Hughes News #51



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,        
 
When planning our time back in the States, six months sounded like a long time to be away from Moldova.  However, the time has passed very quickly and we are already more than halfway through our first furlough.  We have thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with family and friends.  Viola puts it this way: when she was in Moldova, she did not feel lonely, but now she feels that her “fellowship tank” has been filled.
 
Our primary focus has been to visit our supporting churches, explaining to them what we have done in our time on the field and what our plans are after returning.  In addition, we have presented our ministry in five new churches.  In March, Jacob and David Gross attended a Reformer’s Unanimous training conference.  It was a blessing to see this ministry’s reliance on Jesus Christ to change lives and its focus on discipling people.  Also last month we were able to attend several services at Ambassador Baptist College’s Bible conference.  The preaching was challenging yet comforting and we were able to spend time with many friends.
  
Several have asked if the situation in Ukraine has affected or will affect us.  So far we have not heard anything that would keep us from returning to Moldova in June.  We would appreciate your prayers for God to work in Moldova, for we know He can work amidst either turmoil or peace.
 
In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes
 

For Prayer:

1. God to use us in our furlough meetings
2. God to prepare us for ministry in Soroca
3. Continued safety while traveling           
 

For Praise:

1. Many miles traveled without incident

2. The encouragement of being with churches, family and friends

3. Our coworkers, the Gross family, back safely in Moldova

Hughes News #50



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

 
Dear Friends,

Our last few weeks in Moldova filled up quickly as we prepared for furlough.  We packed up our belongings and left them in a room at the church building.  We are thankful for a storage area that is warm, dry, secure and free!  The last few days were bittersweet as we finished Russian lessons and said goodbye to friends.  God greatly blessed us through these relationships during our time in Chisinau.

In the last couple updates we wrote of an unspecified need for furlough.  That request was for a vehicle.  A friend was searching for us and in perfect timing, the Lord led him to a car that matched each of our desires.  As a pleasantly surprising bonus, we paid about $1500 less than we had budgeted!

The journey back to the States was very enjoyable.  We both agreed that it was the best itinerary we have had thus far.  We visited with Jacob’s family in Illinois a few days before spending Christmas with Viola’s family in Oklahoma.  It will not surprise you that the time has been very special to us.

Our furlough meetings began Sunday night here in Oklahoma.  Starting this upcoming weekend we have a very full schedule with many miles to travel.  This is certainly normal for a furlough, but we would appreciate your prayers for safety.  Please pray also that God would use us in people’s lives during our meetings.

In His service,
Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:
1. Safety while traveling
2. God to use us in our furlough meetings
3. God to prepare us for ministry in Soroca

For Praise:
1. Good last few weeks in Moldova and a safe return to the States
2. A car for furlough!!
3. Time with family around Christmas  

Hughes News #49



"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,                           

 

Our time in Chisinau has done much to prepare us for future ministry in Soroca.  That preparation continued throughout October with language lessons and opportunities to minister in the church.  I finished another block of Romanian classes.  Unfortunately, however, the last block will not be offered due to a lack of students.  Our choir traveled to minister in a village church for a Harvest Sunday, Viola continued to minister in music, and I preached last Sunday night.

After several dozen phone calls, our furlough calendar is set.  We look forward to visiting our supporting churches and explaining our plans for the future.  It will be a blessing to also be in a few new churches during our time in the States.  Other furlough preparations are coming along nicely.

 

Last week we spent a day in Soroca, this time to look at apartments.  With the information we have gathered, it is time to think, discuss, pray, and ask advice about our housing decision.  Finally, the pictures below are from Chisinau Day- possibly our favorite Moldovan holiday.

 

 

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:
1. Our last few weeks of language study
2. General preparations for our time in the States
3. God would answer a specific request regarding furlough
 
For Praise:
1. Furlough schedule finished!
2. More opportunities to minister with our church
3. A few contacts made in Soroca