From the Superintendent's DESK

John Musgrave, Director of Romania Work, and his wife, Rodica, along with Harlan and Debbie Lee of Roseburg, Oregon, have concluded their mission trip to Romania. For nearly three weeks, they have enjoyed encouraging the saints at our established churches. Since their last report, they have also had the opportunity to meet with newer groups, tour two church buildings under construction, dedicate two babies, and much more.

On Tuesday, November 5, they were in the Western region of our work and attended a church service at Teremia Mica where Florin Silea is the pastor. They said the Spirit of the Lord was very present and they had a great meeting. Brother Florin’s sister-in-law, Rebekah, led the music, several individuals and children’s groups provided song specials, and Sisters Rodica and Debbie shared their testimonies. After two sermons, the entire congregation went to prayer. Then Brother Florin’s mother hosted our team for a delicious meal at her house.

The next day, the focus of the trip turned to the Southern region of our work with a church service in Capu Dealului. This congregation currently meets in the home of Nicu Cominescu, the pastor. However, they purchased land in 2018 and have now begun construction on a church. The new building, which is nearly complete, has a large sanctuary that streams with light from nine arched windows. The team enjoyed a beautiful church service, commenting that the saints sang every verse of every song with all their hearts. Afterward, the pastor’s wife, who had just returned from a hospital stay, was anointed and prayed over.

Continuing in the Southern region, our team attended meetings in Craiova, Osica de Jos, Margaritesti, Radovan, and Motatei Sat on Thursday and Friday. They also held a minister and spouse conference at Craiova on Saturday. They said the Lord blessed tremendously in every location, and the congregations have expressed greetings and prayer support for their American brothers and sisters in Christ.

Saturday evening, the team held a service for the first time among a group in Cosoveni. This location originated sixteen years ago when Brothers John and Harlan visited a backslidden woman and she prayed through to salvation. They said the Lord was present in a special way during the meeting.  

For the Sunday morning service, our team went to Craiova. This congregation has been through trial and persecution. However, the Lord has prevailed and today they are stronger than ever. In the afternoon, a visit was made to the Eastern region of our work where there are three branches: Bucharest, Coroteni, and Ramnicu Sarat. They enjoyed services among all three congregations.

On Tuesday, the team proceeded to the Northern region of our work, focused in the villages surrounding the city of Pascani, which has a population of about 30,000. They first visited a new group in Zmeu, led by Nikolai and Alina, who have ten children. The team was able to give encouragement and also tour a one-room building under construction that will serve as a place of worship. During the remainder of the week, they attended services in Bosteni, Humulesti, and Vanatori Neamt.

On Sunday, the final day of this trip, they attended the morning devotional service at Bucharest, where Gheorghei Macovei, the Eastern Romania District Superintendent, is the pastor. The service was well attended and a good spirit continued into a fellowship dinner afterward. In the evening, our team visited a newer group in Butimanu for a church service. The congregation of about twenty was earnest in their worship. They meet in a small but nicely furnished one-room church building. On the outside, over the door is a banner that reads, “Isus Lumina Lum!!!” or “Jesus, the Light of the World!!!”  

Our team is now headed home. We pray for traveling mercies and also for God to continue to bless His work in Romania.