Skelton's Romania Update - May

Greetings from the Skeltons!

In this update:
NATIONAL YOUTH RALLY IN SIBIU
UNITY MEETINGS
BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
BIBLE STUDIES
FAMILY UPDATES
WE NEED YOUR HELP 
THANK YOU EEM FOR THE NEW ROMANIAN SONGBOOKS

NATIONAL YOUTH RALLY IN SIBIU
In March a national youth rally was held by the congregation.  We had young people come from as far away as Constansa and Oradea to attend this event!  Since people were coming from all across the country many came a day early and spent the night with church members all over Sibiu.  It was a wonderful time.  Our theme "On Eagle's Wings" came from Isaiah 40:31.  This was a time to encourage young Christians and believers to stand strong, to not lose heart, and to realize that whatever struggles one faces can be overcome through Christ.  What made this event so special was the fact that the local Christians planned and organized this event.  It is so wonderful to see God's people working together to encourage and strengthen the Lord's church throughout Romania.  When the event was over on Saturday evening it took some people over two hours to say their good byes and go home because they just didn't want the moment to end.  I think we all saw a small glimpse of heaven that day through the great joy that comes from being with God's family.

UNITY MEETINGS
A wonderful thing has happened in Sibiu.  It was decided that since we were having Christians coming for the national youth rally to invite believers from a nearby congregation that are worshiping in Sibiu to be with us on that Sunday.  Their congregation discussed it and agreed to come.  I had my lesson all prepared to preach but as I looked out over this group of believers I could not help but think of Jesus prayer in John 17:20-21. His prayer for all believers to be one.  What was prepared was put aside and we took the time to listen to Jesus important words.  At the conclusion of the lesson the comment was made that Jesus words on unity "oneness" had given them much to think about. During a men's coffee devotional in April our congregation was invited to come and worship with the group who worshiped with us in March.  After visiting with the church it was decided we would be happy to worship with them again.   What a wonderful day April 11 became.  Christians from both congregations realized that we basically worship the same way.  The a capella singing, the Lord's supper, the lesson, a time of prayer it was all there to God's glory. Tentatively it has been discussed that perhaps once a month or quarter to meet together for a time of combined worship alternating between meeting places.  The purpose is not to combine congregations but to work together to evangelize Sibiu,  to share in the purpose of building two congregations that will give glory to God.  To work together in the hopes of seeing in some distant future three, four, and many other new congregations sprouting up all over Sibiu and throughout Romania.  Jesus prayer is that we be united in his purpose for reaching lost souls and laboring together. Please continue to pray for the Lord's church in Sibiu and throughout Romania as we labor to fulfill his purpose. 

BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
My wife and the girls left for the states in mid March to take care of some important family business in regards to taxes, schooling, and scholarships for Jacob relating to his upcoming graduation in May.  This has given me the opportunity to make some necessary improvements around the church building.  A big thank you goes to local Sibiu church member John Buckle.  We were able install a sink in the basement wash room that had literally been sitting around the building for years.  We installed cabinets in the downstairs bedrooms.  Other improvements that have been made are new bookshelves in the auditorium, new padded flooring in the Nursery, new storage shelves in the basement, a new coat of stain on the outside doors, and trimming back the towering trees in the garden.  We hired a Romanian roofer to replace many of the broken tiles that broke during the winter time.  Plans are in the works to paint the exterior of the building in June.

BIBLE STUDIES
It is a joy sharing God's work each week with men and women who are falling in love with God's teachings.  That joy increases exponentially when the people you study with start inviting others to share in that experience as well.  One of the ladies I have been studying with and who has becoming to church is Christina.  Christina has been sharing her experiences with others on what she has learned and has been inviting others to come and study with me as well.  Christina's sister has now committed to studying with me based on what she has seen and heard from Christina. Please continue to pray for the ongoing studies that are taking place.

FAMILY UPDATES
This year is proving to be a very busy year for my family.  As many of you know we have made many sacrifices for our love for the Romanian people and the work in Sibiu.  One of the hardest decisions my wife and I ever had to make was to allow our son to remain in the states so he could finish high school.  God blessed that decision.  I am happy to report that Jacob will be graduating with honors on Saturday, May 29th, at 8:00 p.m. at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.  We have traveled back to the states to be apart of this special time with him. Consider this email your special invitation to join us for this happy occasion. 

