GEM Annual Conference 2007

Worship at Conference

Every year the missionaries with Greater Europe Mission gather for an annual conference. Last week we participated in this year’s conference in Sopron, Hungary.

Steve and I were refreshed and encouraged by other Missionaries throughout Europe. The guest speaker was Kalevi Lehtinen who was born in Finland. He has worked with Campus Crusade for Christ, and has headed up evangelistic outreaches in several European countries.

This conference held two celebrations. The first occurred on Monday evening. It was for our current president, Ted Noble and his wife Lynn. This was a wonderful banquet celebrating not only his leadership, but also gave recognition to past leaders. Ted announced at last year’s conference that he felt the Lord leading him on toward something new. He asked for prayer in the search for the following president.

The second celebration was on Tuesday evening with the Installation Service for Henry Deneen, who will begin leadership on September 1st. It was a graceful change of leadership with a sense of peace, unity, and joy among all who attended.

The highlight of the week for Steve was when the Romanian team (that’s us) sang a Romanian hymn. There were eleven of us singing in four part harmony. This was a first for Steve, not only singing in harmony, following a line of music, BUT also singing in front of an audience of approximately 300 people.

Check out some of the pictures we took. A few pictures where from an afternoon outing to a Palace.

Wheels For the World - Continued.

Ligia, pictured above received her first wheelchair. The request for the wheelchair was made months ago from Ligia’s mother, Neli. She had talked with a member of a small village church which Steve and I visited at Easter. During that visit, Steve measured Ligia for a chair. We prayed that within the shipment of wheelchairs coming for the July Wheels for the World Distribution there would be something perfect for her.

Answering this prayer, God provided just the wheelchair for Ligia. At Cluj, Jenny Lotter, our friend and colleague, spotted a chair that would fit her.

On August 1, Steve, Jenny, and Kristi delivered the chair above.

Over 100 Wheelchairs Given!

Last week in Craiova, Romania, Joni & Friends – Wheels for the World had a team to distribute wheelchairs to those who needed them. Everyday around 20 individuals were given a chair that was fitted to their specific needs, sizes and shapes.

What a blessing to get a glance into the lives of those who came. Many times they were individuals with years of hurt and suffering behind them. Each person dealt with their own disability; amputation of legs, stroke, MS, CP as well as other types of disabilities.

God showed Himself as a true provider for those in need.

One lovely woman named Gina (pictured above) had been injured in the earthquake of 1979, and arrived with her teenage son who helped her move. She received a special chair for those with paralysis.

Anka, Cornelia, Alin, Ana Maria, Alex where there along with other children throughout the week. These children sat for the first time in their wheelchairs eyes twinkling and smiling with a smile that warms the heart.


This picture to the right is of Bianca with her twin sister and the therapists who helped fit her wheelchair. She stated, “This is the kind of wheelchair I have always wanted.” The therapists and mechanics (Steve & Alex) adjusted and also prepared a table to fit on her chair. The team was blessed to hear later in the week from her mother saying that Bianca was doing things she was never able to do before, such as hold crayons and color in a position comfortable to do so.


Adrian who had had one leg already amputated registered for a wheelchair two weeks prior to the distribution; however, in the intervening two weeks, his condition worsened, and he was faced with the amputation of his other leg. With clearance from his doctor, he was transported from the hospital to be fit with a wheelchair.




The man pictured below was a veteran in WWII , was not able to move around because of his illness. Now he sits crying with joy as he receives his new wheelchair and renewed independence.

The last patient fitted with a wheelchair had a doctorate in chemical engineering that traveled the world during the Communist years. He could have even moved to the United States in the 1960’s, but he chose to remain with his homeland despite the hardships.



God showed himself to be the best physician for those who came.

Celebrating One Year!

Kristi and Steve on a mountain top in Switzerland.

Now after one full year in Romania, life is beginning to be more at ease. As missionaries with Greater Europe Mission we participated in a conference specifically designed for first term missionaries. It was held in Saas Grund, Switzerland in June. What a beautiful and relaxing location to gather new GEM missionaries to debrief on the highs and lows of moving to another country. Those who attended were from Bulgaria, France, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Austria, Malta, and Romania.

Every morning we were involved in sessions dealing with culture, language, and family issues. Then each afternoon was free to take nature walks, read, or naps. The temperatures were cooler for long sleeves and a light jacket. It was refreshing, and we returned to Romania with renewed energy to face another year of expectant possibility.
Check out some of our photos.

This past weekend two of our pastors from Highlands Church in Scottsdale, AZ. came to Timisoara for a short visit. It was exciting for us to share with them our local church we attend, some city sites, our home, and neighborhood.

Steve, Pastor Les and Pastor Tyler while having some coffee and ice cream at a cafe in Union Square.

