Hughes News #63

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

The response we received from the village council regarding our request to do a Bible club was not what we wanted.  The letter stated that they did not have a place for us to use, therefore we could not continue with our plans.  We wanted to hold the club in our coworkers’ neighborhood in order to follow up with kids that came to our VBS.  The two possibilities we see now are: 1) begin the club at our coworkers’ house once more space is available, or 2) begin it at our new meeting place.

In September, David and I looked at several locations as possible rentals for our weekly services.  Near the middle of October we decided on a place, signed the contract and began getting it ready for use.  After considering options for flooring (the only work that needed to be done), we decided on tile.  We paid for it and laid the tile ourselves, and our landlords are letting our expenses go towards our rent (not a given here).  We got enough of the tiling done to have our first service there on November 1 and finished this week.

The work is begun!

Our rental has one big room, a smaller one about one fourth the size, and a tiny bathroom.  Right now we have Sunday morning and Thursday evening services at the new location and Sunday evening Bible study at our coworkers’ home.  With having the rental, we can plan future ministries/outreaches without needing to find a location for each event.  We view the space as a tool- one we pray God will use to work in the hearts of individuals here in Soroca.

With the Grosses after a Sunday morning service

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. The Lord would use our meeting place for His glory
2. Decisions about a Bible club and English lessons
3. The lost to be saved and believers to be encouraged

For Praise:

1. A helpful team retreat in October

2. Finding a storefront rental for our services

3. Accommodating landlords

Hughes News #62



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

We went back to the States at the end of July and spent five weeks there.  The primary reason for our visit was to be with Jacob’s parents as they celebrated their 50^th anniversary.  We are both privileged to have parents who love our Savior.  While back, we were able to spend time with family and make lasting memories.
 

At Jacob's parents' vow renewal

 
The time back in the States allowed us to attend our missions agency’s training week.  Chapel messages challenged our hearts, classes provided support and insight and interaction with other missionaries uplifted us.  Families in a supporting church kindly housed us and provided a vehicle for our use while in Ohio.

Since we were not able to obtain the required permission for our outreach to families, we will save that idea for next summer.  Our fall plans include starting a kids’ Bible club and English lessons, expanding the Sunday evening Bible study to include more people and searching for a meeting place to rent.

Twice David and I have chatted with “A.”  He has expressed interest in coming to a service.  Last Thursday was the first time “L” visited the Bible study.  She gave testimony of salvation and told us she is glad we are here.  David and I gave “G” a ride back into Soroca.  Nine years ago he heard the Gospel at a Christian camp- the same camp where David worked that summer.  We hope he will talk with us more.  Either right now or sometime this week, would you take time to pray specifically for these individuals and for us as we seek to minister to them?

In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:
1. Plans for starting a Bible club this fall
2. That teaching English would bring witnessing opportunities
3. The lost to be saved and believers to be encouraged

For Praise:
1. Trip to the States for Hughes 50^th anniversary
2. A week of blessings at our missions agency’s training week
3. New contacts we have met

Hughes News #61



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

June 7th was a memorable day as we witnessed two souls receive believer’s baptism.  The first was Abby, our coworkers’ daugher.  The second was Jeanet or “J” in previous updates.  Jeanet came to saving faith several years ago, but had not yet been baptized.  The management of a hotel allowed us to use their pool and refused to take money for the event.  The day also included singing, a charge to those being baptized, gifts, another message and the Lord’s Supper.  Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch together at a local restaurant.  An added blessing was that the weather was perfect!  For me, the highlight of the day was hearing Jeanet give her testimony and seeing the emotion in her eyes as she shared with us God’s work in her life.  We want to hear many such testimonies in the years ahead!

Jeanet giving her testimony before the baptism

 
Recently Viola finished leading the ladies’ study through Ephesians.  They may begin another study in a few weeks.  Last week, a group from our coworkers’ sending church was here to help with construction on their house.  Both that week and the one prior were filled with various construction projects.  As it turned out, I spent a large amount of that time helping tile the bathroom.

