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Online Journal - February 2007 Archive
February 26, 2007 -
Monday -
Yesterday I
(Scott) traveled with
Jerry
Coleman
and
Larry Winckles to our Free Methodist church in
Gyor, Hungary (near the Austrian border). We attended their
morning worship service and then participated in a meeting
afterwards with the church's leadership to discuss options for
their future. Their pastor for the last several years, Gerry
McNamara, has decided to step aside from pastoral leadership in
order to invest some time in further ministry training (Masters
in Theology and Business), so options for future leadership
needed to be discussed.
"Why is Scott doing this kind of work in Hungary? I thought his Road was in Romania." you might ask. Great observation! Actually, as of January 30 I have been named leader of something we're calling the Carpathian Basin team. Basically, I am now responsible to oversee our Free Methodist work in Hungary, Slovakia AND Romania. Right now this consists of two fellowships in Hungary (Gyor and Budapest) along with their national and missionary leadership, a missionary couple in Bratislava, Slovakia, and our church and leaders here in Arad, Romania. So this meeting in Gyor was one of my first "official" functions as leader of the Carpathian Basin.
I would appreciate your prayer for me in this regard. The challenges of initiating ministry in one country are daunting enough at times; trying to wrap my mind around three countries is, well, a bit dizzying at the moment. At the same time, the work in this area has a need for closer oversight and encouragement, and the European leaders feel that my gifts are a good match for the need. So, we'll pray, give our best effort, and watch God do something beyond any one person's abilities.
By the way, has God ever spoken to you or someone you know about church planting in one of the most secular, unchurched places in the world? Then maybe God would have a place for you in the Carpathian Basin region of Europe. Email me if you'd like to begin a discussion about such possibilities. Scott
February 22, 2007 - Thursday - I (Paula) looked back to my last journal entry (January 25) and read my thoughts about the difficulties of being far from family. Little did I know just how difficult things would get. My sister and I spoke briefly on the phone just prior to her leaving for a doctor appointment on January 29, where she collapsed and never regained consciousness. I was to call her back the next day. The Lord knows the number of our days…I praise the Lord that nothing is outside His sovereignty.
Your thoughts and prayers have given my entire family strength. No doubt I will always miss my sister but the hope the Lord gives truly makes our grieving different (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Please continue to remember my parents, my brother-in-law, my niece and nephew and myself.
Lydia and I returned last evening to Arad. We are thankful to be home. It was an incredibly difficult return trip as we had unbelievable airline issues and in the end we have no luggage (two of three pieces did get delivered after I wrote this). Hopefully, we will see our luggage in the next few days. In spite of it all, the Lord gave us strength, patience (even though I thought about crying), and safety in our travels.
After being gone three weeks, we have many things which need our attention. Ministry related and personally. Your prayers in this regard would be appreciated. Most specifically, our residence visas, which permit us to stay in the country, expire in 6 days. The paperwork is prepared and will be submitted this afternoon. Please pray that this process takes only days instead of 3 months, like last year.
We were able to
complete the grant application for the
Oaza building
project and submitted it this week.
Please
be in prayer regarding this matter as well. The need for
completing the house within the next 3-4 months has become even
more critical than before. One of the homes that Oaza has been
using for the children is being sold by the owner and the
landlord of another house that Oaza rents has decided he wants
to utilize this home for himself. These two houses must be
vacated by Oaza by mid-June. Your prayers for the Lord’s
provision are imperative. Pray also for our new
contractor that the Lord will bless the work of his hands
regarding quality and speed, as we receive financing to proceed.
We are currently working on a project-by-project basis, which
means as we have money available we move ahead with the next
project. Scott continues to serve as the onsite "construction
manager" for this project. :-)
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) Our presence here in Romania is only to serve the Lord’s plans and purposes and to come alongside Him as He builds His Kingdom. We will trust in the Lord! Paula
February 21, 2007 - Wednesday - Paula and Lydia returned safely home this evening, but not without a similar bout of delayed flights leading to missed flights leading to rerouting and lost luggage. They are tired but home safe. Thanks again for praying! And if you thin of it, pray for their luggage to be returned quickly :-) Scott
February
19, 2007 - Monday
- Please
pray for Paula and Lydia tomorrow (Tues). They will be making
their return flight to Budapest where I will pick them up from
the airport Wednesday morning.
