January 2010
“The things that you have heard me say, entrust these to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2
Entrusting to Others
This verse had huge significance during our formative years as young adults during the Jesus People days. In the same way that our pastors and mentors took time to speak into our lives, now, one of our greatest satisfactions is to invest in a younger generation.
Romanian Tribute
At 14 years of age a Romanian is entitled to receive a permanent identity card. In parallel recognition, Cristi Soimaru, our coordinating Romanian pastor at the Bucharest International Church, presented our “coming of age” with a customized identity card honouring our 14 years of service as pastors, servant leaders and spiritual parents.
This tribute is the direct outcome of so many who have believed in the call of God on our lives and have partnered with us in prayer and financial support. Because of your faithfulness, we have been able to invest significant time in the Eurasia region and so now, together, we can take joy in the extensive ministry present today that moves out from this local base in Bucharest, to the nation and beyond.
Romania
Network: Spiritual Discovery Course
It is always a pleasure to watch faces light up with new insight as we teach this course that helps people discover their most effective and rewarding place of Christian service. During the personal interviews it is greatly inspiring to note the people of quality who are taking initiative in their areas of giftedness and in needed areas of ministry.
Spain
Four years ago we introduced Ian Green’s organization, Next Level International, to the pastors of the Salem Spanish churches with whom we have had continued relationship for the past 22 years. An emphasis on mission and church planting was the focus for the conclusion of the 3 year seminar series for the emerging leaders as they move towards their goal to plant 100 churches in the next 10 years. The expression of so many was, “Thank you for standing alongside of us and bringing encouragment.”
Armenia
During Christmas week, our son-in-law, Mark Steinfield, invited Dan to teach a Spiritual Disciplines course in their recently established Bible School in the capital city of Yerevan. Dan was particularly impressed with a young Syrian-born Armenian, Tigran, who has a degree in diplomacy and international relations from Belgium. Though a new believer of 6 months, he proved to be the most diligent in his desire to receive the Biblical answers he was looking for at this time in his life.
We were also asked to bring instruction to the worship team and children’s ministry workers of the Yerevan International Church. The Indian medical students who make up these teams and who predominate in the congregation spoke with excitement about how they have received areas of teaching and mentorship that they never would have received in India and how the opportunity of living in Armenia has greatly opened up their lives.
Prayer
1. Surgery: Mardie’s left hip resurfacing on January 15th and subsequent 2 month recovery.
2. One Year Home assignment:
Beginning mid-March we will begin a home assignment. This will be our 1st extensive period in Canada in the last 15 years. Time will be set aside for renewal and educational upgrading as well as connecting with our supporting ministry partners. One of our primary purposes will be to build a stronger financial base as, for the 1st time in 32 years of cross cultural ministry, we find ourselves facing a sustained financial shortfall.
Working from our home base in White Rock, BC we will continue to support the Bucharest International Church and the related ministries.
3. New Ministry Partners
4. More committed members to support Pastor Cristi and the leadership team.
October 2009
Ministry Guests:
Murray Cornelius, our global mission’s director, along with his wife, Cindy, and Pastor Don and Reni Horban from the Toronto area, made their first visit to Romania. They were able to connect with organizations of social concern such as Teen Challenge and share valuable insights with our congregation and leadership team.
In 1986, Murray’s father, Bill, facilitated our going to Spain where we worked with the Salem churches for 6 ½ years. Dan now had the distinct privilege of travelling with the group to Madrid where he introduced Murray to the ministry team of the Salem church.
Maritimes Team
DiAnne Dupont, women’s ministry director for the Maritime Provinces, held a much needed seminar on discovering freedom from abuse. One young woman began crying during The first session, saying, “I thought I had put all of this behind me but it is still so painful and close to the surface. Being able to be open about what has been hidden is helping me so much.”
A Measure of Trust
It took the Maritime team two days of activities including choreographed music, crafts, cake decorating and a good meal to build a measure of trust with the girls once trafficked but now living in the shelter of Iana Matei’s Reaching Out Foundation. To be invited to the rooms of a few for some personal moments and a short prayer of encouragement, was very rewarding.
Political Unrest
Politicians and parties jostle for positions in the upcoming November elections. Local people are discouraged as they see little choice among the self-serving candidates.
September’s Bucharest Days… a celebration of 550 years since the official recognition of the city.
People in the outdoor cafes of the historic Lipscani area were in awe that volunteers from our Bucharest church would pick up garbage from the streets simply to demonstrate their desire to do something good for the city. One man on roller blades joined the effort simply amazed that unpaid, non-city hall personnel, foreigners and young people would help in this way.
Going Beyond:
Our largest mission’s offering ever was gathered in September and sent to the Romanian family we sponsor for their work in Afghanistan.