Also last week, we held a three day VBS in David’s neighborhood with the help of a couple from the group.  Viola organized and led the crafts, I planned the games and David preached the lessons.  The crafts, memory verses, and lessons all focused on the Word of God.  On the last day, we presented each child with his own copy of Scripture.  We would like to begin a Bible club or something with these children in order to have the opportunity to continue to influence them.

David teaching the lesson the first day of VBS

 
We will be specifically reaching out to families in Soroca each Friday evening in July.  We want to provide them with activities they can do together and point them to God’s principles regarding families.  We are praying for more contacts and opportunities to minister to people’s lives.

In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:
1. Follow up with VBS children/possible plans for a Bible club
2. Outreach to families in July
3. The Holy Spirit to bring understanding, conviction, salvation

For Praise:
1. An encouraging visit from our agency’s director and his wife
2. A wonderful day for Jeanet and Abby’s baptism
3. Help from the group and resulting ministry opportunities
4. Good results from our first VBS

Embracing Obscurity- Chapter 10

(A few friends and I began reading this book together. After dropping it for over a year, I am endeavoring to finish it.  After reading a chapter, I am posting my comments, then giving my friends the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
 
Chapter 10: Embracing Hope
- I would summarize this final chapter by saying that the author calls for the reader to consider the eternal rewards that accompany embracing obscurity in this life.  He shows that desiring rewards and working for them are not wrong, provided it is future and not present rewards that we seek.
 
- The author discusses a couple of passages that discuss Jesus' rewards He earned through His suffering.  He comes to the conclustion that "He didn't have to choose rewardless suffering, and neither do we." (Page 167)
 
- There are several wonderful things (rewards, we could say) that await us in heaven.  The author is convinced that there are even more because: 1) He feels God could not convey everything to fallen man and 2) He is convinced that God loves to surprise and has some special things for us.
 
- The idea of embracing obscurity in this life only makes sense when we place higher priority on the life to come.
 
- The author asks, "Will you walk worthy of the glorious gospel- even if no one ever knows your name?"  (Page 173)  I want to walk that way.  May the Lord help me!
 
I've had my say, what say you?
Discussion on Chapter 9

Hughes News #60



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,
 
Last month we were able to talk with the mayor about renting booths in the markets.  We were a bit surprised when he told us that this question should be discussed with the markets’ owners because it is not within his jurisdiction.  We have not been able to talk to one manager and the other told us that all his booths are rented.  We will pursue this idea until we get a definite answer.
 
Last Wednesday “J” found out that her father-in-law had passed away.  With her going back to Germany for the funeral, we postponed her baptism that was scheduled for last Sunday.  Lord-willing we will be able to reschedule it when she returns to Moldova.
 
Most weeks David and I make new visits on Thursday and Friday and follow-up visits on Saturday.  So far, the follow-up visits have not yielded the opportunities we were seeking.  Very few people have been home and others have been less interested than they seemed at first.  We would appreciate your prayers for wisdom to know how to be diligent in our efforts without hounding people.  Please pray also for “M.”  She is a vendor that we have talked to several times.  She is open to discuss spiritual things and she sees the spiritual emptiness of many people’s religious traditions.  May the Holy Spirit work in her heart and lead her to salvation!
 
While most of you celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ last Sunday, we will be remembering it here in Moldova this Sunday, April 12.  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!!
 
In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
 
For Prayer:
1. Rescheduling of “J’s” baptism
2. Visits- both new and return
3. Salvation of “M”
 
For Praise:
1. Relationships that are being built with people
2. Ladies Bible study has gone well

3. Our Savior lives!

Hughes News #59



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

 

Utilizing the religious survey door to door has allowed us to ease into conversations and has helped keep people from immediately turning us away.  After a number of good initial discussions, we have several potential follow-up visits.  It did not surprise me when people answered that to go to heaven, a person must do good works/pray/obey commands/try not to sin.  I was surprised by the number of people who have admitted to us that they haven’t been a good enough person in order to go to heaven.  They have an awareness of their sinfulness, but no answer to the problem.  We are hoping many will allow us to share how Jesus’ death and resurrection gives a solution!  For the apartments with no one home, we plan to leave a link to an online survey to see if that will generate any contacts.

