Anticipating the Future: PIEI Romania/Ukraine in 2024

I woke up this morning with a sense of anticipation, contemplating what God has in store for me today, tomorrow, and the year ahead. I am deeply grateful for each person who has stood beside the ministry of Partners in Evangelism International in Romania and Ukraine, offering their encouragement and support. The love and gratitude extended to our ministry have been felt and cherished.

Since my immigration from Romania in 1983, God has instilled in me a desire to seek His will for my life. After some years, it became clear that God intended for us to return and contribute to spreading the gospel in Romania. A guiding verse in my life is Matthew 6:33, urging us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, with the promise that all necessary things will be provided. This verse has been a wellspring of strength and courage, sustaining me through life's challenges.

In the U.S., where the culture emphasizes planning and making resolutions for the upcoming year, I have chosen a different path. I commit to taking each day with God, trusting Him regardless of the circumstances that may unfold. A quote from my pastor, Garry Clark, resonates deeply: “I Am Not Sure What Tomorrow Holds But I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” This encapsulates the unwavering trust and reliance on God's sovereignty in the face of uncertainty.

Despite living in a time of rapid cultural change, we find solace in clinging to an unchanging Hope. What a tremendous blessing it is to have God leading and guiding our lives. May this journey continue to be filled with faith, courage, and the assurance that, no matter the challenges, God holds our tomorrows.

As I look ahead to the ministry in Romania for the year 2024, particularly focusing on the PIEI-missionaries we collaborate with in 28 locations, the scope of the work can be overwhelming at times. However, I find solace in the belief that with God, everything is possible.

One remarkable figure in the ministry in Romania is Gavril Cuc, an older missionary who operates mostly behind the scenes. Gavril diligently gathers prayer requests from all missionaries, demonstrating a deep commitment to intercessory prayer. His prayers extend beyond the borders of Romania, encompassing missionaries in Partners In Evangelism not only in Ukraine but also here in the United States.

It's crucial to recognize that our national missionaries in Romania face challenges similar to those we encounter. Some of them are at the forefront, pioneering ministry or planting churches in villages devoid of evangelical presence. Picture this: a missionary enters a village, and perhaps there is only one person eager to learn about the Lord, or a family that has embraced the faith. In such scenarios, these missionaries seize the opportunity to invite others into the fold, sharing the gospel with those who have yet to hear about it and establishing connections within the community.

The majority of our missionaries are actively engaged in leading disciple groups that they have established to impart the teachings of the Word of God. Virtually anyone who has embraced Christianity in recent years participates in these groups, seeking spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of the Lord through the study of Scripture.

As some missionaries progress in their efforts, they reach a stage where they have secured a dedicated space, often a building. In such cases, they extend their outreach beyond the core group, which may include several families that have embraced Christianity. These missionaries initiate various programs such as Vacation Bible School (VBS), kids' programs, youth programs, and even initiatives for the elderly. For instance, they might assist widows by providing them with winter wood and helping with the splitting process.

Remarkably, these efforts are not limited to Christians alone; missionaries extend their support to non-Christians as well. This intentional inclusivity fosters relational connections, prompting observers to inquire about the motivation behind such compassionate actions. The answer lies in the profound motivation rooted in "The Love of Christ."

One of the foremost prayer requests from our national missionaries is for protection from the evil one. They keenly sense the spiritual attacks emanating from the forces of darkness, and their continual need for prayer revolves around seeking strength and courage to navigate their daily lives. The adversary's primary target is often their families, and missionaries request prayers for the safeguarding of their loved ones.

Beyond familial protection, the missionaries also face challenges in maintaining positive relationships with those around them, especially as they strive to share their faith. The devil seeks to compromise these connections, making it crucial for missionaries to seek prayers for the preservation of their interpersonal bonds.

In the challenging task that God has entrusted to them, missionaries express a need for wisdom. Navigating the complexities of their work requires divine guidance, and they seek the discernment to fulfill the purpose God has set before them.

