Trek to Romania

Dear Team,

The trek to Romania was short but crucial. I had previously announced that henceforth all my East European trips would be from Africa, because it’s in the same time zone. When we returned to Arizona for the summer I found it urgent to make this trip – pronto. A large amount of designated funds had come and were desperately needed – now. It also provided an opportunity to travel with Steve and introduce him as ITMI’s new Director.

ITMI’s Dr. Adrian Ban is the assistant to the rector (Dr. Paul Negrut) of the Emanuel University of Oradea, the largest Christian school in Europe, East or West. The campus is dominated by a huge 6–floor red brick building with classrooms, a dormitory and library facilities. A Chapel with seats for 600 and a dining hall complete the campus. Adi helped to plan our itinerary, organize an interpreter and arrange hospitality. (He needs a car!)

Our room at EUO was on the third floor, up 60 steps! How fortunate I was to have a strong young man traveling with me who offered to carry my bag. He didn’t just ‘offer’ he actually seized it from my withered old hands. He claimed it “balanced” him. Well that was fine, because I’ve been concerned that he might be a bit un–balanced ever since he joined the ITMI team! J As I watched him trudge the sixty marbled stairs with his own big, over–stuffed canvas bag in his left hand and my small, compact carry–on in his right hand, plus his own huge back–pack with computer, GPS and a dozen other electronic and digital wonders crammed inside plus his over–sized camera case, I thought to myself: “I’ve gotta teach this kid how to pack.”

The trip was blessed; precious souls came to Christ through the preaching of His Word, urgently needed funds were safely delivered and Steve endeared himself to everyone, dispelling any doubts about future leadership of the Mission.

I had scheduled one day out of this trip for some much needed R&R. Leaving Romania we headed west for Mondsee, in the lake district of Austria – near Salzburg. Our granddaughter Lenora lives there with Alois Gaderer, her husband (I spoke at their wedding in October). They are expecting their first child in late August. Harriett and I will be great–grandparents! We crossed into Austria and suddenly Steve was ‘tired.’ “Would you mind driving?” he asked wearily. Is the Pope Catholic?

Once on the autobahn he dropped off into dreamland while I set a determined pace. Little did I know that the GPS he had installed on the dashboard was tracking my every move. That little tattletale even records top speeds reached. Later on when he checked up on me, his jaw dropped and he mumbled something about, “I’m gonna show this to Andy!” – (his son). O well, be sure your speeds will find you out.

The large 4–story alpine farmhouse has been in the Gaderer family since 1492 – yes, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue! Debbie and Hans joined us from Salzburg, as did Wendy and Andreas. It was a great place for our one–day R&R and to visit with my Austrian family again.

Other news: ITMI’s Charl van Wyk, survivor of the St. James massacre and author of Shooting Back will be in the US later this month. He has some free dates. Contact Kristi at ITMI. Alicia van Huyssteen from South Africa is helping in the ITMI office and at KFLR Christian radio in Phoenix during her summer break from Moody Bible Institute.

Deeply grateful for your continued prayers, I remain,

Yours in His grip,




Bill Bathman