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

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