A Place to Call Home

Heartfelt thanks to those that have been praying for us in yet another transition. Let us take a short minute and tell you where God led us for housing. We began thinking that a house would be good, because in the future we hope to have storage for adaptive equipment and wheelchairs. We also need an extra room for visitors. Those things along with a prayer for good owners to rent from were our primary desires.

The month of May was filled with moving and transition. God showed us that apartment living was His plan, because the cost of renting a house was far too high for our budget. Even though we did not find a house, God proved to be our strong right arm. He first supplied an answer to the prayer of storing medical and adaptive equipment in a nearby village with another missionary couple and a ministry there. Steve will write later with more details regarding this opportunity of partnership.

Secondly, God supplied wonderful proprietors/owners and friendly neighbors. The owners have been very kind, and have invited us in the future to spend a weekend with them in their mountain cabin. We speak mostly Romanian with them, but they do understand some English for those moments of learning new vocabulary. Our new neighbors are friendly. We hope to share our new language with them; however; more than language we hope to share our lives with our new neighbors strengthening their walk with the Lord or sharing the Gospel with them.

Thirdly, we have enough space for hospitality, an important thing in this culture and in the life of missionaries. God provided a large apartment. The apartment has four rooms and 2 bathrooms. That means it has 3 bedrooms and a living room. We have a guest room for visitors – another prayer answered! It is in a block that is 10 stories, but we are fortunate to be on the first level. First level is not ground level as in the states, but the second floor. We have small mom and pop stores below us.

Fourth, we are next to an open air market with lots of fresh veggies and fruit. We are within walking distance to the center of town as well as the new large mall, both have many areas to either shop or to do the things necessary to live life. Even our view is pleasing; all our rooms face an Orthodox church with a nice park and fountain. In addition, an important factor for me, is that we are close to a good pizza place!

Lastly, God provided the things to fill the apartment. We bought many things from a Missionary returning to the states last September. We were able to buy them at a fraction of the store prices. We bought and then stored a bedroom set, an office desk and book shelf, washer and dryer, two arm chairs…..It has taken weeks, and we are still in the process of moving, because the apartment was empty. Empty means we had to purchase kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, and appliances. We are still waiting for the correct person to hook up the gas oven. We need someone that has an official stamp applied to our guarantee paperwork. The kitchen needed some help so we also tiled that as well as painted all the rooms.

Being Used For His Glory

Over the past two months, God has displayed His always supportive hand in our lives. Romanian village churches have found their way into our hearts as we have experienced wonderful hospitality.

Those of you that know Steve well know that he considers his skill in public speaking a weaker point. However, God uses our weakness for His greater glory.

About a month and a half ago, we were invited to go with Dwight Poggemiller, our regional director, to a village south of Timisoara. We felt welcomed by the church members and the pastor. Steve gave an initial message prior to the main sermon Dwight presented. Many of the attendees were exposed to the Gospel.

On Palm Sunday, we went to a village with our Sibiu colleges and received a warm greeting from this church and noticed all the great things the Lord is doing. With each visit we are looking for ways in which we can help with our ministry gifts. Steve again gave a short greeting while Kristi sang a solo. Even though Kristi loves music she doesn’t consider herself a soloist.

This Easter was no different. We went with Dawn Elenbass to visit two other colleagues, Susan and Richard, in Oradea in northwest Romania. On the way up, we stopped at a nearby village were we visited a family, and measured a young child for a wheelchair. Fellowship over the weekend was great, and on Sunday, we went to our colleague’s village church. There Steve had the privilege of giving the Resurrection Morning message, while Kristi was able to participate by singing a solo and accompany Susan’s solo on keyboard.

We know more and more just how God has been preparing us throughout our lives for just a time as this. Steve’s seminary studies are definitely used and Kristi has found that growing up on a farm in Minnesota has prepared her to be a housewife in this culture by cooking from scratch, hanging clothes on the line, and growing a garden.

It is wonderful to see God’s had at work in the life of those we meet. Resurrection Sunday is an evident reminder of the Promise we have in Christ to be with those who love Him until the end.

Şi iată că Eu sunt cu voi în toate zilele, până la sfârşitul veacului. Amin

Matei 28: 20a

I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt. 28:20a

New Life With A New Shepherd

Blessings and Happy Resurrection Sunday to you all!

On Palm Sunday we celebrated with two new believers who came to Christ. What Joy!
Steve and I were blessed to attend a small village church in the mountains near Sibiu. It is mostly a village of sheepherders. Many of the members of the church are not the owners, but the men who do the odd jobs such as sheering the sheep. It is the sheering season right now. The Sheep are losing their winter coat to begin a summer much cooler and lighter of weight. These new believers, as well, are beginning life lighter and with a new found spirit.

These pictures are of Steve giving a greeting and Kristi singing at the church.