Additionally, health holds a significant place in their lives, emphasizing the importance of prayers for their well-being. For those who have recently embraced Christ, missionaries request prayers for the strengthening of their faith, particularly in the initial stages of their journey.

These aspects are just a glimpse of the ongoing communication we have with missionaries in the field. Your prayers are earnestly requested to support them in facing these challenges and fulfilling their mission.

Reaching Romania: Support Needed for Key Projects

As we press forward with our efforts in Romania, we have essential projects that require your support:

• Necrilesti Retreat Cabin:

• We are in the final stages of completing the cabin on the retreat side in Necrilesti, and we require an additional $50,000.00 to bring this project to fruition.

• Podari Training Center:

• Thanks to your generous donations, we have successfully completed the roofing for the training center in Podari. Now, we are embarking on the remodeling of two rooms, and an additional $9,000.00 is needed to accomplish this phase.

• Alba Complex Kitchen:

• As we near the completion of the kitchen at Alba Complex, we are in need of $5,000.00 to finalize this vital project.

Your contribution can make a significant impact on these initiatives. If you are considering supporting any of these projects, please proceed with your donation here.

Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission in Romania. Your generosity helps us make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

Short-Term Mission Trip with Long Term Impact - Romania/Ukraine, Summer July/August

Embark on a journey with Partners in Evangelism International (PIEI), a dedicated missions organization committed to spreading the Gospel by supporting National Missionaries in Church Planting.

Team Description:

Join this year's mission team to directly collaborate with local church planters in Romania, engaging in a variety of roles such as outreach, evangelism, children's ministry, and more. The specific focus of the trip will be shaped by the unique skills and gifts of the assembled team.

Key Points:

• Open to All Giftings and Abilities: Whether you have a heart for evangelism, a passion for outreach, or skills in children's ministry, all gifts and abilities are welcome to apply.

• Flexibility is Key: A spirit of flexibility and a willingness to serve cross-culturally are crucial components of this mission trip. Your adaptability will enable the team to navigate diverse contexts effectively.

This short-term mission trip promises not only to impact the communities in Romania and Ukraine but also to be a transformative experience for each participant. Apply now and be part of a journey that leaves a lasting mark on both the lives of those you serve and your own.

Cornel Stef - Chairmen for Romania and Ukraine

Short Term Mission Trip Ukraine

By the grace of God we were able to go to Ukraine. Many people asked us why we’re going to a country at war. In the words of Wycliffe Bible Translator Marilyn Laszlo, a NW Indiana very own bible translator in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Iwam tribal people, which we had the privilege of knowing personally and hearing her speak, while she was alive, “there’s no safer place to be than in the center of God’s will”. We felt the same going to Romania and after a month of ministry there, driving up to Ukraine, where we ministered and have been for over 32 years. Cornel has been our driver once again, taking on the 12 hour ride from Alba Iulia, Romania to Chernivtsi and surrounding villages in Ukraine, and the same going back at the end of our ministry there, with a team of 9 from the U.S. Crossing the border between Romania and Ukraine were non eventful, with just a bit of waiting in line. We had an emotional arrival after passing into Ukraine, where Pavel was waiting for us with Ukrainian flags for each of us. We had a young lady from Michigan Grace - a member of our U.S. team who was born in Ukraine and adopted into the U.S. as a baby. This was her first time returning to her country of birth, and her emotions were overwhelming for her and all of us. We always enjoy going to Ukraine and serving side by side with our national missionaries, being open to helping in whatever way we can and are needed. Some or our goals were to encourage all of them, to help the evangelism efforts, to boost the effectiveness of the events we were involved in, to provide supplies and financial aid, and to be “the wind behind the wings” of our national missionaries and workers.

We don’t want to repeat what was already said by each of the missionaries. We were also encouraged by our PIE nationals that our presence and direct involvement was precious and much needed for them. We thank the Lord that we were able to see the second generation - sons and daughters of our PIEI national missionaries there in Ukraine involved in ministry and serving with so much dedication and using their God’s given gifts, whether teaching, singing, encouraging, praying, leadership, organization, etc. in obedience serving not only at the annual PIE Camp at Boiany, but in ministry throughout the region.

