Hello Friends,

Thank you for stopping by our blog!  We created this site when we first began our overseas mission to Romania in 2010 and you can find our adventures with God archived here.

God has since led us to be based in Austria, with a ministry focus within refugees and the international community of Vienna.

Please follow the links on the side-bar to learn more about us.  We would love to have you follow us and join our prayer and sending team!


If you would like to join our sending team, please click on the page to the right titled Support Information Page.


Thank you and may God bless you abundantly beyond what you need!

In Christ our Lord,

Jim and Brenda

Please follow the links below to read our recent updates! It is always a joy to share the how God is working…

Press on friends!  "Jesus is worth it!"



April Update: Without Faith, it is impossible…


Two testimonies we won't soon forget…


January 2014 Update Visa Campout!

Good News from Vienna!

Arriving by train at the Refuge Center

click here to read our Good News from Vienna, Austria update!

Moving to Vienna

Please click the link below to read our May 22, 2013 update!


Transition to Vienna, Austria

Change of Direction April 2013

Change of Direction  April 2013

March 2013 Prayer Requests

Tis the Season

Tis the Season.....

Please click here to see our travel plans and prayer requestsȘ
December 2012 Prayer Update

Praise the Lord for His work in Romania, and the surrounding Balkan countries.  Please click below to read the report and see pictures from this work.
November Newsletter

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Serve Romania Newsletter - July 2012

Sweet, sweet summertime!!  


As children growing up, it was always exciting for the school year to end and summer to begin.  It seemed like attitudes changed all around us as people took on more of a "vacation" outlook.  Even families like ours, without a lot of money, managed to do something more relaxed and fun.  (Camping, fishing and cousins come to mind!)  


In many ways, things are still the same.  We are thankful that here in Romania, summertime opens up opportunities for people to step back for a short time from their difficult lifestyles.  Many people are now în concediu (vacation) mode and either traveling or relaxing at home.


From the USA, it also opens up a time when people can devote their allotted concediu to a focused time of service to the Lord.  Mission teams are traveling all over the world, including Romania.  Since we know how short-term missions affected our lives, it is a special blessing that we can see God at work in the lives of those serving, as well as those being served.


If you'd like to see pictures of what's been going on in Romania and beyond for the past two months, please click each link below.  As they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words..."  

Here are the highlights of projects and activities since our last newsletter.  We have 

• Witnessed the baptism of two young friends at our church here in Timișoara
• Traveled to Cakovec, then Koprivnica, Croatia, along with a sweet couple from Denton who came to serve with us.  
• Returned home to re-pack, then traveled to Botașani, Romania, met and served with the Denton Bible Church medical teams.
• With a Women Serving God team, presented women's conferences in Suceava and Sibiu. 
• Proceeded to the Târgoviste area where we served with the Denton Bible Church evangelism team. We served mainly In the villages of Cozaci (Jim) and Odobești (Brenda). 
• Worked on the fun process of renewing our Romanian long-stay visa (still working... please pray!) 
• AND moved from our little apartment into a HOUSE! 

Click below to see the pictures!  And happy summer to you and "drum bun" if you are traveling! 

Abiding Always in Him,

Jim and Brenda

Evangelism Mission in Târgoviste area with DBC team

Medical and Evangelism Mission in Botașani and Suceava areas of Romania. Click to see pictures and information.

Click here to see more pictures from our time in Croatia - June 2012

More pictures from recent Women Serving God conferences

Mioveni, Romania

The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah."  And he brought him to Jesus.  Gospel of John 1:41-42

Sharing the Gospel 

near Mioveni, Romania

In late March, Jim served alongside Romanian Pastors and believers, sharing the gospel home to home.  Believers had been praying for their neighbors and families for over 6 months beforehand.  God heard their prayers and many professed faith in Christ as their Savior.

Click here to see more photos of
Sharing the gospel in villages near Moiveni

Denton Bible Missions leadership provide 
Pastor and Elder Training
Advanced BTCP and Man of God studies
Romania, Republic of Moldova, Serbia

A team from Denton Bible Missions leadership traveled here in March to provide training in expository preaching to Romanian BTCP graduates, as well as BTCP overview presentations in Moldova and Serbia.  BTCP-trained pastors from Romania are now involved in taking BTCP to Moldova! It is always amazing to see how God works throughout the world! 

View a slide show where 

Pastors/Elders from Romania, Moldova, and Serbia receive training  in expository preaching, BTCP (Bible Training Center for Pastors) and discipleship.

Across the pond and back again...

Read our praise report and update - March 2012

To see previous updates, go to Blog Archive in the right side bar.

