Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

It is a joy to share with you all the different ways God has been blessing the work in Sibiu, Romania. We are all very grateful for the prayers, letters of encouragement, care packages, and support you have extended to my family and the ongoing work that is taking place. Here is an overview of what took place in 2009 and what has transpired so far in 2010:

APRIL 2009 - FEBRUARY 2010
WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE FUTURE PLANS FOR 2010
PRAYER CONCERNS
CONTACTING US

APRIL 2009
We worked on sound proofing several of our portable cubicle walls.

Hosted Ryan Bungee for several weeks as he considered coming to work with us here in Sibiu. It was a joy working with him and I appreciated his help. Ryan decided to join classmates he went to school with at Sunset who are preparing to go to another mission field. We wish him all the best.

Short trip to the states to attend Grandfather's funeral.

Preached my first funeral in Romania. Longtime member Violetta Fekete passed from this life leaving a legacy of service. I am thankful for the opportunity to have known her and be apart of her life.

Our congregation hosted its first "Lock-In" for youth in Romania. We had Christian young people from Oradea, Cluj, Bucharest, and Pitesti attend.

MAY 2009
We bought a car. It is a seven seat Dacia Logan. This has been an invaluable tool. A big thank you to all those who were involved in making this vehicle possible. It has been used constantly since its purchase. It has allowed me to travel to work not only in Sibiu but to travel to Oradea with people from our congregation to take part in a church planting conference, it has allowed the opportunity to travel to Cluj on more than one occasion to speak at a leaders conference as well as a youth rally. It has allowed for better visitation programs, and most importantly it has given me the opportunity to do the work for the Lord in a more effective way.

We began a new monthly activity called "Men's Coffee". Coffee drinking is a big part of the culture for many men in Sibiu. We decided to use this activity as an outreach into Sibiu. On the first Thursday morning of every month we meet in a different location
(Ex. Restaurant, person's home, office, etc.) for a time of fellowship and discussion on how to be a man of God in an ungodly world. This has been a wonderful success and has provided an opportunity for Christian men to invite their friends and neighbors for a time of study outside the regular church service.

I had the opportunity to speak at a leadership conference in Cluj on what it means to be servant of Christ. We had men and women from all over Romania attend this event.

We had fourteen personal bible studies.
We had two "E" group meetings
Began a series of marriage counseling classes with Kay Olysande and Alice Marinescu

JUNE 2009
I conducted my first wedding ceremony in Romania. It was a joy to see Alice & Kay Olyusanya join their lives in marriage. I have officiated at wedding ceremonies in the United States but it is done differently here in Romania. In Romania the wedding party goes to the Mayor's office where an official conducts the legal ceremony and the marriage license is signed. Then the couple travel to the church where the religious ceremony is held.

Stephanie and I woke up to a bedroom with water on the floor. Our bedroom is located in the basement of the church building and apparently the old water line sprung a major leak. It took ten men from the water department, a backhoe, and a sump pump working all day before the problem was resolved. By the way two inches of water in a basement room causes major problems! Our bed was ruined. We had to get the carpet up out of the basement and clean it by hand. Ugh! Major mess.

We finished binding a new Romanian/English songbook.

Had sixteen personal bible studies.
Men's coffee
Two "E" group meetings

JULY 2009
Conducted our annual Vacation Bible School with the cooperation of overseeing congregation the Ovilla Church of Christ. We had thirteen people from the United States come and help us with this valuable outreach tool. We had over sixty in attendance. We built a puppet stage this year and added puppet skits for the first time to our VBS. The kids seemed to really enjoy this new element. It was wonderful to see our auditorium full on graduation day filled with parents, grandparents, and friends who attended our closing activities. Made several new contacts for personal bible studies.

Kay Olyusanya is baptized! After different discussions over the past several months. Kay obeyed the gospel. This young man is in his last year of medical school before he begins his resident study program. Please keep him in your prayers.

We had twelve personal bible studies.
Men's coffee
One "E" group meeting

AUGUST 2009
Annual Bible camp was held in Rumica Vulchea. We had over 70 young people attend from all over Romania. I served as a camp counselor in a room of about twenty young boys. It was wonderful to spend time with these young people and help them in their spiritual growth.