Gabi served with the Camp team in teaching and also mentoring. Cornel was involved with the eye-glasses ministry giving our optometrist Debbie a helping hand and driving the team daily from the camp site to various villages. Two Sundays we also visited and participated in church services, morning and evening in several locations, visited several of our PIE national missionaries in their homes, where we were fed so well, and where we had the opportunity to catch up with each of their lives and also get a bit of rest. God gave us a good weather and a few days of relief from the heat while at Camp. We are so thankful for His provision and protection. What a joy to witness so many young people making decisions for Christ! It is a rare thing these days, as this PIE Camp that we have there every summer is a special place where God’s Word is touching and changing lives. Please get to read a few of the testimonies that the kids have shared when they are posted. It will touch you deeply. We thank the Lord for all the PIE Ukraine national missionaries, for their dedication in serving and for letting us be part of their lives.

We are so thankful for Pavel and Larissa Petihachniy, for opening their home and hosting our whole team, preparing meals and loving and encouraging us daily. At the PIE Camp we felt safe and well taken care of by them. Larissa was our “water lady”, making sure everyone on our team has bottled cold water several times a day, everyday, and coffee early in the morning. I don’t know if they got any sleep while our team was there or at the Camp. Pavel is the most passionate and enthusiastic missionary, leading our PIE national team with wisdom, kindness and love.

We felt loved everywhere we went, and we believe that our PIE partnership with the Ukraine national missionary is healthy and thriving in spite of the ward that is still going on. We joined them in praying that the war will end soon. People are overwhelmed, tired, discouraged, with lots of needs, especially among the refugees who settled permanently in our missionaries’ areas of ministry. These are people who lost their homes, have no place to go back to, also lost family members and everything they had. We witnessed refugees attending our missionaries’ churches, where they would be accepted and loved, and where they would also receive food and clothing each time they would go. Someone would personally talk and pray with them, and they would not leave empty handed. It’s amazing how this war brought the mission field right at the steps of our missionaries, and in their villages, churches, and homes.

In closing, we are thankful for an effective ministry. It is not easy to do so much traveling and minister into two countries, Romania and Ukraine back to back. Gabi left for this trip with recent injuries to her right shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle, having pain and having to wear an orthopedic boot for the first three weeks of the trip. We felt the prayers of so many of you, our partners in ministry, personally, and for the ministry. Your support, love, and encouragement helped us every day. You are our support team which helped us be effective and do what the Lord has called us to do. From the bottom our our hearts, thank you and may our Lord bless you richly for your faithfulness.

Cornel and Gabi Stef

Here are testimonies from our missionaries working together in Ukraine

Pavel Petihachniy. https://www.piei.org/pavel-petihachny-blog

We are grateful to our Lord for His protection and peace that He gives us in our region. Even though the situation in Ukraine is terrible, God had mercy on us and we had the possibility to serve God in different ways this summer by organizing youth camps and other outreach events for the Lord. We were concerned for the American team’s safety during their stay in Ukraine, but we thank God that He protected them at they came in, during their service here, and during their departure. At the beginning I had trouble finding interpreters for such a big team, as we were in need of at least 6 interpreters. We prayed and fasted and God answered our prayer and God provided 7 interpreters – Praise the Lord!

And I thank the Lord that our and the American ministry here was not in vain. The Word of God sown in the camp, at the church services, did not return without fruit. There was repentance and decisions for Christ among young people and among people of different ages. The American team split in two teams. One team served at the PIE camp by talking and teaching the campers. At the camp, 50 teens repented and responded to the Gospel invitation, and we saw how the Spirit of God worked in the last evening through brother Will Holifield. May the Lord be glorified! The ministry of the second team, together with sister Debbie Conry, every day, for 5 days, visited 5 churches, where almost 250 people received eye glasses and more than 70% of them were non-Christian people. Those people could hear the Gospel, through the counseling brothers from the USA, and actually through the service of our sister Debbie. We thank God for protecting our brothers and sisters from the USA, and they turned back safely at their homes and in their families. Let us continue to pray for those children and young people who accepted the Lord from non Christian families. We continue to get in touch with these children and youth. May the Lord continue to work in their hearts. We will continue to pray for our mission, we will pray for each other and we will also pray for the sponsors in the USA. Please, pray also for our church in Nesvoia, where we are going to have a New Testament baptism in the beginning of September, and where 2 people will make a covenant with the Lord through the water of baptism. May the Lord help us in this work of service and beyond, and may He come with His peace in our hearts, in our churches and in our country. Only He can help this war to end as soon as possible.

