One of the ongoing mercy projects is headed by a single woman, named Kathleen Andrews, from San Diego. We support her in caring for 32 orphan girls, aged 12-17. Children are kicked out of orphanages at the age of 12 to fend for themselves. They live on the streets and the girls often end up in the sex trade. These are the girls that Kathleen is making a home for. We were able to present her with several containers full of girl stuff -- shampoo, make-up, clothes, feminie napkins, medical supplies, etc. We also gave them 6 sewing machines with all the trappings to get them started in a sewing business. They will receive an education and learn a trade because they live with Kathleen.

Being able to help in this way was a huge joy for us. Needless to say, the combination of Good News, practical support, and money made us welcome wherever we went.

Graveside Humor?

The last time I was in Romania, I was asked to speak at a wedding. This time, it was a funeral. The graveyard was covered with 10' x 10' concrete slabs, which covered pits 10' deep. They told me that as the years go by, newly dead bodies are lowered onto the ancestral bones that lie at the bottom of each family pit. I was led to an open pit in the center of the graveyard where I helped with the proceedings before the old gentleman was lowered away. People were gathered all around. Beside me, atop another slab which covered a different family, stood three, large, Romanian women. All of the sudden a trio of distracting shrieks raised my thoughts from the grave and I turned to see that all three women had disappeared. The concrete slab which they were standing had collapsed. Peering over the edge of the burial pit, I saw them tangled among the bones of the dead. I, of course, reached down and helped them out. It was frightening, painful, and humiliating for them and I did my best to aid in their comfort, but I began thinking of what it might have looked like to someone just passing by. One minute you hear the preacher proclaim the resurrection of the dead and then you hear a scream and see him pull three women out of a grave -- alive. Those of you with prophetic imagination can no doubt have some fun with that one.

U.K. Update:

Kallee (our 12 year old daughter), the 2 team members from England, and I left Romania before the rest of the team. We went to Holy Trinity Church, in Cheltenham, England to teach at a discipleship training school and conduct a healing conference. It went exceedingly well. They were clearly blessed and I had a great time working without an interpreter.

When I'm home, I'm playing with my kids, fixing sprinkler heads, and writing a book. Enclosed find the first of 5, more-or-less, completed chapters. That leaves about 5 to go. Please offer any feedback on the enclosed chapter. Thanks again for helping to bring Good News to the Poor by praying and sending financial gifts.

Peace and all good,
Ken

Highlights from Romania

Our team was 15 members strong, most of whom were from my previous church here in San Diego. We were bolstered by local busines people, a university professor, and two Christian workers from the U.K. Fifteen adventurous saints who loved praying for people -- we got along well and worked effectively together.

Due to the events of 9-11, our scheduled September 12th departure was delayed five days. We caught British Airways second flight out of San Diego and felt it was a small miracle that they allowed us to check 30 extra large Mercy Boxes full of food, clothing, medical supplies, and sewing machines. The boxes cleared high security at Gatwick Airport, in England, and a $100 bribe to a Romanian customs official got them all the way through -- battered and torn, but still full of good stuff for our Romanian friends.

Several members of the Romanian families that hosted us, were not Christians when we arrived. By the time we left, 3 weeks later, 6 of them had come to Christ because of the salt and light witness of their foreign house guests. Our evangelistic efforts bore much fruit wherever we went.

I was able to preach the Good News an average of twice a day. I spoke at church services, conferences, theological training schools, funerals, the radio, and at city-wide meetings. The team provided constant prayer support whenever I spoke and they prayed for anyone who wanted prayer after the meetings. Numerous conversions and several healings occurred. The healing of a woman with severe scoliosis was one of the more notable healings.

I was originally scheduled to speak just once on the radio, but because of the numerous calls (by non-Christians) requesting more, I went back several times. Different team members got in on the fun and got to speak on Romanian Radio as well. The callers said, "I never heard Christianity presented in this light." The radio sermons also served to promote a city-wide preaching event in the Ploiesti Civic Center. The large auditorium was filled and 500 people stood around the edges. Our worship team led worship, I preached, and then we prayed for people. Several professed Christ as Savior and many others came forward for healing and got what they came for.

Mercy Ministry:

The 40,000 lbs. of good stuff that we packed onto a cargo container in September made it safely to Romania via land and sea. It was joined by the 30 large boxes that flew British Airways and we had a wonderful time giving it all away wherever we went.

We visited several homes for the elderly, orphanages, a church based ministry to AIDS kids, mission groups, and a half-way home for teenage girls. At several of the stops, my friend Doug Wall gave away money as it was needed. He had raised it just for that purpose.