telegram

Saturday and Sunday in Switzerland (speaking engagenments). Monday - a lady came by to inform me that she is interested in helping with organizational matters in the office. Showed her ware-house and explained procedures. Tuesday: The guys were in the ware-house as usual - a mission from near Frankfurt that handles our LATVIA transports came by for a discussion on how we could improve our co-operation. Wednesday and Thursday were office days, and nipped a little off of Maria's "honey-do" list.
Today we worked in the ware-house and did a pick-up run. Carlo (14) was a real help!

Lisa Leading Lady - for the 3rd year

This evening Lisa will be part of the cast for the annual "Candle Light Dinner" produced and hosted by the Black Forest Academy here in Kandern.
It is a well designed and orchestrated evening emerging out of a play entitled: "Finding Everland" this year.

There will be a dinner, music by the staff and students of BFA as well as information sections.
The purpose is to expose BFA to the community and vice versa.

Will let you know how it went ....

Greek Orthodoxy In Romania

Superstition is one of inate human characteristics the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ overcomes!
The following report from a British Newspaper is but an illustration how religious traditional approaches only demonstrate again what can happen, when procedures outlined in Scripture are replaced by agenda!

The only purpose for releasing this report is to encourage all to uphold those working in Romania with your prayers, that the light of the Gospel will make way for the sufficiency of Christ through the sufficiency of the Bible in all matters of life!

From THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (London)
Priest and nuns jailed for crucifying novice
By Michael Leidig in Vaslui
Last Updated: 2:13am GMT 20/02/2007

An orthodox priest and four nuns were yesterday convicted of killing a young nun who they gagged and strapped to a crucifix during a five-day exorcism ritual in Romania.

Father Petru Corogeanu, who has been excommunicated by the Romanian OrthodoxChurch since the killing in 2005, was sentenced to 15 years. The nuns, who helped "guard" the novice, received lesser sentences. They all have 10 days to appeal or will have to begin their sentences.

The five accused told the court in Vaslui, eastern Romania, that they had performed an exorcism to help 23-year-old Irina Cornici, and pleaded not guilty to charges of illegally detaining a person against their will and causing their death.

Miss Cornici died of dehydration, exhaustion and suffocation after being kept locked in a room for five days at the Tanacu Monastery hanging on a cross with no water or food and a towel stuck in her mouth.

The accused said at the time that she had been possessed by Satan and that they had been compelled to carry out an exorcism.

It emerged after her death that Miss Cornici had been diagnosed as mentally ill.

R 121

Yesterday we filled yet another truck for Romania. I forgot to take my camera - which I regretted.
This was Romania sortie number 121 (since 1990).

Our "silver league" (men over 60) came to load - and did a swift and professional job. NEVER underestimate the drive of senior citicens!
Timo (16) was the only younger member of our team - except the truck driver.

Even though loading went swift, he became very impatient, and tried to manouver this truck around mine - totally uneccessary! He oversaw a bolder protecting a hydrant - and sprung a hole in his 200 gallon gas tank!
So - we wasted about as much time fixing this problem as we neeed to load the truck!
All the same, ever since Romania has joined the European Community, the request from churches and mission groups for aid has at least doubled, even tripled!
So - y'all keep up the prayers for a full time ware-house person to replace "uncle Mark" - as he cannot pull that off!

More about the fine folks on the receiving end later.

Doris in the US

We took Doris (17) to Frankfurt (Germany) to catch her plane to Indianapolis via Dallas (TX). Fortunately we purchased the "special assitance" package, as this is Doris's first time alone.
Immediately at the passport counter - she needed it! The German officer was upset that Doris - a dual citizent - only had her US passport along. She threw it accross the counter and became very belligernt. At this, the special assistant from US Air "blew her top" - and so you had to women going at eachother! Anyway, US Air won, and Doris was on her way! In Dallas she was grounded, as due to a snow blizzard, flights to Indianapolis had to be cancelled - so it was US Air that put Doris up for the night. Of course they have a room for these purposes - but it is equipped for kids about 10 years younger than Doris.
All the same- we were at rest knowing that someone was there making shure Doris will get a breakfast on catch the right plane at the right place and the right time! Seldom were 60$ so well invested!!

when it rains - it pours

We had our first collection drive for clothing, shoes, household items etc. on Saturday. We were overwhelmed by the response - and now I am hoping and praying, that enough help will come tomorrow (Monday) to help pack from 3.00 - 10.00 pm!!

As my name and telefone number were in the newspaper advertising this drive, I fielded 54 inquiries!

Today I was invited to Switzerland to preach.
My grand-daughter Jana (3) who is staying with us came down with a bladder or urinary track infection. So this Sunday was quite eventfull!

battery problems

I tried to start our truck, when I heard a strange noise and smelled something funny. I got out of the cab and saw a bunch of smoke up out of the battery bay.
The truck has a 24 Volt system running 2x 12Volt 88 amp batteries.
The connector cable had come loose on one side - and simply melt the battery pole down! In fact - there is a hole now where the pole used to be!!
I swapped an identical battery from our fork-truck and drove to the shop. They told me that I was fortunate that the battery did not explode!

So - the LORD allows some things to happen, and prevents other things from happening!!

(might want to remember that when you are prompted to want to ask: "Why, LORD?""