Dumnezeu se te binecuvinteze!

Hello Texas!

Hello Texas!, a set on Flickr.

This is a few of the first pics we took with our family. More to come.....

December in Timisoara, Romania

blbrosch's photostream on Flickr.

Here's a sample of Christmas activities in and around Timisoara, Romania.

Merry Christmas.....from another planet

"from another planet" view the entire post here…or a short summary below ….He knows us and he knows our needs, even before we ask.  And He loves us so much that He gives, and gives and gives. My little friend, Petra, recently reminded me of this. She often treats me at church on Sunday morning by shyly coming over to sit with me. Then we try to converse, which is limited by my Romanian language skills. She usually tries out some English words she's learned,                                   which amounts to "yes," "good morning," and "thank you" and I ask her about her cat or eating pizza! But last Sunday, in the middle of a conversation about her cat (or so I thought), she burst out with "I LOVE YOU!" in English. I was surprised and happy and thankful all at the same time. I needed that sweet gesture and God used little Petra to bless me!  (God knows our needs even before we ask...) Later, as we enjoyed an outing with Petra's family,  her Mom shared that Petra recently inquired about me, "Is she visiting from another planet?"   Her Mom explained, "No, sweetie, not from another planet, from another country!"   I had to think that sometimes here in Romania, I feel like I could be from another planet. But for the most part, it is quite comfortable and peaceful to be here serving where God has placed me, even when I don't exactly  fit in.   The truth is, as believers, we are not "from here," wherever that may be. And our time on earth is short. "...our citizenship is in heaven - and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20  Hard concept to grasp but the truth remains. We pray that in this season, God grants you whatever you need, with extra blessings of peace, joy and comfort to you and your families. And may you in turn, be a blessing to others.   Always know that Christ came for US, eventually went to the cross for US, and will someday return for US!  And THAT is the Hope of Christmas. Note: This was written collaboratively and extended from the two of us, although the story is from Brenda's perspective. If you know Jim, you know that he is a man of many words when speaking about Jesus Christ, but a man of few words in writing.  :)   If he had prepared this post alone, he would have simply said,   "Merry Christmas!"

Sincerely,   Jim and Brenda Brosch Serve, International

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs016/1103243627968/archive/1108998145090.html

December 2011 Newsletter

Missions in 4D

Check out this article about Romania, Missions in 4D, by Haley Myers from the DBC Missions office.

http://dentonbible.org/stories/missions-in-4-d/  
"Most of us tend to think of missions as simply 2-dimensional. No special effects, no car chases, just the typical overseas adventure. But what if missions were more? What if there are more sides to missions than we first imagine?"  Click the link to see the entire article and pictures from the mission field. 

Sharing the Gospel in Croatia

Over 10,000 Gypsies live in small villages around Cacovec, Croatia.  We served with an international team to share the gospel in homes and minister to children.  Please pray for those who heard the gospel and trusted Christ as their Savior.  Further follow-up is needed to help these new believers grow in Christ and to reach those who are yet to hear the gospel. Believers from two Croatian churches involved in this ministry request our prayers as they seek God's will in how to best reach out to the lost.  (To see a slide show, click on the arrow. To see captions of the photos, click on the Flickr logo on the first pic.)

He asked me to tell you, "America, THIS was Petru." ~Rosiori de Vede

He asked me to tell you, 

"America, THIS was Petru."

We recently returned from evangelistic trips to several villages. We will never forget this man from the village of Rosiori de Vede.

He was gathering fruit when Brenda and Anna, her eighteen year old translator, walked past him on their way to the evening service at the village church. Even though we were running late, Anna was convinced that we needed to stop.

He quickly agreed to let us share with him about Jesus Christ. We expected he would just talk to us on the sidewalk but he picked up his bucket and started back into his yard.  

His clothes had patches on the patches. His little home was no more than a shack. Yet, he openly welcomed us. There was not enough room for all of us to get in the little wooden dwelling, much less sit. So we helped him move two little stools outside. Brother Gigi, the elder with us, just sat on the ground.

He couldn't remember his exact age but we determined he was in his 80's or 90's.  He listened intently as we shared a simple gospel, with his eyes never veering from our faces.  When he heard, "there is a God who created you.... and He LOVES YOU".. he began to openly and unashamedly weep.

We were briefly interrupted by the man's relative who showed up and asked us to leave.  The nephew let us know that he was very educated and had no use for this "gospel." But, he shrugged that for this old man, it would be okay.  After receiving permission to stay five more minutes, we read more from the scriptures and prayed for him. "For it is by grace you are saved, through faith.  And that, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.."  Afterwards, the elderly man followed us to his gate and told us, "take my picture to America, and tell them, "THIS was Petru (Peter)!" 