Mihai Gortopan. https://www.piei.org/gortopan

I want to thank God for the shield of His protection this summer, so I had the opportunity to serve the Lord. I thank God because we could organize a VBS in the church, before the youth camp in Boiany, where there were more than 100 children and teenagers for the week of camp. This year we split the VBS in two. The program for kids was in the morning and in the afternoon, we had a program for teenagers. Our youth leaders worked very hard in the VBS and we were happy because more than half of those children were from non-believing families and from the refugee families. We were so happy that many children were able to hear and learn the Word of God, and many of these teenagers even signed up for the youth camp in Boiany. We pray for Amelia, a teenager girl, who repented at this week of camp, but her parents do not let her come to our church. May God work on the hearts of her parents. We thank God for the American team who served not only in the PIE youth camp in Boiany, but also in the churches. Sister Debbie gave eye glasses to more than 50 patients from our village. Many of them were non-believers and refugees. Praise God because many of these people visited our church.

The counselors from the USA, Cornel Stef, Will Hollifield, Stephen and Skip meant a lot. People had the opportunity to listen first to the Word of God, then they received eye glasses. We also pray for all those people that they all understand God’s love and come to our Savior Jesus Christ. On August 6th we had a New Testament baptism in the church, where 3 people were baptized. Pray for them that the Lord may strengthen their faith on the new path in Christ.

Alex Paskar. https://www.piei.org/paskari

I praise God for His shield and protection in this difficult and dangerous time we have now in Ukraine. We prayed a lot for the team from America who came to us and served alongside with us, both in our churches and in our PIE youth camp. There were 5 leaders and 3 singers and musicians from our church who served God at this camp. We praise God for the salvation of the 50 young people at the camp, 4 teens were from our village and we thank God for them. We are grateful to the brothers from the USA who, together with sister Debbie, did such a good service with eye-glasses for men and women here who needed them so much. In Fdojzhok, a village where there are just a few believers and no pastor, 53 people received glasses and they also heard the Word of God. We pray for these people to receive the Lord in their hearts. We are happy because we had fellowship with brothers from the USA in our church too. We thank God that He listened to our prayer and the American team arrived home safely - Glory to God!

Grigoriy Kioresco. https://www.piei.org/kioresco

I thank God very much for the protection of our youth camp, for the protection of the team from the USA, for the work of the Holy Spirit both at the PIE Camp and through our churches. It was a wonderful work led by the Holy Spirit and we continue to pray for those who repented and accepted the Lord, for the Word preached this summer, both at the camps and at the evangelistic meetings. Not long ago I went to Gostomel where, together with my team, I brought food and other necessary things to the needy people there. We enjoyed the Christian Church which was formed in this military town during this war. We pray for this church that the Lord will multiply it. Thank you for praying for me. Please continue to pray for me and for all the volunteers who go to help the people who live in the war zone. So that we are all protected by God’s strong hand.

Valeriy Popov. https://www.piei.org/popov

I thank the Lord because he worked so wonderfully through His Holy Spirit this summer. Our church organized two VBS programs, in our church and in the church of Podvirna, a village that is 20 miles away from our town and where there are just a bunch of believers. There were around 200 children attending the VBS who could hear and learn the Word of the Lord. There were also the children’s parents in the last days of the camp and they had the opportunity to listen to the Word of the Lord too. We pray a lot for all those who listened to the Word that the Lord would work on their hearts. I also thank the Lord for 4 people who accepted the Lord and were converted in our church during the evangelization with the American team. All these people are refugees who often visit our church.

