Mike and Maria Long

10 New Faces at Church after a week away

After being away for 10 days in the French Alps at a Missionary Retreat, it is a special surprise to come back to the Thessaloniki Church full of life and God's presence.  There were 10 new faces.  Great spirit.  Reports of God's touch.  Reconciliation from the previous Sunday.  One of the unexpected faces was Lefteris who was a hard hearted homeless person that was our first guest sleeping in the church for a week.  He had cut all his hair and appeared totally different.  He was shining from transformation inside.  He had become a totally different person and he took communion for the first time because of the change in his heart!  Wow!  Maybe we should be gone more?

Our whole family met with the European FM missionaries from May 3-10.  It was a time of fellowship, relationship building, prayer, and renewal.  The group picture above is from the 1860 church in Chamonix.  Can you pick the four of us out of the group?

We are working hard to finish the basement of the Church.  In two weeks, 19 persons from the Columbus, GA team will be staying on May 26.  Then, 19 students from Spring Arbor will be staying on June 1.  Then, guests for Spiritual Breakthrough meetings with Richard Taylor on June 14 & 15. The Thessaloniki Church is part of the Greece Country Shares (CSA).  Please pray for Greece Country Share needs.  The annual need is $12,100 and yet only $550 has been contributed. If the Lord puts it on your heart, go to www.fmwm.org and follow instructions to donate on-line. Or send donations to FM World Missions, PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253  and designate gifts for Project #: WCS403. 

Thank you and love from the Longs

Radiation Evangelism

Two weeks ago radioactive medication was injected into my veins and the flow was monitored through my kidneys to verify that they are functioning properly.  The results were very positive. The kidneys appear perfectly normal. The doctors are amazed both at the recovery and how active I have been.  The illness put us seriously behind on pressing projects.  We have been working night and day to get caught up.  We have just a month left to prepare to host a team of 19 from Columbus, GA.  The project is getting over the hump.

After the radiation treatment, the instructions are to avoid contact with other persons.  Remain two meters or 6 feet away from others.  Sleep must be in separate beds.  The radiation left in the body's system can effect others.  Would it not be amazing if the resurrected Christ had the same instructions for each believer that he dwelt in!  Like radioactive material his existance in each believer would effect all those coming within two meters.  His presence would just ooze out and directly touch passer-by's.  If believers would spread out, the whole world could be covered and sin destroyed in every corner.  Tomorrow is Easter here in the Orthodox part of the world.  My prayer is that Christ would so radiate in all believers to draw others to him within two meters of each broadcasting point.

Unfortunately, a homeless person that was the first person to be cared for in our church guest area did not seem to be effected by Christ radiating from the members of our church.  Friday night after a special crusade service, he was sleeping outside our door on the sidewalk.  We took him, fed him, gave him a place to sleep, and a shower.  He washed cloths and received our care as different persons from the church took turns sleeping at the church.  The hardness of heart that leads a person to end up on the streets would not break to open his life to faith in Christ.  Pray for Lefteris.

In contrast Alan Mellinger, Leonidas, and myself received radiation ministry at Renewal Christian Centre.  Together with 5 ministers from Bulgaria, we soaked in the power of the Holy Spirit over 5 days at the end of March and the beginning of April.  Wow, the presence of God is irresistible.  Not only that but amazing divine connections are developing between UK and Bulgaria.  Pray for this special relationship.

Please pray for Greece Country Share needs.  The annual need is $12,100 and yet only $550 has been contributed. If the Lord puts it on your heart, go to www.fmwm.org and follow instructions to donate on-line. Or send donations to FM World Missions, PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253  and designate gifts for Project #: WCS403. 

Thank you and love from the Longs

Surprise Visitor at Bookstore after Midnight

After midnight on Tuesday, a car crashed into our bookstore.   

The neighborhood came out to check out the mess.

 

Nobody was hurt, just a bunch of broken glass.

Part 2 of yesterday's post

I was playing around with my blog and messed up the update format.  I am sending this too as a continuation from yesterday.  In the end, i will get it right. Trial makes perfect...hopefully.

