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"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes" |
Dear Friends,
Maybe this is true in a lot of
ministries, but it often feels that as soon as we are geared up and ready to
move forward, circumstances change and we have to pivot. Let me mention a couple of examples from the
past month. After a service in Soroca a
woman approached us asking who could come to our church. We assured her that she could and hoped she
would show up. A few weeks went by, she
didn’t come, and I didn’t follow up due to the busyness of other summer
ministries. Eventually we visited her at
home. Several days later we made another
visit and began an evangelistic Bible study with her. We were pleased with her response, but then a
few days later she called to let us know she would be going to the capital for
a time. After a good start we are waiting
to hear that she is back in town (she didn’t give us any indication how long
she would be gone).
In our furlough presentation,
we mentioned Viola studying Moldovan sign language to interpret for a deaf man
who had been coming to services in Bulboci.
We asked for prayer for her as she continued to learn. However, once we returned, he wasn’t in the
village and we didn’t see him for several months. In the middle of the service the first Sunday
in August he showed up and was there every Sunday in the month. So, that meant Viola jumping back into
reviewing and working to communicate as much of the service as she could. With these frequent changes, it can feel like
we are spinning our wheels, but we try to remind ourselves to trust the Lord to
work even when things can feel haphazard to us.
We would like to ask prayer for
a couple of studies. A woman “N” has
wanted one-on-one English lessons for awhile.
This spring we bumped into her and Viola was trying to explain to her
that we are here primarily to talk about the Bible. “N” replied that they could talk about the
Bible in English. We thought it would
work for Viola to meet with her while our intern taught a young girl English. Viola was pleased to find a curriculum that
did a good job teaching English while at the same time incorporating Biblical
themes. She would appreciate your
prayers as she meets with “N.” The other
study is an evangelistic one that we continued with a family while the Grosses
were on furlough. Shortly David should
return and we will no longer be leading it, but we ask for prayer because they
have reached the lessons which discuss Jesus’ life and draw the learners to a
decision about the Gospel. Would you
pray for “V” and his family to be saved?
We weren’t necessarily looking
for an intern this summer and Moldova wasn’t Sara Beth Graves’ first option for
her required internship, but God brought things together for her to be here in
June and July. She was a big help to us
with several of our normal ministries and her presence allowed us to reach out
in a few ways that we couldn’t just by ourselves (her teaching English to the
young girl as mentioned above, for example).
She eagerly worked alongside us and cheerfully put up with things like
doors without handles, a room without air conditioning and neighbors without
inhibitions. We don’t know how the Lord
will use her internship in her life moving forward, but we know she was a
blessing to us this summer.
A couple weeks ago we were able
to visit some of the kids who came to the VBS in Bulboci. We visited with the kids and their
parents/grandparents for a few minutes and presented them with a children’s
Bible. We pray that the Bibles will be
read and that the connection with their families would open up more ministry
opportunities in the future. Last week
we concluded our summer program at the children’s center by having a store in
which the kids could spend the points they earned through attendance, verse
memorization and behavior. With school
starting September 1, it is likely that we will have fewer kids at our program
in the fall, but with the Lord’s help, we will pivot again and trust Him to
guide us.
Thank you for giving time to
read this prayer letter. It is difficult
to accurately portray all that is going on as well as keep past requests
updated. If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact us. Thank
you for your prayers – we ask that you’d continue petitioning the Lord on our
behalf.
In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
For Prayer:
1. Ukraine – the fighting to
cease, people to come to the Lord
2. Discernment to know how to
pivot and adjust as circumstances change
3. Studies with “N” (Bible and
English) “V” and his family and “L” (evangelistic)
For Praise:
1. “V” (our deaf friend) back
to services in Bulboci
2. Good visits with kids who
attended the Bulboci VBS
3. A new electronic piano
donated for services in Bulboci
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