanage with only 12 children although they have facilities for 35. It costs $130 per month per child and they only had funds for 12 children. We played games, did a craft and ate with the kids.
Everyone had a great time. We left clothes, tooth brushes, toys and gifts for the children and staff.
Dorothy and Paul returned to Lupini to teach on family life the next week for Friday and Saturday nights at the Baptist church that runs the orphanage. We spent Saturday with the Pastor and the folks from the orphanage. We were encouraged as they were doing things to both raise income so they could support the orphans and to teach them skills. They had acquired a house and were cleaning it up for rental to tourists and winter skiers. They have started a second-hand clothing store, (something new for Romania), and the week after we left were going to build a wood working shop to teach the children how to make furniture.
The first Sunday, we went to village churches and our team was split up among four homes for dinner. It was a highlight for the team members to experience the love of the people as well as the home cooked meals, (the camp food wasn't that good and was the same almost every day) and village life. Two men shared they earn $200 per month - a higher than normal wage in Romania. The orphanage staff earns $50 per month. Paul preached in the morning and evening and at 4 PM we did a family life teaching.
On Wednesday of our second week, we went to a remote village and worked with the local folks to finish a new church building. We painted inside and out; plastered; cut and laid tile; and dug out and built an outside staircase. We had wonderful home-cooked meals prepared by the women of the village. On our last Sunday, we returned to the church for the dedication service. Well over 200 people attended, a band played and Paul was the main speaker. After the service, we were again fed royally.
We had one day of sightseeing and shopping in Deva which we all enjoyed. A highlight was touring a castle built in the fourth century. On the day we left Romania, on our way to Timisoara, we stopped to see some ruins from the time of the Roman Empire.
Additional highlights for Paul and I were:
We have more invitations than we can accept for our return teaching trip in September. We want to say a special thank you for all the prayers that were said for our team. We think they all have expanded their vision for missions. We have been invited to bring a construction team back to the camp next summer.
(We are in need of stationery that we can use with the couples we teach in September. If any of you would like to donate stationery please sent it to us by August 29th. Thank you.)
After five weeks of being in the hospital (three of them in ICU), Pastor Ponsiano is now home. He asked us to thank all of those who have been praying for him. Please continue to pray for him.
Pastor Ponsiano left the States not feeling well. He developed pneumonia, and was hospitalized. He went into a coma for 12 hours. When he awoke he could not speak, swallow or remember things. Tests showed that it was a diabetic coma, he never knew he had diabetes. After much prayer and work on the part of the medical team, he came home and was able to function normally.
We rejoice that we were able to buy a car with the inheritance we received after the death of Paul's father.
|
We appreciate your comments and suggestions regarding articles in the newsletter. You can contact us by writing to: Partners United Thru Christ Intl. Call (623) 815-6826 Email: paulgdorothye@juno.com |