SWAT REPORT # 21
(see photos below)
WELCOME MAT
What would happen in America if you just happened to set up a street meeting right on the
doorstep of a private dwelling with your back against the front door? And while you are
preaching the owners of the house squeeze behind you with bags of groceries to get into
their house? Well, this is exactly what happened in Racos village this past Sumbata
(Saturday). We picked one of the few wide spots in the dirt trail between the hovels where
there were a few flat rocks to stand on instead of mud. The accordion and singing gathered
the crowd and one of our Hungarian speaking preachers began to minister. Some
nicer-than-normal-looking folk came closer and closer and squeezed behind me in order to
get into their door. When I figured out it was their door we were blocking I apologized
all over myself. They went inside and put the groceries away and then came outside to join
the congregation. The husband brought a bench for his wife to sit on while she listened. I
gave this kind lady a Hungarian N.T. in payment for her kindness and she just beamed. Her
photo is included.
LANGUAGE BARRIER
The Lord raised up a strong wall of division between mankind when He acted in Genesis
chapter 11. If the Charismatics really had the gift of tongues I'd be tempted to jump
ship. At sixty, I cannot fathom the day ever coming when I can leap over this wall. The
phrase I have spoken the most since coming to Romania is, "Do you speak any
English?" When our Hungarian preacher stepped up to preach I was reminded of that
verse in (Acts 22:2) (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they
kept the more silence:
). When they heard their own language they stood to attention
and most of a hundred of them stayed that way for the duration. Photo included.
STONED
Driving back through this little village I saw a man standing in the middle of the dirt
road. Closer, he was very angry looking. Closer, he is holding two gospel tracts. Closer,
he is motioning me to the side of the road. Closer, he is very drunk (after all it is
Romanian Easter weekend). I become very cautious, slow down to a crawl and carefully avoid
him
as I pass he verbalizes something vile (by the way, that is the blessing of not
knowing the language; when someone cusses you out you don't even get mad because you don't
understand). In my rear view mirror I see him hurl a large rock that bangs against the
trailer hitch. Sober, he may have made the back window. Praise the Lord.
NICE PLACE TO VISIT, WOULDN'T WANT TO LIVE THERE
These hovels defy description. Granted, this is a poor village, but one wonders what
sustains the human spirit under such primitive conditions. Notice the beautiful Orthodox
church between two dwelling places. Photo included
READY WHEN YOU ARE
LORD!
This man made a profession of faith a few weeks ago when Bro. Zander and Andrew dealt with
him. His is miserably afflicted and freely speaks of his soon meeting the Lord. We thought
he would have already gone to be with the Lord every week since. We pray with him and he
can hear the preaching and singing outside his room. Such is the many opportunities to
serve the Lord in Romania.
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