Spring 2004
NEW IMPROVED TRANSPORT
What a blessing to be back on the road again. Within 5 months of losing everything, we now have a new trailer and a 5-year-old Land Rover.
There was a great sense of excitement as we set off for Romania and Hungary. We could not believe how much difference it had made trading up from a Defender to a Discovery.
Throughout the 3,600-mile journey, we thanked God many times for his provision. We delivered our aid to the orphanage along with 25 guitars that were taken to churches and youth groups in both countries. There was a strong sense of God’s presence as we took meetings in various churches, crossing both cultural, and denominational boundaries.
ROMANIA YOUTH BAND - 777
The church in Lipova, Romania, has almost doubled in size since our last visit. Most of the increase has been with the youth. Once a month the youth take a children’s club and invite all the local schools and orphanages. The result is the church packed out with 150 kids having a great time and learning about Jesus.
They have also started their own weekly prayer meeting; this has brought about a new wave of enthusiasm. The youth band, 777, has played a leading role in worship and rarely have I seen such potential. All the guitars used by the band have come from Guitar Aid on previous visits. What a privilege to be able to sow into the lives of these anointed teenagers. Sergio, the lead guitarist, told me how they had performed at an outdoor concert in the centre of the town, proclaiming the love of Jesus to their schoolmates and those who watched.
1500th GUITAR GIVEN
It was the reaction to the first guitar given in 1990 that inspired the vision for Guitar Aid. It seemed a good idea to find the person who received that guitar and present him with the 1500th instrument. One of our Romanian friends recognized him from an old photo, and arranged for us to meet up.
What a blessing to meet with Gabrial again. We relived that night in 1990 when he left the Church Whooping with delight, holding the guitar above his head and thanking God for the provision of his own instrument. Gabrial is still actively involved in the Church’s youth work.
NEW GUITAR CASES
In the last few months our range of instruments has increased. At one end of the scale we are importing great quality acoustic guitars at very good prices. At the other end, we are having solid spruce top, electro acoustics, made to a very high standard.
These instruments are destined for worship leaders and those involved in organizing national events. We felt that these instruments should have their own cases. After negotiating with Hiscox in the U.K. we are delighted with the end results. This outfit is truly to a standard of excellence. The first of these has already been sponsored.
HUNGARIAN GYPSY CHURCH
We went to a Gypsy Church in Hungary; they were using guitars that we had given several years ago. These instruments have been well used to worship God all this time. It was a pleasure to stand among them as they praised God in their own unique style. It didn’t take long for the young worship leader to get used to the new guitar.
Thank you very much for your support with Guitar Aid. We are now planning our next trip to Africa. Your sponsorship of instruments is very much appreciated.
Many blessings!
Dave Sumner
