From The Pastor
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
ROMED 2009 Longest Day
The Longest Day
The beeping of the alarm at 3 a.m. marked the beginning of the longest day of the trip. At the airport by 4 a.m. to wait on the 6 o'clock flight, there would still be a 6 hour layover in Amsterdam, a 10 hour trans-Atlantic flight, a long line at customs and security in Memphis before finally seeing our loved ones some 25 hours later in Little Rock. The trip would leave our minds clouded with weariness but our lives forever changed.
Working in partnership with our fellow Romanian believers, the 2009 ROMED team ministered the grace of God and manifested the glory of God. There were no hidden agendas or pleas for personal recognition. In every tooth pulled, diagnosis given, and medication prescribed, mercy was displayed simply for the sake of mercy. Those who themselves had received the rich mercies of Christ worked side by side, whether Romanian, Gypsy or American, to show the mercy of Christ without prejudice to the hurting, needy and oppressed.
American missionaries and Romanian preachers handed out tracts and bore witness to the person of Christ. Seeds were planted. We trust God for the harvest to come.
Words fail to express appreciation to the team for their tireless and selfless acts of Christian love. Not only the service given but also the heart from which it came has not doubt been duly noted in heaven.
It was the longest day. But every day that came before, every day of service and worship and fellowship, overshadows it and makes the heart willing to say, "I'll go again."
Saturday, May 23, 2009
ROMED Saturday and Final
It is Saturday evening and we are wrapping up our stay in Brasov. Today we had lunch at the Snow Restaraunt in Sinaia and toured Castle Pelesi. This castle was the summer home for the first king of Romania. We returned and enjoyed an evening on Walk Street, supper at KFC, and a visit to the historic wall towers above the city. After a final devotional time together, we are packing suitcases, getting ready for Sunday church and the trip to Bucharest.
Thanks for your prayers throughout the trip. We look forward to seeing all of you next week but will miss the new friends we have made here. Please pray for Jerry, Kim and Amy as they get ready to head home for furlough.
God bless,
Brent
2009 ROMED Team
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Brent D. Summerhill, Senior Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
P.O. Box 1475
Cabot, AR 72023
(501)843-5291
www.faithcabot.org
Friday, May 22, 2009
ROMED Friday
Friday's clinic was set up at the church here in Brasov. Brasov is a large city (I believe around 350,000) and has moved a long way into the modern world with McDonalds, KFC, car dealerships, large shopping centers, etc. Yet within the city there is a growing divide between the "haves" and the "have nots." And outside the city the "have nots" abound. Within thirty minutes from McDonalds you will find a "shanty town" filled with the impoverished. Several generations will reside in a single delapidated house.
It is to these people that we ministered today. While we saw some off the street, most of the ministry was to orphans, hospice patient's families, and the needy we brought into Brasov. The team I am privileged to accompany ministered with the mercy of Christ simply for mercy's sake.
After another long day, the team settled in for supper at the house. Kim Chandler has been the lead cook during our stay and she has kept us full with her delicious meals. We cannot say "thank you" enough to her for her kind hospitality.
After supper we had our nightly group meeting. We shared stories and impressions from the day and reflected on the grace and goodness of God.
As we go to sleep tonight, we reflect on the mercies of Christ in our lives and prepare for relaxing Saturday. We plan to visit Castle Pelesi and enjoy the evening in Brasov center.
Thanks for all your prayers. We look forward to seeing our families Monday night.
God bless,
Brent
The 2009 ROMED Team
Thursday, May 21, 2009
ROMED Thursday
Thursday was a long and exciting day in Zarnesti. We headed out about seven and set up clinic. The doctors and nurses had as many patients as they could handle and the dentist kept on pulling teeth. We got home at almost 7PM and enjoyed a wonderful supper together.
I can't say enough about the team God put together for this trip. Dr. Joel Foster and his wife Beth have been a tremendous asset. Joel is a dentist from Pine Bluff and his wife serves as his assistant. His patience and good humor through crying babies and terrified adults is remarkable. Barry and Tina Craig are also from Pine Bluff. Barry is a nurse and Tina is an insurance agent turned medical assistant for the trip. They both are a blessing and a joy to be around. Mary Lou is from Jacksonville. She is the daughter of missionaries and friend of Sandy Bennett. Mary Lou has pitched in wherever needed with a servant's heart.