May the Lord strengthen their faith! There were also 7 more teens from our town who repented and accepted the Lord at the PIE youth camp from Boiany. There were also refugees among them. We are happy for them and we pray for all of them. At the evangelization with eye-glasses there were more than 50 people who received eye-glasses. Many of them were refugees. And they were very satisfied with the service of the team from the USA and of sister Debbie who served these people with so much love. We thank God and the brothers from the USA, for sponsoring this camp and for having the opportunity to come to this camp and serve so many children from refugees, orphans and poor, so that they had the opportunity to listen to the Word of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord worked on the hearts of these children to come to the Lord and accept Him as their Savior.

Grigoriy Pastushak. https://www.piei.org/postusak

I want to thank God for his guidance and protection this summer. In our church we also had a VBS, with about 200 children. It was a busy week at the church, but thank God because everything was fine. We also had a baptism at the beginning of June. There were 10 people from our church and we also had people from other churches who were baptized. We praise God because there are people who come to our church to repent and receive the Lord. Now we are organizing a seminar for young people in the Carpathian Mountains. We pray that everything will go well. We thank God for the American team who was also at our church and more than 50 people received eye-glasses. These people who received glasses are very grateful to sister Debbie and the counselors from the US team for their service. Thank you to all those who sponsored the PIE youth camp from Boiany. It was something wonderful. I went there on Friday, the last day of the camp, and I saw how the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of those children. I have not seen so many tears such as in the eyes of those children for a long time. May the Lord help them so that they may all be living witnesses of the proclamation of the Truth of Christ, first in their own homes, then in the whole world!

Vasily Preutesa. https://www.piei.org/preutesa

I thank the Lord endlessly for everything He has done for me so far, that He strengthened my health and I can still serve the Lord at the church and in the village of Fagadau. We were very happy for the guest team of brothers and sisters who came from so far, from the USA, to serve here with us. We thank the Lord for their work in our mission youth camp in Boiany, as well as in our churches. The people who received eye-glasses are very grateful to sister Debbie and the pastors-counselors for their service. Similarly, the children who were in this camp told us how much they enjoyed this camp. I told everyone because the camp is very expensive, but brothers and sisters from America paid for you so that you can come to the camp. So, the children from my church were very happy with the sponsorship of this camp. They also liked the organization of this camp. Everything was set up and organized very well.

We prat for all the people who had the opportunity to hear the Gospel this summer with different opportunities to receive Jesus as their Savior.

Alex Pastushak. https://www.piei.org/alex-pastushak-blog

I praise God because He helped me to do many works this summer, in camps, VBS, on the radio and in the church in Hertsa. I thank God too, because He gives us strength and peace in our parts and we can serve God here. At the PIE Candela youth camp from Boiany I was able to serve as one of the translators of the American brothers, as well as in 5 churches in the Noua Sulita district in the work with the eye-glasses. I am glad because the Lord used me in this work and may the Lord bless His True Word which was heard by many people and children. My wife Nadia and I took videos and pictures from the camp. May the Lord continue to help us in His work!

Igor Dzyadik. https://www.piei.org/igor-dziadyk-blog

May the Lord be praised because He gives us a pleasant and quiet time for serving Him. This summer we held a children’s VBS in our church in Coteleu. We were happy because there were over 50 children at this camp. They were very satisfied afterwards. And even 10 of them signed up for the camp of our PIEI mission in Boiany. At the PIE youth camp, I was able to serve as a leader, together with my wife. I saw the hand of the Mighty Lord and how the Holy Spirit works among these children, many of whom were from unbelieving families. In truth, the Word of God sown does not return without fruit. Therefore, I thank you all for your prayers and to those who supported this camp. May the Lord bless you abundantly! On August 6th, we had a New Testament baptism in our church, where 4 people made a covenant with the Lord. We were very happy for sister Valentina and her husband Teodor. They repented and accepted the Lord last summer when another PIE American team came to minister with brother Cornel Stef. Then we had sister Marta Hauk, Sarah Stef and Elizabeth, a young Chinese Christian girl. The Lord worked wonderfully, because first sister Valentina repented and then her husband Feodor. Another joy is that one of our nieces, Suzanna, repented in the camp in Boiany and two weeks later she also received baptism. We had a great evangelization full of joy. Brother Pavel Petikhachniy visited us with his wife Larissa, and we had a choir from Chernivtsi that glorified the Lord through songs and poems. We are happy because many men and women that are not believers, visited our church and could listened to the Word of the Lord which was proclaimed by the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray for these people that the Lord will work on their hearts. May the Lord help us minister even further in His work as well we pray for the end of this terrible war in Ukraine. Be blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ!