 

We do not yet have an answer about renting a booth in the open air markets.  All of our materials are ready to present to the mayor, but the two times we have stopped by, he has been out of the office.  We plan to try again this week.  To the right is an example of one of the posters David designed to advertise home Bible studies.

 

“J” is a lady that has been meeting with us.  She was saved several years ago but has never been baptized.  After she expressed that desire to us, we met to discuss the Scriptural truths concerning baptism.  She seems to have a good grasp of the true nature of baptism and thus we are planning a special baptismal service the first Sunday of April.

 

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

 

For Prayer:

1. Permission to set up a booth in or near the open air markets

2. Continued surveying and follow-up visits

3. Ladies Bible study that Viola is leading

 

For Praise:

1. Conversations that the surveying has yielded

2. “J” wanting to follow the Lord in baptism

3. New acquaintances and seed sown

Embracing Obscurity- Chapter 9

(A few friends and I began reading this book together. After dropping it for over a year, I am endeavoring to finish it.  After reading a chapter, I am posting my comments, then giving my friends the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
 
Chapter 9: Embracing the Spotlight
Even as we truly embrace obscurity, there will be times when we have an amount of power or influence over others.  In this chapter, the author encourages us to not shy away from the spotlight of position, but to embrace it as well.  His suggestions for how to embrace obscurity while in the spotlight are very good.  For this chapter, I have mostly shared the outline of his most salient points as they are fairly self-explanatory.
 
- "Will we use the spotlight for God's glory or our own?" (Page 149)  It really isn't a question whether we will be in the spotlight or not, because we all will at some point, to some degree.
 
- "Life as somebody became more appealing to Saul than holiness." (Page 150)  May the Lord help me to appreciate holiness more than life in the spotlight!
 
- The author suggests the following three things to remember during our time in the spotlight:

• Our roots- we came into this world with nothing, we will leave with nothing, and everything we have in between is a gift from God.
• Our purpose- even our time in the spotlight is for God's glory
• Our purpose is not to: (This is a great list!)
• Praise myself
• Make my name great
• Get rich
• Gain authority over others for my ego's sake
• Leave brothers and sisters in the dust of my ambition
• Make others feel small
• Become self-sufficient
• Earn a five-star rating from the masses
• Our purpose is to:
• Make God's name great
• Advance God's kingdom on Earth
• Serve others
• Our limits- this can be hard because of other people's expectations.  To help us, we can remember the following statements:
• I don't know everything
• I have limited time and energy
• I'm not morally invincible
• I'm not irreplaceable

(The above is found in pages 151-159.)
 
- Near the end of the chapter he talked about humbling ourselves.  I was challenged by this thought.  The Scriptural foundation seems sound, but I feel that I don't know how this looks in everyday life.  I want to humble myself, but I'm not sure how to go about it.  In trying to humble myself, I don't want it to be obvious to others so then I struggle with pride.  I want to learn how to voluntarily humble myself and trust Christ alone to exalt me in His time.
 
I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapter 8
Discussion on Chapter 10

Hughes News #58



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,
 
In the last few weeks, the Lord has put our team in contact with a few more believers in Soroca.  Because of their ties to churches in other cities, the extent to which we will be ministering to them is unclear.  We need wisdom to know how we can best encourage them in their spiritual walk.
 
In January, we began a midweek Bible study and prayer time.  We are meeting at our apartment each Thursday.  David and I plan to trade off teaching responsibilities each month.
 
We have adapted and translated a religious survey and plan to begin using it this week.  When asked, many people here state that only God knows if they will go to heaven.  Our prayer is that the survey will open doors to show individuals from God’s Word that they also can know about salvation.
 
Lord-willing in two weeks Viola will begin teaching a ladies Bible study.  The lady who expressed interest in a study is not from Moldova, so Viola will be able to teach in English.  She is eager to begin looking at Ephesians with Stephanie and “J.”  Would you take a moment to pray for the study?
 
Hundreds of people pass through Soroca’s two open air markets every day.  We would like to rent a booth in each market for a week in order to contact people and share the Gospel.  However, the administration of one market told us that we must get permission from the mayor’s office.  We hope to get the rest of our materials together this month and submit our request.
 
