Greetings to everyone who is witnessing God’s love over us in Romania.

When we got here we knew things would change but we couldn’t imagine how much change occurred. While we were gone the Romanian government conducted some audits of the leadership and holding them accountable for the lack of policy governing the partnerships and NGO’s that serve the children of the state. Well the fall out of that has been a major push to license institutions that want to work with the children. In order to do that many foundations needed to know what the standards were to meet in order to meet them and get licensed which costs money and our favorite here ‘stamps’. That’s right, bureaucracy. So when we arrived we checked in with the orphanage and found out that we couldn’t just dive right in to our relationships with the kids. So we began getting in touch with people who for the last few months have been getting their contracts renewed with the Ministry of Child Protection. After a few conversations with some local expats who work with the children at the orphanage we began the process to get an individual contract on January 8th. Today, January 29th I signed my contract and now have my access with the children reinstated. Praise Jesus! He loves these kids and our family and the workers trying to reach these kids.

I can’t wait to sit down at the table and open the last chapter of Genesis with the children and recap where we left off. Then talk about all the people we met in the U.S. who are praying for them to see the Love of Jesus.

But while we’ve been waiting on the application process we’ve gotten a chance to sit and meet with some of the older boys who’ve been integrating into society. One young man that I’ve sat and discipled for many months when he was still at the orphanage shared with me his deepest struggle. Loneliness. The time after work is hard for him while he’s on his own. So I’ve committed to meeting with him regularly and showing him how Jesus has so much to show him and prepare him for. Pray that our next meeting is one that is productive and allows this man to see how time doesn’t have to be wasted but profited in.

Other young men around town have been really busy with work and haven’t gotten the time to sit down for a dinner but I run into them while running errands through town often enough that I’ve been able to encourage them to make some time to speak with more depth on some of the difficulties they’re facing.

My discipleship group is starting the first week of February so pray for this group of 13-16 year old youth from our local church. They are tackling some heavy issues and I’m focusing on their identity in Christ as they navigate this difficult set of years ahead. I really love this age group because it’s an opportunity to fill in what they lack in experience with timeless wisdom found in scripture. The parents are great and are really working hard to see their children grow into who God is molding them to be. I pray this group really gets the Gospel down these next months. I really want them to know what is worth giving up your very life for if it should be for the Glory of God.

Please praise the lord for our answered prayers.
1. Contract established for two years at the orphanage
2. Relationships with the children is still strong regardless of the blocks in our path.

Pray for these matters.
1. Registration of our new Van is finalized without incident.
2. My wife is not feeling very well and needs strength while we seek a diagnosis. Pray that I can support her recovery by taking the children as much as possible and she rests.
3. Pray for the youth groups discipleship.
4. Pray for the children at the orphanage and their hearts are eager to commune with the God of the bible.