Short Term Mission Trip Romania

From Cornel and Gabi Stef: It was such a blessing to return to Romania post-Covid! Sometimes we forget to give thanks! We thank the Lord for His grace and mercy, and for making it so much easier to travel and do ministry. We had a young lady Grace from Michigan traveling with us, who had a strong desire to use her art talent during this trip. Upon our arrival in Alba Iulia at the PIEI Center we plunged into ministry right away. First we had a group from the village of Nou with missionary Cornel Fogorosiu and his wife Ana (Nuți) who organized a Couple’s Retreat! They had 5 Christian and 7 Non-Christian couples, for a very effective weekend of teaching, interaction, reflection, prayer time, and sight seeing the historical sites of the city.

The Second group was the PIEI National Missionaries and their families who came to the PIEI Center for a three day time of encouragement from the Word and fellowship. Several missionaries had encouraging messages. This is always a special time as we enjoy spending time with them, most of which we’ve known for decades.

We were happy to see a lot of activities going on with our missionaries. We joined missionary Tani Nemes and his wife Lili for a few days during their VBS program. Grace got involved with the British Team that was leading the VBS and Gabi went along to see how things were going. What a delight to see a well put together program, with much enthusiasm, and the Gospel being shared at the Center of it all. The Team stayed at the PIEI Center, and it was so nice to see such a wonderful partnership.

Traveling South we left Grace with a missionary couple in the city of Alexandria where she did a fantastic job in drawing and painting backdrops for VBS. Then together we went to visit the orphan girls in Arges. We were able to spend a day with them at a Camp site, where we had devotion time, singing, sharing, drawing with Grace, playing ball and outdoor activities, etc. They shared that for the first time in their lives the Institution where they lived most of their lives will be closed and they will be split up two by two and sent in different locations. It was such a blessing to see their spiritual maturity and how well they took this news. We talked about that once this happens, they will be missionaries to their new locations, as believers, spreading the Gospel in all these new places. God has prepared them for this new phase of their lives.

Returning to the PIEI Center through the magnificent Carpathian Mountains was an amazing trip. There we waited for other U.S. Team members to arrive so that we can have our Ukraine team that would go with us. There will be a separate update on the Ukraine ministry posted later on.

From PIEI-Romania National Team: ”It has been an incredible month for us here at PIEI Christian Center Romania. We had the opportunity to host a beautiful number of people from US along with our president, Cornel Stef and his wife Gabriela, as-well as our mission director Walter Windsor Cunningham. Some of the team members were here for the first time but some have been to their second coming. So basically we have spread in 2 teams that one followed a mission program down south to visit and help some of our missionaries like Florina Darvell and Florin Sfetcu and the other one head on to Ukraine for VBS and summer camp. We believe that God is speaking to everyone as they are lead to the mission field, and the reward is huge when it comes about saving souls. We are so encouraged to see people coming to Romania and giving a hand in the ministry, in spite of the age. Young and older, God is using everyone who chose to step out of their comffort zone. We are thankful to you who pray and support this ministry and we would like to leave this years with you as we close:

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “ no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:29,30

