HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA! All members of the GCC teams have safely returned home and are celebrating our nation's birthday today. As travelers to other lands, we are mindful of the tremendous freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. These freedoms should not be taken for granted! We have all had the privilege of serving our Lord by going on this 6-week, around the world short term missions trip. We have gone to teach others about evangelism and discipleship, but in return we all learned valuable lessons from our hosts in the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar and Romania. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who traveled, and we have been richly blessed by it. We greatly appreciate all of the prayer and financial support of everyone. Thanks to all who have checked out our website. We hope you felt you were a participant in our trip, and that it was a blessing for you as well! Without your prayers, we could not have accomplished what we did. Last of all, PRAISE THE LORD for his mercy and grace!
Our last day in Romania was began with a visit to Nicolae Ceaucescu's castle. It is located in the center of Bucharest and is the second largest building in the world. To build it, 7000 houses, churches, monasteries and a hospital had to be...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today was the last Spiritual Boot Camp seminar and it was held in Sammy Mitrofan's hometown of Suceava. The seminar was well attended by the leadership of the church in addition to lay leaders. Sammy's cousin, Virgil Mitrofan, was also present. He...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today Pastor Groves, Sammy and Jody headed to Suceava from Cluj. The sights along the way were some of the most beautiful we've ever seen. God's handiwork is truly incredible! Please view the attached photo album and enjoy our trip with us! We...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Bethany Baptist Church in Cluj hosted the second Spiritual Boot Camp held in Cluj. Pastor Mitras Dumas coordinated the seminar, which was well received by those in attendance. At the conclusion of the seminar, Pastor Groves was interviewed by the...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today was a travel day for Pastor Groves, Sammy and Jody. It was a 2-hour drive and so it was an easy day. The fields are now being harvested of hay and are stacked in mounds on the field. Everything is very green here, as this region gets plenty...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today was the first Spiritual Boot Camp seminar at the Providence Baptist Church in Oradea. It is a beautiful, brand new church with a large auditorium and the latest technology. The group was near 50 in number and they were attentive and enjoyed...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today part of the team worshipped at the Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Bucharest. It is the church of our friend, Samuel Mitrofan, who did the translation for Pastor Groves as he gave the sermon message. Familiar hymns were heard in Romanian, and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today is our last day in Calarasi, Romania. The team visited with Pastor Brad Hayes, missionary of World Harvest Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He was hosting a group from WHC and they were conducting an outreach at a park just down the street...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Today the team spent time with Dan and Daniela Pierce of Bethany House Ministry in Calarasi, Romania. Bethany House is a home for orphaned children that has been in existance since the 1990's. The team visited 2 orphanages in Calarasi, and a...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
