Hughes News #35

Dear Friends,

Unlike America, Moldova includes the Monday after Easter as part of the holiday.  Both days our church had special services remembering our Savior’s resurrection, following which we were invited to friends’ homes for special meals and fellowship.

 

In order to challenge him, we have given our nephew several books to read.  He has diligently worked to learn from these books and to seek God’s will concerning the next step in His life.  We expected his visit to be enjoyable, but we did not anticipate the benefits it would bring us!  Several people have invited us to their homes, giving us additional practice speaking Russian and further insight into the culture.

This past Monday Moldova celebrated Remembrance Day.  For some people, it is simply a day to remember their deceased relatives.  For others, the holiday excuses them to drink and party.  However,  the Eastern Orthodox Church considers it to be an important day.  In a newspaper article, a priest explained how and why the day should be celebrated.  His explanation reminded me why the Lord has called us here.  He wrote, “Love for the dead relatives imposes on us still alive the holy duty of praying for the salvation of their souls.  Praying for the dead relatives, we deliver to them the only good which their souls yearn for, pardon from the Lord.”  While this practice has no Scriptural justification, many people believe it because it is church dogma.  This is just one example of how the Orthodox Church is misleading people.  There is a great need for believers to share the truth about salvation!

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:    

1. The remainder of our nephew’s stay to be profitable
2. Continued progress learning Russian          
3. A family with which to team up
           
For Praise:    
1. Good settings to practice Russian and to learn the culture
2. A few helpful lessons of introductory Romanian
3. Profitable discussions and lots of fun with our nephew

“Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes.”

Hughes News #34

Dear Friends,

After a quick trip to the States for Viola’s sister’s wedding, we are back in Moldova. We are thankful for the Lord’s provision which allowed us to be there for the special day. It is a blessing to see Will and Alanna’s love for the Lord and their willingness to serve Him.

While in the States we were able to minister in two of our supporting churches. It is always a blessing to have opportunities to minister the Word of God! In a few weeks, I will be able to speak to the young people at our church. It is my goal to be able to give the ten minute message in Russian- I would certainly appreciate your prayers as I prepare!

Although it was very busy, our trip was profitable in ways we did not anticipate. Being away from Russian study for a few days was refreshing and reenergizing. I feel that we have been able to refocus on the needs here and what we must do to meet those needs. Through two congregations and several individuals the Lord also provided additional funds that we were not expecting.

As we mentioned in our last letter, our nephew John Hughes will be with us for the next two months. Please pray that the Lord would use this time in his life as he seeks the Lord’s direction for the future. 

In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
“Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes”

For Prayer:
1. Our nephew’s two-month stay
2. Us as we resume Russian study
3. A family to work with us 

For Praise:
1. We were able to visit the States for Viola’s sister’s wedding.
2. The Lord kept us safe through the many miles of travel.
3. We received some unexpected funds during our trip.

Hughes News #33

Dear Friends,

Like the last few and the next few months, the biggest news from Moldova regards our Russian study. After having health problems the first part of January, our teacher was able to resume lessons three weeks ago. Those three weeks of lessons went very well and we have completed our first textbook! Several recent conversations in our new language were encouraging to us. Our competency in Russian is not where we want it to be, but it is getting there!

A friend of ours allowed me to speak about Moldova in an elementary chapel via Skype. One parent wrote: “[My daughter] has talked and talked about the things that you shared! I think that is the most that I have heard about something that she learned at school or at least close.” We have no idea how the Lord will work in these young hearts, but we are thrilled and humbled to be able to invest in their lives. Another chance to minister came from a missionary friend here in Moldova. We visited their church and I preached for him.

We are thrilled to be planning for our first visitor from the States! Having finished high school in the fall, our nephew plans to spend two months with us beginning in mid-March. This is a chance for us to mentor him and for him to seek the Lord’s will for his future. Since we do not want our study to suffer, nor his time here to be wasted, we certainly desire your prayers for wisdom.

For Prayer:
1. Us to make progress in Russian
2. A family to work with us here
3. Preparation for our nephew’s visit

For Praise:
1. Our Russian teacher’s health is much better.
2. We were able to tell a group of elementary kids about Moldova!
3. Jacob was invited to preach at a missionary friend’s church.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes