THANKS.

This month, we would like to thank all who have supported in any way over the past year. For financial, practical and moral support we really do appreciate you all.

A recent donation to J.A.R.S.' funds came from Hill Lane Baptist Church, Burnley - the proceeds of a collection at their recent Harvest service. Thank you, Hill Lane, for this and all your help and support over many years.

We also want to thank our fellow-workers who are back in the U.K. praying and backing us up. J.A.R.S.' trustees, David Grieve, Marian Forbes and Bernard Mugwendere are much appreciated for all they do for us and for J.A.R.S. Ruth Ollerton, who prints out and distributes the bi-monthly newsletter, also labours hard and long to do so, and gives the costs involved as her contribution to J.A.R.S. A mention must also be made of Paul Dixon who stepped into the breach again to organise the printing and postage of the last issue of J.A.R.S.news, and he, too, gave the costs as a gift - thanks so much.

BLIGHTY, HERE WE COME!

In a very short time, we shall be travelling to the U.K. to enable us to update all our supporters on news of our ministry and lives here in Romania. Our diary is fuller than ever, and we expect to be "on tour" for around four weeks, as well as several shorter excursions to places nearer "home". You can download a copy of our itinerary here, and we ask your prayers as we trust God for His travelling mercies and indwelling during our two-month, busy schedule. Please also pray with us for the provision of finance for this trip; last year's total was around £3,000, which we don't have - we ask the Lord to supply our needs.

OUR SARA.

Little Sara, the youngest daughter of Coca and Dragomir, a couple who attend the Gypsy Church, has recently undergone two operations to correct a hare lip and cleft palate. The family's thanks go to all who prayed for her, and those who gave financial gifts to help cover the costs of the operations which took place this autumn. In total, J.A.R.S.' supporters have so far given £750 towards the costs involved in Sara's treatment, for which we and the family thank you all.

Sara's dedication service.

A further operation will be necessary on Sara's gums when she is a bit older, to prevent her teeth growing crookedly, so your prayers and gifts are still very welcome. Any monies sent towards this appeal will be kept separately and given to the family when the time comes for the next and hopefully final operation.

GYSPY CHURCH.

Things continue to go well, both generally and as regards our weekly "home group" meeting. This is very well-received, and those who attend (varying between ten and thirty adults) seem to listen to the talks given by Ian and translated by Sue. We always spend some time after the meetings with juice and biscuits or cakes, quite a radical idea in Romania, which gives time to chat together and get to know one another better.

Several dedication services have taken place throughout this last year - babies are not in short supply in Voievoideasa! - one of the most recent being that of Sara, mentioned above. It is good that many families see fit to bring their children to the church for this blessing service, and as a church we endeavour to keep in touch afterwards with those who don't attend regularly.

After one dedication service when a meal was served to those who attended, the village children were invited to eat after the more formal meal was finished. These children rushed into the hall and immediately started to eat - not only the piles of food from the serving dishes, but straight from plates on which people had left leftovers. Rather shocking, but I'm sure we would do the same if we were starving......

Sara's cousin David's dedication service.

A recent innovation was a joint service held locally, where five Baptist churches met together for a Harvest celebration. We were also joined by some Pentecostals and even an Orthodox couple who have been attending the Baptist church in Bilca. It was a great time, with people from all the fellowships taking part with songs and poems, and ended with the produce from the display being eaten by any who wanted to do so!! Vladimir was key in working with the other pastors on the arrangements for this event, and everyone agreed that we should do this kind of thing more often.

God has been speaking to us about doing something with the young people who attend the church, many of whom came through the summer camps we did several years ago for the then children. This idea was confirmed when one of the young ladies asked if we would do a camp for them all, and when questioned further, her first "need" was Bible study! We hope to manage at least one event in this vein before we leave for Blighty in mid-December, preferably a day when we provide a mix of singing, drama, Bible discussion and even a few games (these people are, after all, only aged from fourteen up to early twenties, despite many being married with children!), which will hopefully set the scene for more regular meetings next year, possibly starting with an Alpha course for the first ten weeks or so.

Please continue to pray for the Church, and for our involvement, that God will use us to teach, love and enlighten these dear brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever their age.

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.

Back in May when we last visited Colegiul Richard Wurmbrand in Iasi, Ian felt led to offer his services in obtaining and installing more up-to-date computer equipment in the School's computer room. Although there are about thirty machines already in place, most of them are very out-dated and we immediately put out an appeal for used machines and other equipment. At around the end of September, we heard from a Dutch Christian group who, amongst other things, supply computer equipment for Christian organisations, and we are currently in negotiation with this charity and the School to establish what is needed and costs, etc. J.A.R.S. will hopefully be able to finance this endeavour, although due to the timescale, we expect that the actually installation will take place next spring, after we return from our U.K. visit. We thank God for the offer we have received from the Dutch organisation, and for this opportunity to serve Him in Iasi, alongside the School, one of J.A.R.S.' long-standing connections.

Further School news will be sent in the form of their latest newsletters to those who support the School specifically each month.

ENGLISH CLASSES GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

Sue started teaching again at the beginning of October, and now has four classes each week, from Beginners to Advanced; as well as the time spent teaching, quite a few hours each week are taken up with preparation, but, to her great surprise, Sue enjoys every minute, and is very encouraged to see her pupils' progress. Over the years - and recently - she has had many opportunities to share her faith with various students, and we ask your prayers that this will continue as she gets closer to the young people and adults who come to classes week by week.

Sue teaching some of her students.

HANNAH CHRISTMAS PARCELS.

J.A.R.S. has once again given a donation towards the annual Christmas parcels distributed by Hannah to needy families and local institutions, including an old folks' home and a special school. £300 was given to help with these well-received gifts.

CALENDARS.

Also in connection with the above, we have recently received this year's quota of calendars bearing Bible texts, produced by the Trinitarian Bible Society. Each year, we order the necessary number of calendars, printed in Romanian, and J.A.R.S. sends a donation to cover costs. The calendars are then distributed, partly through the Hannah parcels, but also to neighbours, friends and villagers of Voievoideasa, supplying a whole year's worth of silent witness in the form of a text for each month on the walls of the various homes who receive them.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.

It remains for us to send you our sincere love and greetings for Christmas and the New Year. We hope to see many of you during our "grand tour" of England, and do be assured of our heartfelt gratitude for your support, love and prayers at all times.

Our next missive will be a three-month edition, sent out in March, due to our visit to Blighty over the winter months, hopefully with news of our ongoing ministry both here and there.

2011 IN PICTURES.

Helping a team in Oradea.	Some of the kids at the Gypsy Church.
At the Christian school.
The English weekend.	Holiday club in Suceava.