August 2004      November/December 2004

A Report From James Hamilton

September & October 2004

James Hamilton

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

jhhamilton2001@yahoo.com     011 40 241 665 835

WE ARE THANKFUL

In this month of thanksgiving, we count our blessings from our great and kind Lord. Romania has been blessed
with ideal weather this entire year, resulting in record abundance of crops. Romania is also blessed with a stable government and political system that allows us to be here and work in the name of the Lord.
Romanian elections are later this month; please pray for the voters to use wisdom in selecting the best
leaders to cultivate an environment for preaching the Word and increasing God's kingdom.

More importantly, we have been blessed beyond measure with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Eph.
1:3). God has shown us mercy and grace in many ways, especially through the forgiveness of our many sins.
He has proven His love for us beyond all doubt by giving His Son to die for us. We have a true purpose
for living and the joy that comes by fulfilling that purpose. Citizenship in His kingdom is a great
privilege, as is His love for us and our acceptance into His family. The association we enjoy strengthens
us. Thank you for the fellowship we have in His work. The greatest blessing is to know the Lord, and we want
everyone else to know Him, too.

CONSTANTA

Things are progressing rather slowly in Constanta. After the dispute between a couple of the members
during Bible class a while back, one lady stopped attending for a month, and another stopped for nearly
two months. After working to talking to each one individually and then arranging for one to make an
apologetic statement to the other, another argument started. Eventually, one did humble herself and asked
for the others' forgiveness. At this point, we all considered the problem resolved. However, at this
time, the one who asked for forgiveness has not come for nearly a month.

Another member who has not been present for a while is Madalina. Since her teaching job started again in
mid-September, she has not attended services. We, especially Ellen, have put much time and effort into
encouraging and admonishing her. We are also concerned about Vali. He has been one of the strongest members through the years (though he did fall away for a brief period from December 2002 until March 2003). Vali has been busy with work out of town, and he assures us that nothing else is wrong. However,
we know that the command to assemble is for our spiritual welfare; a person misses the encouragement
that God knows is necessary for us, even if he has a compelling reason to be absent.

Ioan and Eugen are two others who are weak and in need of our prayers. Eugen is unable to be out and about
because of his physical condition. However, his lack of attendance has a spiritual effect. He is very discouraged. Ioan attends services, but not as faithfully as he could and should. On the other hand, Ovidiu and Iulian are doing well. Ovidiu has been very busy with work, but he has made a great effort to attend faithfully. I have also had extra studies from the book of Proverbs with him. Iulian has been acting much more responsibly in the last three months. We rejoice to see the clear improvement in both of these young men.
I have been studying with several members as well as holding some studies with those who are not members.
Our contact with Bogdan was recently renewed, and this may open the door to study with others. Maricica has
been distracted by various problems recently, but she doesn't seem to be as closed-minded as she had been.

Our plans for the near future include starting another special evangelism effort, putting out the next issue
of the paper, and working on our songbooks.

PIATRA NEAMT

It had been a long time since I had the chance to visit the Rusu family in Piatra Neamt. Before meeting
them, I looked up Cornel, who had returned from Italy. Based on what Cornel told me, his time in Italy was
not good for him spiritually or physically. I talked with him a while and then took him to the Rusus'
house. Sister Rusu returned after realizing the folly she had been involved in another town. She has not
fully repented of her unfaithfulness to the Lord, but her attitude is much better than it has been in a long
time. We had a study, and then Cornel had to leave. I pray that Cornel will return to the Lord and then help
the Rusu family to grow spiritually, too.

DROBETA TURNU SEVERIN

After a wonderful meeting in June, I felt it would be important and useful to continue to build up the
brethren in Mehidinti County, especially the men who are active in the Lord's service. There is already a
strong nucleus in Drobeta Turnu Severin. The men have a weekly study on Thursdays, but they accommodated my schedule and met on Tuesday. I used Hebrews 7 as a guide on how to study the Bible. The men seemed to enjoy it and learn from this biblical example of Bible study. I stayed with Ion Corlan on this trip, and it was a joy to get to know him better.

TIMISOARA

Nelu Stanciulescu is one of the men from Turnu Severin, but he now lives in Timisoara to work as an
evangelist. Nelu drove Ion and me to Timsoara from Turnu Severin. We met with the men who usually meet on
Wednesday mornings for Bible study and singing. I gave the same lesson from Hebrews 7 and took various
questions. That evening there was a good crowd of the whole church assembled for Bible study. I used this
trip as an occasion to give the next issue of our paper for individual edification and study.

FELLOW WORKERS

It has been ten years since I have started sending this report. Much has changed over these years. I appreciate all those who are, and have been, fellow workers in this part of God's field. Thanks to God for
those of you who labor fervently in your prayers for us. Thanks be to Him for those of you who support us
so we can live here and work full-time. And thanks to Him for all the strength and encouragement He provides
through you. May He abundantly bless you!

James Hamilton

Str. Siretului, Nr. 42
Constanta 900675
Romania
Europa
011 40 241 665 835
jhhamilton2001@yahoo.com