From Faith are Sandy and Toben Bennett. Sandy is a nurse and oversees quality management at UAMS while Toben is a microbiologist at Children's Hospital. Sandy is our Medical Team Leader and Toben does everything from monitor patient flow to diagnosing fungus infections. Also from Faith are Mike and Mandy Baker. Mike is an engineer and Mandy is a pharmacist with Children's Hospital. Mandy's expertise in running our pharmacy is invaluable. Mike is ably assisting his wife. Mark Edwards came along and is a jack of all trades. He sets up the clinic and tears it down. He works in evangelism on the street corner. And he keeps us all entertained.
Of course there are many other members of the team who we met here. Our medical doctor has been Dr. Mary from the Black Sea Coast. Amy Chandler has been translating and helping in other areas along with many of our Romanian brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy being around these dear people and seeing their love for their fellow man.
This team is making a difference in the lives of people and in the life of the ministry here in Brasov. I cannot thank them enough.
Pray for us as we have our last clinic day on Friday. We will be working here in Brasov to finish up the week.
We are all grateful for the kindness and generosity of Jerry and Kim Chandler. We have the world's greatest missionaries at Faith! Following in a close second are our ministry partners, Jim and Sherry Black. They have been a tremendous asset to the ministry since moving to Brasov and have been a great blessing to us this week.
May God bless you all,
Brent Summerhill
2009 ROMED Team
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
ROMED Wednesday
Today was our "off" day. The crew was worn out from Monday and Tuesday, but hopefully today's fun will refresh them for a strong finish this week.
This morning we slept in a little and after breakfast walked "Walk Street" and toured the "Black Church." It is a large and ancient Lutheran Church (originally Catholic but became Lutheran during the Reformation). It is so named because it was burned and blackened at one time. It has since been restored and continues to act as a place of worship for a handful of Lutherans in the city.
Then we took the crew to Castle Bran, the castle/fortress made famous by the Dracula book and movies. It is an impressive sight and everyone seemed to enjoy the tour and souvenir shopping.
From Bran we went to Metro. Metro is kind of like a Sam's Club. It was the place for the group to buy their chocolates, coffees, etc. to take home.
Supper was at the "Bear" restaurant. That's not its real name, but it's what we call it. It usually has bear, but was running short tonight, so we enjoyed a meal of wild pork and deer along with bean soup and potatoes. Delicious doesn't begin to describe the meal. And to cap it off we had popanosi (don't know about the spelling). This Romanian desert is too good to describe in words.
As we get ready for bed, tomorrow looms as a busy clinic day. We will leave at 7AM to set up clinic in Zarnesti. Clinic opens at 9AM and runs to 4 or 5 PM. It is a constant and sometimes hurried pace for the med staff and dental staff. The Romanian pastors stay busy as well with outreach and counseling.
Thanks again for all your prayers. We look forward to seeing you all face to face next week and sharing in person the blessings of God here in Romania.
Brent Summerhill and the 2009 ROMED Team
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
ROMED Team Update
Hello back home from the ROMED 2009 Team! We have been experiencing internet problems that have delayed our trip updates. We are all doing well and enjoying this time of ministry.
We spent Monday and Tuesday in Feldioara. There has been a ministry in this village outside of Brasov for some years. Over the years it has had its ups and downs and we have wondered about the future of any ministry there. Not long ago, Bro. Chandler began devoting much of his ministry time there. He began a home Bible study on Wednesday evenings in the village and continued holding services on Sunday afternoons. Sister Savina, a long time faithful member of the work in Feldioara, continued working with children every week. The Lord blessed and the work has revived.
On Sunday we were a part of the ordination of their new pastor, Bro. Johnny. The church building was full of people and filled with joy and celebration at all God is doing there. Monday and Tuesday gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the compassion of the church through the Medical ministry. Bro. Johnny was on hand meeting many new faces and sharing the gospel. Please pray for him and this church.
From a Med team perspective, it has been a great two days of ministry. On Monday we worked out any problems in the system with a steady flow of patients. On Tuesday it was full force all day long. We have been blessed medically with a Romanian doctor and two great nurses from the states along with a microbiologist, pharmacist, and others with servants' hearts willing to do whatever needs to be done. The people are very grateful to visit our dentist and his assistant. A lot of teeth have been pulled! And they all leave with smiles on their faces, thankful for the end to their pain and discomfort.