In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
 
For Prayer:
1. Survey to yield opportunities to share Gospel
2. Ladies Bible study that Viola will be teaching
3. Permission to set up a booth in or near the open air markets
 
For Praise:
1. Contact with more believers in Soroca
2. Start of midweek Bible study and prayer time
3. Good health through the winter months

Embracing Obscurity- Chapter 8

(A few friends and I began reading this book together. After dropping it for over a year, I am endeavoring to finish it.  After reading a chapter, I am posting my comments, then giving my friends the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)

Chapter 8: Embracing the Mystery
In this chapter, I didn’t find as many quotes that just jumped out at me.  Still, I found the theme of the chapter helpful.  Here are the things that stood out to me:
 
- The main point of the chapter is that when we embrace obscurity, it will cause us to be somewhat of a mystery to others.  We are called to consider our readiness for others to think of us as crazy or insane.
 
- I would like to add a caveat that the author did not address: just because I am different does not automatically mean I am right.  We are not to be different for being different’s sake.  We are to be different because God instructs us to do so.
 
- Also, I have heard or read statements from believers who seemed to take pride in the fact that others found their choices strange.  If we our choices make us mysterious to the world, but then we turn around and are proud about it- it defeats the purpose of embracing obscurity.
 
- “If our lifestyle doesn’t even raise the eyebrows of the world, what does that say about our devotion to the gospel?” (Page 128)
 
- In the section entitled “The Great Exchange,” the author listed things we may have to give up, but what we would gain by doing so.  I’ve included these headings so we could see them side to side.  (Of course, what we may give up is listed first, followed by what we would gain.)

• Financial self-sufficiency – God-Dependency
• Sway – Spiritual Power
• Recognition – God’s Approval
• A Dream – An Assurance
• Leisure Time – Purposeful Time
• Comfort - Suffering
• Important Tasks – Kingdom Tasks
• Being Known – Being Known (by God)

- At the end of the chapter, the author points out that if we fully embrace obscurity, the exchanges listed above are not going to be difficult for us.  However, our choices will affect our loved ones and may be much more difficult for them.

- I am challenged by Discussion Question #4: “Take an honest look at your life.  Does it look strange to those who don’t know Christ?  Or do you blend in with the world?”  (Page 144)

 
I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapter 7
Discussion on Chapter 9

January 27th

This image was found in a online newspaper archive.  This link will allow you to view the article.

Every year, January 27th is more than just another day on the calendar.  For me, it is a day of remembrance and reflection.  On this day 20 years ago my brother Jesse Hughes, along with 6 young men, passed from this life in a van crash. 

In the days leading up to this year's January 27th, I have been thinking about the crash and wondering what I could share about it.  When I think about the accident and about my brother, here are some things I have taken from it:

1. The loss of a loved one makes heaven more real.
- When I was a boy, I learned about my need for salvation.  I learned that Jesus died in my place for my sin and that He offered salvation by His grace through faith in His death, burial and resurrection for me.  He became my personal Savior.  However, I have never seen Him.  I have tried to picture what He will look like, what it will be like in heaven with Him, but I have trouble knowing what to imagine.
- Having Jesse in heaven with my Savior helps make it real, make it personal.  It isn't just a place where people go when they die (general).  It is a place where my brother lives.  No one likes sorrow.  No one likes tragedy.  No one likes death.  But through these difficulties the realities I cannot yet see have been made more real to me.

2. The impact one person can have on others, even in a limited amount of time.
- Jesse was 15 when I was born.  I graduated from kindergarten the year he graduated from college.  The time we both lived at home, I was so young that I have very few memories.  The years following he lived in our area, served at our church and taught at my school, but our age difference kept us from being around each other all that much.  I was 10 when he died- only 1/3 of my life, as of now.  Yet his life made an impact on mine.  When I think of Jesse, I am reminded that while I may not have much time to influence another person's life, time is really not the more critical element.  God can use us in each others' lives even in seemingly short amounts of time.