It was decided that we should build on the momentum of our Vacation Bible School. To facilitate this we began a monthly activity called "VBS DAY." During the third week of every month we provide an activity to encourage the young people who have attended our VBS in the past to come together for a time of spiritual study, singing, and fun.

We had fourteen personal bible studies.
Men's coffee
Two "E" group meetings
VBS Day

SEPTEMBER 2009
It was a joy to have Johnny Knight and Michael Elrod from the Ovilla Church of Christ here to help us with some legal issues regarding the building.

Christians women from the surrounding area attended a Ladies Day here in Sibiu. The ladies enjoyed having Donna Knight from the United States come and encourage them with a message from God's word.

Took three men from Sibiu and traveled to Oradea for a church planting seminar. Phil Jackson was the main speaker and did a wonderful job providing ideas and motivation.

Had fourteen personal bible studies.
Men's coffee
VBS Day
Two "E" group meetings

OCTOBER 2009
We attended the annual conference in Bucharest. Here Christian men and women from all over Romania came together for a time of study and to get an update on how the Lord is working on other community's throughout Romania.

Men's Coffee
"E" group met twice
VBS Day
18 personal bible studies

NOVEMBER 2009
Thanks to an anonymous donor we traveled to Rothenburg, Germany for the 46th annual Churches of Christ retreat. We have heard about this retreat for years and it was our first time to attend. Oh how we needed this time! There were Christians from roughly thirteen countries from Europe represented. What made it so special for me were the classes they provided for children. My three daughters Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth were able to attend classes with kids their own age. This is something they have not had the opportunity to do in a very long time. We hope to attend next year if funds are available.

Christmas came a little early for us as we received three large boxes of assorted items from the Central Church of Christ in Burkburnett, Texas. To have brown sugar, Butterfingers, jello, and pancake syrup again almost brought tears to our eyes. A big thank you for sending the new baptistery outfits as well.

We welcomed the birth of little Eunice this month to proud parents Kay and Alice Olyusanya. The whole congregation has been working hard throughout the year on our church nursery/children's area. It is a joy to see it being put to good use.

We held our VBS Day a little later than usual this month. Stephanie made a huge thanksgiving feast and we invited the people I studied with throughout the year along with their families to join with the VBS kids. We had a huge turnout. It was very touching as we went around the table listening to children and adults talk about what they were thankful to God for in their lives.

Men's Coffee
"E" group met twice
10 personal bible studies

DECEMBER 2010
Jacob arrived safely from the United States to spend Christmas with us. This will be the last time we will all be together until we gather for his high school graduation in May 2010.

I took part in a long standing tradition of the younger church members of the church here in Sibiu. We went Christmas caroling to the homes of the older members and people I have been studying with here in Sibiu. It started at 2:00 in the afternoon and went into late into the night. I do not think I have ever been so stuffed in my life. Because every home we sang at they fed us. To refuse their hospitality is considered very rude so my family ate roughly ten dinners that night. I am ready for the Tums antacid tablets!

Other activities:
Men's Coffee
"E" group met one time due to the holidays
Nine personal bible studies

JANUARY 2010
IT IS FREEZING COLD! I have worked with congregations in Kansas and Texas before coming to Romania. In both these places the cold I felt was a result of the wind. In fact if the wind ever stopped blowing in Kansas I think everyone would fall over. Excuse me as I digress back to what I now know to be warmer winters. Here in Sibiu there is no wind but the cold is chilling with a low one day this month below -30! If the wind were to start blowing I think I would die! As a result of the horrible weather many activities had had to be cancelled this month outside of normal worship time.

Cosomine and Maria Barna are parents of a beautiful baby girl and named her Sophia. This is the second child for this couple. Please keep them in your prayers.

We have achieved a new record for regular attendance. It has been many years since we have broken our attendance record. We had twenty-four in attendance on the first Sunday of the new year! It is our hope that this speaks of the great things that are in store for the church in 2010. It is wonderful to hear the sound of all the small children on Sunday!

Men's coffee
No "E" group
VBS Day
Eight personal Bible studies

FEBRUARY 2010
A young lady that I have been studying with for over two months now has started attending our services. Christina along with her daughter Nona have come the past two Sundays and has commented several times how much her and her daughter enjoy being with us in the study of God's word. My daughter Elizabeth is excited because she finally has someone her own age to sit with at church. It has been a joy seeing Nona and Elizabeth play together. One of the stories that has been shared with me from Christina is her daughter speaking to her grandparents in Germany. Christina said the conversation went something like this, "Grandma: How are you doing Nona? Nona: I am going to church and I have a new friend named Elizabeth!" Stephanie told me that Elizabeth has been asking, how many days till Sunday so I can see Nona again!?! As Christians we could learn a lesson from these two young girls about the importance of not only being at church but the joy that comes from being part of the special family God gives us a Christians.

