Perspective of a STMT member

Dear friends,

Whenever I bring a short-term mission team to Romania, I pray for two things to happen.

First, I pray that the team blesses our missionaries above and beyond what we could plan for. I hope that the team is able to encourage our nationals, building relationships and providing spiritual rejuvenation.

Second, I pray that the team is able to see God at work in their own lives throughout and after their trip. My goal is for team members to be transformed by their experiences and grow in their walk with the Lord.

Short-term missions with long-term impact— on BOTH sides.

Isaac Reeve is one such young man who has just returned from a one month trip to Romania. It was his first time there, but he is a member of Oak Ridge Community Church in St. Joseph, MI, which has partnered with PIEI for a long time. He has decided to share his experiences and perspective on his time in Romania below. I hope that his story encourages you to consider what God might do with you and for you if you choose to join a future trip…

In Christ,

Cornel Stef

Isaac Reeve’s Story

I spent almost a year preparing for my month-long mission trip to Romania. I wrote sermons, prepared my testimony, and joined video meetings with my team every month. Fundraising started late February, and my church was able to raise enough money for myself and another team member, Nancy Ruckstaetter. We joined the first of several teams to go to Romania this summer and arrived on July 2nd. The other members of our team were Cornel Stef, Helen Williams, and Melodee Battenschlag.

For the first few days, I was a part of Daniel Petrut’s VBS in the PIEI center in Alba Iulia. I tagged along with two of the VBS leaders, Adi and Cornel. Since the weather prevented us from going outside, they played various indoor games and activities. I was able to spend time with one of the kids who is very fluent in English. His name is Ben, but we called him Benni. 

I also spent some of that week at a camp in Salistea . The missionary Emmanuel Joldos was running the camp along with various other leaders. There were also two believers from Switzerland, David Meghet and Tabea Spurgen, who were there doing missions in Romania. Both can speak fluent Swiss, German, and Romanian. David was able to speak English very well and we worked with two interpreters, George and Elias.

While I was there I led the kids in stretches and saw how they participated in Bible verse memorization and discussions about Biblical topics. We even had a day trip to Jurassic World Transylvania! I joined Emmanuel Joldos, David Meghet, and George in playing soccer with some of the kids.

That night around the campfire I shared my testimony. The next day was the last day of the camp, so parents came and attended a ceremony for all the children. There were prizes and gifts for them to take home. They had a slideshow showing all the activities the children were involved in and we took a group photo before everyone left.

After the camp in Salistea, I returned for one last day at the VBS in Alba Iulia. Then Nancy and I were picked up by Cornel Fogorosiu. He brought us to his house in Sibiu where we met his wife Nuti (her real name is Anna) and then took us to see two cathedrals. One of the bell towers overlooked the whole city. Cornel Fogorosiu and I ascended all the way to the top and were rewarded with a fantastic view of the city!

Cornel Fogorosiu is the pastor of two village churches, one in the village of Nou with about 50 members and the other in Hasag, which only has about 10 right now. He invited me to preach at both churches on Sunday. In the morning we started with the larger church. Between the two church services Cornel Fogorosiu, Nuti, Nancy, and I visited four different families. The first family offered us lunch. In the second family the wife attends the church but her husband and son do not. The third family we visited was a sister from the church who is impoverished. She lives in a single room shack and has major health problems. The fourth family was an old married couple. The husband struggles with lung cancer. We prayed with them or for them all before we left each house.

After our time with the Fogorosiu family, Nancy and I were taken to Victoria. Nancy stayed there to do women’s ministry, but I crossed the Carpathian mountains with Pastor Timotei Stanea and a member of his church. We headed south to the town of Curtea de Arges where PIEI has a camp and the missionary Traian Chilau pastors several churches.

We met up with Pastor Timotei’s son Tim and a group of Germans. The Germans were sent by the Biblical Mission organization. They were a fun and hard-working youth group led by Abraham Neufeld. I helped some of them paint one of the churches. The next day we chopped some wood for the poor widows in an impoverished village in the countryside. We also had a chance to play a couple games of volleyball at the local high school. 

When we arrived at the camp in Arges, Cornel Stef joined us and brought some folks from his home church of Liberty Bible Church in Indiana. That team included Pastor Joe Kutolski, Dave and Carol Beckwith, and Mark Buffington. Dave and Carol stayed in Arges with Traian Chilau to work with orphan girls while the rest of us drove to Gabi Cuc’s home south of Craiova. Pastor Joe and Cornel Stef left Tim, Mark, and I with Gabi Cuc while they headed to Victoria.