I spoke to Paula this evening, and she asked me to post a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have been praying for our family through the death of her sister and HUGE THANK YOU to all who have sent cards and emails and telephone calls expressing your love and support. It really is beyond words to describe how much this means to us. And please continue to pray. Grief is a process, and it is not over yet. Paula and her brother-in-law, her niece and nephew (Becky's kids), and her parents are all still experiencing the ups and downs of emotion that go with the grief process. But our Lord can heal this as well! Scott
February 19, 2007 - Monday - Stephen and I (Scott) returned to Romania late Friday evening after 28 hours of travel. Our original flight plan, that was rescheduled from Tuesday to Thursday last week due to the snow storm, was cancelled AGAIN after we arrived at the airport on Thursday! Our Delta ticket agent was very kind and spent 30+ minutes tracking down an alternate route to get us home. We ended up flying from Columbus, Ohio to Toronto, Canada to Paris, France (yes, we saw the Eiffel Tower on our approach to the airport) to Budapest, Hungary! We made all of the connections on time, though, and only lost one piece of luggage (not bad for going through the Paris airport--a reputation for lost luggage). That piece was delivered safely to us on Sunday afternoon.
Since returning, it has been a whirlwind of activity and catching up. An anonymous person (we have no idea who) had left a bag of food at our gate, so we enjoyed having the basics of bread, milk, canned tuna and a couple of snacks without having to run directly to the grocery store. It was a wonderful and encouraging surprise! I was scheduled to preach yesterday morning at our church, and then yesterday evening I led the first of a new group for leaders at our home.
Now, about this new group for leaders. Our primary calling here is to do something called "Leadership Development." Our senders and readers of this journal have been praying with us for several months about what leadership development should look like here in our context. In early January I finally sensed God saying, "Scott, just put something on the calendar and invite a few leaders to it, and I'll show you the rest." So February 18 was the date. I invited those who lead in different capacities at our church here in Arad, plus a few other young leaders that we've met and interacted with over the past year.
I could not have been more pleased with the ways things went last evening. We had 3 leaders from our local church (3 others wanted to come but couldn't for various reasons) and 3 leaders from other ministries in the Arad area. Even though some were meeting for the first time, everyone seemed to get along well, the discussion was lively and challenging, and it was evident that this type of thing was fulfilling a need (even a longing and prayer request for some) for those who came.
My desire is for this group to develop into a "learning community" for leaders. By this I mean that I don't want to be viewed as the "guru" teacher/leader. Instead, I want the group process to facilitate learning from one another. Yes, I will teach a segment each time, but the Holy Spirit can and will also teach us much from discussion process. As I shared last evening Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I think God wants this to be a "leader sharpens leader" group.
So, thanks for praying, and please continue to pray as we seek ways to develop spiritual leaders in and for Romania. And pray for those who came and those who wanted to come (9 total).
Thanks! Scott
February 13, 2007 -
Tuesday -
Stephen
and I (Scott) were scheduled to fly back to Europe today,
leaving from Columbus, Ohio. But, Mother Nature had a different
plan. We awoke to several inches of snow and several flight
cancellations at the Columbus airport, including ours'. So,
we've been rescheduled for a
Thursday
flight. We were really anxious to return home to Arad, but at
this point it is better safe than sorry.
Stephen and Lydia made the best of it with some play time in the snow. They built a "hobbit hole." :-)
Thanks for your interest in our ministry! Scott
February 5, 2007 -
Monday -
Today we had the
funeral service for Becky, Paula's sister. While difficult
emotionally, the service could not have gone better. It truly
was a worship service which glorified God, pointed people to
Jesus and celebrated Becky's life. Many thanks to Pastor Brent
Farmer, Becky and Larry's pastor, for leading such an excellent
service and caring for the family in such a Christ-like way.
Paula was able to sing in honor of her sister; she sang acapella
a medley of two hymns: "In the Garden" and "Just a Closer Walk
with Thee." We will try to get an audio clip posted here if we
can. I (Scott) shared a short testimony about the impact Becky
has had in my life. If you would like to read the written
version, please click
HERE in Microsoft Word format. To save this file to your
computer, right click on the above link and then chose "Save
Target As."
