This is the Team - plus our Field Coordinators, Joel and Sara Mullen (far right).

A Divine Appointment

Before the stylist was done with her haircut, Monica noticed that there were several ladies sitting around listening to the conversation she was having with her stylist. A door had opened for Monica to share "why" she likes to go to church so often. She shared the idea that church is not about having to be there, or because tradition tells you that is what you are to do, but rather that for her it is an intimate relationship with her beloved Savior Jesus Christ that draws her to church. She had to repeat herself several times, "no I don't have to go to church I want to go to church." The concept of enjoying church or experiencing something more than the traditional sermon, which has been repeated over and over and those who attend know what's coming, is a completely new thought or idea about church.

At the exact same time, in the same salon, Monica's husband Cristi was getting his hair cut (not styled) by another stylist who as well had opened the door of curiosity, "Why do you go to church so much?" Cristi's response, "Because Jesus has touched my heart and my life is different now."

Seeds have been planted. Now it is time for some water and the light of the SON to make them grow into a decision for Christ. Pray for the ladies at the Why Not Beauty Salon in Bucharest Romania. May God answer their why question and draw them to Himself.

Spiritual Hunger Grows a Church

The current issue of Holiness Today contains an article about the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Tigmandru, Romania.

Roberta Bustin can't remember exactly when the ecology laboratory became part of the building that's now home to the Nazarene ministry in Tigmandru, Romania. It occurred some time after space was designated for a doctor's office and before the upstairs classroom became a sewing workshop. The church ministries have developed in response to specific needs in the 1,500-person village, so besides space for traditional church ministries, the building needed room for science, health, and employment training.

"This village has so many needs that we just have to minister to the whole person," said Roberta, a science teacher who's served as a Mission Corps volunteer in Romania for more than 10 years. The village of Tigmandru is built along European route E60, which is a popular route for European shipping through 12 counties between France and Kyrgzstab. The village is a two-kilometer (about one mile) line of small, brightly-painted brick and stucco houses that reflect the area's strong German legacy. Most of the homes nestle against the highway, so the road doubles as a gathering place for much of the Roma population, people more commonly known as Gypsies. Unemployment is high among the population, which works mostly in the fields during the summer when there are crops to be tended and harvested. Heat, bread, and running water aren't necessarily a given—neither are literacy, job skills, or spiritual dialogue. But of the many needs in this community, the one that sparked initial ministry in the village was the need for answers to spiritual questions. An Open Door In November 2001, several young people were in an automobile accident along E60. When the totaled vehicle was towed back through the village, most of the residents assumed the passengers had been killed. Discovering that the passengers' injuries had only been minor, people began to ask questions. Magda Cini, mother of two of the passengers, said the Lord had taken care of them. Magda's brother and his wife, eager to hear more about God, asked her and Roberta to come to their home. When the two arrived, the man began asking questions. "When I saw the van, I thought there were three dead people. But there weren't. Maybe God does exist.'' He added, "We would like our lives to change.'" By the end of the evening, two new believers joined God's family. Relatives of the first two met in a home for several months, inviting their friends to the weekly time of prayer and Bible study. Eventually, they moved into the local community center, and others joined them, some out of curiosity, and some sincerely longing for spiritual enlightenment. As the group continued to grow, they planned to construct a permanent building for the ministries that were taking shape: a weekly children's program, a summer Bible School which 100 children attended, a computer lab, classes, and worship services.

Groundbreaking

Believers in Tigmandru broke ground in July 2004. Over the next three years, local believers worked hard to construct their building with the help of professional builders, Work and Witness teams, and support from Alabaster funds. Tigmandru now has a three and a half-story church building with three classrooms, an apartment, a computer room, a sewing room, an ecology laboratory, a doctor's office, and a sanctuary which seats approximately 175 people. The ministry offers a parenting workshop for young mothers, children's programs, youth ministries, literacy classes, an alcohol education program, and small groups that meet for Bible study and prayer. From the doctor's office the local physician serves the village once a week. "It made sense to provide a service that was much-needed in the community," said Roberta. "It also gets people from the village in the door so they're more comfortable coming into the building. Hopefully, they understand a little more of God's love and want to come back."