Faith of New Believers:
“God has helped me to this point, why wouldn’t He help me in the future?” commented Raluca as she told us that her 4 year old son’s kidney surgery had been changed to a minor operation rather than the expected major procedure.
Couples Event:
A bar-b-que and discussion on the theme Tough and Tender Love provided an energizing evening for a room-full of dating, engaged, newly married and well established couples.
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September 2009
New Life
Raluca first came to our English hour early on a Sunday morning in April. A young Romanian mother of two beautiful children, she had taken refuge from their abusive father in a local shelter. She introduced herself by saying that she had come to our church to find God. Following the sermon, given by one of our Nigerian leaders, she told me that every word he had spoken was just for her – quite a miracle considering that even a native English speaker needs to listen closely to understand his heavily accented English.
In June, Raluca, along with nine others, each with their own fascinating stories, made a declaration of faith through water baptism. This week her four year old son will have serious kidney surgery yet she now has a strong confidence that God will be with him.
In Pitesti, an hour and a half west of Bucharest, Iana Matei was also celebrating. Two of the girls at the shelter, victims of human trafficking, also chose to be baptized in their local church. “They love the music at the church,” Iana told me. “It gives them life and brings them a message of hope.” These girls can now be an encouragement to the others and a living testimony of how Christ can bring inner renewal. Ten Baptized
Mardie’s Personal Progress:
Five years ago any kind of elective medical treatment in Bucharest would have been unthinkable. However, with the new Euro Clinic, directed by a Christian American/Romanian, the standard of care, efficiency and expertise is sometimes preferable to Canada. One week after consulting with an orthopaedic specialist, Mardie underwent surgery for a hip resurfacing followed by two weeks of recuperation and physiotherapy in a hospital facility that could be compared to a 4 star hotel – her August vacation! Rehabilitation will continue for a number of weeks, but there is progress.
Ken MacTavish:
Dan returned to Canada in July and was able to be with his father for the last two weeks of his Dad’s life. He will treasure the many special moments they had as a family during that time.
Upcoming:
Bucharest Days: During September the residents of Bucharest will celebrate 550 years since the first official recognition of the city. From the 16th-20th, believers from many churches will organize activities to contribute to this strategic city in which God has placed us.
Ministry Leadership Retreat: Believe with us for a special time of connection, relaxation and wise decision-making from September 24th-26th.
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July 2009
Dan and I arrived back in Bucharest last Thursday evening after two months away.
We thoroughly enjoyed connecting with so many friends and supporting partners from the Pacifac to the Atlantic coasts of Canada with Dan travelling as far as southern Texas.
We were able to see all of our children and grandchildren, though not all together at one time. Mark and Kim were with us for two weeks in BC and, together, we told the story of missions in some of the area churches. We were able to visit Jordan in the lovely town of Cambridge at the Harvard Campus and then on to the University of Pennsylvania to attend Stephanie’s graduation.
Dan returned to Canada yesterday to be with his family in Kelowna, BC as his father’s health has deteriorated more quickly than expected and he appears to be entering the last stages of cancer. Pray for God’s grace for the extended family at this time.
As well, the International Church is needing to relocate its Activity Center before the end of the month. After searching for 2 months, we do have a bid on a place that will be functional for us. Pray that the owner will accept our offer so that we will have a place for our ministry activities throughout the week. Jennifer Lee is also looking for a facility adequate for the “Play to Learn” program for needy neighbourhood children.
In talking with Iana Matei, director of “Reaching Out” for victims of human trafficking, she expressed her desire to see the girls at the shelter receive greater acceptance, value and encouragement from other believers so that they will have a better opportunity to grow in their faith and overcome their challenges.
In early July several new believers will be baptized, perhaps 2 of the girls from Iana’s center. We are thankful that God continues to bring life and change to many lives.
Below are some thoughts I have written to express some of the realities of life in this city.
Thank you once again for your prayer and support offered in so many ways.
Every blessing
Brutalities of Bucharest
It has been said that one should take pictures the first few days when touring a new site as soon after things will seem normal and not as photogenic. By the same token, having just returned to Bucharest after 2 months in Canada, immediate impressions are still vivid.
Within a 15 minute time period of leaving the house, I experienced what I will call the “brutalities” of the street. Perhaps after having just been in Basel, Switzerland for a week and seen the beauty, order, cleanliness and functionality (perhaps too much so for some of the ex-pats), Bucharest does seem an even greater contrast.
I narrowly avoided three vehicle accidents: one car, choosing not to park after all, pulled back into my lane; a second turned left from the right hand lane cutting in front of me and then a large truck moved two feet into my lane while we were side by side going through a narrow tunnel.
