Two back to back mission teams just left. We are thankful for the teams God brought together to accomplish His mission. We are exhausted but it is a good exhaution. A moment of reflection is in order. “What did we accomplish? Is there room for improvement?” Wait. Go back even further. “Why are we even here? Has the purpose been furthered?”

Beth and I are here for several reasons. We believe James 2:14

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”

We want our faith to be alive. We want our faith to show by what we do, just as most of you want. That’s what the Bible teaches. Just as it teaches us to do works to please God, not man.

My gift is not socializing. I want to get my hands dirty. My part on our team is learning to run a well drilling rig and how to equip mission teams who come to Moldova. I need to learn many construction techniques and to use what is available locally.

Beth’s gift is in administration and organization. She researches local needs, locates food and lodging. Our prayer is that our gifts can allow Andy and Nancy to have the time needed to mentor at Freedom Home and to pastors around Moldova.

How does this further our purpose?

This enables teams to help build churches and teach the local Christians different ways to introduce the lost to Christ. What Beth and I do is “prepare the soil”, so to speak, for seeds to be planted. When we are not doing this, we are gathering tools and information to do our job better. We enable mission teams to have solid projects and guidance when they get here so they can get right to the task they are led to do.

 How does well drilling fit into this? It is a practical need. Unsafe drinking water in Moldova is a big problem. Putting in a well requires the equipment to be on location for several weeks. This is a good anchor in which to build relationships with those in the area. Sharing Christ becomes a part of building the relationships. It also provides the much needed fresh drinking water. 

Is God calling you to serve? What can we do to help you get on the field? Perhaps you are serving already by enabling us in the field. It would not be possible for us to be here if it weren’t for our supporters, both prayerfully and financially. To those, we say a big Thank You and may God bless you!

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