Virginia in the picture is from Sandanski too.  She has been part of our work here for over 8 years.  She like many other Bulgarian mothers left her children in her parent's care and came to work in Greece to provide for her family.  Her faith and the church has helped her through many troubles and trials.  She has helped draw some ten other women like herself to the church and to Christ.  Many are new believers or believers without a church family.  Last Sunday, she went for a walk with the visitors from Sandanski.  They meet two Bulgarians searching for work in Thessaloniki.  They brought them back to church for tea and coffee.  They prayed with them and they cried from the love they felt.  Thanks for praying and giving to support the Thessaloniki Balkan work.  It is part of Greece Country Shares (CSA) account number WCS403.  Needed every month is $1,000 and for the year is $12,100.  So far this year just $50 has come in.  Please consider supporting this ministry.  It is as simple as clicking on the button on the left under Long Support become a new donor.  There are several ways to make a donation on line or to set up regular support.

Blood tests yesterday indicated that my blood is normal and my kidneys are doing their job.  A test called Kidney-gram is scheduled to make sure both are working.  Praise the Lord for normal blood and restored health.

Gina is on break this week.  She is touring with the Spring Arbor University choir.  They went all the way to Washington D.C.  She is having fun and enjoying the ministry trip.

Strangers are bringing persons to our church

The last several sundays, strangers have been bringing persons to our services and leaving.  The door opens.  They show persons in and then they leave.  The Thessaloniki Balkan Church is becoming known as the Bulgarian church.  People are coming on their own.  This last Sunday two cars came from Sandanski, Bulgaria with 8 persons to attend our service.  There were more Bulgarians than Greeks.  Three songs and a testimony in Bulgarian made it a special service.  Many were touched. 

Virginia in the picture is from Sandanski too.  She has been part of our work here for over 8 years.  She like many other Bulgarian mothers left her children in her parent's care and came to work in Greece to provide for her family.  Her faith and the church has helped her through many troubles and trials.  She has helped draw some ten other women like herself to the church and to Christ.  Many are new believers or believers without a church family.  Last Sunday, she went for a walk with the visitors from Sandanski.  They meet two Bulgarians searching for work in Thessaloniki.  They brought them back to church for tea and coffee.  They prayed with them and they cried from the love they felt.  Thanks for praying and giving to support the Thessaloniki Balkan work.  It is part of Greece Country Shares (CSA) account number WCS403.  Needed every month is $1,000 and for the year is $12,100.  So far this year just $50 has come in.  Please consider supporting this ministry.  It is as simple as clicking on the button on the left under Long Support become a new donor.  There are several ways to make a donation on line or to set up regular support.

Blood tests yesterday indicated that my blood is normal and my kidneys are doing their job.  A test called Kidney-gram is scheduled to make sure both are working.  Praise the Lord for normal blood and restored health.

Gina is on break this week.  She is touring with the Spring Arbor University choir.  They went all the way to Washington D.C.  She is having fun and enjoying the ministry trip.

Clean Monday in Greece means clean outside and inside

Today is a holiday.  Everyone is thankful for Mike's clean blood after last month's kidney failure trial.  Spring is upon us and everyone is cleaning.  Cleaning inside our hearts is more important.  Thanks be to God, the precious blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  Greek Easter is April 27 this year.  This is spiritual time of ministry, evangelism, and spiritual renewal.  May this time of the year be spiritually uplifting for all of us. 

The following is a wikipedia description of the holiday:

Clean Monday (Greek: Καθαρή Δευτέρα), also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, Monday of Lent or (in Cyprus only) Green Monday (actually translated as such), is the first day of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Lent. "Clean Monday," refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods.   The entire first week of Great Lent is often referred to as "Clean Week," and it is customary to go to Confession during this week, and to clean the house thoroughly. In this way, the faithful begin Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love.

