L E T T E R S F R O M R O M A N I A When you choose to follow God, you don’t always get to know ahead of time where He’s leading. At times He just asks you to step out in faith and trust Him. The first week of July I found myself a few hours away serving alongside a team from America. This team came f rom Wi l l i am Jes sup University in California. I wasn’t anticipating being able to spend so much time with the team. In the end, it was a blessing to serve alongside them. I was encouraged in my language skil ls while helping translate conversationally. I was encouraged in my call to serve in Romania when God used these brothers and

sisters in Christ to speak His truth over my life and ministry. While singing kid-songs and playing duck-duck-goose on more than a few lumpy lawns I was encouraged in my love for the children and families of Roma villages. It’s beautiful how God meets even my unrealized needs. My faithful Father was supplying my needs before I had even uttered a request. What a wonderful Father I follow! I had about a week of “normal” life before I left town again. This time I was headed across Romania to Brasov with my roommate. Meggan. We headed out to stay with a family we only knew

through Facebook and mutual friends. Arriving in beautiful, historic Brasov tired from two longs bus rides, we anticipated staying 4 to 7 days. We stepped out of the car at the Opris home (which is also being developing into a children’s home) and found ourselves in a beautiful valley encircled with mountains. E lv i s & Kat ie are a Romanian/American couple who have two children: Adrielle (2yrs) & Elias (10 months). Elvis grew up in a small town near Brasov and his family has been involved in the construction of this children’s home from its inception. We quickly jumped in helping around the house and with the kids, wanting to be a blessing and not a burden. Only a couple days after our arrival, Elvis’ grandmother passed away. Funerals in sma l l town Romania a re much different than American funerals. The family has much more responsibility and involvement. We quickly realized God had orchestrated our presence to help out during this stressful and emotional time. Meggan and I realized the more we got to know this family, that God had brought us to Brasov to encourage and bless them. We quickly realized this trip was about us serving however God asked. Our activities were varied: cooking, washing dishes, hosting a family reunion, sorting and organizing mountains of donated clothing, impromptu worship, dirty diapers, board games, putting babies to sleep, having meaningful conversations, & true fel lowship time. Of course,

a l l y s s a k a u f m a n n | j u l y 2 0 1 3

Loving on this little guy

was so much fun!

E L I A S O P R I S

through it all we were blessed and encouraged as well.After a week we stopped to pray about going home. God urged us to serve where we were and not be in a hurry to rush home. So, we stayed two weeks. A week later, we were looking at train tickets to head home, we prayed again. God, once again, asked us to keep serving and go to a camp where Elvis was teaching that week. We later found out the camp director could not come to the camp because his young daughter was in the hospital. God knew they needed extra help at the camp. I’m so thankful that we stopped to listen to His direction. We finally made it home after 3 weeks and a 13.5 hour train ride! After all of the craziness and uncertainties, there is one constant: our Father’s guidance. I’m so grateful to serve a Father who is actively involved in His children’s lives. Our Savior does not forsake us. He knows our needs before we do. He has purposes beyond our understanding or knowledge. We serve a mighty and mysterious Lord and Savior! Looking forward to where He will lead next!

A Note From The PresidentDear Friend of the Great Commission, Last month, we listed the first 3 of our 7 Core Values. This month, we’ll finish the list. You’ll recall that we embrace these values not only because we believe in them, but also because they help us serve more effectively in unity: 4) Teams - Hey, it’s our name. Jesus started it (sending the disciples out two by two ) . We st i l l be l ieve i t ’s the best way. 5 ) Accountability - Paul reported back to Antioch. WE report back to all supporters monthly about goals, time and money. 6) Coaching - We’re like a sports team that believes we’ll do better if someone holds our feet to the fire and constantly helps us improve, so we seek coaching, and seek to be coached. 7) Church-planting - Unless our work replicates the Body of Christ, we believe we’ve fallen short. Thanks for partnering with us in these passions!

Doug Lucas, President of Team Expansion

Get In TouchStr. Nucetului Nr. 16 Bl. C1 Apt. 20

Oradea, Bihor, Romania 410491

akaufmann@teamexpansion.org

Blog: justbeforesunrise.blogspot.com

Balance July 1, 2012-$15,476.55July Receipts---------$2,877.00July Expenses---------$1,435.79•Housing----------------$346.43•Phone---------------------$8.29•Retirement-----------$100.00•Social Security--------$185.00•Medical Ins.----------$150.00•Transportation--------$47.08•Ministry expenses----$23.46•Language learning-----$7.40•Salary/personal-------$468.13•Mission share--------$100.00Balance July 31, 2013 -$16,917.76

June Receipts•Individuals--------------$977•Churches-------------$1,900

•First Christian Church•Westview Community Church•Oakley Christian Church

If you’d like to support my ministry in Romania here’s how: Make checks payable to “Team Expansion” & send to:

Team Expansionc/o A!yn & Lori Kaufmann418 W. 16th St. Concordia, KS 66901

Be sure not to write my name anywhere on the check to ensure it can be filed as tax deductible.

Monthly Financial Recap