New Places

Hello everyone,

I hope that all is well with my friends who are reading this. I have gotten word about the Shirley family and they are in my prayers. We are often reminded about how futile and valuable life is through events that rock our lives and the people's lives around us. May we love God and one another in times of distress and confusion as well as times of joy.

Things have been really busy around here lately. Yesterday, the youth here in Resita had a mission to a scenic town called Herculane. The church there was filled with traveling tourists who probably woke up in hotels close by. The youth sang praises to God and I was able to give a message from Hosea 11 filled with hope, encouragement, and the Gospel. Following the service, we ate pizza and walked around the town to see the many sights. The more time I spend here the more I realize how beautiful this country is. Herculane is kinda like Western North Carolina with some granite rock outcroppings remeniscent of a smaller Yosemite Valley. I suppose seeing a giant sequoia is what brought Yosemite to mind. Anyway, the town of Herculane was established when Rome conqured Romania around AD 160. The Romans left a legacy that is still enjoyed today, thermal bathhouses. They believed that these waters provided some sort of healing treatment. We see that time has little affect on some things such as people's search for comfort and healing. Unfortunately, "although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Rom 1:21). " Today, a bronze image of Hercules stands in the middle of the square perhaps reminding me that they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal man.

Anyway, I wanted to include some pictures of Herculane here to give you more of a taste of the town. The first picture is of the Baptist church. Please continue to pray for the ministry here and I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.