And there's the ecology laboratory, where Roberta plans to begin an ecology club with local young people. "We want this to be an outreach for the church in addition to teaching about our responsibility to care for God's creation. The young people will learn about creation care by cleaning a stream, picking up trash, analyzing (and hopefully cleaning) water from local wells, using the microscope to see organisms in water, and planting trees. Our central heating system burns wood, so we feel responsible to replant trees and help the people think about living sustainably and planning for future generations." Transformation Lives are being changed in this small village. And in such a small place, changed lives have a great impact. One such transformation occurred when a local man, who had been in prison, drank a lot of alcohol, and beat his family, became a Christian. He became sober and started providing for his family. He and his family come to church regularly now—and it's a transformation that the rest of the village has noticed. God has also changed the lives of many other people who are now reaching out to their families and friends. Lives also changed when a woman who took the church's literacy class for adults read the Christmas story from the Bible at a church service. "There were not many dry eyes in the house," said Roberta. "Now the others thought, 'If she can learn to read, I can too.'" Milestones

Tigmandru may be expanding the traditional definition of what "church" looks like, but it's certainly not abandoning the basics. The congregation meets twice on Sunday and several times during the week. The group loves to sing, and one recent service included music in four different languages. Services also have time for praises and requests, collective prayer, fellowship, and testimony. No one, Roberta least of all, takes these for granted. "People are learning to pray," she said. "They enjoy coming to church. There's a concern for each other that wasn't so apparent before." This outlook was reflected by the other churches on the Romania District in November 2007, when the district held its annual assembly in Tigmandru, someplace other than Bucharest for the first time in its 16-year history. Before business began, believers from the churches in Bucharest and Sighisoara joined a special service to dedicate the new building in Tigmandru. One hundred fifty people witnessed the induction of 20 new members, who were given new Romanian Bibles and honored in front of prominent members of their community. It was an event that celebrated years of people seeking God, seeking transformation, and seeking to serve their neighbors. "We had nothing to do with it," said Roberta. "We just stood back and watched God work. And we're so pleased. We certainly give Him all the praise." 

Simone Finney is the Eurasia Region Communications Coordinator. Kimberly Waggoner is the Mission Corps volunteer whose assistance keeps her sane. Both live in Büsingen, Switzerland, where they're praying someone will open a Chipotle soon.


To learn more about the ongoing needs of this outreach, see http://www.ncm.org/NeedsList/need.aspx?id=10126.

Source: Holiness Today, March/April 2008

The future looks bright!

The beautiful blonde (Irina) on the left is the sister of the handsome fellow (Razvan) in the middle. The precious brunette (Bety) is the handsome fellow's wife. Irina prayed fervently for her brother and sister-in-law's salvation. This young couple has been touched profoundly by God and He has GREAT plans for their lives. Irina continues to pray for the rest of her family members. Her parents have recently been attending our Bucharest church. And she has more people on her list to bring into the Kingdom. Razvan and Bety just might be our next pastoral team. God is calling, He is moving, He is transforming lives in Romania. Please interceed on behalf of this precious family. I believe bright days are ahead!!

Ţigmandru - Central Romanian village

Welcome to Ţigmandru! This is the new building that was dedicated just this past November. It is a beautiful building with great potential for growth, and different forms of ministry take place every day of the week. God is using the Church of the Nazarene to transform this small village. Please pray that God will continue to bless the efforts of pastor Roberta Bustin and co-pastor Magda Cini. May His light continue to shine!

Sighisoara - Central Romania

Welcome to Sighisoara! This medieval town was founded by the Saxons in 1191. We have one church in Sighisoara. The church building was just painted by a team from New York. The Sighisoara church is currently being pastored by Roberta Bustin a volunteer that has been in Sighisoara for 10 years. Please pray that God will continue to grow His church in this very unique town.

Welcome to Bucharest

Bucharest is a city of 2-4 million people. The city's history is recorded in the many different styles of buildings that you will find throughout it's bustling streets. The church of the Nazarene has one church in the capital city. The church is pastored by Cristi & Monica Boseff. We are praying for God's guidance and provision for His church. Please pray with us.