Next, I had to make tough choices: to take a risk, be aggressive and illegally drive down the tram line as many others were doing to avoid waiting at the left hand turn light for 3 changes; to yield or not to the oncoming cars as we both attempted to weave down what have become one lane streets due to the multiple parked vehicles on each side; and, when I reached my destination, to say something to the inappropriate behaviour of the 15 year olds “romanticizing” each other in the gym pool the size of a large living room when the other 10 people just swam on by.
Give me another week and all of this will seem normal once again…my senses will be less sensitive and I will have processed enough to no longer look at the harshness of Bucharest city life but will instead look for ways to make a positive difference. When I walked into Bucharest International Church on Sunday morning, I saw the room full of people, most under the age of forty, involved, perceptive, dynamic people prepared to make a difference with us, to contrast the “brutalities” by bringing a little beauty of the love of Christ to this city and nation.
Mardell MacTavish
June 25, 2009
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December 1, 2008
Linking Across Europe
Mid-October we attended the annual gathering of the Fellowship of European International Churches just outside Vienna that links leaders from the thirty-three International Churches across Europe. Bucharest was the only Eastern European city represented.
Personal reflections
Though you can see the effects of the growing materialism in Romania, there is still overwhelming poverty in many areas. Gypsy children playing in the garbage at the back of their homes, families without food, children without shoes unable to attend school. The discrepancy between the rich and the poor seems to be more evident and more painful than ever.
While giving out food hampers in Floresti, it felt a bit like the book of Acts when the comment was made that the Christians in the area are known and respected because it is evident that they help each other. It deeply touches the heart to visit the girls, victims of human trafficking. To be invited into their lives is a privilege and to show them acceptance and value is rewarding.
Formation of Emerging Leadership
Our emphasis this fall has been to motivate, form, and equip new leaders and workers. Mark Steinfield, our son-in-law and PAOC missionary in Armenia, taught inductive study and homiletics to our developing leaders.
First time visit from the Basel International Church in Switzerland
The Basel International Church connected with our assembly and relational outreach ministries for their first-ever mission’s trip.
Kim and our 2 granddaughters
Following Kim’s workshop for young mothers, the ladies were inspired to begin meeting regularly.
Prayer for a week:
1. Sunday – anointed, relevant worship and teaching to cultivate inner change
2. Monday – Healthy relationships
3. Tuesday – Community friendships
4. Wednesday – Spiritual and natural formation of new leadership
5. Thursday – Greater influence for the church in the city
6. Friday – relational outreach ministries: Teen Challenge/Pro Vita/World Vision/Hagar House Maternal
Care/Shada children’s care/Iana Matei and victims of human trafficking
7. Saturday – Wisdom, endurance and strength.
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August 28, 2008
We’ve just returned from a 9,666 km roundtrip, from Bucharest to Gibraltar through Spain and back. All was safe and trouble-free, no accidents or mechanical breakdowns — not bad for an adventurous summer chapter in our lives! Thanks so much for your prayers!
Meaningful and Significant Ministry
Aside from the preaching, seminars and workshops, we dedicated entire days to come alongside our Spanish pastoral friends and leaders in 7 cities throughout the country. It was during this time that we shared together the dreams and goals they believe for as well as learning of the challenges and needs they so deeply feel. For many, having someone participate in their world for a period of time, sharing common experience, was a valued andneeded encouragement.
Extreme sport skate boarder, David Caleb Reasbeck, spoke to thousands at our Bucharest Fest as part of the Luis Palau evangelism team. He inspired teens from our congregation to continue this relevant form of connection with their peers.
Praise Report
One report that has already come back from Cordoba, Spain, the week after we left, 8 young people were baptized in the Holy Spirit at their church camp. Even here in Bucharest, just last Sunday, before our own congregation, a young 14 year old girl shared how she, too, had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at a national Romanian youth camp.
Back in Bucharest, during an August Sunday morning we had the privilege of hosting Nick Vujicic, a young man 25 years old who was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for his condition. He shared with us the countless challenges and obstacles that he faces but how God has given him strength to surmount what others might call impossible. A gifted communicator, Nick encouraged all, regardless of their circumstances, to know that God does have a purpose and plan for their lives. The majority of the congregation waited in line to hug and thank Nick for the words that he so graciously and practically shared with us.
Our church and Sunday School suddenly burgeoned when the Tortosa family of 12 joined our 9 member congregation in Alicante when we first went there to pastor in 1986. Fifteen years after our departure from Spain, we renewed our contact. The children have grown and now have children of their own. Prior to leaving Spain a piano was donated to our church. David, then 10 years old, with a passion for music, taught himself how to play that piano and is now the keyboard base on the church worship team.
On the home front, our street received its first paving ever since this neighbourhood was developed prior to World War II. The 70 year old house we rent needs the windows replaced and weather proofing for the coming winter when gas prices will go up another 40%. Please pray that we would be able to meet this financial need.
June 2008