Pop family's ministry blog

Hi church family,
Have a blessed 2009! Tough times are ahead of us but isn't that, in a strange way, a good news? Heaven is getting closer and closer! And boy! It is exactly the way the Lord predicted it will be. He said the love will disappear, it sure does! He said people would go after false teachers and Christs, they sure run! But the cool thing is that He linked those things to His coming back! So, as sad and perilous times as we live in, as tough and painful as it is to live righteously, don't lose heart! Be of good cheer! Look up as our redemption is nigh!
As far as our ministry here in Cluj goes, looking back to 2008, I can say that it was the toughest year of my life. It was tougher than the time o the revolution when I faced the serious possibility of shooting fellow Romanians; it was tougher than when Anca faced the cancer surgery and almost died; it was tougher than when the Lord blew out Calvary Chapel Cluj and we were left without fellowship for quite a while. At least the revolution led to democracy in Romania; Anca's health issues led to our salvation and the church problems led to a stronger foundation in our life and ministry. But last year Satan unleashed hell upon us and as in Job's case he used friends. People we love! He orchestrated events, he inspired emails, he poked into conversations...and as a result friends leaving the ministry, others that we regarded as friends slandering us and falsely accusing us, yet other friends treating us as black sheep...However, God's in control and He has His eternal purposes! 2008 was a good year! And to all of you, friends that were involved one way or another in last year's events, we love you! We are looking forward to spend eternity together. Continue to pray for the ministry of Golgota Cluj! After all, with all this scheming and opposition from the devil, there is no doubt in my mind that God has a great work that He wants to perform here in Cluj. Our small fellowship numbers 7 people right now: us 4, another couple and a student. Right now we meet on Sundays for church service, on Wednesdays for Bible survey and on Fridays for worship and prayer. Here are some payer requests:
1. For the overflowing of the Holy Spirit. His guidance, His wisdom, revelation from God's word, His gifts, a new heart, His fruit...whatever He has for us this year.
2. For love for the sheep and love for the lost.
3. For boldness in sharing the gospel
4. For the outreach plan that the Lord has for this year. (concerts, teams, events, weekly outreach...)
5. For Christian fellowship for our kids. We hoped that our friends from Vladeasa would join us (on Sundays at least) and they would bring their kids along, but so far they didn't, for one reason or another.
6. For the website and the blogs to be used by the Lord to touch Romanians.
7. For God's providence
Thank you all!
Agape,
Razvan