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@zappmobile.ro		The Blumes, Robert, Kriss, Caleb, Grace
January 2003 State of the Missionary and the Work I want to write to you about the condition of the work here in Romania. But, before I do, I want to write a little about myself. I AM TIRED! I don’t know that this is news worthy of reporting, but it is the truth. Last year was a very hard year, and I made myself a promise that this year I would not work 7 days a week. I talked a lot with my pastor about this problem and came to the conclusion that we need some help. Unfortunately, just the opposite happened. I had to fire my work crew, which has put a greater load on me. The pastor in Dumbravita resigned forcing me to return there as pastor. Don’t misunderstand, I love the church there and enjoy being their pastor. All of these things together with our normal every day problems that we encounter here have just been a lot to handle. There is also a financial problem. In the last six months the dollar has lost 17% of its buying power (according to the Romanian news), which has really affected our work here. We have several building projects that need to be finished, or need repairs: 1. Church camp: about $8,000, 2. Ladies home: around $20,000 (there is a lot of work to be done), 3. Church in Ghimbav urgently needs a new roof $5,000, 4. Church in Dumbravita needs to renovate a room for the children’s Sunday school class. $4,000. If you are interested in one or more of these works please contact Bro Odis or me.
Churches Ghimbav continues to grow slowly but faithfully. Bro Mihai, their pastor, is doing a fine job and we are very pleased with his work. Our school there has been a tremendous help in reaching new people with the Gospel of Christ. (Thanks for your help in making this a possibility.) Dumbravita had a set back with the loss of her pastor. So far we continue to have good attendance but it has been difficult. Bro. Nelu was a good pastor and it will be difficult to replace him. Thank God for my helpers in Persani: Florine, Roxana, Daniel, and Cati. When I went back to Dumbravita they took over the work in Persani and are doing a great job. It is hard work dealing with Gypsies. The Ladies home is full right now with five ladies and their children (mostly babies). We have two volunteers coming in March to help finish four more rooms. We are planning to finish the church camp building this year if we get the finances and volunteers to come over and build it. I also want to thank my father for working so hard this winter on the ladies home; you are a great witness to all here. Brother Rob preparing to paint school at Ghimbav		The cows coming home in front of Persani Missionary Baptist Church. TIME IS SHORT I want to share with you something that happened to me this month. On my return to pastoring in Dumbravita, during my first service, there was a new man in the congregation. I noticed that he was very attentive and I believed that he was under heavy conviction. After services, I talked to one of the young men in the church about him to see how long he had been coming and if he was saved or not. I found out that he had only been coming a short time and had not made any kind of profession of faith. I told the young man to find out where this man lives and we scheduled a visit with him for the following week. This was on a Thursday night, that following Sunday I asked the young man about him and he informed me that the man died that Thursday night of a heart attack. I waited to late. What if I had talked to him that night instead of waiting? Time is vital. Every day that we put off working for God people are dieing and going to hell. When God gives us an opportunity we had better take advantage of it right then, not tomorrow, for tomorrow may never come. It did not come for this man.
P.S. If you are interested in coming and helping with the construction of one or more of these building projects please contact me at blumerobert@zappmobile.ro The only cost will be for your ticket to and from Romania. We will give to you free room and board. A ticket to Romania costs an average of $700 to $1000 depending on the airline and the time of year.