• Alpinis letter (dec.09) – page 1
• Alpinis letter (dec.09) – page 2
• Alpinis letter (dec.09) – page 3
• Alpinis letter (dec.09) – page 4

The last very important command our Lord gave to His disciples and to all of us before He ascended to heaven is the command to make disciples. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19). Sadly enough the church as a whole does not do a good job obeying it. It is a very strong feeling today in the Christian mission world that the greatest need of the world today is the need for making disciples. For some years I have had a very strong desire to invest these years of my life in making disciples and training leaders. I started about two and a half years ago with seven men and now there are over 150 people involved in this program. These are present and future church and community leaders all over Romania. I was pleasantly surprised to see the desire of many to grow in spiritual maturity. This program is a team effort and is diverse in the methods of training; from one to one mentoring, to small groups study, intensive training and conferences. The year 2009 was a very good year; the program was implemented in a new area of the country- east Romania, so now the number of regions where the study is going on is five. The leaders for the new area are Pastor Tifrea and Pastor Handaric. Regarding the importance of these studies for the people who are involved, the best would be to let them talk about it:

For sure MLI studies are an unmerited blessing from God, for us. By far these are the best studies I/we ever did, including the Seminar studies. As the area Pastor and leader I see the very positive impact these studies have had on our lives. It helped us to consolidate and clarify our doctrinal believes, to deepen our walk with the Lord and to prepare us better for serving the Lord and others. I see without any doubt people serving better, others that never served before are beginning to serve and be involved. These studies helped also our family life, prayer life; we know each other better and the fellowship between us is warmer. We are very satisfied with these studies and are thankful to God and to everyone who helps us. We are very thankful to brother Eugen for thinking about us and our area, an area where very few people come to help! Thank you very much!
Pastor Cigher Sorin

Studying the Bible through bible study groups is great, the best I may say. It truly helped us a lot to grow in our faith, to strengthen our relationship and to increase our ability to serve. It is our vision to make disciples and these studies help us a lot. The studies are accessible to all of us, are well structured and very efficient. I also graduated from the Seminary in Bucharest, but these studies prepared me much better for ministry than the Seminary did. Thank you so much for your love and dedication in helping us grow in our faith.
Pastor Iosif Pop – Fetesti

Since we started BEE studies the relationships between us are much better and that can be seen in the whole environment of the church. These studies help us to listen better, serve better and be able to minister more efficiently. It is not right to leave the voice of this world to direct our lives; we have to teach others from the Word of God how to be dedicated Christian mothers, wives and servants of the Lord. Through these studies you help us do that. Thank you so much!
Elida Pop – Fetesti

BEE study motivated each one of us to a deeper relationship with our Lord; in general each time when we meet we shared things from our personal time with God and that is very motivating to us. BEE studies do not stop at the theological level but are very much oriented to the practical, ministry level and that we find very helpful. I think brother Eugen did a great job when he chose this study for us. I/ we are very happy about these studies and are thankful to all who help us do them.
Pastor Valentin Fat – Timisoara

Bible study groups are a tremendous blessing for the people involved and also for the whole church and community. In my churches the BEE bible study groups are the engine for all the church ministries. It is a great difference between those who are involved in studies and those who are not; the difference has to do not only with the biblical knowledge, but also with the enthusiasm and the vision they have for ministry. Since we started such training in the church there are ladies involved at the community level in ministry, there are missionaries who are working in other small churches and evangelists who do a better job preaching. I/we are very thankful to God and to all the people who are helping us to be able to study the Word of God.
Pastor Florin Iosub – Carpinis

BEE training brought to our church a lot of enthusiasm. Everyone involved is ready to accept the challenge of such a study and the impact in their lives is so clear. I see them growing month after month; they grow in their family life, prayer life, teaching and preaching the word of God. I am so thankful to all those who made possible these studies for us.  May the Lord richly bless you!
Pastor Viorel Dumitru – Giurgiu

