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

Hughes News #103

 

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

 

Dear Friends, 

 

On April 4, we got word that a faithful member of the church in Bulboci, Ilie (Elijah), passed away.  After being saved as an adult, he had a strong desire to know God’s Word.  His attentiveness to the Bible was displayed in the many discussions in which he quoted a verse or referred to one by chapter and verse, even when he was in his early 80’s.  His family respected his wishes and allowed David and I to lead the funeral and exclude the Orthodox traditions that are contrary to Biblical teaching.  While we rejoice over his testimony, his death means one fewer witness in his village of Zgurita. 

 

 

Last month we attended a retreat organized by our missions' agency for its European missionaries.  We were challenged and uplifted by the preaching and encouraged by the other sessions.  We also greatly enjoyed spending time with the others who came to the retreat.  It was a blessing to set aside work for a few days and be ministered to. 

  

On the last Sunday of April we watched as Daniel and Ana Gross were baptized.  They had each expressed some interest in the past, but that was rekindled when we were planning for Victor’s baptism in March.  The timing worked out that their grandparents were visiting and Stephanie’s dad preached one of the messages.  This special day allowed us an opportunity to again emphasize Gospel truths to those who have not yet been saved but regularly attend services. 

 

  

We usually celebrate the resurrection a week or two after you do in the States.  This year there was a bigger difference – ours was five weeks later, on May 5.  We had special things in each service and a meal with each group (breakfast in Soroca, early supper in Bulboci).  The following Friday we had an Easter outreach program in Bulboci.  While attendance was lower than previous events, we were glad to have two adults join us and participate and to be given permission to use the library.  I wouldn’t say that everything is resolved in that situation, but I am hopeful we will be able to use that location for VBS this summer. 

 

Easter Meal in Bulboci

 

Easter outreach at the library in Bulboci

A week ago we picked up our renewed residency permits.  Because of waiting on someone else’s scheduling, there were a couple of weeks in which our car’s registration was expired (we have temporary registration that is connected to our residency permits).  Yesterday I was able to finish the registration process, so we are behind the wheel again.  Each time, it is a relief to get those things behind us.  Regarding our desire to obtain citizenship, it felt like we made one step forward … and a couple steps back.  Our US background checks are on their way to us, and we signed a contract with an agency to walk us through the process, but we found out there is more to do than we were originally told.  We want to give time to this to get our part done, but we don’t want to neglect other responsibilities in doing so.  We’d appreciate your prayers as we prioritize work, especially in June as we try to prepare documents for citizenship, plan for VBS and do some construction projects on our house.

 

In His service,

Jacob & Viola Hughes

 

For Prayer:

1. Work on house / property in June

2. VBS - planning in June, 3 weeks of activities in July

3. Progress with obtaining Moldovan citizenship

 

For Praise: 

1. Encouraging retreat with All Points Baptist Mission

2. Baptism of Daniel and Ana Gross

3. Residency permits renewed for another year