A Report From James Hamilton

home - church directory - correspondence courses - biblical studies - gospel meetings

A Report From James Hamilton

November & December 2004

James Hamilton

Str. Siretului, Nr. 42 Constanta - 900675 Romania Europa

jhhamilton2001@yahoo.com 011 40 241 665 835

ANOTHER YEAR

We are happy to for the year that God has given us. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. To Him be the thanks and the glory. We are also thankful to have the experience of seeing God's power work in our lives.

As we reflect back on this past year, we rejoice for the good that was done and the growth that we saw in some individuals. We also recognize that we failed to use some opportunities that were offered to us and made our share of mistakes. We ask for the Lord's forgiveness for these things and resolve to work more wisely and diligently for His glory.

One of the Lord's major avenues of blessing for us is the fellowship we have with you, His wonderful children. He loves you dearly, and we do, too. Thank you for the prayers, support, encouragement, and good examples you provide according to His will. He strengthens us through you; without you, it would not be possible for us to do what we do in Eastern Europe.

CONSTANTA

We begin the year 2005 with the expectation that it will better than the year 2004. We only baptized two last year. Eugen is still suffering from sclerosis of the liver as a consequence of hepatitis in 2003, so he does not come to services very often. He is also discouraged because of his condition. Please be mindful of him in prayers. Ovidiu, our newest brother, has been good about attending on Sundays but rarely comes to the midweek study. We have extra studies whenever we can. Ovidiu's older brother Doru has grown tremendously in the last two years. He is currently working in the Bahamas. He is making an effort to persuade fallen members to return in spite of the long distance between him and them. We are still working and seeing slow but steady progress in Iulian. I especially appreciate the prayers he leads for us from time to time.

We had to discipline several this past year. Florin has expressed an interest in returning. We have made it clear that some issues need to be resolved but that we are willing to receive him back. We are continually praying and working to win back several who have left us (James 5:19-20).

Some of the younger Christians have been good about trying to teach others. I had a couple of discussions with one contact made by them, and he is close to making a full commitment to the Lord. I also had several discussions with Bogdan and with Maricica.

Most of this activity has been during November and one week in December. Because of my operation, I did no work until near the end of the year. We have enjoyed a lot of positive activity since we met on the last Thursday evening of the year. We discussed plans for the year 2005, including evangelistic efforts, repairing songbooks, and a weekly men's training session and discussions. The following evening, we had a get-together to welcome in the new year. The beginning of this year was also wonderful, with members more enthused and active. Buddy Payne was very encouraging in the short time he was here. Though his stay was very brief, he accomplished much in helping with advice and encouragement to help us solve a couple of serious problems. He was also very effective in encouraging everyone to follow the Lord more closely.

BRIEF TRIP TO HUNGARY

My family and I were feeling the need for some American fellowship, so we used the occasion of Thanksgiving week to take a trip to Budapest, Hungary to spend time with the fine people there--Mike Thomley and the Bill Bynum family. Nancy Bynum was very hospitable, working hard to prepare several meals for us in addition to Thanksgiving dinner. She is also a very good tour guide. Mike was very generous in providing lodging for us (he is a good tour guide, too). We were also blessed with the presence of the Fred Newman family from Bratislava, Slovakia on Thanksgiving Day. I enjoyed visiting with Bill, Mike, and Fred to gain insight on conditions in other countries and what they are doing to reach others.

MY OPERATION

I had plans to visit brethren in other cities in Romania, but I had to postpone my plans because of an emergency operation. I do not need to go into details, but I was told that my situation was more serious than an appendix bursting. I was in the hospital for slightly more than a week. I feel much better now, but I have been told to be very careful not to exert myself.

Ronnie also had his left big toe worked on by Dr. Tanase, a friend of Iota, around the same time; so Ellen was very busy taking care of Ronnie at home and coming to the hospital at least every day, sometimes twice a day. She and Ronnie (who is doing very well) will literally share the burden that I cannot carry for the present time.

As I spent much time alone in the hospital (now I know why we are called "patients"), I had the chance to reflect on many things. First and foremost, I examined my life to determine what physical and spiritual changes I needed to make.

I also looked at my ordeal as an opportunity for the church to realize its need to become more responsible for itself. The Christians in Constanta need to realize that I may not be able to do as much or that I may not be able to stay in Constanta indefinitely.

My admiration for God's power to heal intensified. I rejoiced in the smallest steps of recovery and appreciated being able to perform simple tasks such as: breathing, sitting up, standing, walking, eating solid food, etc. Psalm 139 was the first lesson I preached when I had the chance. I am convinced that I healed just as well in Romania as I would have in America, because of your prayers of faith in God's power.

FELLOW WORKERS

Buddy Payne's surprise visit was a blessing for all of us. We are looking forward to July when he will return, if the Lord wills. We are also anticipating Brent Forsyth's return visit in April. We are planning for someone else to be in Constanta in my absence in May, and we hope to have those plans confirmed soon.

I was thankful to meet other American brethren living tong-term in central Europe last year: Steven Baxley, Bill Bynum, Mike Morrow, Fred Newman, and Mike Thomley. I appreciate the investment they have made for the furtherance of the gospel in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and trips to other countries.

I am thankful for fellow workers who are partners with my labors in Eastern Europe. Thoughtful brethren have considered the significant decline of the U.S. dollar's value; and the church in Trenton, FL increased their monthly support, and the church meeting on Prince St. in Conway, AR gave one-time help in addition to their monthly support. Titusville, FL also sent one-time help without being solicited in any way. One brother, Billy Ray Ford, sent one-time help to alleviate the burden of cost of my operation. It is obvious that the Lord is working through such fine brethren as all those who share in supporting my work (the Fairview Park and W. 65th St. churches in Little Rock, AR; Southwest in Lakeland, FL; Woodland Hills in Nashville, TN).

I am thankful to those of you who sent notes of encouragement and those who are "laboring fervently" in prayer for us (Colossians 4:12). This makes you are fellow workers in another sense. Thank you for your special prayers concerning my health.

If the Lord wills, we will make a trip to the States in the spring. Rena is planning to get married on May 14. We would like to be there for her. Another important part of the trip will be to visit my parents. Neither are as healthy as they used to be, and they haven't been able to go to church for about a year. I also need to see churches that support me but couldn't visit last year (Trenton, FL and Spring Warrior in Perry, FL), and I will try to see as many of you as I can.

In the meantime, may the Lord bless you in this new year to be more productive in His work, more loving to His children more merciful to the needy, and closer to Him.

James Hamilton

Str. Siretului, Nr. 42

Constanta -- 900675

Romania

Europa

001 40 241 665 835

jhhamilton2001@yahoo.com