We want to publicly thank our church family in Romania, Emmanuel Christian Centre. When we arrived at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon, we were so surprised to find a huge basket of flowers sent to us by our Romanian church family. The effort and sacrifice required to provide this was no small thing, and we are humbled by their expression of love. Vǎ iubim! (We love you!)
We also want to thank everyone who reads our online journal and has been praying for us over these last few days. They have been difficult days, but the many emails and expressions of love and prayer have lifted us in noticeable ways. God is good, Becky is in His care, and we will all be reunited again when we see our Lord Jesus face to face. Scott and Paula
February 3, 2007 -
Saturday -
When I was in
seminary (1989-92, yikes I'm getting old!) one of my professors,
when we were learning about how to care for funerals, taught us
the importance of meeting with the family to plan the service.
He taught us how to "interview" the family about more than just
the service details (songs, Scriptures, pall bearers, etc.). In
addition, we learned how to ask questions that would elicit
family stories and memories of the deceased. I've always been so
thankful for this teaching. The family "interviews" I've had the
privilege of conducting over the years since have always been
some of the most treasured moments in my ministry (and for the
families I've served).
Today we experienced the treasure of this time from the other side. Becky's pastor met with the family this afternoon to plan the funeral service, and he followed the same practice of asking us to share stories and memories about Becky. In contrast to the times of tears, this was a time to laugh and appreciate good memories. There will be more times for tears in the next couple of days, and those times will be part of the grief and healing process, but this afternoon was just as much an important step of grief and healing.
We would appreciate prayer for the next couple of days. Visitation will be tomorrow (Sunday) from 2-5pm EST at the Richards, Raff and Dunbar funeral home in Springfield, Ohio. The funeral service will be Monday at 1:00pm EST at the Hillside Avenue Church of God in Springfield. Visitation will also be held at the church from 12-1:00pm prior to the service. Pray with us that the Lord Jesus will be glorified in these times of remembrance and celebration. Scott
February 2, 2007 -
Friday -
Becky, Paula's
sister, died just before midnight last night
with
many family and friends present. As I wrote yesterday, we
rejoice that Becky is with her Lord, but we are deeply saddened
to lose her from our lives here on earth. We take comfort from
the words of the Apostle Paul:
"My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope. We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died. Our LORD Jesus told us that when he comes, we won't go up to meet him ahead of his followers who have already died. With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God's trumpet, the LORD will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the LORD in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the LORD forever. Encourage each other with these words." (CEV)
We will see her again! We do ask for your prayer for the family. Becky leaves her husband, Larry (married 21 years), her children, Woody and Denise (both young adults), her mom and dad, Elton & Kathleen, and her sister, Paula, and a large network of extended family and friends. If you desire to know funeral arrangements, please send us an email by clicking on the "Comment" link below. Thank You! Scott
February 1, 2007 - Thursday - We arrived last night in Springfield, Ohio after an emergency flight home. We received a phone call from Ohio early Tuesday morning this week that Paula's 46-year-old sister, Becky, had collapsed during a routine doctor's visit and was in critical condition in the hospital. Doctors say that she has experienced a major brain trauma most likely the result of her long-standing diabetes. The four of us flew to Ohio yesterday (God helped us find an amazing airfare just a few hours before we flew). The doctors have informed us that they believe Becky's only remaining brain activity is related to maintaining basic body functions and that no cognition is left. Therefore they have advised, and the family has agreed, to turn off life support this evening and allow the Lord to take His course with Becky's remaining life. The doctor do not know how long her body will live after the vent is removed; it could be minutes to a couple of days. At this point I think we all pray that it will end sooner rather than later.
We rejoice that Becky is with her Lord Jesus! But we are deeply saddened to be losing her from our lives in the here and now. Of course, we still believe in the power of God to heal even the worst of problems in the human body. We continue to pray in that respect, all-the-while doing our best to submit to the Lord’s perfect will. Pray for God’s mercy to be great in Becky’s remaining life. Pray for God’s perfect peace and strength to be at work in each family member.
Thanks for your interest in our lives and ministry! Scott