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

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