First of all let me say how thankful I am to God and to all of you who made these studies possible for us. I am deeply moved that you thought about us, people from these very poor parts of Romania. I look at all these studies as a blessing from God.
Iulian Stoian – Missionary at Slobozia

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Most of the training takes place in small groups, but larger gatherings helps to know each other better, to build up relationships and friendships! The first event was a conference organized at the end of January 2009 by Zionsville Presbyterian Church for the pastors and missionaries MLI works with, from south Romania; MLI was part of it! During the month of May 2009 I had the first session of intensive training at Alpinis – MLI retreat center. The study was about the parables of our Lord in the Gospels. Kenny Woodhull was the main speaker. The study was very useful as some of the participants said:

For me the MLI intensive training session at Alpinis, meant a spiritual enrichment.  I learned why the Lord used so much the parables, how to study, interpret and apply them.  This time opened for me new horizons regarding my relationship with God and His people. It really was a time of spiritual growth for me and I thank you so much for making it possible for me. There are not too many people who are willing to invest in the young generation as you do. Thank you so much!  Ovidiu Jurca (Intensive training -May 2009)

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At the beginning of September we had our annual Pastor’s Family Retreat, over 45 couples came and it was a great time of fellowship, spiritual and physical refreshment and celebrating God’s goodness. The speakers were Mr. Sam Polson- Senior Pastor at West Park Church in Knoxville, a long time supporter and friend, also Jeff & July Sanders from the same church. Jeff is the Mobilization Pastor and July leads the women ministry. Here are some of thoughts from the participants:

This was a wonderful time, a time we had been expecting for a year, our souls looked forward very much for a time like this. During these days we were better prepared to serve God and serve others.  Thank you so much; May the Lord bless you!
Pastor Florin & Magda Botar

For both of us it was a very fruitful and encouraging experience. We were renewed in spirit and body and we did find the answers for some of the decisions regarding the future. This conference showed us we do not have to be discouraged because everything is possible to those who believe.  Thank you so much from the depth of our hearts!
Pastor Teofil & Monica Tifrea

Thank you so much for the invitation to be part at MLI family conference! It was for both of us a wonderful time; the teaching was exactly what we needed. God knows our struggles and our hearts. My wife was so blessed by Julie’s teaching, she is a special lady! Thank you so much!
Pastor Mircea & Cristina Ursu

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The end of September and almost the whole month of October I had the second session of intensive training and about fifteen people for the first marketplace seminar. All of these people were professionals, business people and four young pastors. The speaker for the marketplace seminar was Prof. Paul Stevens from Regent College, Vancouver BC, and Kenny Woodhull; for Church Based Leadership the speaker was Dr. Ed Scearce, Senior Pastor of Grace Church, Normal IL. Ed visited Romania even during communism; he is a long time friend of Romania.

I am overwhelmed by your love! Thank you so much for thinking about us and investing in us! It is amazing what you do, and I do not know anyone else who does these kinds of things in Romania.

The study in Ephesians was great and your love is overwhelming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Florin Tudorache

This study in Ephesians is a new challenge for me to change some of the priorities of my life so God would get the glory in all I am and I do. Thank you so much for these excellent days!
Pastor Adrian Neagu

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The study is going well, at this moment there are about 15 pastors involved in studying it and teaching it in five different areas of Romania. We are making good progress in advancing with our studies even though most of the people involved are working. The courses we have studied up to now are: Galatians & Romans; Christian Life; Overview of the Old Testament; Overview of the New Testament; Creative Partnership; Calm My Anxious Heart, Spiritual Mothering , Evangelism & Discipleship and Living By the Book.

I thank you all so much for your support in prayer and for your generosity. I am overwhelmed by your dedication; truly you are an encouragement and an example for me. I am thankful to God for each one of you and I am looking forward to continuing our work together for His glory. Without your involvement we cannot do what we are doing. I love you all in the Lord and I thank you for your friendship and partnership in ministry!

