Romanian Missions
	C. P. 209 O.F. 13 Brasov, Romania 2200 Pastor: Odis Bryan Missionary: Robert Blume Alto Missionary Baptist Church Alto, TX 75925 WWW.ALTOMBC.ORG/ROMANIA.HTM blumerobert@rdslink.ro	The Blumes, Robert, Kriss, Caleb, Grace

April 2003

GROWING

Romania is beautiful this time of year. I think that winter is so long that when spring finally comes it really makes you realize how wonderful God’s creation is. We are so thankful for flowers and green grass and budding trees. It is like a cloud has been lifted from the country and from our minds. As we are seeing all of nature coming to life and growing, our churches are growing both physically and spiritually.

Graduates from the Romanian Baptist Seminary

I realized this more so this past year than ever before. Our “kids” that first came to the church eight years ago are grown and marrying and are now having kids of their own. This spring we had two graduate from seminary and two graduate from the public university. We had three weddings this past year and we have several more coming up in the next few months. I may start featuring some of these in upcoming newsletters to tell you their stories. We have some fantastic young people. They have been an inspiration to me and we would like to share this with you.

DUMBRAVITA This month in Dumbravita we had 2 come for salvation and baptism and 3 for church membership. One of those who came accepting Jesus Christ as Savior is a shepherd. He is only able to attend a few services each month since he travels with the sheep and tends to them. He told us that before he came to be baptized, he went to the Orthodox church and told the priest to take his name out of their book. His name is now written in the book of life and he has a good shepherd who will watch over him wherever he goes. The next to come was one of our ladies from the home. She had talked with Bro. Nelu a few months ago but was still confused. When she came forward it was a very emotional time for the whole church. Her life has changed so drastically this past year. Now, more importantly, her eternal destiny has changed as well. God is good! LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION We are in the process of trying to build the main building for camp. This is a large building that will sleep 72 people and have room for eating and preaching. We also need to finish the work for the ladies home and renovate some of the rooms for the churches. Please keep all these works in your prayers.

Sister Brenda and several of the ladies and children at Emmanuel House in the newly remodeled kitchen that previously was a barn. PERSANI Persani continues to struggle. Daniel moved there this past month so we are hopeful that things will improve with someone being there permanently to work with the people. He has started visitation with some of the young men in the church. Sister Cati has two foster children now and works as a teacher at the International School in Brasov. Also, she is trying to go to college; therefore, she cannot teach Sunday school for a while. Sister Roxana got married in January and announced last week that she will be having a baby next January, so she will be taking some time off from teaching as well.

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

For the first time in 8 years I must write to you about some financial problems. About one year ago Romania started basing their economy on the euro instead of the dollar. When this started the euro was 91 cents to the dollar and everything was fine with prices staying the same, but in the last year the dollar has dropped and the euro has risen to $1.18. This 27% increase means that everything here is costing us 27% more today than it was last year and it is getting worse. The price of fuel has risen to almost $3.50 a gallon and everything else has followed. The bottom line is that we are not able to maintain our work here on the same budget that we are now receiving. Many of you told me that if there is ever a problem to let you know. You have always been more than generous in your support of this work and I am blessed by your love. God has blessed us here with many souls and workers in His service and with what I believe to be a great future for His churches. If you or your church would like to know more about this problem and how you can help please contact me at blumerobert@rdslink.ro or contact my sponsoring pastor Bro. Odis Bryan at 1-936-858-2107.