December 2020

What a year! Praise the Lord for He is good and His faithfulness endures forever. The last time we updated this blog, was almost 18 months ago. Although, personal messages, texts and updates were sent, we will attempt to fast forward and fly through the major event during this time, to catch us up here, on the blog, to the present. We will work back from September of 2019 with highlights. Randy, accompanied by Jody, made his maiden return flight 10 months after his chest wall reconstruction that saved his life. Although it was unclear how he would do on the flight, God made it evidently clear, this was His path, and He protected us all, including Randy. 

Jody and Randy arrived in Romania to join Robert, met by 10 pastors from various churches, to rejoice in Randy's return. The 1 month stay, proved Randy would do well, despite the higher elevation and lung restriction he will always have. Jody, didn't do so well. She ended up in the emergency room at the state run hospital, just days before their return to America, with a kidney stone. She was able to be treated and returned to states as scheduled. 

During the summer, Robert had 5 camps, partnering with Mici Exploratorii "Little Explorers" that take Bible study very seriously as they train the future leaders of our churches. He also joined in preaching and worship at the village church, Nocrich, and our home Romanian church, Stanca, throughout the months. He had the honor of preaching at one of our student's weddings, as well. He stayed connected with other students, counseled, encouraged, and met with pastors, too. He also  completed several camp construction projects including but not limited to camp bathrooms and cabin siding and roofing.

In October, we all came back to America, with plans to leave in the spring for our full-time return. Tickets were purchased, and we were happy to be able to spend one more Christmas with family before our planned return. In December, we moved to Morehead City, NC from Raleigh, to get away from the city and prepare for our spring departure. Christmas was spent in Indiana with family, and Jody had surgery on her foot from damage of stepping on a needle after our return in October.  January and February were busy getting medical clearance for Randy for the upcoming trip, and preparing for our EBF mission's conference in Indiana in March. The Klint family was dearly missed at our conference. Bob, Melissa, Landyn, and Melissa's brother, tragically died in a car accident in August 2019. New board members were added and renewed ministry resolve was established. 

At the end of March, our flight for Romania was cancelled, and COVID restrictions began in place. We were blessed to be able to have place in Morehead City to hunker down. Through God's providence, we were able to sell the house in Crawfordsville and purchase a house in Morehead city, unknowingly a place we would need to be for longer than we expected. Throughout the spring and summer, Robert worked on the "fixer upper" while we kept communication, counseling, and encouragement with our students in Romania, remotely working when we would have rather been there. The good thing that seems to have come from all this, is that we are able to view and listen to most of our supporting churches now! 

In late summer, Randy started having some further headaches and not feeling well, In October, he had surgery to remove a concerning changing mass, previously found in Indiana in 2018) from the center area of his head. He tolerated the surgery well, and is continuing to heal well. This put off our hopeful return plans for the fall, which later we found out couldn't have happened because of continuing Covid entry restrictions. 

Most recently, Robert was able to purchase his ticket to return to Romania at the end of February. We had hoped he could return in January, but no flights were possible at that time, going to our city. God has continually guided our path and we trust His sovereign plan even if it is different than what we had hoped. It is always for our good, and His glory. Thank you all for your continued prayers. The plan is for Robert to stay about 6 months, return to America for a month or so, then go back to Romania for 3 months, while Jody continues to care for Randy until medical clearance is available for Randy. Currently, Randy has some cysts that are changing, and they want to monitor them to see if the changes stop since the surgery. It will not be easy to minister apart, but we trust the Lord, as He has always carried us through. 

May the Lord bless you all and keep you in His tender loving care as you celebrate Christmas and New Year's in our Lord!