Fearless men and women

Dear Team,

It was like a family reunion, meeting Dr. Nick Gheorghita in Wheaton for his 70th birthday last month. While in Romania in the mid-'80s, Dr. Nick's brother-in-law, Dr. Nelu Dan, gathered the entire Dan family together and had a little ceremony in which they informally incorporated Harriett and me into the Dan family. As a result, I have a Romanian name: Vasile (William) Dan! It was very moving; we will never forget it.

Dr. Nick married Cornelia Dan, daughter of Reverend Ion Dan, one of Romania's great giants of the faith and an uncompromising preacher of the Word. Pastor and Mrs. Dan had six children, all of whom are in some professional career.

There are endless stories about Reverend Dan. We heard a new one from Dr. Nick. Pastor Dan was going to baptize about 60 new converts in the river. He did not have permission from the communist government and unauthorized baptisms were strictly forbidden. When the day arrived, the candidates for baptism - all dressed in white - came out of the Church and started down toward the river. The police and soldiers were there to stop them. Pastor Dan noticed that the Army band was there too. He asked the bandleader to please play the National Anthem, which of course he could not refuse. The soldiers and police immediately came to attention and stood ramrod straight while the band played the anthem several times through until every applicant had been baptized.

This is the caliber of people I have traditionally worked with over the years. I have met them on three continents. Fearless men and women of God who care not for their own comfort or pleasure, but seek to serve (and sometimes die for) our risen Savior. It is my heart's desire to put you 'in touch' with some of these saints.

Across the years it has been ITMI's policy to facilitate the work of national Christians in reaching their fellow countrymen for Christ. We believed it is the most cost-effective method of missionary outreach. Nationals already know the language and culture of the people among whom they live. Their testimonies are personal; their changed lives are a confirmation of God's power. People see their faith in action.

We have seen your faith in action this last month! You have responded generously to our appeal for emergency funds. Your gifts helped to pull ITMI out of a financial nose-dive. We're still skimming the treetops, but have avoided a crash. Hang in there with us!

Several of you have asked about the ITMI vehicle confiscated in Sudan by the SPLA. To date we've had no response to our repeated requests for its return. Stay tuned.

Dr. Adrian Ban, a Romanian citizen (Dr. Nick's son-in-law) traveled with Steve Evers and me to visit some ITMI supporting churches in Michigan last month. Adrian's ministry in Romania is vital as well as fruitful, but is seriously restricted for lack of a car. If you are able to help, please contact ITMI or designate a gift - a van for Ban!

South African student Alicia van Huyssteen, heads back to Moody Bible Institute later this month. She has been a blessing to everyone she's met here in Arizona. At this writing she has $1,600 toward the $4,138 needed for her next semester's room and board at MBI.

Thank you for standing with ITMI in prayer and practical support as we continue to serve those who serve Jesus Christ in restricted-access countries.

Yours in His grip,




Bill Bathman