If there is one thing that we are learning right now is you need to be intentional about your living. Anytime we leave the house, we have to fill out a paper physically or electronically that announces our justification for why we have left. Shopping for groceries, paying bills, going to the bank, even church on Sunday mornings has to be accounted for.
Due to the dangers of the virus quickly escalating out of control like Italy, we have been asked to refrain from meeting in groups including church services. So all of the ministries that our church does have had to adapt. Teaching is exclusively online, The afterschool program has been suspended. For the time being, checking in on people has moved to zoom meetings, weekly texts, and Facebook. It has been challenging trying to stay connected with everyone even in a small church, making sure that they know that they are being thought of and prayed for but also doing our part to follow the guidelines given to us for the protection of others. Being ok with not knowing what the next day or week is going to bring let alone what the summer holds and just learning to trust the Lord with our plans, in a new way. To not seek security in the day to day routine and comforts but in the Lord.
But even in the midst of this, there are opportunities to minister to neighbors who are stuck at home just like you are and talking with them over a fence, being an encouragement or helping them with something, even if it means wearing a mask and gloves and keeping your distance from each other as your work on something together. Some in the church have been able to volunteer with different non-profit organizations to take food to those who are elderly and unable to get out for shopping. Helping prepare someone's vegetable gardens so that they will have a garden this year. Still, others have given donations to help or finances so that food can be bought. There are numerous ways we have seen people in our church and city helping one another. Our live stream on Sunday mornings continues to grow as people are tuning in praying that God would meet them right where they are at.
We just celebrated Easter for us here this last weekend. Eastern Orthodox follow a different calendar then the Catholics, so our easter is always later and can vary by up to 4-5 weeks sometimes. It was surreal to drive to church on Easter morning and see no cars, and no people out. Even the Orthodox churches in town usually full, with people spilling out of the entryway and standing outside on the sidewalk, now completely empty a city full of silence. We were blessed with some friends who came to help with worship for our service, which was amazing because you realize how much you miss corporate worship. It's always a privilege getting to do what we get to do and I enjoy so much teaching from the Bible in any format. But we are looking forward to the time when we can gather together as a body physically to worship and praise Jesus.
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| Hristos a Inviat, Happy Easter from all of us |
We just celebrated Easter for us here this last weekend. Eastern Orthodox follow a different calendar then the Catholics, so our easter is always later and can vary by up to 4-5 weeks sometimes. It was surreal to drive to church on Easter morning and see no cars, and no people out. Even the Orthodox churches in town usually full, with people spilling out of the entryway and standing outside on the sidewalk, now completely empty a city full of silence. We were blessed with some friends who came to help with worship for our service, which was amazing because you realize how much you miss corporate worship. It's always a privilege getting to do what we get to do and I enjoy so much teaching from the Bible in any format. But we are looking forward to the time when we can gather together as a body physically to worship and praise Jesus.
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| City Easter morning |
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| So quiet |
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| Worship team preparing |
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| working out some final details |
If there is one thing we are learning through all of this is the importance of being intentional in everything that we do. That while this is a difficult time for all of us. God can use it to bring communities, families, and churches closer together.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for the government of Romania to make decisions in seeking to stop the spread of the Virus.
Pray for the families that are being impacted by the country lockdown. Either by being quarantined or being denied the ability to travel home for Easter.
Pray for those who struggle with Depression as being so isolated feeling during the Holiday can be extremely difficult.
Prayer for Brian as his shoulder surgery was postponed until after the state of emergency is lifted.
Prayer for divine appointments even in the midst of this to minister to people in unique ways.
Pray that God would pour his Spirit out on our city, region, and country that we would see an awakening in Romania.
Prayer for the finances of New Beginnings, giving has been low for the past year and we are
asking for the Lord to provide consistent financial partners. We are still supporting kids in the program who are now attending college along with kids in our afterschool program that works with Roma (gypsy) kids by helping them with school, meals and most importantly helping them come to know and grow in their knowledge of Jesus. If you desire to help please contact us through the email below. All of these programs are on hold currently but we rents, utilities, payroll, and taxes still have to be paid even if the programs are temporarily suspended.
If you wish to contact us
Blog: romaniafouts.blogspot.ro
Blog: romaniafouts.blogspot.ro
Church Website: http://calvarychapelbistrita.ro/
YouTube channel: Calvary Chapel Bistrita
facebook: Personal, Brian-Cynthia Fouts
Page: Calvary Chapel Bistrita
Twitter: @FoutsBrian, @FoutsCynthia
Instagram: bcfouts, cynthiafouts, calvarychapelbistrita
email: bcfouts1@gmail.com
If you are interested in partnering with us financially one time or reoccurring you can use the following link.
https://globalmission.givingfuel.com/bistrita-romania-brian-and-cynthia-fouts
or you can send a check to Calvary Global Missions 123 S. Auto Drive, Boise. ID, 83709 and make a note for Brian and Cynthia Fouts
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