We left not knowing whether he truly understood the gospel or not.  Anna indicated that she would find a way to keep checking on him.  Little did we know the impact this man would have on us and what would happen in the following days. 

The next day, we met Anna again for our last day of evangelism in the village.  She shared with us that she had a dream about the old man.  She said she dreamed that we went back to his place and we found him lying on the floor, dead.  She continued that in her dream, we began to share the gospel with him, and he came back to life.  Anna was convinced that God was letting her know that He had saved him.  

In the next weeks, the whole scenario continually came to my mind.  The compassion that our 18 year old translator displayed made me ashamed of my own complacency.  I prayed often for both of them, and for forgiveness for myself.  

We returned home from a few weeks in the countryside and received an email from Anna.  She had found out that the old man died within two weeks of our meeting him.  Anna expressed again, "I know God has him with Him.  This is our merciful God!"  

God has given us peace that He called the man to Himself and allowed him to understand!

What an awesome God!

Many times our actions are deliberate and planned.  Often, our meetings are scheduled and covered in prayer.  But sometimes, God takes control and says, "This one is Mine."  May we be more attentive to listen and obey in every moment of every day!  

Serve Romania Update

Click the link above.   "We are saved into a community - the family of God."

Buna Zuia from Timisoara! Finally Here!

This is a link to our first newsletter from Timisoara.

And the Adventure Begins...

It was during the Sunday morning service, hearing the beautiful worship music that reality set in.  Yes, we are finally here!  Timisoara, Romania will be our home for the next 12 months while we study the Romanian language. It's been a three year journey where God has perpetually shown us His grace.

Click for short video

WizzAir

Changing airports with all our heavy luggage was quite tricky!

Anticipation of this trip was an adventure in itself. We flew "stand-by" to London, and after a slight delay, were blessed with bulkhead seats and plenty of leg room.  We changed airports, then flew from London to Timisoara via WizzAir.  Yes, that's really what it's called!  We booked the low-cost ticket online so we weren't sure what to expect.  But it was a newer, business-type airport and the plane was quite comfortable.

Also, we had rented the apartment site-unseen! Pastor Liviu, picked us up at the airport and took us to the apartment.  We met our landlord and enjoyed a nice time visiting with him.  The apartment is what they call in Romania "two rooms" which means 1 bedroom and 1 living room.  It has been freshly remodeled with fresh paint and new flooring.  It is adequately furnished and the cost for 1 month is less than we would have spent for a few days in a hotel while looking for an apartment. The refrigerator was in the living room but after a few days, we figured out how to move it into the kitchen!

Our landlord, Eddie, met us at the apartment

Mike Scheer, Denton Bible Church missions director, John Brown and Sam Buliga were in Romania for BTCP during our first week and spent time with us as well.  It was a blessing to share our excitement of being here with them.  They went to the Areopagus Center and met the staff there.  They also drove us to the Real store (pronounced Ray-ahl) where we bought the necessary clothes drying rack and ironing board. :)  
We met an English-speaking Romanian couple who recently moved back to Romania after living in the states for many years.  Danny and Gabriela have been very sweet and helpful to us.  The most exciting news of all is that Gabriela accepted Christ as her Savior right here in our living room, after hearing the gospel explained by John Brown.  Now, how awesome is that for the first week?

Below:  Gabriela, Jim, Brenda and Daniel

on the steps of the Cathedral downtown where the secret police killed
hundreds in 1989. 

The believers have been so welcoming and warm.  The people on the street and our neighbors are looking at us with caution but we occasionally get a return smile or "buna ziua."  We'll keep trying!  We are frequenting the same stores, clerks and sidewalks and praying for opportunities.

We walk everywhere! The language school, grocery store, church, and bus stop are all within 15 minutes walking distance. For anything else, we take the bus. We should be in good shape soon! :) We have time each morning to read our bible and spend time in prayer.  We know our spiritual life is of utmost importance!  We are praying for open doors and like-minded friends with whom we can have fellowship and support.  God has been so good to go before us and provide all our needs.  It's an awesome thought that He knows what we need before we even ask.

Please keep lifting us up to The Father!  We are continually aware that we can't do anything aside from Christ in us.  We desire to live a life that reflects the Love that compels us to serve.


Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.   Ephesians 3:20-21

Brenda with Laura at the Biserica exchanging phone numbers.

Small group bible study.  And yes, we ate 'em all!

Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
in beautiful downtown (Centru) Timisoara 

Press on Friends!  

Jim and Brenda