Dear partners in Christ,
On February 22, 2026, in Sohodol, we baptized Mrs. Elena after a very intense spiritual battle. Some of her relatives tried with all their power to stop her from taking this step toward God (see photos: Baptism 1 and Baptism 2).
She prayed very much for this, and we as a church lifted up many prayers. I visited her at home many times, spoke with her from the Word of God, and encouraged her. Through all these things we can only say: Praise be to the Lord for His wonderful victory.
But you should know that the spiritual battle has not ended. Sister Elena is at the beginning of a journey of faith that is not easy at all. She has a great need for prayer support every day.
I remember that several years ago, also in Sohodol, there was a sister named Jenica. She was elderly and for many years she could no longer come to church. She had a son who was very strongly opposed to believers and to our church. Sister Jenica would call me to come with the Lord’s Supper when she knew that her son was away from town.
One day she called me again and said that her son had left home for another town, so I went up the hill on foot to her with the Lord’s Supper. The path was a cart road about two and a half meters wide, going through a forest of very thick thorn bushes (you could not move to the right or to the left, only walk on that narrow path).
As I kept climbing on that road for about half an hour, I suddenly saw Sister Jenica’s son coming down the same path. I became very frightened (he liked to drink alcohol and became very violent afterward). He had left home but had stopped for a while at a neighbor’s house further down.
I began to pray. I could not run off that narrow road either to the right or to the left. But a great miracle happened: he came down the same path I was climbing, passing about a meter and a half from me without seeing me. God struck him with blindness when he passed by me; otherwise I would have had serious problems with him (it was very possible that he would have attacked me).
Why did I tell you this story? Because it is very, very difficult on the path of faith when members of your own family persecute you. You need great strength from God every single day.
Please support us in prayer for:
· The members of the church in Sohodol – there is a great need for young believing families.
· Sister Elena – for spiritual strength and patience from God.
· The members of the church in Ponorel – for a strong testimony among unbelievers.
· The mission point in Brăzăști – for open doors for the Gospel among unbelievers.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
We thank you for your spiritual and financial support each month. You have a special place in our hearts. The work of God in my area is blessed and continues to grow through you.
In His Name,
Florin Botar - PIEI Romania Missionary
