HeartCry missionary Anatol Dunas pastors Emanuel Baptist Church in Cahul, Moldova. In this month’s report he shares some of testimonies of those who have come to Christ through the local church ministry. In one account, the Lord used the kindness and benevolence of some in the church in building a stove to ultimately bring a fater and son to Himself. While others were brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus through the faithful witness of the Emanuel Church faith family.
A father and his son were freezing in December. So I talked to the believers and we decided to help them make a stove, so that they could heat up their place. One of our men heard that and he talked to his workmates and they donated money to buy the bricks for the stove. The father and son didn’t believe that the men could make a stove, but I encouraged them so much that they managed to do it and have a warm place now. Their income is $180 per month. They are buying an old house, which has one room and a hall. The believers helped them and they managed to pay 80% of the total price of the house. But they didn’t have running water. I encouraged them to get it, but it was very expensive. Any help would be a great blessing for them.
When I first met the father back in 2012, he was living in extremely poor conditions. We brought him food and took his son, who was nine years old then, and let him stay in one of the rooms in our church building. We took him to our place to take a bath and gave him clothes to wear. Still, they were not open to come to church. After six years, this father and son turned to the Lord and the man got baptized. His wife left him 10 years ago.
We are so happy for the four people that got baptized on February 24th. Here are their testimonies:
Valentin (18):
“I was raised in a Christian family and my mother took me to church with her. When I was 15 years old, I attended a Christian camp and there I gave my life to the Lord. But then I discovered that I was still struggling with unforgiveness. The Lord helped me understand that I must forgive, just as He forgave me. Then I went to school in Cahul and I got involved in campus evangelism along with other Christian students.”
Daniela (17):
I was raised in an Orthodox family. A friend of mine told me one day that Jesus was coming and that scared me so badly that I started to live in depression. The same friend invited me to a youth meeting at Emanuel Church. I was surprised that everyone welcomed me and this was really encouraging. I attended the youth camp of Emanuel Church in 2017 and there gave my life to the Lord. During the fall, I understood that I had to dedicate my life to the Lord and to the sharing of the Gospel.
Another friend helped me grow in faith. She studied the Bible with me. She encouraged me to get involved in the youth and children’s ministries as well. I have discovered that I have the gift of encouraging and coordinating. I gather the young people when we organize something in or outside the church.
It was very difficult for my parents to accept the fact that I wanted to get baptized. In December 2017, we went caroling to my place with the young people from the church. My parents enjoyed it a lot. My mom and dad brought food to church for my birthday so I could celebrate my birthday with the young people. My parents hears the believers pray for me and sing to God.
In December 2018 they attended my brother’s graduation from the English course he had taken at Emanuel Church and their hearts were touched. They came again to church for Christmas and then allowed me to get baptized. The Lord is guiding me, He speaks to me and strengthens me in difficult situations.”
Maria (21):
“I went to the church for the first time as a child. I have 9 siblings and we had a hard life with poverty and drunkenness. But we were brought to faith in spite of all the hardships. I came to Emanuel Church and I am so glad that I met a brother, who led me to the Lord. The youth group also helped me grow in faith. I have the gift of serving and this is why I help Svetlana, whose husband died some time ago. I help her with the kids.”
Gheorghe (23):
“I attended the children’s camp for seven years in a row. I repented many times without really understanding what I was doing. Then I got a job in Denmark. I had a good income, but I also spent a lot of money on games. I felt like a slave, but I prayed to the Lord and there were also other people who prayed for me and the Lord set me free. I repented and decided to follow the Lord. Then I came back home and went to Emanuel Church. Brother Anatol took care of me and helped me grow in the Word through Bible study. He invited me to his place several times and we had meal together. I also worked with him and was glad to see that they are there for me. My parents do not agree with my baptism, but I have decided to get baptized. On March 4th, I will go the mission school. I want to grow in faith and to serve the Lord.”
Don is serving as the HeartCry Coordinator for Eastern Europe. As an itinerant evangelist, his pulpit ministry is directed toward preaching on the inner life of the believer and the spiritual need of the lost. With HeartCry, his ministry includes organizing Bible conferences and corresponding with the HeartCry missionaries in Europe. He and his lovely wife Cindy live in Tuscumbia, AL.
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