Overdue Update

July 12, 2012



Dear Prayer Partners,



Before I share the blessings and trials we have experienced here in Romania, I must ask your forgiveness for the lack of communication so far this year. While I have shared a few updates via e-mail, the last official letter was in January and the last e-mail was regarding the passing of Deb's father in April. I realize that I am responsible and accountable for the ministry God has entrusted to me, both to the Lord and to those who have partnered with us in prayer and financial support. I recall that during my time as pastor in the States, the lack of communication from a missionary might be viewed by our people as a lack of appreciation for support or something worse. I fear that you may be thinking the same, but I want to assure you that we have been very busy and have had circumstances that hindered me from writing (such as computer crashes 3 times, a continuing building project, death in the family and vehicle problems). It seemed like every time I would plan to make time to sit down and formulate a prayer letter, something major would happen or a big event or project would require my attention.



At this point you are probably thinking, "This guy is just making excuses!" I HAVE NO EXCUSES, rather I acknowledge that I should have made time for even brief updates on a regular basis. I accept all the responsibility and sincerely ask your forgiveness for neglecting this important aspect of our relationship (i.e., communication).



After such a busy fall working on the remodel of our new building, I am sure all were expecting to hear also about the way God would work in our ministry. Please allow me to share the highlights so far this year...



After returning from John and Pearl's wedding in January, we thrilled that were able to purchase 100 chairs for our church through the help of the Christian School at Valley forge Baptist Temple. We currently use 60 of them in our sanctuary weekly, and on one occasion had to set up almost 80.



On February 19th, we baptized Florin that was saved in January after nearly cutting off his right hand with a flex rotary grinder. Two teen boys, Asmir and Alin (who were saved at camp last summer), were also baptized on that day. They all continue to be faithful, but Alin has moved to the village to live with his grandparents and cannot make it every week.



In March, I preached the mission conference at the Gospel Light Independent Baptist Church in Cluj Napoca. The next week we had a "Wild West" theme for our Sweetheat banquet and ate BBQ sandwiches, baked beans and all the fixin's, and there were 8 visitors who came at the invitation of our people.



In April, we celebrated the Lord's Resurrection and had 10 visitors on Easter. We took Sarah Helwig on a tour of castles and ancient cities in Romania and later enjoyed her piano and violin students when they gave a final recital at the church. Sadly, Sarah has left us to return to the States and to a new ministry in Wyoming. She is missed very much, but the fruit of her labors is continually seen in our weekly services.



The month following is a blur... Deb left to be with her dad during his final days, and the Lord gave her (and all the family present) the privilege of seeing him gather strength to get out of bed and sit in a chair as he said "I love you" to each one. He then got back in bed, went to sleep and woke up in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. I also arrived there later that same evening to console my wife and to help in the memorial serives. Deb stayed on for a couple of more weeks to help her mother and later to visit other family, both to comfort and to be comforted. It is still very difficult for her, especially on special days. Please continue to pray for her.



From June 17 until last Sunday, July 8, we have had several visiting preachers and a wonderful group of teens from Arden Road Baptist Church in Amarillo. During this time we had the BIMI European field conference, combined with a special conference for the promoting of the Bible College, which will re-open next year. When the 20 teens and adults arrived from Texas, we put them to work passing out tracts and invitations for our VBS, which took place July 2-4 with a high attendance of 77 and nearly 100 different children enrolled. Last Sunday, many of the new children came to church, along with their parents or grandparents.



Each month during the first half of this year we have held our Christian Children's Club and have gone out door-knocking and distributed an average of 500 tracts weekly. As a result, we have had a good number of adult visitors in our services and new children in our Sunday School.



We continue to work on the building and today painted the front and driveway walls of the building which had been prepped by the Texas team last week. We checked on installing air conditioning, but the cost is about twice as much as funds will allow. We need to do something soon since temperatures and humidity are already too high to be able to stay long in the auditorium.



Ioana and Cosmin, our assistant pastor, are at a health clinic for 2 weeks for treatment of her thyroid which has some suspicious spots. She is trying to eat healthy, but her symptoms take a toll on her. Please pray for her complete recovery.



Our family is well...just really tired. Bethany is playing the piano for services and specials now, and will be serving for 3 weeks at the Christian camp where we take youth from our church. We have some who would like to go, but don't have the finances; so we are looking for sponsors to help, while we encourage them to do practical things at the church and for families to earn some money.



I have already written over 1,000 words, but would like to show you some pictures to multiply their meaning. Please visit our website (blog) at http://www.tylero.org as we will be posting them there soon!





Your servant in Christ,

Tim J. Tyler

Missionary to Romania

http://www.tylero.org

Mobile: +40-723-400088

Home: +40-256-321560

Yahoo Phone-in: 541-210-8024 (number to my computer to leave message online)



sent by:

Lancaster Baptist Church

http://www.lancasterbaptist.org



assisted by:

Baptist International Missions, Inc.

http://www.bimi.org