SEEDS PLANTED, GREAT STEPS IN ROMANIA
Gemma Mastromarino
Teaching English has been one of my primary outreaches in the community. On average, 27 young people come into my house every week for English classes, giving me a unique opportunity to create personal relationships with each one. Because I use a Christian curriculum, my students are introduced to Christian principles and thoughts. Many of my students ask questions about the vocabulary, we get into conversations about reading texts, and with my older students, we are including the history books to talk about rights and freedoms.
One of our activities during history class was talking about the four basic rights and freedoms and how each one affects the others. They then wrote in a journal which freedom they thought was most important, without any specific directions from me. Many of them chose to write about the freedom of religion, because they said that when you take away their right to believe in God, you take away their right to express their thoughts in speech, writing, and the ability to assemble with people of similar beliefs. “It takes away your soul,” as one of my students said. The seeds are planted.
Many of my elementary students also regularly join me in attending camps where they hear the Gospel and how to grow in their faith. This year, three of my kids who do not attend church told me they love coming to camp because they get to learn about God while having fun. They even asked if they could invite their friends next year. Great steps!
CONFERENCE, COLLEGES, AND COVID
Office News
The Lord blessed our BIO Fall Meeting. Dillon Road Baptist Church in Fostoria, Ohio went above and beyond in their ministry to us as hosts of the meeting. All of the messages hit the theme (Serving as Senders) and challenged us. It was a special blessing to have Dr. Charles Keen preach for us again. Over $11,000 was raised in a special offering for the office and $5,000 was given to help rebuild an earthquake ravished church in Bali.
Please pray for our ministry at Pensacola Christian College this week and at Ambassador Baptist College next week. We praise the Lord for the opportunity that we have to mingle with the students, teach classes, and challenge the students for missions.
Thank you for your partnership with us and our missionaries. COVID continues to be a challenge in many countries. In spite of today’s challenges, the work of God continues around the world through your prayers and missionary support. Please pray specifically for several missionaries who are in need of visas. Many countries have tightened their borders due to COVID.
PUSHING TOWARD BOLIVIA
Matt and Melany Parrott
Your prayers and support sustain us. We are on the road, having been in 11 states, to date. We have had the pleasure of visiting many precious churches and countless individuals as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ministry that we have received from Him to be His ambassadors in a foreign country. It’s been a busy summer, but God continues to go before us every step of the way. The Lord has seen us through an encounter with COVID, given us grace as we’ve added to our family when we rescued a dog, and He’s kept our home on wheels running in tip top shape.
We have big news to share with you! Our girls, Tallulah and Lilly have declared their surrender to Christ, and they both desire to live their lives in obedience to Him and His Word! Praise The Lord! What a joyous answer to prayer! Thank you for praying with us for the salvation of our children these months and years. Please continue to pray with us as we disciple and encourage them in their new walk and daily submission to Christ.
NOTE: Matt and Melany Parrott have attended language school and would love to move their family to the field next spring. Please prayerfully consider them as your missionaries to Bolivia.
