Hughes News #107

 

 

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

 

Dear Friends, 

 

We send our greetings from Moldova as we just crossed the threshold into summer.  May was cooler and rainy – some of the earlier fruit trees have suffered, but the fields are green and the crops look really good.  We had a few special events around Resurrection Sunday.  The Thursday before, our service focused on Christ’s sayings on the cross with several songs about His death.  On the Sunday in Soroca we ate breakfast together before our service.  On Monday we had an evangelistic outreach in Bulboci, in which we shared what the holiday means to us.  Just one grandma and a few kids came but it was a pleasant time and we enjoyed a meal and fellowship with the believers there afterward.

  

 

On May 4 Ghena Catlabuga and Simeon Gross were baptized.  Ghena is the adult son of a man who was baptized last year.  The Lord began working in his heart years ago through a serious health problem and he professed faith in Christ after visiting David’s Bible studies with his dad.  The Lord worked out the timing that Ghena’s wife, who was working outside of the country, was able to attend his baptism.  Simeon is, of course, our coworkers’ son.  It has been neat to hear of his interest in spiritual things and his initiating discussions with his dad.  We combined services and our group from Bulboci joined us for the day – a special service and meal afterwards.  We had just enough room to fit everyone in.  Out of the blue, a lady showed up on that day, when her niece “happened” to be there from Bulboci.  Each was surprised to see the other.  It seems the Lord is working in the aunt’s life – she’s been to services four of the last five Sundays. 

 

  

We are still waiting on word regarding our application for citizenship.  Because that isn’t decided yet, the time has come to renew our residency permits.  I can’t say the process is especially difficult, just time consuming and, at times, inconvenient.  We know the Lord will help us navigate the upcoming days. 

 

We are so excited to have our niece spend the summer with us!  Her dad will travel over with her this week and stay a few days before heading back.  We know we will enjoy it, but we are praying the Lord will make it special for her and use it in her life.  Thank you for taking the time to read our news.  We’d appreciate you lifting up our needs in prayer.

 

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes 

 

For Prayer: 

1. Preparation for VBS - June 30-July 4: Zastinca; July 14-18: Soroca; July 28-August 1: Bulboci 

2. Our niece’s visit 

3. “L” caring for an older lady with dementia-like symptoms; we continue Bible studies with her and she is considering baptism 

 

For Praise: 

1. Baptism of Ghena and Simeon

2. Bible study in Visoca going well 

3. Encouraged by believers around us

Hughes News #106

 

 

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

 

Dear Friends,

 

At the beginning of March the ladies hosted an outreach for women.  The theme this year was the wisdom of God.  Our goal is to encourage the believers and regular attendees to our services as well as share the Gospel with visitors.  As with any special event, not everyone that we expected to come showed up, but in the end, those who did come seemed to appreciate the day and it was our largest attendance yet.

 

 

A group from the village of Visoca joins us almost every week from most Sunday services.  Since it is difficult for them to join us for midweek services, we have held a study out there during the winter months when people typically have more available time.  After thematic studies the last two years, this year we studied the book of Ephesians, with David and I dividing up the lessons between us.  Attendance was good throughout the ten weeks.  Of those who came, a few are saved and baptized, another we are planning to baptize this spring, and even those who haven’t yet made a profession participated in the study.  Even though the weather is warming and people have work in their gardens, they have expressed a desire to continue meeting.  We plan to commit to a couple more months and evaluate things moving forward.

 

As mentioned above, we are planning a baptism in May.  One has committed already.  He is the son of a man who was baptized last March.  A couple others are possibilities.  Please pray that David and I would know the appropriate amount of encouragement to give, and that the Holy Spirit would lead them to take this step. 

 

We are both well.  The Lord gave us good health through the winter months and we are enjoying our ministry and other work.  Our citizenship application has been submitted.  We are waiting to hear an answer from the government.  Our hearts go out to several loved ones who are going through difficulties, but we are glad to know the Lord that is with us here is with them in their respective locations.  Thank you for your prayers in our behalf!

 

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

 

For Prayer:

1. Evangelization in Bulboci after Easter

2. Plans for baptism in May with candidates “G,” “L,” and “S”

3. Continued study in Visoca

 

For Praise:

1. Good turnout and participation at ladies’ outreach

2. Encouraged by studying and preaching on Heaven

3. Our application for citizenship has been turned in

Hughes News #105

 

 

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

 

Dear Friends,

 

It may surprise you to find out that this letter is being written in the United States.  We had been planning this trip for several months, but hadn’t announced it publicly as we wanted to surprise our parents.  First, we showed up for Jacob’s dad’s 85th birthday.  Once we were in the States, we let Viola’s mom know that we’d be visiting her for a few weeks as well, but we didn’t tell her about the week planned with all her kids and grandkids.  The lead up to the events was stressful at times – as we did our best to keep from ruining the surprises!

 

 

 

 

The Lord’s work in our parents’ lives has greatly influenced our relationship with Jesus Christ.  It was our goal to have some focused time with our parents while they are in relatively good health.  We wanted to honor them as best as we could for all that they have done for us.  We are thankful that the Lord made this trip possible and that our coworkers could continue the work in Moldova.  In addition to the parties and family time, we tried to help out as we could – painting, moving furniture, yard work, going through grandparents’ belongings, etc.  Through the weeks we have been able to participate in local church services as well.  Although we enjoy ministering, it has been a blessing to us to sit for a time and be fed by the preaching of the Word of God.  Our trip is coming to a close and we are scheduled to head back to Moldova on November 19.

 

While back in the States, we were able to get an added certification on Viola’s birth certificate that is necessary for our citizenship.  Since getting documents together has taken more time than expected, we also needed to redo our FBI background checks.  Those are ready to submit once we return to Moldova.  Hopefully, that will be the last we need to do and will be waiting for the government to decide.  We’d appreciate your prayers as we wait for that decision. 

 

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

 

For Prayer:

1. Upcoming ministry decisions 

2. Individuals who made decisions while we were gone 

3. Citizenship application

 

For Praise:

1. The opportunity to visit (and surprise) our parents

2. Time with each of our families

3. Returning to Moldova next week