Our pad (in red) ...for now.	Panorama from our balcony.	Orthodox cathedral under construction for a loooong time. No one knows when it will be finished.

1. It is very cold in Romania in January (it’s been down to -15C) but they say February is even colder. This wouldn’t be so bad if you had a car to drive but we and many other people here do not. So it is very common to walk at least a mile to your destination in these temperatures.

2. When crossing the street, stand next to a very brave person. In many intersections there are no crossing lights so in order to cross the street you just have to step out in front of oncoming traffic. They are supposed to stop (okay, we’ll say slow down) for pedestrians.

3. Do not get off the tram unless you know exactly where you are located. The trams make a circular pattern so you will eventually get back to the place you got on.  This week I was riding the tram to a friends apartment (they are a family in the church here) and got on a different tram number than I usually ride which I was told would get me there.  It took me a different direction than I had gone before and I made the mistake of getting off when I should have just stayed on for a few more stops. I wanted to cry because I was lost but decided that wouldn’t help me any and my tears would just freeze.  I waited in the cold and realized that I would stay warmer if I walked. So I used my brain and followed the tram tracks (by walking on the sidewalk) the same direction until I came to a place that was familiar. After about 45 minutes of praying, waiting and walking, I arrived at the apartment safe and foarte frig (Romanian for very cold).

4. Things here in Romania take time. We are still waiting on internet hookup. It was ordered on the day we arrived and word has it that they “don’t know when” they’ll get to us. We have been going to an internet café down the boulevard quite a distance to check email (or to this friend’s apartment) but this is making school extremely difficult for our kids. We have had to pay extra to get the café owner to allow us to hookup to his wireless connection so we can download their lessons.

5. No matter where you are in the world and no matter the language, God’s people are worshipping Him and His Spirit is felt. We have enjoyed our worship experiences with the church here and even though we cannot understand the words we have felt his Spirit. The people of the church are being very kind and helpful for which we are very thankful. God has gifted several of them with being able to serve as interpreters for us as we are looking for a permanent place to live (we must leave our apartment by the end of February).

 We have our moments of stress and great emotion but God is good and we feel your prayers! Thank you…keep praying!  We won’t make this without you!  Pray that:

            We will quickly find a well-suited and affordable place to live.

            We will quickly get internet access for our kids and to communicate better with all of you.

            We will find the right person to give us language study.

            We will be faithful in reflecting the love of Christ to everyone.

            We will be a blessing to the people here and that God will help us be Christ-like influencers in the relationships we are building. Paula

Day 6 - Tue., Jan. 17 - French Toast?  Today, January 17, 2006, is Stephen’s birthday. He said that he would enjoy some French Toast for breakfast. Yesterday we had gone searching for some maple syrup but found that Romanian’s have no idea of what syrup is let alone a Maple tree!  My mom told us that when she was growing up her family didn’t have maple syrup, so they had to make syrup from brown sugar. That is what we ended up doing. She made a “syrup” from brown sugar, butter and a small amount of water because we have limited resources. She made the French toast the same way and tasted about the same as it tasted in Columbus. When we started to eat we noticed the “syrup” starting to caramelize or turn into a type of frosting. When we had finished eating the “syrup” had turned hard! I  thought it was tasty but the others in my family thought not. Lydia

We did take Stephen to a nice restaurant for his birthday lunch (lunch is the bigger meal here). We all love their wood-fired oven-baked pizza, but for this meal 3 of the 4 of us ordered a full two-course lunch consisting of a very nice vegetable/noodle soup in a light chicken broth (soup is the first course here rather than salad) and pasta of varying kinds for our main course. Four of us ate for the equivalent of $15; an equivalent meal in Columbus, Ohio would've cost close to $40. Later in the evening we presented Stephen with his birthday "cake" - a chocolate-coated ice-cream bar with a lit match sticking out of it!   Scott

Jan 14, 2006 - Our lives have been such a whirlwind that I've had to write about these events after the fact. There was no time to write in the midst of them. Here are some of the details. Paula

Day 3 - Sat., Jan. 14 – I (Paula) woke on Saturday feeling some stronger and knowing people were praying for me. I could feel it. We ventured out today on our own to purchase some linens and found a small “mall.” We didn’t find anything but it was good for us to be out among the people. The monetary exchange is quite confusing for us. Romania has gone to a new monetary system but they are still using their old money as well as the new (4 decimal places different). We also found an internet café and I emailed family and friends begging for prayer. Later in the day family from the States called our new cell phone to check on us. They were obviously concerned and wanted us to know that they were praying.