Gabi Cuc pastors a church in the village of Caciulatesti. He also witnesses to the children in a juvenile detention center. His wife, Verra Cuc, supports him. We visited a few members from Gabi Cuc’s church, and on Sunday Mark and I both had the privilege of preaching at the church while Tim translated for us. That night we took a train back to the PIEI Center in Alba Iulia.

That week the center hosted a retreat for the missionaries and their wives. Mike Dima (the local PIEI administrator) and his wife Alice were pivotal in feeding the missionaries as well as ensuring everyone’s needs were met. Dave Beckwith (from Liberty Bible Church) gave lectures on anger management and his wife Carol planned activities for the missionaries’ wives to engage in. Pastor Joe lead a Bible study through the first few chapters in 1 Corinthians with a great deal of thoughtful discussion and engagement.

I helped two other young men from Liberty, Levi and Enoch, who helped entertain the missionaries’ children during the retreat. We play soccer with them and had a time of worship led by Enoch who can play the guitar. There was also short lesson for the kids.

The final day of the retreat we all headed to the new PIEI camp that is currently under construction in Necrilesti. The missionaries and many other brothers and sisters in Christ joined together in fellowship as we dedicated the camp. Pastor Timotei, Pastor Joe Kotulski, and Eugen Stef (the PIEI-Romania vice-president) all gave messages. Cornel Fogorosiu and Cornel Stef led us in worship.

After the retreat Tim and I headed to Victoria. Pastor Timotei went before us and brought two brothers from Alabama, Dave and Jerry. Dave is a retired minister and Jerry is a teacher in his church. Pastor Timotei took Dave and Jerry to visit the missionaries down south while Tim and I went on a hike with Costel and John, Pastor Timotei’s son-in-laws.

When Pastor Timotei came back with Dave and Jerry we visited Cornel Fogorosiu and Nuti again. This time we were able to learn about their ministry and pray with them. Later we also visited the missionaries Relu Rodean and Florin Botar along with their wives. We spent some time hearing about their ministries, praying with them, and giving encouragement.

Dave, Jerry and I preached at Pastor Timotei’s church in Victoria on two different Sundays. Tim acted as my translator, while Costel was Dave and Jerry’s translator. It was quite encouraging and edifying to be with them in worship.

Dave and Jerry left first, but I had one last adventure with Pastor Timotei and Tim. Chip Iacob, a brother from Romania who lives in the States, offered to give sweet corn to PIEI’s missionaries. We went near the area of Brashov to pick up about 700 ears of corn, then returned to Victoria to put them all in bags for the missionaries to use for their ministries.

After passing out the sweet corn, it was finally time to saying goodbye to Pastor Timotei, his wife, and Tim. Of all the teams, Cornel Stef and I were the first to arrive but the last to leave, and we travelled safely back to the States together.

It is clear God is working in Romania. The missionaries are dedicated to their work and are passionate about what they do. The love of God is evident in them. While I began as a stranger, all the missionaries and the brothers and sisters who worked alongside them treated me like family. The brothers and sisters in Romania embody John 13:35 and Galatians 3:28-29. We were all able to come together and worship our Lord God and Savior, Christ Jesus. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -John 13:35

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. -Galatians 3:28-29

Isaac Reeve

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click on the link below if you may be interested in going on a short-term mission trip.

Ministry Update

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings from Romania

I would like to start by telling you that we, the team that serves in Romania, have made it safe to our location at PIEI Center Alba Iulia.  We have already concluded a week of VBS under the leadership of our missionary Daniel Petrut. Today we are expecting another group from  my church, Liberty Bible Church, including pastor Joe. Their purpose for this trip is to support leaders in the local ministry and encourage them.

 I am so thankful for all your prayers and love, and also grateful for the loves of our brothers in Romania showed us when meeting with us. I believe in the power of the fervent prayer cause I have to testify that from luggages that have made it in time to reaching every flight in time, everything went well and I have seen God’s hand over us, protecting and caring for us. So, thank you and God bless each and everyone of you. We are so excited to see how God will work this time, how God is going to use everyone’s gift for the people we will interact with.  One of the tools God has provided for us in Reaching Romania for Christ, is the Necrilesti Camp, a camp located 45 minutes away from PIEI Center Alba Iulia. 

Liberty Bible Church Team

This camp has a cabin that required intervention to the basic structure and support pillars that were affected by mold. So, we started a rehabilitation work on the entire resistance structure of the building by decommissioning the legs affected by mold and replacing them with legs from a cement  structure. Developing and deepening into the rehabilitation works, we have realized that in order to bring the building to a good operational status, and also taking into account the geographical area, the construction manager advised us that a technical room is necessary to this location. The techinical room must include water heating pumps, cooling storage place for food, which will also serve the future 2 more cabins that we are thinking to build to support the  work of the camp as well as counseling or retreat for pastors and service teams and even more. The costs of all this reaches high to a sum of 150,000.00 USD.