We are so excited to tell you that after a long time waiting on the papers to be finalised, PIEI Romania owns the camp in Necrilesti, Alba county, and we are ready to move on with the next step: the reconstruction of the proper building. What does this mean? Well, on the back side of the house, there is a spring which is required to be moved out of the way of the house. The problem was that water got infiltrated into the wooden walls and the sustaining pillars which are of wood, and half size from the ground up needs replacement almost all around the cabin structure. Plus, the inside of the cabin is just mood, there is no floor. All in one, we are preparing for a huge operation of restoration, considering the fact that next year, we intend to have the first summer camp at the location. A team lead by our mission director, Walter Windsor Cunningham, has been this summer to the location to get some ideas and plans on how to start and what the costs are. If you feel lead by God to be part of this ministry donating, praying or getting involved, please consider contacting our staff or go to https://www.piei.org/camps. Thank you for praying and for recommending PIEI to others, as we are all laborers together with Christ. May God bless you.” Mike Dima

Cornel and Gabriela Stef- PIEI Romania

Stefs Ministry Trip to Romania and Ukraine - Summer 2023

We are already in Romania! Arrived here on June 29th. We will be doing various ministries in Romania

nd and we will be spending 10 days in Ukraine. Lord’s willing, we are returning on August 2 .

2 Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”

This time we are traveling with a young lady from Michigan, Grace, who is also an artist. We are so excited to have her join us! She is most looking forward to our second part of the trip, to Ukraine. She was born there and this is the first time that she will be going back since she was a baby and adopted by a Christian family in the U.S. Grace will have her own story to tell! She is prepared to help children express their fears and feelings in art form, as well as share the Gospel with them.

Pray with us and for us! We are listing these requests first:

•   Safety in travel, as the checkpoints in both countries have increased, and the war continues in Ukraine. Traveling the Carpathian Mountains several times, in country travel safety.

•   Health for our team members. We have 7 other who are joining us from the U.S. plus translators from Romania, so we expect a team of 13; pray that everyone would stay healthy and be effective in working together.

•   Extra prayers needed for Gabi. She has recently injured her right shoulder, and was evaluated for repair surgery, which she is delaying until after the trip. She has a lot of pain in her left arm and shoulder, with reduced mobility. She also has a sprained ankle, so walking is more difficult.

•   PIEI meeting with all the missionaries and their families at the PIEI Center in Alba Iulia, Romania. Safety in travel to everyone coming and going from several parts of the country. Pray for an effective meeting, as there will be instruction and fellowship together with the national leadership and from the States.

•   Traveling to several mission points, working with orphan ministry and street evangelism.

•   Medical Optometry Team distributing eye glasses and doing one-on-one evangelism.

•   Pray for the PIEI Camp in Ukraine for kids, youth, and refugees. Pray for effective teaching-

  learning, safety around the Camp site, and many decisions for Christ to be made, as this is an evangelistic Camp. Pray for the local - national leaders and teachers to work well together with our U.S. team.

•   Pray for all the national missionaries as they are booked with many summer outreach events for children and youth, as well as for families. Pray for a great harvest of people coming to know the Lord, and also for encouragement and spiritual growth among those who are in the faith.

•   Pray for the U.S. team to be effective, patient, and flexible, as many things might change in the schedule as last minute. May all be changed and lifted up in faith as a result of this trip!

•   Pray that all the sending churches represented by our team might benefit from being encouraged and grow in mission work, in supporting missions, in increasing their vision for outreach, helping and encouraging people to discover their spiritual gifts and use them to offer a helping hand to our national missionaries in a variety of ways; that they will get involved in future short term mission trips with our ministry and overall.

  We are so thankful for our national leadership teams, both in Romania and Ukraine, who are preparing the way for our team to arrive. We are looking forward to serving alongside the national missionaries and letting the LORD lead us in a most effective partnership in reaching those who are in need.

Highlights of the Ministry Trip:

•   We spent a wonderful two days with our national missionaries Cornel and Nuți Fogoroșiu who brought several people from the village of Nou for a Couples Retreat at the PIEI Center in Alba Iulia. This was a first for them for such an event. The biblical teaching was challenging and people were touched. They had opportunities to share and the meetings were interactive. The outings in the historical citadel and fortress were interesting and welcomed with much enthusiasm. The meals and accommodations were so good and we all had a blessed time.

