August 13: Exciting Update from Ocean City, MD

Benny (one of our Student Volunteers or SV's from Bucharest) met Adi at our Coffee House, saw Adi again at Son'Spot and began to build a relationship with Adi playing soccer during Coffee House meetings.  They decided to do a "FIFA World Cup" night sometime.

In the meantime Adi met our friend Jason at the laundromat and Adi asked Jason how to use the washing machine because he had no clue.  After that, Jason & Adi realized they were neighbors and started seeing each other some and Jason occasionally drove Adi to his job or to free meals, activities, etc.  Jason talked with Adi about GOD in general but also shared his testimony and about Jesus.  Jason also drove Adi to our Student Condo so that Adi and Benny could play FIFA World Cup.  The 3 of them talked about GOD for about 40 minutes and Benny had the chance to share how he met Jesus.  

After Jason left, Benny & Adi played some FIFA matches and then started talking about God randomly.  Adi had many questions about Christianity, how the world will end, evil spirits & angels, etc and Benny explained everything he knew.  Then Adi asked about the reliability of the Bible.  Benny told Adi that if he will read the Bible, he will see that everything is true; and that despite the fact that there are many versions / translations, GOD will not allow any changes to the message that Jesus died for our sins. 

Adi was very open, shared about some of his struggles with sin, and that he feels empty and doesn't feel like he is living anymore. His roommates here in OC are cold and don't really talk to him, and he has few if any friends back in Bucharest.  Benny told Adi that God can change his life; some of the reasons why he should be thankful for his life; and to read the Bible and discover how Jesus suffered and died for him.  After that, Benny shared that prayer is not just about our words but about our heart, and then he prayed that God would answer all Adi's questions, meet his needs, and change his life.  Adi really felt relieved and as they parted Benny invited Adi to a Bible study at our Student Condo.  

Adi accepted the invitation and attended the verse by verse study of  1 John chapter 1.  Benny & some other SV's explained the passage to Adi and told him what salvation means, what happens afterwards, and answered his questions.  They also told Adi how he could receive Jesus and they prayed for him and his needs. 

He was so happy and relieved and said he didn't want to leave but to just stay with them.  Adi indicated that he wanted to pray and receive Jesus at home alone when he would be ready for it.  He also said that he felt bad about all his bad habits.  Several days later, Adi shared that he had invited Jesus into his life and he continues to meet with our SV's for Bible study.  Please pray for Adi's spiritual growth and that he will stay connected to Benny at church and CRU meetings when they both return to Bucharest at the end of the summer.  Thanks for partnering with us.

with love & appreciation

Steve ( & Shelia)
for the team