Stephanie has been working on children's bible curriculum and the training of some of our ladies in teaching children's classes.

The first week in February I have had four personal bible studies with three more scheduled for later in the week.

As always each month we had a fellowship meal on the first Sunday of the month along with our weekly bible class during the week.

WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE FUTURE PLANS FOR 2010

WEI CAMPAIGN
The last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October we would like to have some people come from the United States and help teach in this Bible campaign. We have the students but we desperately need teachers! If you or someone you know could come for one or two weeks or even the entire four we need you! Tom Langley will be coordinating this event for us from the United States you can contact him at weimaryville@aol.com or 865-983-0945 or 865-803-2909. Tell him you are interested in working with the Skelton's on this short term campaign. If enough people from your congregation are interested he is also willing to come and speak to your congregation about logistics for this event..

PAINTING
I know there are some of you out there who don't feel comfortable teaching but know how to work with their hands and do a great job of it. Our building is a huge concrete structure that has never been painted and desperately needs it. We would love to have a group of dedicated people to come either during the second or third week of June and help us take care of this long delayed project. My family will be in the states at this time so I could easily house seven or eight people at the building with me if you don't mind sharing a room. If we have enough people come and commit to this project we could finally get this done. It will involve some sanding, putting down a primer coat, as well as the final paint job. We have scaffolding, we can get paint, what we do not have is you! You would be doing a great service if you could plan on being here during the dates of June 14th through June 28th. We are scheduling two weeks for this job since I know many of you who could help with this event could only come for perhaps one week. The ideal scenario would be to have five days for working with time off in the evening for sightseeing. If you would like to help email me and we can discuss logistics for getting you to fly right into Sibiu's international airport.

PRAYER CONCERNS
We are considering the long term growth for the church here not only in Sibiu but throughout Romania. We have a vacant building adjacent to the current church property that would be ideal for providing a permanent home for the Romanian Bible academy. We have finally located the owners and are planning a tour of this facility. I will give you more details as they materialize.

The economy in Romania is suffering an economic downturn. The church has had many benevolent situations we have been helping with over the last several months. We have been distributing food, buying medicine, and providing prayer and comfort the best way we can. Some of our Christian sisters are now being asked to work a few days a month without pay until the crisis is over. Please pray for this situation

Bible studies - The Lord has blessed us in this area in 2009 and is doing the same in 2010. People are hungry for the word of God here in Sibiu. We have people from all walks of life studying and attending various church activities. Let me share just one story. I have been studying with a man in his late 40's named Valentin. Valentin is an educated man who loves discussing the Bible and he reminds me of the Apostle Andrew. I started studying with him but soon his teenage daughter Lora lei began attending our study sessions. Valentin came to our bible study one day a few months ago and began apologizing. He said, "The book you gave me I no longer have. I gave it to a colleague of mine. She wants to study with you." Valentin did that very same thing a few weeks later. I started studying with one man but because he encouraged other people to come and study the word of God I have three additional studies with his friends, coworkers, and family. Please pray that God will continue to send people our way who want to leave a life of sin.

Ladies Bible Class. We are starting a monthly ladies Bible class. Pray for the success of this activity.

Our financial supporters. We cannot do the work in Romania without them. Please pray for them

CONTACT US
We have struggled with poor internet connection in 2009 and hope to resolve the issue this year. As a result we have not always been able to update with pictures and other information as often as we would have liked. You can see what is going on with us via pictures and other informational articles at:

www.romaniamissions.info

Our overseeing congregation is the Ovilla Church of Christ in Ovilla, Texas. If you have any additional questions regarding our work you can contact them at (972) 617-7447 or visit their website at www.ovillachurchofchrist.com they meet at 3420 Ovilla Road, Ovilla, Texas 75154.

May the Lord bless you in all you do for his glory!

In Christian love,

Lee, Stephanie, Jacob, Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth Skelton
Matthew 28:18-20