From The Crossley's
October 2002 Report
"TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS"
We ended the month with a visit from our pastor, Brother Monroe
Mercer and Greg Spurlock. We enjoyed a week of good fellowship and getting
to know each other better. The visit gave them a good chance to see the
ministries first hand and discuss future plans and needs of the Children’s Home
and other ministries we are doing. We want to thank Monroe and Greg for
coming to see us and for the offerings they gave.
"WORKS WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED"
I’ve settled into a position directing the kids ministry at
Harman and am thoroughly enjoying working with these special kids. In
the beginning, attendance was about 12 and has grown to abut 20 lately.
Some of the teens are slowly being drawn in. We’ve been teaching them
their books of the Bible and so far 9 kids can quote the books up to Proverbs.
We’ve had a faithful group of workers including our own kids who direct in learning
the books of the Bible. The workers give weekly testimonies and we’ve
had two children saved this month.
"GOD GAVE THE INCREASE"
As the name suggests, Little Flock "Mica Turma" is a very small
group. These kids all come from the village
of Tohanu Veci. We’ve been
teaching the Ten Commandments and several of them can quote them in order.
We’ve used the Ten Commandments to show them they are lost and the Lord has
blessed this effort. This month we’ve had children saved at three out
of four meetings. We are overjoyed that 5 of these kids, whom we’ve been
praying for for 2 years, are now saved. A few have visited Sunday services
and one, George, has stated he wants to be baptized. Please pray with
us that "He which has begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ".
"AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE"
It’s been a year since God brought the first three Romanian
children into our home and it’s a blessing to see the work He has done in their
lives. They are not the same children they were a year ago! It has
been and still is an hour by hour struggle, but it’s thrilling to see them apply
the Bible teachings they are learning and grow into responsible Christians.
Most of the older kids are faithful tithers and now are beginning
to give special offerings above tithes. They are developing servant spirits
and are (usually) exemplary in how they treat other people. They’ve had
a tough time at the new school being unaccepted by teachers and kids alike (there
is a stigma that goes with being an orphan). We’ve been using this difficult
situation however, to apply the principles of the sermon on the mount.
They really are learning to be salt and light to the people around them by demonstrating
Christ’s teachings about how to treat others including enemies.
It’s too soon to tell, but I think there may be a few kids
who are beginning to accept them. Also, though they are clearly not liked
by their teachers, at least one teacher was shocked by Denisa’s (our 7 year
old) habits of prayer and familiarity with the Bible.
A few weeks ago on the way home from church, the kids were
singing Christian hymns on the bus. A married couple began to ask questions
and the kids began to testify what they believed. The couple was shocked
at their familiarity with the Bible and it’s teachings.
Do I sound like a bragging father? When the couple got
off the bus I could tell they were trying to figure out who were the parents
the kids had been trying to point out. I know pride is a sin but it was
hard to resist the urge to jump up and shout,, " THOSE ARE MY KIDS!!!!!!"
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