Hughes News #82

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends, 

 

There are times that when I sit down to write another prayer letter, I am amazed at how much time has passed.  The last time I wrote we were still eagerly awaiting a visit from family.  The two weeks they were here were wonderful- we can’t wait for them to come again!  After their visit we had our special Christmas activities- Sunday service in Soroca, a candlelight carol sing, a service and meal in the village, and a program at the children’s home.  One highlight from these events was a young woman expressing her desire to draw closer to Christ in 2019.  It was a joy to hear this from her.

 

Visit from family

Candlelight Carol Sing

Christmas program at children's home

Christmas program at children's home

Before the cold weather set in, the crew working on our property finished the foundation and slab.  In November our architect ordered the metal studs for the structure and they were delivered a little after Christmas.  Our next step is to sort the bundles of metal.  Once they are organized and we have good weather, we can start assembling the various wall sections.

  

The slab for our house

Our erector set ... I mean, house

By far the most impactful matter of the past few months was the passing of Viola’s dad.  Paul Hitz went to be with his Savior on January 28 at age 80.  Due to the steady decline of his health the last few months, his death was not a surprise.  It is neat to look back and see how the Lord orchestrated everything during that time.  Our coworkers had returned from furlough just over a week before Dad passed.  Their being here meant that both Viola and I could return for the funeral.  We purchased tickets to be back for three weeks, thinking that we would probably be the last of the four out-of-town siblings to leave Oklahoma.  On the contrary, we were only the second to leave.  We were able to be there at the beautiful funeral service and then have several days with family.  Having so many of us together doesn’t happen very often, so we just soak up and treasure the times it does happen.  We are now back in Moldova, ready to continue ministering here.

  

Time with family in Oklahoma

Time with family in Oklahoma

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

 

For Prayer:

1. For Viola’s family (Mom especially) after Dad’s passing

2. For those committed to a new ESL group next week 

3. Decisions about opportunities and the house project

 

For Praise: 

1. Dad Hitz’s walk with the Lord, ability for us to go to the funeral 

2. Our coworkers’ return 

3. Family visit and Christmas activities