Your partner in Romania,
Pastor Eugen Groza

The Church in Babadag ministering in the Nursing Home for Seniors
One of the regular ministries of the church in Babadag is to the elderly in the local nursing home. There are 114 people in the nursing home, and Pastor Cornel Mos-Man leads a group that visits them on Wednesdays and Saturdays every week. On Sundays people from the home who wish to take–part in the worship can get a ride to church and have lunch, 28 of the elderly came on June 21″ for a special day of celebration with the church. Pray for this outreach of the church in Babadag. Pray also for their summer outreach to children in the area. The children work takes place outdoors every week in the summer with games, songs and Bible lessons.

Christian Center for children in Campeni area, central Transylvania
In February 2009 Pastor Florin Botar and the church in Ponorel started a new project – a Christian Center for children. Activities include English lessons, as well as games, Christian songs and Bible studies. This outreach started in a public school with twelve children and the number has now increased to thirty. Pastor Florin has planned two Vacation Bible School events in two other villages in the area, Sohodol and Bara de Aries. Pray for this work especially as they are considering planting a church in Baia de Aries.

Leadership Conference in January – Zionsville Presbyterian Church, IN has facilitated for the S’h year consecutively a conference where pastors, elders, missionaries and Christian workers from three cities in the south of Romania – Giurgiu, Alexandria and Fetesti – come together to receive teaching in Scripture and to share and learn about the ministry in every area. Jack Jordan from IN taught from 2 Corinthians about Christian Ministry. Thank you ZPC and Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, IN for investing in growing leaders in the churches you partner with.

The church in Bicaz area
Pastor Beni Handaric ministers in three towns in Bicaz area, north east of Romania, since the early ’90s. Pastor Beni brings together leaders from all three churches to be trained as part of MLI’s Church Based Leadership Development program. This year it feels like a fresh start in the churches as seven people have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.

Family focused ministry – Pastor Viorel Dumitru and the church in Giurgiu have taken a few days in February to minister especially to couples and families. They went on a retreat and had a Romanian couple, a pastor and his wife, who led the retreat looking at the Biblical perspective on marriage as well as discussing medical and social issues. We witness a dangerous threat to family life around the country especially as many choose to work for extended periods of time outside of the country leaving children with relatives or single parented.

Florin Iosub

School and vocational orientation was the key word at the Deborah House this year. Alina, Ana and Brenda graduated the 8^th grade and they applied for high-school. Simona graduated the high school, third in her class, and in July she has the graduation exams and college application. Gabriela, Victoria and Dana, finished their vocational training in textiles, and all three of them have passed exams which allow them to continue their studies for two more years and equal the high school diploma. Gabriela and Dana start their apprenticeship as hair-stylists in one of the best beauty salons in Timisoara, while Victoria will continue her education and she will also start in September her training in cosmetics. All the girls finished the school year, and the ones who don’t have to worry about exams can start relaxing, thinking of the fun they will have in the camp at Alpinis with the Christian Life Fellowship group, from Baton Rouge, LA, USA, working along with the Mt. Bethel UMC, Marietta, GA, and the visit in Northern Ireland at the beginning of August.

This spring we enjoyed the wonderful flavor of the strawberries planted last summer in the green house. We had a very good first harvest, finalized with 73 kg of strawberry jam. Over 3,600 fruit trees, irrigation system, a milling and a mowing machine we’ve purchased through a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant, following the application submitted by the Perrysburg Rotary Club, OH, USA and Ripensis Rotary Club, Timisoara. We have also purchased a tractor, funds being donated by Task Force Romania.

While the whole World deals with the financial crisis, God has raised new people to provide for Deborah House. Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, from Northern Ireland, initiated a matching grant of $20,000.00 for the operation expenses.

We are also grateful for a debut: the first grant awarded by a Romanian company. In May 2009 MLI – Deborah House received a grant of 10,000 Euro from BRD-Group Societe Generale Bank. The grant is for education and vocational training costs, for one year.

Lorena Rusovan

Lorena Rusovan

At the beginning of this year we finished the deck with wood and we had to postpone other development projects like building the sports ground for later.

