Partners United Thru Christ International Newsletter
July - August 2004

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Dear Partners
Romania Teaching Trip Report

Dear Partners,

During a recent trip to Romania Pastor Daniel introduced us in an unusual way, he said, “Paul and Dorothy conducted a teaching seminar for pastors and their wives 12 years ago. At that time I didn’t agree with them and fought all they were saying about the husband and wife relationship. After all I knew that the wife’s responsibilities were to clean house, keep clothes and shoes clean, cook, and read my mind. I’ve since learned that I was mistaken and I urge you to listen carefully and apply what they will be teaching you.”

Does this sound familiar or far out? A couple of years ago I was visiting a friend and I casually asked how things were going for him and his wife. I was surprised by his response. “I’m kind of frustrated”, he replied. When I asked way he said, “Well we are having some rough times in our relationship and when I ask my wife what can I do or what does she want she replies, ‘If you really cared and loved me you would know my needs and what to do.’”

I’m currently involved in a book study called “Waking the Dead” by Eldredge and McConnell. One of the “Big Ideas” in the very first chapter is that “most of us live in a fog, most of the time”. In other words, we are unaware of one another’s needs and need clarity. Yet many husbands and wives expect their spouse to know exactly what they want and when, in other words, they expect their spouse to read their minds. Of course we’ve heard many explanations but the most common is “We’ve been married for quite awhile and seem to think alike so I shouldn’t have to tell him/her everything”.

Friends, communication breakdown is the number one cause of strife and conflict in marriage. We have a thought, mull over it for a period and perhaps think we’ve talked about it. And more often than not we haven’t talked about it but because we tend to be on the same wavelength, believe that our spouse should know our thoughts – in other words, read our mind.

The bad news is that most of the time it doesn’t work. The good news is that God has given us the means of expressing our thoughts and ideas in understandable ways, however we must choose to do it.

Dorothy and I advocate setting 20 minutes aside on a daily basis just to talk – away from the children, grandchildren, or parents who may be living in our home. It is a private time. We started when our children were very young. They had books to read, coloring books, and toys and were told that Mommy and Daddy were having private time. When the timer ran they could knock on our bedroom door.

It was a time for us to spend talking, asking questions, explaining ideas and breaking down potential walls. Sometimes it was a time of cuddling and sometimes a time of crying. But, it was a time of communication and expressing our needs, hopes, thoughts, and desires.

Friends, use the gift of communication with all the members of your family. God will bless you, draw you nearer to each other and help you prevent the frustrating times resulting from when you expect the other person to read your mind.

In His Love,

Paul

ROMANIA TEACHING TRIP REPORT

Thanks so much for your prayers. Our trip to Romania was such a blessing. We began the trip by going to Bazna in the northern part of Romania. We were with Pastor Timotei and his wife Rodi for three days.

During our second evening we taught on forgiveness. After the meeting, we saw a man approach the pastor. During our evening meal, the Pastor Timotei told us that he was asked by one of his deacons to accompany him for support in a reconciliation effort.

The next morning the phone rang at 8 AM. When the call was finished Timotei said, “That was the deacon. He couldn’t wait until today, he was reconciled last night and has felt like a tremendous weight has been lifted from his shoulders.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we all were so eager to be reconciled with those with whom we have unforgiveness?

After the three days of meetings we had the joy of visiting Pastor Sergui. As a teenager, Sergui had interpreted for us in 1991. He then went to England for a few years and we lost track of him. What a joy to see that he has married a schoolmate, has 2 handsome boys and is pastor of seven village churches. Because of our teaching at youth camps years ago, Sergui was eager to have us preach and teach in his churches. It was such a blessing to know that God had used us in some small way in the life of Sergui and his wife Monica.

We then spent three days in Timisoara where we met with youth, twice with couples and preached for the Wednesday night service. What a joy to see a packed church for the mid-week service. Our host was Pastor Edmond; a licensed pilot who has formed an evangelistic corporation called Angel Wings. He shared with us that most youth dream of flying but in Romania it is rare that any will ever do so. Angel Wings has purchased, with the help of foreign friends, an ultra-light plane. So far they have conducted four one-week camps. For a Christian to attend the camp they must bring a non-Christian with them. Through out the week they have Bible Studies, learn about aerodynamics, get to fly in an ultra-light plane and have all kinds of fellowship, games and activities.

Each camp has resulted not only in young people accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior but also in their becoming active in church life.

Pastor Edmond and Paul ready for a flight.

While most Romanians cannot afford the camp, $85 per person, Angel Wings has been blessed with people who sponsor one or more of the youth. Each youth pay $15. Considering that the minimum wage in Romania is $50 per month, even this is a high cost. If you would like to sponsor a youth, your check can be made out to P.U.C.T.I. and earmarked Angel Wings in the memo area.

We then traveled south to Bosca and spent three wonderful days teaching and preaching. The highlight of these final days in Romania was staying with a very special family. Daniel and his wife Rodica decided to have a very special orphanage. Each year Daniel comes to the States and works. With the money he has earned he has been able to purchase and remodel an older home. They then went to the state orphanage and were able to have ten children transferred to their care. One of their goals was to keep brothers and sisters together so all ten of the children are related to someone else in this special home.

We noticed that all the children referred to Daniel and Rodica as Mama and Papa. Joy, love and happiness were evident in all the children. It was neat to see that Daniel and Rodica’s own children were all involved in the care and love of the orphans as well. The children go to the public schools and are part of the children’s choir at church.

To our envy we saw a great garden behind the house. The children were also learning how to plant seeds, work a garden and to harvest it as well. Because of the garden, there was no need to purchase any vegetables during the year.

Daniel & Rodica with the orphans.

Friends, it is a joy to see how one family here and another family there are making such a difference and ask that you pray for Timotei, Sergui, Edmond, Daniel and Rodica as they minister the Gospel of love in a country of poverty.

The harvest is ready, and chaplains are serving with excellence on ripe fields both at home and abroad. Pray for our chaplains and their families as they serve the Lord, but don’t stop there. Look around for soldiers and families you can serve in your church and community.