We are being well taken care of while we are here. Monday morning Kim and volunteers made a home cooked breakfast, packed our lunches and had supper waiting at home for our return. Tuesday began with another breakfast from Kim, a lunch of pizza and shiormas (not sure of the spelling), and a genuine Romanian supper fixed by a Romanian woman who is a long time family friend. Supper ended Tuesday with a special rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Mike Baker, Jr. and a made from scratch Romanian birthday cake.
Wednesday will be a day of rest from the clinic with a planned visit to Walk Street, Castle Bran and a drive through the Transylvanian Alps. The day is scheduled to conclude with supper at the "Bear Restaurant." (Yes, they usually have bear to eat, along with pork and chicken.)
I am thankful for this team and the difference they have already made in the life of the Feldioara church and the lives of the people to whom they have ministered. The seed of the gospel has been planted alongside the compassionate acts of these volunteers. The trip has already been worth it all.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us. We will update as often as possible with the internet issues. We all are thankful to be here and to be used of God. We all also look forward to coming home and seeing our families and churches again with much good news to share.
God bless,
Brent Summerhill
The 2009 ROMED Team
Sunday, May 17, 2009
ROMED Team
We enjoyed a wonderful day of worship at Brasov and Feldioara. At Feldioara we got to participate in the ordination of Bro. Johnny. Please pray for him and the church there.
We are heading out at 7AM today to set up our first clinic in Feldioara. Everyone is up and excited about what God is going to do today.
Thanks for your continued prayers and we will update you on how the clinics go.
ROMED Team 2009
Safely in Romania
The eleven of us traveling with the ROMED team arrived safely and without incident Saturday afternoon. We made our way from Bucharest to Brasov and enjoyed a late supper at McDonalds on the walk street.
We have awakened to a beautiful Sunday morning and are getting ready to go to church. We will have Sunday school and worship this morning in Brasov and then go to Feldioara this afternoon for the ordination service of their new pastor, Bro. Johnny.
Tomorrow the work starts as we will set up the medical clinic in Feldioara.
Jerry, Kim and Amy are doing well and are gracious hosts as always. We look forward to seeing our brothers and sisters in Christ in the churches here today.
We appreciate your prayers throughout this trip. We will try and update daily on our activities. They are having some internet issues here but we will do our best to keep the updates current.
Thanks again for your prayers. We pray everyone has a wonderful day of worship at home.
God bless,
2009 ROMED Team
Friday, May 15, 2009
ROMED 2009
As I write, it is Friday morning and our flight is scheduled for this afternoon. I am travelling to Romania with our 2009 Medical Team. For the next week we will be involved in evangelistic and humanitarian ministry. We will have a doctor, nurses, dentist and dental assistant. It will be a busy week, but we pray a profitable one. Pray with us that God will be glorified in all that we do and that hearts will be opened by the Holy Spirit to receive the truth of Christ.
I plan to keep you up to date through the blog. Thanks for your prayers!
Brent Summerhill
Thursday, May 7, 2009
National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 7 was the National Day of Prayer. I was asked to be a part of the city of Cabot's Noon observance. Following are the Scriptures and the prayer I shared with those gathered.
Let us hear from the Word of God:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Let us pray:
Our Father in heaven, in these days of turmoil, we acknowledge first that you are God and that you sit upon the throne of the universe. We acknowledge your Son, Jesus, who is our Savior to be the King of kings and Lord of lords. And we gladly confess that our life and our hope are in You.
These days of turmoil perplex us all. And we know that those who have been selected to serve us in governmental leadership particularly feel the stress of these times. And it is for them that we now pray.
We lift up to you those who serve us in the federal government: our president, our congress men and women, and those who serve in the federal judiciary. We pray for those serving in our state government: our governor and all constitutional officers, our state representatives and senators, and those who serve in the state court system. We pray for those we have elected in our county: the county judge and other elected officers, our justices of the peace, and those we have selected to serve the law in our courts. We pray for those who serve here in our city: the mayor, the council men and women, and all those chosen to serve in the various capacities of city government.
And here is what we ask on their behalf: that You, the Wise and all knowing God of the universe would endue them with wisdom from above so that they might discern truth from falsehood, right from wrong, justice from injustice, and righteousness from evil. And we pray that fearing You above all others, they might receive that wisdom with humility before You and apply that wisdom to the perils of our time and lead us in the paths of righteousness which You have ordained.
We thank You, our God, for ordaining government for our benefit and for granting us freedom through these many years to meet in such a public place as this and here to call upon your name. And as we pray for those charged with the care of this government, we ask that we might continue to live that quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Now unto him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now, and for ever. Amen.
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