January 17, 2012
Dear Prayer Partners,
The holidays and journeys we have experienced since our last update took so much time and attention that I must apologize for not keeping you informed. There is so much that I want to share with you, but I will sum it up with the highlights:
We enjoyed Christmas in Romania with our church family in our new facilities by special music and fellowship, including a night of caroling. On Jan. 1st, we rolled out the new theme for 2012 - Urmeaza-L pe Isus (Follow Jesus) based on John 10:27-28.
Two weeks ago, I received a phone call from Florina Z. (the first person baptized in our church) that her unsaved husband, Florin, had cut his right hand severely with a flex saw. When I got to the hospital, they were taking him from emergency directly to surgury because his right hand was almost amputated at the wrist in the accident. After 8 hours in the operating room, the doctor came out and said that they were able to save his hand, but would have to wait a few days to see if he would have use of it. We went by to see him on our way to the airport (for our trip to California for John and Pearl's wedding) and he was already getting feeling in his hand and could move most of his fingers. I gave him the "Done" book in Romanian, and asked him to read it and then we would talk when I returned at the end of the month.
Last Wednesday night, Florin showed up at church on his own and after the service came to our assistant pastor, Cosmin, and said he wanted to know how to be saved...but that I had told him we would talk when I returned! Bro. Cosmin was able to explain that such a decision should not be delayed and that I would understand! :) After a few minutes, Florin prayed and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. Hallelujah! Yesterday morning, for the first time, he walked together with his wife and son to church!
Tabita was in church on Jan. 4th and was walking around, smiling and hugging everyone in the church. It is being viewed as a miracle of God by the doctors and all who know the severity of her accident, and God is working through her testimony. She gets to stay in Timisoara for her therapy and her family appreciates your continued prayers.
Meanwhile with the Tyler family...we arrived safely in California and enjoyed several days with John and Pearl, and were able to take care of several big things in preparation for their wedding (scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 21). We then drove overnight to Grants Pass, OR, to see Deb's parents. Her dad isn't well enough to come to the wedding. We will be driving back down to Lancaster tonight and the rest of the family will be coming in later in the week.
May I take a moment in closing to share with you our heartfelt praise to the Lord for all He has done for us in the building project thus far. On Oct. 22 (just 3 months ago), I posted a video on our http://youtube.com/tim2ro channel that shared the construction project. Within 6 weeks time, the contractor finished the project and we were able to move in. God provided all the funds for this part of the project and the contractor has been paid in full. When I think of how quickly and how much was accomplished, all I can say is "to God be the glory; great things He hath done"; and we are so grateful for your prayers and financial support. We will also be purchasing chairs when we return and we are developing a plan to finish a structure at the back of the property to be housing for our assistant pastor's family. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to trust the Lord to provide.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
a Travel safety and health for our family.
a The Todorans - health and strength
a Wisdom and direction for property purchase for the church in Timisoara.
a Timisoara Independent Baptist Church—continued strength and wisdom for our leadership team; also, soul-winning, services and camps.
a Our “out-of-the-nest” children and their families.
We count it a privilege to labor on your behalf in Romania. Please let us know how we can better serve you.
Your servants in Christ,
Tim & Debra Tyler and family