The needs are so many, the costs are so high, but I believe that a soul that finds the Lord it’s worth every costs we can pay, considering that Christ gave His  life for us, the higher price someone could ever pay. Back over 40 years ago, coming to America, i have never thought of having a high standard of life, but rather I’ve always thought on how can I serve God back in the country I have come from - Matthew 16:24 - Then said Jesus unto His disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desire to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

On July 20th, i will lead a group of 5 people to Cernauti, Ukraine, where along with local leaders will be involved in a full time camp ministry. Our group will serve  leading bible study classes, having eye glass ministry and helping with other activities in the camp.

Please consider praying that God will provide us with great weather, protection as we serve in a country where war is going on, pray for the youth that attend the  camp that they may have an open heart to the word of the Gospel.

PRAYER REQUEST

*Pray for the safety of the teams coming and going

*Pray that the Necrilesti Camp becomes functional

*Pray for the missionaries as they serve faithfully for so many years

*Pray for more workers to join us in the great harvest

*Pray for the war to end in Ukraine, many lives are in danger

Cornel Stef Chair for Romania and Ukraine

Gearing up for 2024 Summer Mission Trips

Dear brothers and sisters,

Yet another summer has arrived, and we know that this time of year provides a great opportunity to share the Gospel with children and students. We are therefore blessed to have four different teams scheduled for short-term mission trips this July in order to encourage and support our nationals in this work!

Our first team is made of people from all over the United States who have come together to help the nationals put on a large Vacation Bible School at the Christian Center. Children from many of the neighboring villages will be driven to Alba Iulia every day for worship, Bible Study, games, crafts, and more. Bringing the villages together instead of doing VBS in each separate location has several advantages. First of all, it allows the team to help share the Gospel with children of many villages at the same time instead of repeating the work in different locations. It also saves the team energy by hosting VBS once instead of several times, so that all the children can get their best efforts and the team can use the extra time to support other ministries as well. Finally, it promotes unity among the nationals as they too can come together and help each other with their ministry, which is such an encouragement for men and women who so often lead village ministries on their own.

Our second team from Indiana will have the exciting opportunity to officially open the Mountain Top Retreat that we have been working on all year! Although there is still a lot of work to be done, our goal is to bring the first group of teens to the retreat in mid-July. We are hopeful that this retreat from every day life will give teens time to reflect on the character of God and build each other up in the faith. For some, the retreat will be the place they say “yes” to following Christ. For others, it will be another step in their spiritual journey. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for this new ministry!

A third team will be heading to Ukraine at the end of July to help with their annual Summer Camp. However, there are also a lot of other goals for this team. Because of the continuing war in Ukraine, the people and nationals there find it easy to succumb to feelings of discouragement and even despair. As they visit churches and encourage the missionaries, the team would also like to spread the hope we have in Jesus Christ through passing out Bibles, prayer, and counseling. They will also provide medical services by supplying eyeglasses to people who suffer from vision impairment.

Finally, we have a couple of people who have been to Romania many times and will be returning for a “vision trip”. Their goal will be to visit the nationals, pray for them, and bring them encouragement. They will spend time together in reflection, making sure that the vision for the future remains aligned with the mission that God has given them.

All of the teams will dedicate some of their time visiting with the nationals. Our missionaries pour their spirits into so many people, so it is a privilege to pour the life-giving Spirit back into them!

Prayer Requests

• Pray for safety as all of our teams travel in the air and on the road.

• Pray that all the team members and nationals are able to stay healthy this summer so that the work can be done without interruption.

• Pray that all of our teams are effective in their efforts to support the various ministries in Romania and Ukraine.

• Pray for the children and youth who will be attending VBS, retreats, and camp this summer, that God will touch their hearts and transform their lives.

• Pray that the people of Ukraine find hope in Christ when they feel despair and discover the peace of salvation in a time of war.

• Pray that the nationals are encouraged and rejuvenated by the short-term mission teams.

Our hope for you all is that you will find a way to partner with PIEI this summer. We ask that you keep the nationals and short-term mission teams in your prayers, for prayer is fuel for God’s glorious light. If you want to support the work financially, you can click on the donate buttons below. If you feel God calling you to go to the mission field yourself, you don’t have to wait until next summer! You can fill out an application any time and someone will contact you to see if there is a way for you to serve.

In Christ,

Cornel and Gabi Stef

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!