Sponsored by the
Berea Baptist Church
P.O. Box 39
Mantachie, MS 38855
Milburn Cockrell, pastor

Report for February and March, 1999

Monday, April 12, 1999

Dear Pastors and Churches:

Warmest greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! My prayer is that this letter finds each of you doing well in every way.

February and March were busy and blessed months for Janet and me! Not only was I privileged to preach in several Churches during these months, I was also able to make my long-desired trip to Romania.

In March I preached to the LaGrange Baptist Church in Titusville, FL where Bro. David Humphreys is pastor and also to the Landmark Baptist Church in Archer, FL. The pastor there is Bro. Greg Wilson. Then it was on to Pensacola, FL and the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church where Bro. Tom Horn is pastor. Next I preached to the Grace Bible Baptist Church in Denham Springs, LA where Bro. Jerry Dodson is the pastor. The 14th of Feb. I preached to the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church of Mansfield, TX which is pastored by Bro. KeIley Hinson. Then I preached to the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church of Silisbee, TX. where Bro. Walter Herin is pastor. Next was Bethel Baptist Church in Pasadena, TX where Bro. Bill Langford is pastor.

Leaving Janet with her parents, I flew from Little Rock, AR on March 22nd and landed in Timisoara, Romania on the 23rd. (Had stops in Atlanta, GA and Vienna, Austria). God opened many doors - so that we stand in wonder and praise to Him for His grace! I was in the country of Romania for 14 days and privileged to teach one new converts' class on the subject "The Church". I was also privileged to preach 9 times in 5 different Baptist Churches while there. I preached in Berzovia, Vermes, Bocsa Montana, Bocsa Romana, and Lugoj. The attendance varied in the places I preached. The smallest group was more than 60 persons while the largest was more than 850. My preaching was well received and those Baptists among whom I moved have volunteered to do the necessary paperwork to get Janet and me into the country. (Legally, to live and preach in Romania one must secure permission. This is granted when some lawful religious group requests permission from the government.).

I cannot tell you what effect this 2 weeks in Romania had on me, but I know I will never be the same. The Baptist Christians there must be among the most loving and giving people on the earth! I was welcomed into their homes and cared for as if I had been an apostle of Christ. The Baptists whom I met there pray more, sing more, laugh more, and have less than any people I ever saw! They are excited about Janet and me moving to Romania and we are excited at the prospect of living and laboring among them.

After looking at many apartments in Timisoara (all too small for a literature ministry), I was able by the grace and mercy of God to rent a large house from a Baptist pastor for a very reasonable price. In our last report I told of the great opportunity we have before us to distribute literally thousands of Gospel booklets which will be supplied to us at no cost. Of course, such a ministry as this requires useable space for storage, sorting, re-packaging, etc. How great God is to provide this large house for us to use. It is located in the village of Berzovia (bear zoh vee ah) -mid way between Timisoara (350 - 400 thousand people) and several sizeable cities of 100 thousand or more. Berzovia is located in a fertile farming area filled with villages and small towns. I am told there are hundreds of villages and towns without Baptist Churches in this part of Romania.

After 14 days in the country of Romania, I returned to the United States on the 11th of March. I shall never be the same, having met the Baptist people of this part of Romania. Back in the States, I preached to the Portland Missionary Baptist Church of Plumerville, AR where Bro. Lindy Davis is pastor. Next I preached to the Elm Grove Baptist Church near Stilwell, OK where Bro. J.W. Gatewood is pastor. Then it was on to the Grace Baptist Church of Claremore, OK where Bro. Roger Doeher is pastor. Next I preached to the Grace Missionary Baptist Church of Kirksville, MO where Bro. Richard Turner is pastor. The last place I preached during March was to the Berea Baptist Church of Stonington, IL where Bro. Lyle Thomas pastors.

In a separate letter included with this report I have given information concerning our change of Church member thip. At this time we do not know whether or not our Romanian mission funds on hand in our former Church will be forwarded to us or not. We ask for your prayers concerning the funds needed for us to move and set up housekeeping. God is able, and has already begun to supply some funds.

Our Romanian landlord is going to furnish the living room, one bedroom and the kitchen with used but serviceable furniture so that the house will be useable upon our arrival in Romania. However, we will need a few dishes, pots and pans, etc. It would also be good if Janet had a washing machine (there are no dryers in Romania as far as I can tell!) Our landlord has purchased a small Romanian-built refrigerator. We will need to raise a sizeable vegetable garden and preserve whatever fruits and vegetables we raise if we are to have such things during the Winter and Spring. (I know of no food freezers in Romania!) In order to do this canning we must purchase jars and the necessary supplies and equipment. We also expect to dry some things. We will also need to keep a few chickens both for meat and for eggs. We expect to purchase a hog on the hoof and butcher and salt it. We will need some kind of automobile as well, if we are to minister in the different towns and villages. It would also be a help to have an electric water heater for Summer time use. A laptop computer will be a necessary tool.

All these projects are before us - yet our priority is to master the Romanian language so that the Word of God can go forth. We hope to arrive in Romania on our target date of about the 20th of May and begin language study in the Summer program. I have an appointment to meet with some Romanian pastors on the 25th of May. These men will be involved in obtaining permission from the Romanian government for us to live and work in Romania. Please pray earnestly that God will enable us to keep to this schedule, according to His will.

Your prayers are also solicited for the peoples of eastern Europe. Daily news reports from that area tell of the suffering of many people there. At this time we do not know of danger in "our part" of Romania, although Berzovia is fairly close to the Yugoslav border. We THANK YOU for your prayers and support. YOUR FUTURE SUPPORT FUNDS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO THE BEREA BAPTIST CHURCH AND MAILED TO THE ADDRESS ON THE LETTERHEAD ABOVE. PLEASE WRITE ON EACH CHECK THAT THE FUNDS ARE FOR CURTIS PUGH OR THE ROMANIAN MISSION.

In the cause of God and truth,

Curtis Pugh