The SummerSpring 2013 2013 good news from Summit Missions International In this issue . Page 3 Page 4 Page 2 Second Home Tea for Tiraspol Remember Bud and Bob Transnistria through Russian Eyes SMI’s Open House The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather for our Open House Celebration on Sun- day May 19. Nearly 140 people attended the event. Visitors were greeted at the welcome station and then directed to take a “self-tour” of our facility. At each station key volunteers provided information pertaining to that area. The last station was our fellowship hall where guests had opportunity to have refreshments and interact with each other. In the two weeks prior to the event, many volunteers labored tirelessly to add the fin- ishing touches to our new facility. We are grateful for each volunteer who served in this capacity and to those who worked on Sunday afternoon to greet our visitors. If you were unable to attend, we would invite you to call the mission office and schedule a time for your own private tour. Our Second Home Sometimes we feel like Transnistria is our other home. We try to visit 2 to 3 times a year. The purpose of our trips is to encourage the saints, strengthen the church, conduct outreaches, construction work and endeavor to be a blessing to God's people. Someone suggested we leave our clothes over there and not bother packing for the next trip! In April the team returned from Transnistria having spent two weeks in an array of ministry services. The spring team was comprised of Joel Barrett, Carrie Romanin, Paul Hostetler and Esley Patsch, all seasoned travelers to Transnistria. You can read about Carrie’s adventures in this edition of our newsletter. We thank God for the faithful service of volunteers like Joel and Carrie. They are loved by the people of Transnistria; adults and children alike. Over the years they have sacrificed time and finances to be a part of the team and they have been used by the Lord to touch innumerable hearts. This trip found Joel, our "building meister," constructing a bathroom for Alex- ander and Luda. This precious couple has, on their own, taken in 10 chil- dren with learning disabilities and special needs. They live on a postage- stamp size farm with their cow, pig, chickens and two cats. Until Joel came along they were without indoor plumbing. They used the neighbor’s outdoor shower and in exchange, the neighbors used their outhouse. This summer Joel will complete the work he started on the indoor bathroom with two sinks, a toilet and a shower. Next on his agenda is to convert a garage into a room for the adopted boys to have as their bedroom. Meanwhile Carrie was busily traveling from church to church conducting her outreaches for the ladies. She was in Tiraspol, Grigoriopol, Slobodzeia and Dnestrovsc. At each gathering she encouraged the body of Christ while pointing unbelievers to Him in a package of love, fun, crafts, refreshments and spiritual truth. Remembering Bud and Bob . Within the last two months, two of our volunteers have joined others from our ‘mission family’ and now have a heavenly perspective on their love and support of world mis- sions. Bud Wiley went to heaven on April 14, 2013. He and his wife Doris have been faithful friends of SMI for many years. Bud’s warm smile, caring eyes, orneriness, and his love for the Lord and His people blessed us all. Bob Walder joined Bud on June 15, 2013. He and his wife Betty also served the mis- sion for countless years. Bob was always ready for a Bud Wiley job. Even when his health prohibited him from com- ing to the mission, he diligently worked on mailings from home. His laughter, genuine concern for others, and love for the Lord was contagious. We were introduced to both of these couples early in 2000. Their love for missions and continuous desire to serve others brought them to SMI. While we rejoice that they are in our Lord’s presence, their presence among us is deeply missed. Heaven becomes sweeter as we contemplate seeing our dear brothers again! Bob Walder Page 2 Tea for Tiraspol Last year, we held several ladies teas which were received with much appreciation and the invitation to “please come again”. Women seem to be the workhorses in this country and even more so in the church. Churches suffer from a lack of male leadership and involvement, and so women pick up the burden of responsibility. They minister in cooking, cleaning, maintaining the church grounds, praying, giving, and teaching the children. So many are faithful servants of the Lord. Believers who have grown up in the church also live under the strong presence of the Law, without the fresh air of Grace. They are hard on themselves and on each other. Hard might be an apt description for life in general in this hidden country. And so we have offered to bring a special women’s evening for 5 churches in Transnistria. Our theme is The Fruit of the Spirit. We desire to demonstrate to these women that they are special to the Lord. They are not forgotten. Our goal is to encourage them in their faith, strengthen them in the Word, connect them more deeply with each other and share the Gospel with those who do not know the Lord. Our first event is at a church I have not been to before and I do not know any of the women. As the 30 ladies arrive, the room is fairly quiet. Some talk in whispers to each other, but most just look at our team and the trays of fruit and cookies set on festive tables. I know there are questions running through their minds - who are these people? What do they believe? Will I have to talk or can I just sit here quietly? Is all that beautiful fruit for us? So we begin with a silly game. I explain they must pass this beautiful gift around the room, each stating their name, a way in which they arrived tonight which must begin with the same letter as their name, and that the gift is a squiggly, wiggly worm. I begin. “My name is Carrie, I came on a Cat, and this is a squiggly, wiggly worm” and I pass it to the next person. Strange looks pass over their faces, some embarrassed quiet laughter. “Is she serious?” I insist, and so they play the game. Soon the room is awash with smiles and laughter and joy! Af- ter the “worm” has made its way around the group, I hand the prize to an elderly lady who had been the first to arrive. I tell her “ The early bird gets the worm”. Her face shows disbelief at first, then joy. As she opens her gift she tells us “Yesterday was my birthday. God knows all things, even this.” We have a wonderful evening together. They are so appreciative and thankful. We are blessed to share this evening with 200 women in 5 different churches. We are so thankful for all your prayers and giving which makes these events possible. Please consider joining us next spring for more women’s ministry events. We need you. Page 3 Transnistria through Russian Eyes A letter from Olga Zaitseva In April of this year a Summit Missions International short term team was in the country of Transnistria. Olga Zaitseva, a teacher at the Christian Bible College in Krasnodar, Russia was a part of that team. At the invitation of SMI Olga came to Transnistria where she con- ducted several seminars for church leaders and teachers. Upon returning to her home the following letter was sent to her ministry partners. These are her observations; Transnistria as seen through Russian eyes. I have always known that Transnistria was a poor country, but I could not fathom the sad state of the church there. How could I have guessed that a country, sandwiched between Ukraine and Moldova (both of which have a vibrant church) was so spiritually handicapped? No other country I have visited moved me so much, but it was not the poverty of those dear people that pained me most profoundly, it was the struggling church and the dire state the children are in. That country of only half a million people has 80% unemployment rate, and of the 80% stated, many people go to Russia and Europe for work, often leaving their children behind. Of the people who choose to stay, many end up heavily drinking, again, leaving their children with no one to take care of them. The orphanages are full of kids who live in most de- plorable conditions. These kids cannot be adopted internationally because the country is not recognized by the global community, and their own people are too poor to adopt. After they graduate from the orphanage, they are likely to end up in prostitution or drinking. Whoever heard of Transnistria? And consequently, there are no missionaries there. Many church leaders have left the country, and the church is struggling. Hopelessness is the word that best describes what I have witnessed. However, the Lord has not forgotten Transnistria and the ministry of Help the Children foundation and Summit Missions International is suf- ficient proof of that. HTC encourages Christian couples to take in fos- ter children and offers a home for orphanage grads. SMI comes along- side of HTC helping with training, construction projects (building addi- tions to people’s homes so they can take in foster children, etc) and resources.