Hughes News #54



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

 

A month ago today we moved to Soroca.  We are comfortably settled into our apartment other than the occasional problem that accompanies any home.  Our mailing address is the following:

 

HUGHES Jacob and Viola

st. Viilor, nr. 19, ap. 39

MD-3005 SOROCA
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

EUROPE

Using the order we have listed will give letters the best chance to make it to our mailbox.

 

Much of our time the last couple of weeks has been spent working with our coworkers on their home.  That should continue throughout August as our projects include the septic system, the Styrofoam insulation on the outside of the house and the rooms on the first floor.  As you think of us, we ask that you would pray for wisdom.  First, David and Stephanie need the Lord’s direction as they make decisions about the house.  Second, we inexperienced construction workers need wisdom as we undertake new tasks and learn new skills.

 

Ministry to this point has consisted of our two families meeting together on Sundays and a pair of Bible studies.  A couple of weeks ago I began joining David for a Bible study he is leading with a neighbor “N” and her adult daughter “S.”  I will be leading the other Bible study with a lady “G” but we have struggled to find a consistent day when we can visit her.  The work on the house is important for ministry because we have already had two people express interest in joining us on Sundays.  Since we are planning to begin the church plant in the Grosses home, further progress on the house will give sufficient space for others to come.

 

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

 

For Prayer:

1. Progress to be made on the first floor of the Grosses home

2. Jacob as he begins preaching in Russian every Sunday

3. Grace to balance physical labor on house and ministry

 

For Praise:

1. Areas at Grosses house that are beginning to look like rooms

2. Furniture purchased and settling in completed

3. Bible studies with N, S, and G

If you are looking for a printable version of this update, here is your link.

Hughes News #53



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,
 
Our trip back to Eastern Europe was one of the better ones we have had.  The flight itinerary worked well and we arrived with all our luggage.  It took a little longer than previous times for our bodies to realize that we had changed time zones but they eventually figured it out.  This being our first furlough we wondered how our Russian would be.  We found that while some fringe elements of the language have drifted and need review, some of the core ideas seem to have actually sunk deeper into our understanding.  We still have a lot to learn, but there are not large volumes to relearn.
 
Through an acquaintance of an acquaintance of a friend, we were able to find an apartment to rent for the next few months.  We moved July 1^st, and I could fill the rest of the page describing the little blessings from God’s hand throughout the day as all of the necessary details came together.  Although we know where we live, we are unsure about our address.  We will include that in our next update.
 
The task at hand is unpacking our totes, boxes and luggage and settling into our apartment.  With a couple more days’ work, things should be pretty well under control.  After that we will give as much time as we can to help David and Stephanie with the work on their house.  Our two families will be meeting together on Sundays and we will lead Bible studies as we find interested people.
 
In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
 
For Prayer:
1. Progress to be made on the first floor of the Grosses home
2. Opportunities to witness while working on the house
3. N. and S.- ladies with whom David has been doing a Bible study
 
For Praise:
1. A very good trip coming back to Moldova
2. Continued functionality in Russian
3. An apartment to call home in Soroca

Hughes News #52



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

 

As our time in the States concludes, we look back at what has been a whirlwind of a furlough:

    -We covered 22,000 miles, just three thousand miles short of the circumference of the earth.

    -We traveled through 29 of our states and 3 Canadian provinces.

    -Our farthest points were in southern California, southern Florida and Newfoundland.

 
As we reflect on the past six months, we are reminded that a furlough, like anything else in life, has its blessings and difficulties.  One such difficulty is the volume of time on the road.  If we averaged 60/mph, we spent 367 hours in our car, or half a month just sitting in a vehicle!  One such blessing is the sweet fellowship with friends who are serving the Lord all over the country.  Another is the thoughtfulness and encouragement of our supporting churches.
 
Our flight is scheduled to take off from Chicago in the evening of June 19^th.  In the next couple of weeks we will be finalizing plans for our first few days in Moldova.  Shortly after arriving, we will look for a place to rent short-term in Soroca.
 
After settling in our rental, much of our time will be dedicated to helping our coworkers finish the first floor of their home.  As much as we want to finish the work quickly, we do not want to overlook opportunities to build relationships or to share the Gospel in the process.  Please pray that we would be sensitive to God’s leading, knowing when to work and when to take time to speak with others.
 
In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
 
For Prayer:
1. Us to find a place to rent in Soroca
2. The first floor of the Grosses home to be ready by August
3. Us to recognize opportunities to witness while busily working

 

For Praise:

1. Additional time with family before flying back

2. Calm still in Moldova in view of the continuing conflict in Ukraine

3. Financial provision: more supporters and generous love offerings