In the evening we gathered at the Oaza Treasure House, one of the orphanages associated with the church, and worshipped with visiting Free Methodist pastors Andy Ollerton and Collin from the UK as well as people from the church. We had a wonderful dinner together with the children and the fellowship was helpful. A couple of people in the church speak English so we were able to connect with a few people. The worship was most beneficial though as we spent time connecting with God.

A wonderful thing has happened that we learned more details about from Pastor Nelu. He has been healed of the cancer. Last January he was diagnosed with a severe liver illness and in the spring diagnosed with a growth in his stomach which was cancerous. He refused surgery because he felt God was in control. Then, just this past week he again went to the hospital and returned last evening. Much to the surprise of the doctors, the cancer cells are gone! The doctor said to him, "I don't know what you did with your cancer but it is not in your stomach anymore." Praise the Lord! The growth is still there and his liver problems still remain (not immediately life-threatening), but the cancer is gone! We were able to excitedly tell Pastor Nelu that people from all over the US and beyond have been praying for him. He shared testimony how God has used this situation to allow him to witness to the doctors and several people (a Jewish roommate especially). Again, praise the Lord! We all went to bed that evening feeling a little better. We truly sensed God’s people praying for us and knowing that even though this is not easy we are in God’s will…which is the best place to be!

We have shed some tears, laughed at ourselves, said sorry many times, and prayed many prayers. We told many of you that one day we would need to look at the names of people praying for us…well, that happened…just a lot sooner than expected. We are also sure that it will happen again. We have also seen how you are already involved in the work here by God answering our prayers for Pastor Nelu. Thank you for praying! Paula

Day 2 - Fri., Jan. 13 – Friday had its struggles but we made it through. Our basic goal was to go to the grocery. This we accomplished! We had difficulty at the bank in getting money to pay our January rent. God provided assistance with both and we are thankful. I was very happy to learn (some of you will be disappointed) that I can buy chicken at the store in whatever fashion I desire…including boned and skinned! They even had a few choices of boxed cereal (a European breakfast usually includes bread, cheese and some form of cold sliced meat). Scott spent the afternoon buying a cell phone as we have no landline. (We all think European cell phones are cool…ours' came with flashing lights!) We had our first meal in our apartment. It was interesting to cook in a strange, small kitchen with limited pans and cooking utensils. (I tried to consider it was a blessing as compared with cooking over an open fire.)

I could paint you a beautiful picture of our lives and emotions thus far to keep you encouraged and make God’s work look easy. However, I would be lying to you and that doesn’t help anyone. Scott and the kids were doing pretty well. Tired…yes, uneasy…yes, but really doing quite well. I (Paula), however, really had a fitful evening. Satan was really working on me. I began having panic attacks and feelings of claustrophobia. (I wonder if Jonah had panic attacks and claustrophobia?) I was in tears. If I could have boarded a plane and gone home to Hilliard, Ohio, I would have no matter how long it took. I wish I could explain why but I cannot. The apartment where we are living temporarily is nice. All of the people are so kind to us! But for whatever reason, I wanted out of here! But to go home would only have left me feeling completely out of God’s will. I was having a battle between my heart and my head…even my heart was divided…battles like this are tormenting. I fell asleep begging God to help me and not knowing if tomorrow would be any better.  Paula

Day 1 - Thurs., Jan. 12 - With our 12 suitcases and two vehicles, we began our journey to Arad, Romania. The countryside in southwest Hungary reminded us of rural central Ohio…flat and fertile soil. We did miss our exit from the freeway and had to take a detour. The detour sounded fun, though, as we were going to cross a river on a ferry. Unfortunately, the ferry was closed and we had to go still another direction. We had a wonderful lunch at a roadside Hungarian restaurant (pictures to come). Soon we were close to the Hungary/Romania border. We were a little nervous because you never know if the border crossing will be smooth or time consuming. Just before the border Jerry Coleman and Scott were stopped by Hungarian police, but it turned out to be a random routine check for driving paperwork (which Jerry had in order). The Hungarian border patrol let us pass through quickly after showing our passports. The Romanian border guards were very kind and simply wanted to see what was in the back of the van and made no request to open any of our luggage. They even shared with us what new grocery stores were now in Arad. In total the crossing only took 15 minutes (unheard of according to locals). We could not have had any smoother travel into the country. We thank Jesus and your prayers for this. We spent the evening moving our stuff into the apartment (3rd floor) and having dinner with some of the Andres family. Our first night at the apartment was restful for some and fitful for others. We were happy for a place to call home in Romania. Paula

Wed., Jan. 11 – The flight from Detroit was completely uneventful…praise the Lord! We arrived in Frankfurt, Germany sleepy, so we found a spot on the floor…not one seat available…and took turns napping for the next couple of hours. We tried to get information on Madyson (our dog) but were unable to do so. This gave us concern. Finally we boarded a bus which drove us to our plane on the tarmac. While boarding the plane we learned from a flight attendant that Madyson was indeed doing well and was on the plane with us. Praise the Lord! Next we learned that the engine would not start on the plane so they had to do some repairs and some deicing before we could head on to Budapest. We arrived by 2:30pm (8:30am Eastern time) in Budapest. To our amazement all of our luggage arrived…including Madyson and Stephen’s cello! Again, praise the Lord! No one spoke to us in customs. No one even asked to see the papers on our dog that we spent days working to obtain! The only one that received attention was our dog Madyson as the Hungarian airport employees made over her. They begged us to take her out of her cage which she was more than welcome to oblige. Jerry and Jan Coleman (area director for Europe) met us at the airport. They were certainly a welcome sight and pair of arms for hugging! We made our way to their flat in Budapest where we were able to relax and had a wonderful meal with them and Marcie Huson (FM missionary to Hungary). We so much enjoyed the fellowship and beds! Paula

Tuesday, Jan 10 – We had tearful goodbyes all this weekend. Friday night our church, LifeNet, gave us a big going away party. It was great to see friends from all across Ohio…and from Indiana too. We are so blessed to have so many that care about us. Packing and cleaning the house to move and sell was very emotional as the realness of this move settled in. By Saturday evening everything was gone except some blow-up beds and our bags to take with us. Sunday was brutal as we said goodbye to our dear church family. They blessed us with kind words and prayers. We will miss them terribly. Monday was spent handling final details…visiting the bank, final packing, and saying goodbye to my (Paula’s) 102 year old grandmother. This was quite emotional as the realities of life and death hit hard. Another difficult goodbye was with Scott’s parents on Monday evening. Tuesday morning was another whirlwind as we packed, cleaned and left our home…probably forever. Several friends from church came to send us off…tears, hugs…painful. Pastor Wayne drove us to the Detroit airport where we were met by Paula’s family and Larry and Katie Winckles (FM missionaries to Hungary on home assignment). Our luggage was checked in without a hitch…almost. Scott’s carry-on bag was too heavy so we had to do some creative repacking. :-) We nervously placed our dog in the hands of the airline and moved on to our final goodbyes. We were greatly strengthened for the flights by the prayers and support of our family and the Winckles. Larry prayed for us…thank you Larry. After more tears we made our way through security and onto our flight. After a 7 hour flight we arrived at the Frankfurt airport. Paula

Jan. 11, 2006 - Just a quick note to say that we have arrived safely in Budapest, Hungary. Every piece of luggage (12 large ones) arrived on time and intact, and to our great relief our dog arrived safely, too (thirsty and hyper but healthy). Travel was rather uneventful outside of deicing the plane in Frankfurt (where it was snowing); we praise the Lord for this as well. We’re tired from the traveling but glad to be on the ground. We’re staying in Budapest tonight (with Jerry and Jan Coleman—Jerry is Area Director for the FMC in Europe) and then they and we are driving to Arad, Romania tomorrow (Thurs). Then it will be household set-up time!

We will write more once we are set up in Arad with internet access. We truly appreciate your covering of prayer over these last few days as we’re making this huge transition. We do feel as if we are being lifted and carried through by your prayer on our behalf. Scott