In the past few years the Lord has opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart with a special burden for the women of Romania. First, a special place in my heart is for the group of missionaries’ wives who serve in remote areas alongside their husbands, many of whom have limited resources and they live in difficult conditions. Second, another group of women from an institution, most of whom have been there most of their lives as they are all considered orphans. Third, women in villages where our missionaries serve, with whom I have come in contact over the years. I am so burdened that they would be in the Word, yet so many still do not know the Savior. And fourth, there are also many who are ill and in so much pain, who are in need of encouragement and prayer.

Serving - Loving - Giving - In Every Stitch

Amy is a very giving person, she has worked very closely with Florina, national missionary who has a sewing and craft shop as part of the ministry there.

My dear sister in Christ Em B. with her daugher Kim and her brother have been part of our support team for years. They have been knitting and crocheting baby blankets, hats, scarves, mittens, donating clothing, school supplies, etc. on a regular basis. Every year we ship boxes to both Romania and Ukraine with these beautiful handmade items that our missionaries distribute to families, and many times the missionaries themselves had need of these items. Their love and prayers are woven in the yarn and with each stitch.

Amy P. has been an amazing sister in Christ who has done so much for our fundraising efforts for our short term mission teams from Indiana two years in a row. She also helped us fill our bags with goodies for our women missionaries and their children. She is a good friend and encourager for me personally.

Judy speaking and Gabi translating in the village of Comani Olt, Romania

Teaching / Mentoring

My sister in Christ Judy has returned to Romania after many years as a Bible teacher and an “older woman teaching the younger women”. She has also been an encourager to the widows and the older sisters on this last trip we took together. I believe that the Lord has more for her in using her spiritual gifts and her love for the Romanian people.

There were several other women who served on a short term mission trip this year, and their humble spirit and loving hearts have touched so many people. I am so thankful for each of them. It is the Lord who focused on the Women’s Ministry, and He also provided the people with the right hearts for the work.

Encouraging the Missionaries

Missionaries, especially the women have a special place in my heart. Florina is one of them. Perhaps because Cornel and I got to spend a lot of time at Mark and Florina’s home, getting to know their two boys, that they feel like family. Florina is also a leader among the women in the southern part of Romania. So having the missionary women meet at their home was great. This year we had two meetings with the women: one in the summer and one in the Fall, each unique and special. We also had the opportunity to attend a conference together with three other women, and see them get excited about studying God’s Word and leading a Bible study group.

A true partnership: Women from the LBC Team with the PIE Missionary Women in the South meeting together

Second meeting with the Missionary Women, with Judy and Gabi in November 2019

Studying God’s Word Together

One of the highlights getting together with the missionary women and with the women in their villages was to get them introduced to studying God’s Word. Some of the women who came have never read the Bible before. So the discovery process of learning truth was so amazing. Judy taught 1st and 2nd John to several groups of women, some in homes and some in the local church. I had the privilege of translating her and also speaking to these women. It is such a joy to get to know them and pray for them.

At Florin and Alina’s home, a group of women in the village of Beciu.

At Tavi and Nicoleta’s home, a group of women from Draganesti Olt, together with our November US Team

City of Craiova is a special place, a new mission point, and also a new place for women’s ministry. We met there twice this year, once in the park in the summer where several people, including myself, got to share our personal testimonies. This Fall we met with Judy and women for a time of Bible study and fun with crafts and handmade Christmas cards. I love this group of very intelligent women who ask the best questions!

Special Place - Special Women

These are my sisters in Christ from Arges, who love the Lord and they really love and pray for me! We think we go and encourage them, but each time we go, visit, and spend some time with them they encourage us. Wow! This time I meet several new girls who came to the meeting place outside their institution. I had the opportunity to do counselling with those who prayed for salvation on that day. This is my third visit this year with the girls, and I am thankful for being able to keep in touch with them on Facebook, too!

Radio Ministry - Women Power!!!

In Sibiu at Radio Vocea Evangheliei Sibiu a predominantly women’s team manages the station, with station manager, Cristina, doing a wonderful work. We at PIE have a long lasting relationship with RVE Sibiu. This year we once again continued our relationship with the station.

At RVE Sibiu during Judy’s interview with Lucia, Gabi translating

Gabi, Judy, Lucia / RVE Sibiu and Violeta

Last year we had our speaker from Indiana, Mandi Cornett, interview at the radio station, and together we organized a women’s event at the Ramada Hotel in Sibiu. This year we had Judy share her testimony, and also made a mini series for the radio’s women’s morning show! How exciting! Violeta Stef, my sister-in-law was very kind giving us rides between Alba Iulia and Sibiu, And Violeta also attended one of the Saturday conferences!

And So Much More!

A women’s fellowship at the PIE Center in Alba Iulia with women from several rural areas where PIE missionaries serve.

Meaningful home visits to encourage hurting people.

Two Saturday women’s conferences on Saturday in Sibiu.

And So Much More!

Ministry with Lili

The women’s ministry continued in “the North”, as the missionaries from the South refer to the PIE headquarters in the city of Alba Iulia and surroundings. And indeed, there was more ministry! Judy and I met with Lily, missionary wife from the Alba region, who planned a meeting with women from several villages at the PIE Center. We had a large group of 33 women. The women came from the area of three of our our PIE national missionaries. The next day we went on a home visit to see a new sister in Christ with a terminal illness who needed encouragement and assurance about heaven, her Savior, life, and death.

Ministry with Nuți

The last days were spent with the women in the village of Nou and in Sibiu. Nuți and her family are our family away from home “in the North”, just as Florina and her family are our family away from home in the South! The sisters in Christ in Nou prepared a feast for us after Bible Study and fellowship. The church was filled with women singing, praying, studying together, loving God and loving each other

Sweet fellowship with the women in the village of Nou who filled the church with songs of praise and powerful prayers, and the basement dining room with sandwiches and sweets! Many thanks to our missionary sisters Lili, Violeta, and Nuți, also the sisters in Christ from the Betania Church in Sibiu.

Oh, how much I love you all!

Blessings for Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Your sister in Christ,

Gabi