BIEMs of Light: September 2004

Praises – Rejoice with us!

v           The Barnabas Conference held in Vatra Dornei, Romania was a tremendous blessing with over 50 attending.  This was the first time BIEM was able to gather our Romanian and Moldovan missionaries and workers.  The theme of the Conference organized by BIEM Field Director Fred Canaday was “Change My Heart Oh God” and hearts were certainly changed and challenged through preaching, teaching and fellowship. Peter Rumachik, Fred Canaday and Sam Slobodian spoke during this weeklong event. Thank you to all of you who prayed for these meetings.   Our next newsletter the Challenger will have more information about this occasion.

v           An amazing answer to prayer occurred during special children’s services held by BIEM children’s workers in Alexandrovka, a village in Ukraine’s Chernigiv area.  Sixty people gathered including adults who were listening attentively to the Gospel presented through music and drama.  Suddenly an Orthodox priest appeared with 8 intensely agitated people who interrupted the meeting by shouting threats claiming “the children and the field are ours.”  Our workers immediately and quietly went to God in prayer.  God quickly calmed the agitators and they quietly left without further incident!

v           Thirty six people were saved in Evangelistic meetings in Romania and Moldova held by brother Canaday who was accompanied by his wife Margie as well as daughter and son-in-law Marcia and Dan Escobar.  Praise God for how he has used the labors and organization skills of Marcia and Dan in Romania and Moldova.

v           Praise God for another Container on its way to Ukraine.  This container that consists of clothing, medical supplies, Bibles and Gospel literature is headed for the city Lutsk.  This particular shipment was sent out from the Hyde Park Baptist Church in New York who are sending one of their families (The Weight’s) to live and work with BIEM church planters in this area of western Ukraine. 

v           Another new BIEM church has been established in Moldova. It is a Russian-speaking congregation that has begun to meet in the building being constructed in Duralesti on Sunday afternoons.   A Bible study group of around 12 is also regularly meeting in Chisinau composed of doctors, university professors and students.

Prayer – Pray with us!

v           The church building program in Fetesti, Romania has an urgent need for $15,000 to pour their foundation by the end of October.  One church has volunteered to give $5,000 if the remainder could be raised.  So far $1,000 of this has come in.  Please pray that the remaining $9,000 would come in soon.

v           Please continue to pray for Margie Canaday mentioned in last months BIEM’s of Light.  What was thought to be a case of swollen lymph nodes has turned out to be lymphoma and Margie has begun chemotherapy.

v           Charles Hoblitz BIEM missionary in St. Petersburg Russia was robbed after leaving a Russian stock exchange, which is considered to be a safe place to exchange money.  Praise God no one was hurt but $3,000 and important documents were stolen.  Please pray that these be restored and for protection for the Hoblitzes.

v     Please for visa and travel details to be worked out so that Vitaly Sychov, BIEM missionary in Desna, Ukraine can visit the US to be with has wife Vika and daughter Karina.  Karina is the child adopted from Chechnya we have written about who is undergoing treatment in the Philadelphia area that is hoped will enable her to walk.