Clayton and Robyn McCurdy: January 2008
Dear Pastor, Praying Friends, and Family,
Happy New Year to all of you! Every January we never cease to be amazed that yet another year has passed. This last year has certainly been a full year. January took my wife and children to Wisconsin to honor the life of my wife's grandfather who passed away. While there, God miraculously provided and allowed Emily to have a successful tear duct surgery. In July, we welcomed Kayla Grace into our family and enjoyed a visit from Robyn's mom, Karen Karlen. A week of Baseball Camp was hosted in August, and in September we began our fourth year at the Independent Baptist Bible Institute of Chisinau.
We would like to thank everyone who sent special cards, gifts or Christmas offerings to our family. Your love and support means so much to us. We also want to thank those who sacrificially gave to support our orphanage outreach program during the Christmas season. With our church members, we were able to put together 1,750 gift bags for orphans and some national works around Moldova. Our teenagers did a fabulous job presenting the play, "The Unopened Gift," at the orphanage. Several of the orphans raised their hands during the invitation time. Our teenager Sunday School teachers also did a fine job in helping the Sunday School children put together a short Christmas program for our church. It has been a blessing to see children from the Baseball Camp this summer faithfully attending church each week and getting involved.
As 2008 begins, we are looking forward to another busy year. January 7th, Yelisa will continue with 2ndgrade home schooling and Russian tutoring. Our Spring semester at the Bible Institute will be starting January 12th. Please pray for us as we strive to obey Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it," and II Timothy 2:2 - "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
We continue to distribute tracts in the central bazaar (market) weekly. A few weeks ago a bus driver approached me and Yura (a national pastor with whom we work) as we were passing out tracts. He was so thrilled that we were passing out the Gospel tracts, and with tears in his eyes asked if he could have some to take to his own village. Again, as others before him, he questioned us why more people were not passing out tracts and telling others of God's great gift of salvation. I cannot answer for others, but we will continue to strive to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.
We want to thank each one of you who prays for us and lovingly supports us. We are honored to be working here in Moldova on your behalf. We do not take you for granted and we want you to know that God is answering your prayers for provision, protection and power to do His work. We pray for you all often and thank God for you. You are greatly loved and appreciated!
Sincerely,
Clayton, Robyn, Yelisa, Emily & Kayla McCurdy