Wash yourselves and ye shall be clean; Isaiah 1.16

Clean Monday is a public holiday in Greece , where it is celebrated with outdoor excursions, the consumption of shellfish, bean soup and other fasting food and the widespread custom of flying kites. Eating meat, eggs and dairy products is traditionally forbidden to Christians throughout Lent, with fish being eaten only on major feast days, but shellfish is permitted.

Kidneys at 99%, arm released, and gaining strength

The doctor was so impressed with blood test results on Monday that he prescribed just one more week of special diet and scheduled the next blood test for March 17.  God clearly restored the kidneys way ahead of expectations.  Many times patients wait months for their blood results to return to normal.  The prayers for healing on Sunday Feb 10 were the turning point that resulted in remarkable recovery.  Thank you for the prayers then, before, and since.  Glory to God!

Thessaloniki Balkan Church was full last Sunday. Worship was high.  Preaching by new friend, Manolis, was strong. Encouragement was flowing.  Prophecy was spoken. Praise the Lord for the work that is growing and building.  Next Sunday Mike gets to ministry for the first time since Jan 21.  Prayer for the church.  The kidney failure has been a spiritual test personally, for the family, and for the church and its leadership.

Kidneys at 66%

One week at home has been wonderful.  Maria got the results from Monday's blood test yesterday.  The doctor was surprised by my quick recovery.  The doctor asked what have you did feeding him?  She said God is healing, not his diet.  Usually, patients who delay as much as my kidneys have, do not regain kidney functioning rapidly.  Usually, it takes months.  My blood values are near normal.  (Creatine is as 2.12 from 9.5+, for those understand. 1.0 is normal.)  Things are optimistic for full healing soon.  Praise God and keep asking for God to complete his work.

Maria is catching up on her rest.  Her biggest struggle is what to cook for Mike everyday.  The girls are catching up on school and are enjoying not having to cover for there mom at the store.

Our family is very grateful for the prayers and notes of support during this trial.

Home, kidneys working, and recovering

After Sunday's visit to the church, my kidneys started to open the valves and flowing like never before. My doctor took me to the church but hesitated to go in. I told him, that today I went to my dialysis and that it works so well that I won't need regular dialysis again. The next day after the prayers of many for healing, my blood values and amount of urine had changed so drastically that I no longer needed dialysis. When my doctor came the next day he told his colleague that "my dialysis" was the most effective of all, and he gave me a high five.

Today, Thursday, I came home with very good blood values but still needing to improve. After of 18 days of hospitalization, I am weak and weary from constant bed rest. Now, Maria and the girls get to take care of dad at home. Maria is glad to not have to run back and forth to the hospital. Next Monday I go for blood test to see how the recovery is progressing. Please pray for the adjustment at home and continued recovery. Thank the Lord for the healing and wholeness that He promises to those who believe.

Two pictures are included of the hospital dialysis machine and the church "dialysis" of mighty prayer.

A day of healing and more

I am on the 14th day of hospitalization trying to recover from kidney failure from medications and surgery. Nobody knows why. Nobody knows when I will bounce back. I have 9 days on dialysis (70 hours) and am continuously improving, yet still confounding the doctors why it is taking so long. Prayers raised up to the heavens have brought the beginning of healing and strength to endure the grueling ordeal of prolonged hospitalization. Still we are waiting for complete healing.

On Sunday, there is a break from dialysis and an opportunity for divine healing to glorify the power of God to heal and restore. Because the dialysis IV's are on a major artery, I am not allowed to leave the hospital unless escorted by a doctor. Because my doctor, George Liltsis, who performed the surgery has been visiting me twice a day and feels extremely sympathetic for my unexpected kidney failure, he has agreed to take me from the hospital to our church and back during the morning worship service. The doctor and I will arrive for a worship hymn, prayer for healing, and greetings. Then, he will return me back to the hospital. He agreed to do me this favor as long as it is not a trap. He is a typical Greek Orthodox Christian that believes in the general good of all religions. Pray for two divine works on Sunday at 10:30 am: complete healing of my partially functioning kidneys, and the beginning of salvation in a doctor's harden heart.

May Sunday February 10th be a day of healing and more!!