Outdoor Ministry

Objective: Sharing the Gospel effectively with young people in the context of a wilderness journey.
I remember sitting in a “counseling and content” class at Frontier Ranch, a Young Life camp in Colorado, in March 2008 while a group of youth leaders were trained. I was really impressed with the teaching on how to relate to young people, how to serve, how to ask good questions and to bring the Gospel alive on a trail. I was hoping that the same training would be available for guides in Romania. Last year we had a first experience of training eight Romanians along side eight Czechs in the Romanian mountains. This year at the end of May, the Romanian team went for ten days of training in the Czech. We aim that the first group of Romanian guides will be equipped to take youth groups out in the wilderness by next year.

We are grateful to Wilderness Ministry International from CO for their service and hearts, for sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience and for offering this training in Eastern Europe. In August of this year two of the instructors from WMI will be back in Romania to bring equipment and assist us in leading a youth group up on the trail. I am not sure if I should ask you to pray for the leaders or for the youth group that will have so many leaders training on them. Pray for us all and especially pray that this unique tool of using the wilderness to draw young people to Jesus will really bring fruit in Romania and Eastern Europe.

Camps
We have summer camps scheduled at Alpinis from June 29 until the end of August. Christian Life Fellowship from Baton Rouge Louisiana led the first camp this year with the girls from Deborah House. Other camps this summer will bring together church partners and youth groups from Zionsville Presbyterian Church, IN and churches from Giurgiu and Fetesti in the south east of Romania; Grace Church from Normal, IL and children and teenagers from Campeni area in central Transylvania.

In the first week of August we will have for the 3^rd year consecutively the “Essential Questions” camp. The goal of this camp is to offer spiritual and intellectual direction to those who have essential questions about life, faith, vocation, church, and others.

This year we hosted two Leadership Development training sessions in May and we will have three other sessions in October at Alpinis.

Alec Woodhull Jr. and Aaron Clevenger have taken a few weeks to come and serve at Alpinis this summer. They are doing an EXCELLENT job cutting paths of access between camp fire – the villa – sitting areas. Alec and Aaron have raised money to install a ventilation system in the kitchen and to buy materials for landscaping. Thank you both and to all who graciously took part in your work here by praying and giving!

Emil Toader

This event was called “The celebration of the Resurrection at Bethel – a celebration for each one”. It was a special day in which each person, no matter the social or material status enjoyed God’s presence on the Resurrection Day. There where children from Recas, Lugoj, Deborah House, Beraca, students that where brought up at the orphanage in Lugoj, young offenders from the Correction Penitentiary in Buzias, prisoners from the Penitentiary in Timisoara and a group of street children. Also, among the guests of this event there were city officials, local politicians, representatives of different denominations, teachers and head-masters of these institutions.

The children sang and recited poems and prayed, and at the end they all had a meal together. It was a wonderful day that the children had been waiting for even since Christmas.

Afterwards, Rodica and I continued to work with them, have Bible studies and sing together Christian songs.

We are thankful to God that our relationships with the leaders of these institutions are very good and we are allowed to work with these children and teach them about our Lord Jesus and what He has done for us.

At Buzias we had the opportunity to present two Christian movies which had great impact in the lives of the young offenders there. We are glad that God is working and that the young ones choose to come to these meetings.

Recently, we celebrated Child’s Day, on the 30th of May in Buzias. Over 200 children came from Recas, Lugoj, Otelu Rosu, Buzias, Bacova and Cheveres. In the first part of the program we sang Christian songs and I had the opportunity to talk about God’s love for us. Afterwards, each institution participated with songs, poems, sketches and at the end we had different games of football, tennis, volleyball.

The children from Recas were visited last week by brother Eugene Groza with a group of friends from Northern Ireland. We all sang and prayed together and had a blessed time.

Pray that God would continue to bless the work that we are doing and that He keep the doors open so that we could continue to work with these children. We thank all those who pray for us and support us financially, from the bottom of our hearts. You are part of what we are doing.

May God bless you abundantly!

Doru & Rodica Racovicean