Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Gypsy Smith School Class of March, 2014

They came from various places across the country of Romania to study.  They have different roles in their churches as pastors, deacons, youth leaders, and elders but they share the desire to learn more about God's Word and how to be better leaders.  This is our largest class yet - 30!  Thanks Larry DeLand from OK and Ken Myers from NC for teaching this week.  Pray for them as this week unfolds.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Gypsy Smith School - March 2014

Being a pastor is a rewarding vocation but it's not an easy one.  The Roma pastors and lay leaders that attend the Gypsy Smith School (GSS) are also bi-vocational and many lack a formal education. However this doesn't slow their desire to learn and grow as pastors.  The Gypsy Smith Leadership Training School was designed to fulfill this need.  Four times a year the leaders travel to Bucharest to attend a week long session on Bible studies, practical church leadership training, worship planning, and other topics.  The March session is being held this week.  Will you pray for a fruitful study of God's Word for these leaders?

Friday, March 14, 2014

Dreams Do Come True

We called him "Little Laci" when he first started his studies several years ago at the Gandhi High School in Pecs, Hungary.  He was eager to learn English and wanted to practice often.  While at the school with a population of mostly Roma students, Laci was encouraged by one of his teachers to follow his dreams.  He'll tell you that up until this time he had never dreamed he could actually pursue being a graphic artist.  It just seemed impossible for a Roma boy from a small village.  But dreams do come true...

Laci studied hard and was accepted into an international studies school in Italy where he blossomed among the multi cultural students.  Still believing in the seeds planted by his Gandhi teacher he applied to an art school in the US.  Thanks to the love and support of former Gandhi School volunteers from the US, Laci, you can see from the picture we had to drop the "Little", is a freshman at a college in FL.  It's evident that he loves it as he animatedly talks about a class on the various size, shapes, and styles of fonts!  When we recently crossed paths with him he excitedly told us about living his dream and how so many had helped it to come true.

We are thankful God placed us in the right place, at the right time to be a part of helping Laci's dreams come true.  What about you?  How can you help someone's dream come true today?