Mark Walker reports that the German
mission he is "on loan" to (Regio Rumänienhilfe = regional help for
Romania) is in the middle of their "fall offensive".
September
Mark attended and spoke at a mission conference from the partner mission group "Evangeliums Mission" in northern Germany. There was one collection drive in a local church that had just finished building their new church home. Many people came and quite a number stayed for a cup of coffee - and a conversation!
Mark was scheduled to drive a 40-ton truck in the last week of September to Romania.
October
September
Mark attended and spoke at a mission conference from the partner mission group "Evangeliums Mission" in northern Germany. There was one collection drive in a local church that had just finished building their new church home. Many people came and quite a number stayed for a cup of coffee - and a conversation!
Mark was scheduled to drive a 40-ton truck in the last week of September to Romania.
On October 4th Mark will drive the 40-ton truck (belonging to GAIN = Global Aid Network = Campus Crusade for Christ) to Romania. On Oct. 9th he is to meet up with 3 other mission groups that minister in Romania. The object is to show each other where and how we minister and then decide how we can benefit each other's ministries. Mark then returns the truck back to Giessen (north of Frankfurt) with pick-up points on the way for GAIN.
November
Every year, Mark and his "side-kick" Martin leave for Romania again. If GAIN can spare the truck, Mark will drive it again. Martin will follow with a small team for the annual November outreach mission trip. The goal is to deliver aid to missionaries and churches (especially gypsy churches), help two single missionary ladies with some repair work and getting their mission centre ready for the winter, conducting a week of training / advising / mentoring a group consisting of those involved in 7 gypsy churches and conducting the annual German Bible Conference in Sibiu (in the last German speaking free church).
December
There are collection drives in local churches and therefore we will need to order a truck to haul all the collected items away, otherwise our ware-house would burst.
We received a phone call from a missionary in Italy who received access to the ill-famous refuge-island of LAMPEDUSA off of Sicily. As this missionary would have more mission opportunities if he could enter the camp with a truck and aid
clothes, shoes etc. but also he needs various kinds of hospital
equipment.
You might know that all of these refugees have risked their lives to leave Libya and other African countries crossing the Mediterranean in shabby vessels. I understand that an estimated minimum of 20% perish at sea, especially women and children. The living conditions on Lampedusa are under par, as the Italian government is broke. The place is supposedly fenced in like a high-security outfit! At least these are the pictures we see in our German media. So do pray for the Italian missionary TONIO as he struggles to minister to these displaced people!
We have prepared the first 18 pallets and need to reorganize our ware-house to provide enough space for the rest.
You might know that all of these refugees have risked their lives to leave Libya and other African countries crossing the Mediterranean in shabby vessels. I understand that an estimated minimum of 20% perish at sea, especially women and children. The living conditions on Lampedusa are under par, as the Italian government is broke. The place is supposedly fenced in like a high-security outfit! At least these are the pictures we see in our German media. So do pray for the Italian missionary TONIO as he struggles to minister to these displaced people!
We have prepared the first 18 pallets and need to reorganize our ware-house to provide enough space for the rest.
Mark is especially grateful that more helpers are coming to
operate the ware-house and to help with pick-up runs. We are now praying
especially for young people born in the 80'ies and 90'ies to join our team!
Will you join us in prayer??
The ministry of providing training for church planters in Romania is
progressing well - especially in Tirgoviste (near Bucharest) and in "gypsy
country". Our gypsy missionary there - Mitika Omlecu - has had two operations on his back, and is doing very poorly health-wise. He is not letting his health stall his ministry, but he is totally unable to take up his summer job in Germany as a harvest hand. Two of his young assistant pastors have taken his slot - and are performing well.
But we are concerned for Mitika's income, as it is only at 60%. We are praying that the LORD might provide him with at least 700$/month in order to "keep him on the job", i.e. provide for his family and ministry needs. Mitika started out with us in 1996 - and concentrated on children's' work. Then developed these kids further in youth work with a very deep impact. 4 of his youth have gone on to Bible school and have returned - and are the driving force with Mitika in church planting efforts!