Stephanie has been working hard on a reception that will be held at the South Plains Church of Christ from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 6802 Elkhart Ave in Lubbock, Texas.  If you think you can attend please let us know by responding to this email.

Jacob is graduating 5th in a class of 522 Seniors from Monterey High School.  He is a National Merit Finalist and has received a Presidential Scholarship to attend Abilene Christian University where he plans to major in Computer Science. 

Sarah is turning 16 during the month of May. She has been taking special classes to get high school credit for the homeschooling work she has done in Romania. While in the states she has been taking driver's education classes in Wichita Falls, Texas and will be getting her permit soon.  You have been warned.

Hannah is turning 14 during the month of May.  She has been working hard on all her homeschooling material and is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel of another school year.  Her gentle spirit, her smile, and her facebook updates are a source of joy that never ceases to light up the day of someone.

Elizabeth has a blast wherever she finds herself.  She has friends all over the world now and is only seven years old.  She always seems to want a few more.  During the few weeks they have been in the states they have been living with Stephanie's parents and attending the Faith Village church of Christ.  When I arrived in the states I was amazed when taking Elizabeth to class.  She must have waved to at least five kids and adults.  She would tell me, "Daddy, that is my friend so and so."  Life would certainly be lonely without little Elizabeth.

Stephanie has been working hard as always.  She has been working on children's curriculum for Sibiu, installing tiles and toilets at her mother's house and a wide array of other activities.  Stephanie and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary together.  Where the time goes I don't know.  I am thankful to God for giving me my wife.  Through good times and bad she has never wavered in her commitment to God and a life of loving service.  Thank you dear for being my wife.  Thank you for loving and caring for me and our family all these years. Thank you for going with me to serve God in Sibiu, Romania and twenty plus years of ministry wherever God has led us.

WE NEED YOUR HELP
As always a big thank you to all those who have partnered with us in this important work in Sibiu, Romania.  Your prayers, cards of encouragement, visits on the field, and financial support have kept us going more than you know.  Satan tries so hard to distract and cause hurt to works that are gaining ground for God.   Your efforts on my families behalf and the mission field of Romania have been producing fruit to God's glory and on behalf of my family we thank you for this.  Yet more needs to be done. Here are some of the needs you can be praying for or help with in Romania:

1.  English Bibles -  The church of Christ in Oradea, Romania has asked me to try to get English Bibles shipped to Romania.  These bibles will be used to replace worn out English versions that are used in studies as well as gifts to those who complete the World English Institute study program.  I have made arrangements with the Manager of Mardels in Wichita Falls to purchase new bibles at a cost of $5.00 each.  Shipping will be a major expense. I would like to ship these out by the end of May before I return to Romania in June. Please email me if you would like more details.

2.  W.E.I Curriculum -  We need to restock our teaching materials for this course work.

3.  Financial supporters -  Please pray for our faithful partners in the ongoing work.  It seems that raising support is just a part of mission work due to people retiring, passing from this life, or a change in mission focus.  Whatever the reason God has always been faithful in providing what we need through his people.  I am exceedingly grateful and humbled by everyone and their involvement in HIS ministry

4. Workers on the field - Stephanie and I love our Christian family of believers in Sibiu. We have tried, without success, to have people join us in the work.  Mission work requires a commitment of time, resources, and sacrifice that is truly a challenge.  I truly understand Jesus words in Matthew 9:37 when he said, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few..."  Please continue to pray that God will send someone to join us in this work or better yet to have Romanian men rise up to do the work themselves.

5. My family -  We covet your prayers like a man in the dessert longing for a cool drink of water.  To all our brothers and sisters in Christ thank you in advance for your prayers on our behalf, the family of God in Romania, and throughout the world.

THANK YOU EEM FOR THE NEW ROMANIAN SONGBOOKS
A Big thank you goes out to Eastern European Missions for the recent publication and distribution of the new Romanian Songbooks.  In addition to this they have sent bibles and a new bible study curriculum.  They have done this at no cost to the churches in Romania but through donations from others in the United States.  Thank you for this vital publication ministry that is touching Christians in Romania and other works they support throughout the world.

Well, this is all for now.  May God richest blessings rain down on you as you serve in his kingdom.

In Christian love,


Lee Skelton
Matthew 28:18-20