August 2026
Thoughts from Mardie: Great is His Faithfulness
“Great is His Faithfulness to Me” is the song that has resonated within my mind these last several days. Though travel has been a necessary part of our work for many years, I felt rather apprehensive thinking about the trip we were to take to Romania at the beginning of July, an unusual month for us to visit Eastern Europe. I was concerned about the summer heat, the risk of illness, connecting with people during a holiday season.
Now that we have returned to Canada and looking back at our time, I can see that God was faithful, so faithful! Yes, it was hot! But the air conditioning worked perfectly in our upper-floor apartment.
We timed our connections with people to avoid the greatest mid-day heat and chose nearby locations that we could easily walk to. I had the strength and capacity to participate in and enjoy all four of the cultural church gatherings.
A specific highlight for me was to arrive in Bucharest in time to surprise Ileana Cernat during her book launching event. Ileana, a dear friend, fellow elder and long-term council member of the Bucharest International Church, is also a well-known Romanian theatrical actress. Though her husband, Alexandru, passed away over a year ago, Ileana continues to be a godly influence and a spiritual mother to many women.
Well known Romanian singer and actor, Ștefan Bănică Jr speaks highly of Ileana: “I discovered Ileana when I was a young spectator and she acted alongside my father - she seemed as beautiful as a princess. Many years later, I played alongside Ileana for 20 years in ‘Barefoot in the Park’ (a record for a theatre production) that brought great satisfaction for us both. Ileana is a dedicated actress, a warm person, close to God, and has a sense of humour. She is a person one is happy to be with. It pleases me that part of Ileana’s life will now be known through this book.”
Thoughts from Dan: Faith and Freedom
Friday the 3rd of July, our 2nd day in Bucharest, Pastor Cristi hosted a Faith and Freedom BBQ at the Activity Center courtyard. Many nations were represented, several international workers were present, some from restricted access nations in the Middle East and SW Asia.
Engaging with the internationals revealed some outstanding recent accounts of God at work among Iranians. I interviewed an Iranian man who disclosed how his reading of the Biblical account of Abraham and Isaac unveiled the truth that Jesus Christ is the ‘Sent One’ from God and not Ishmael and Abraham. He became a follower of Jesus immediately and works tirelessly to tell fellow Iranians how much Jesus has done for them!
I spoke with another Iranian worker who helps his countrymen deal with the traumas of their recent war by using art and photography to bring healing and recovery. It is a marvelous and compassionate report of God at work, as only God can work!
To our supporters, we regularly thank the Lord for your prayers for us. Thank you for your generous giving. It helped us ‘’go out over the wall’’ again, to touch nations, places, situations, and people. While in Bucharest, a Romanian worker shared with us, “When you are here with us, you encourage us.” This advocacy helps us to answer the question: Does our going overseas still bring value?
Some of you have given extra and sacrificially for this ministry time and it made us feel like Paul when he carried offerings to Jerusalem. How meaningful for us to put those offerings directly into the hands of Pastor Cristi and to Iana for her anti-trafficking work. Both are ministries where the needs and opportunities are so great all the time.
Reaching Out Romania
Iana continues to connect with the sex trade workers on the streets. Seventeen regularly attend a coffee time and twenty to twenty-five may occasionally drop in. Two weeks ago, Iana prepared a birthday celebration for one of the girls. It was fun and she loved the attention. Now, all the others, are waiting for their special day.
Pastors Boaz and Ruth: a vision to see Nepalese churches planted throughout Europe
Nepalese leaders from across Europe gather in Bucharest to encourage each other. Though they often face difficulties that require personal sacrifice, they have a deep desire to see others pointed to Jesus and strengthened in Christ.
