Dear Friends of Eastern Europe Renewal:

It hasn't been very long since I wrote but it has been an active time.

The week in England I mentioned last time was full and good. I gave a lecture on "Manners" at L'Abri for the second time, preached in the International Presbyterian Church and filled in a little in the L'Abri community. A friend drove me up to Cambridge to give a lecture on Epistemology in the Round Church, which was completed in 1180. It was something of a thrill as an American to stand in the rotunda of this ancient Church and lecture. A house group of a Church near L'Abri asked me to be at one of their evening meetings at which they would invite their non-Christian contacts for a meal. This was an amazingly intense and positive experience that people would like to repeat.

ROMANIA - Vlad, Eliza, Lavinia, Nicolai, Lidia, Tudor, CyprianVio and Ovidiu are perhaps unfamiliar names to most of you. They have become familiar and precious to me during my 2 weeks in Romania. I could teach in 2 YWAM schools in Cluj Napoka and Iasi. The school in Cluj had its evening lectures publicly in a downtown Church. They expected 40 people for 4 nights but we had 100 people for 5 nights. It was an exciting a draining trip, including an all night train ride and other adventures. Thank you for praying for my work. I believe God is using it here and there. We will eventually see more.

In the Lausanne Church we have finished the series of sermons on Galatians, which was an adventure. Now we are beginning possibily a greater adventure with the Sermon on the Mount. Yesterday I followed Paul's advice to Timothy; "...devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture" and read the entire sermon to the congregation. That had a powerful impact. Then I gave an overview of the various ways the sermon has been read over the centuries. Next time we will start some more detailed study.

Some years ago Mary had some incorrect advice about Swiss government subsidies for retired people. Due to some miscalculations/misunderstandings, we suddenly need to pay the government $32,000. By God's Grace we have some savings and are able to do this. The effect of this on us has been suprisingly non-depressing. It moves us closer to God in trust and dependence. God has been very gracious to us over many years and we believe He will continue to provide. If you mention this situation to Him, we will be glad. For our part we are planning to sell or give away our car. This will make life a bit less convenient but Swiss public transportation will make life possible. We will also look into having a cheaper level of health insurance coverage.

Today I will fly to Bulgaria to give some lectures in Burgas and Varna on the Black Sea. These are famous riviera resort towns but I will probably not lie on the beach in this season. Thank you for praying for this trip - for safe travel in winter conditions and for effective teaching and the capacity to love the people I meet.

God bless and keep all of you as we move through the Advent season. May God prepare all of us for receiving Jesus.

Yours in Christ,

Ellis

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Copyright © 2010 Ellis Potter.