•   Meeting with the PIEI national Missionaries in Romania. We are looking forward to their arriving this afternoon at the PIEI Center in Alba Iulia. Several families are coming with the spouses and children. All the rooms have been cleaned, beds made, the meals selected. We are looking forward to a great time of fellowship and instruction, encouraging one another.

•   Visiting the field in several locations, evangelistic outreach. Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

•   Working with the orphans, encouraging them, bringing them some joy.

•   Traveling through the beautiful country of Romania, Transylvania, with rolling hills, and crossing

  the majestic Carpathian Mountains in getting to our several destinations, including driving up

  from Romania to Ukraine and back.

•   PIEI Camp in Ukraine - a favorite evangelistic outreach event for all the PIEI missionaries in

  Ukraine. We are so excited about doing this Camp. So many people are praying in preparation for it. Grace has prepared since last year for going and working with the kids at this camp also. Ask the Lord if you should be on the next trip and serve with your spiritual gifts to this Camp which we are scheduling every summer. Last year there were 150 kids, a lot of them of refugees’ families. More than half of them made decisions for Christ. Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

•   Encouraging the PIEI national missionaries and their families in Ukraine. After the Camp we are meeting with all of them for a day of fellowship and worship.

  Hebrew 6:10 “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”

  Serving with joy, Cornel and Gabi Stef

Caring for those in need

This weekend our nation celebrated Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country. It has also been a time to acknowledge those who still fight for their lives across the ocean. When war broke out in Ukraine over a year ago, no one expected it to still be ravaging the nation 459 days later. The war continues to have a destructive effect on the people of Ukraine, and yet in the midst of these horrors the light of God’s grace has become a beacon of hope for the lost. Since war broke out, we have seen over 250 Ukrainians receive Christ into their hearts. How blessed are we to be God’s messengers to people in need of His love!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33

Now that summer has arrived, Gabi and I have made plans to go overseas and support our missionaries in person. We will be leaving for Romania/Ukraine at the end of June, and will remain until August. There is much work to be done, and no better time to do it!

In Romania we are planning a 3-day missionary conference in Alba Iulia where we can gather and uplift the missionaries and their families. This will be a time for prayer, rest, reflection, teaching, encouraging, collaboration, and fellowship. Our hope is to energize our missionaries as they enter a busy season of ministry.

We are also excited to work on the properties we have obtained in Romania for the purpose of creating spaces for retreats and camps. We hope that those properties become crucial assets for our ministry moving forward.

We would like to thank the missionaries in Romania who have faithfully supported their brethren in Ukraine. Pavel Petihachny, the PIEI National Director of Ukraine, connects will all of our Ukrainian missionaries so that he can learn what supplies are needed for the refugees they serve in different communities. He then communicates those needs to Timothy Stanea, the PIEI National Director of Romania. The close proximity of our Ukraine missionaries to Romania makes it possible for Timothy to gather and send those needed supplies over the Carpathian mountains every month, and our humanitarian purposes allow our convoys to pass through the border quickly and without complications.

We have also been thrilled at the amount of aid that we have received from our supporting partners! One US church managed to collect and ship 17 large boxes of supplies to donate to Ukrainian refugees for the Christmas season. Another group of pastors from England travelled with the convoy to Ukraine just this weekend and spent 4 days visiting and encouraging the missionaries there. Gabi and I will also join one of those convoys this summer, along with a Short-Term Mission Team, as we travel to Ukraine for their Summer Camp (July 24-29).

The Summer Camp in Ukraine is the greatest opportunity that we have for sharing the Gospel with children who have never even opened a Bible. Last year over 50% of the children who attended camp received Christ as their savior! Some of the children who attend are refugees, and are in desperate need of God’s word. Moreover, we know that many of the children who receive Christ at camp return to unbelieving families. Those children are the hope of salvation to their loved ones.

If you would like to sponsor a child to attend camp, you can Donate to Ukraine (Sub Fund: 24302- Ukraine Summer Camp) for $12/day. We would also appreciate your prayers for the missionaries, churches, refugees, campers, and families that will be served this summer. May God use us as His hands and feet!

In Christ, Cornel Stef