FROM BRO. BRENT:
Angelo’s last name is Goussis. Before he arrived in Greece, I was shocked to find one of his distant cousins working in our rental houses as a plumber. Nick Goussis is 22 years old. He was shocked to learn of Angelo coming and could not understand why he would leave a good job in Australia to come to Thessaloniki to tell people the word of God. We set up a meeting with him. For over two hours we enjoyed one another’s company over a meal while telling this young man of his need of repentance and faith. He stated his fear of death and said he was not ready to die. We both told him we were ready to die and meet God because of the gift of salvation through the person of Jesus Christ. He was shocked at how simple the plan of salvation was. He is the typical young person caught up in striving for money, women, and the good life. He also admitted the emptiness inside. Please pray for his soul. Angelo was very direct with him about his sin but very loving at the same time. We ended our conversation by giving him a Bible. He was overwhelmed that we would give him such a gift. He kept looking at the inside page almost dumbfounded. Angelo quickly pulled out another version which was approved by the G.O. church in case this was a problem to him. Nick quickly said his mother had one of those, and he was uninterested in that one. He wanted the one we gave him. He was just in awe of receiving it.
Finally, our day hit a crescendo over a phone call. Bro. Angelo called Pastor Takis Korianitis on Zakynthos island. This good brother has been used by the Lord to open so many doors for us. Although he and his Independent Baptist church is eight and a half hours from us, he has used his legal status with the Greek government as an umbrella for all of our activities in order for them to be legal. He also is willing to sign the contract for us on the building for the church. This will legally allow us to start a church in the city. The selflessness, trust, and love this brother has is an example to the believers. Anyway, back to the conversation. While speaking with Pastor Takis about the status of our contract for the church building, Angelo asks if he has ever heard of his uncle and aunt (mother’s sister) who live on this island. Angelo had been praying for years for the Lord to send someone to witness to them about the gospel. When Angelo spoke their names, Pastor Takis began laughing aloud for joy. He said, “I have been witnessing to them for years. Now I know how we can better reach them! Their nephew can come and help me show them the gospel!” Words can’t convey the explosion in Angelo’s heart. God had answered his prayer by sending a witness without him knowing it, and by God’s grace in the future, he himself will make a trip to show them Jesus with this good Pastor. Angelo said, “I just can’t take much more of this.” These divine appointments continue to show themselves on a daily basis. Sometimes it seems we are just along for the ride as God is doing His work.
Yesterday we received a call out of the blue from some fellow believers who live more than 2 hours away from Thessaloniki. They are relatives of a dear Christian lady in Rochester, NY. who attends Old Paths Baptist Church. They said they would like to come to Thessaloniki to meet us. This occurred today. They have no Bible believing church in their city and stated their interest in coming to our Bible studies when we open the building for church services. What a joy to know that the Lord has His people everywhere and that they are willing to go to great lengths to find fellowship and the word of God! Just amazing. We were also pleased to meet with some other of their relatives, one of which lives in Thessaloniki with her family. Pray for these dear people.