3. The instruction (intentional and unintentional) an adult can model to a child.
- There are things that Jesse did 20+ years ago that are preserved in my memory.  Sometimes, he was specifically trying to teach me a lesson.  Most of the time, however, he was simply living life, and a little brother saw important principles modeled.  Some things Jesse taught me:

• By playing basketball with me on back to back days (going all the way up to 100 by 2's!), he taught me how foolish a person looks when he has a bad attitude after losing a game.
• By caring for others regardless of what they had to offer him, he taught me to love others without partiality.
• By talking, laughing, joking, being stupid, he taught me to enjoy life and to include others in that fun.
• By inflating (with just his lungs) a 7' tall dinosaur for Vacation Bible School, he taught me that having a servant's heart means just doing what needs to be done without caring about who knows what you've accomplished.
• By inviting me and a friend to stay while his wife was visiting her family, by playing with us in the park and by buying us donuts, he taught me that little things can make another person's day.
• By leaving behind so many good memories in others' minds, Jesse taught me that a person's influence can continue much past their time on earth.

If I could go back 20 years and somehow keep the crash from happening, I would.  Who wouldn't?  No one wants things like this to happen.  Yet as I look back, there are lessons that I only learned because of the crash.  I am grateful for those lessons and am privileged to share them today- January 27, 2015. 

Embracing Obscurity- Chapter 7

(A few friends and I began reading this book together. After dropping it for over a year, I am endeavoring to finish it.  After reading a chapter, I am posting my comments, then giving my friends the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
 
Chapter 7: Embracing Suffering
- I think Elisabeth Elliot was right in saying, "The word suffering is much too grand to apply to most of our troubles." (Page 108)  At least, it is true for me.  However, I like how the author adapted her quote and included the following as a definition of suffering, in order to include more circumstances from our lives:
1) The things in your life that you wish weren't there
2) Those things you want to have but don't
3) Anything you want to be but aren't
 
- He gives two reasons for suffering. The first is the change it brings in us.  This was a good reminder for me- my natural reaction is to look for the exit door of the suffering.  I was encouraged to take my focus off the exit and look for the lesson within it.

- I agree with his second reason for suffering as well: it enables us to give.  We have seen that events in our lives have helped us to more thoughtful of others- even when their situations don't match ours.

- The author asks, "Can you relate? In your moment ... of hurt, were those who spoke most poignantly to your soul ... the men, women, or children who have walked in your shoes?"  (Page 112)  Sadly, in some circumstances, the people we expected to understand or relate were just as nonchalant as everyone else.  That was frustrating.  Reading this paragraph and thinking of some specific examples reminded me to not let future circumstances crowd out the lessons I've learned from suffering.  I don't want to go through suffering but then ignore others in their hurt.

- His assessment of the "Joseph Principle" in modern-day Christianity was good.  I just wish he would have brought out more examples that didn't fit the principle.  I want to also view suffering as simply something for God's glory instead of a stepping-stone for my own advancement.
 
I've had my say, what say you?
Discussion on Chapter 6
Discussion on Chapter 8

Embracing Obscurity- Chapter 6

(A few friends and I began reading this book together. After dropping it for over a year, I am endeavoring to finish it.  After reading a chapter, I am posting my comments, then giving my friends the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)

Chapter 6: Embracing Servanthood
- “It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a doormat under other people’s feet.”  (Page 91- Quoting Oswald Chambers)  This quote from the beginning of the chapter points out the biggest lesson I saw for myself.
 
- “None of the Twelve perhaps minded not being the absolute greatest, as long as he wasn’t considered the least.” (Page 93)  I had never considered the passage from this angle, but I was challenged by the thought.  Most Christians would know enough to say that he need not be the greatest, yet most of us would balk at being the least.
 
- He makes a great (and difficult to hear) point when explaining that the big areas of service in our lives are often highly regarded by others.  Those areas of service can be easier than the multitude of little decisions selfless service would call us to.
 
- I liked the illustration of the soaker hose.  As it in no way controlled the water running through it, so we must remove any controls we have placed on God’s ministering through us.
 
- He notes that the opportunity for a higher position or more authority does not necessitate that we should choose that option.
 
I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapter 5
Discussion on Chapter 7