I came again and again in prayer, reminding the Lord that I asked Him when I came here, and He knew I wouldn’t have come without His leading. In less than one month I was asking forgiveness from God for my doubts and murmuring. I saw that my life work was going a step further—audio taped sermons. Yes, audio tapes started flying around the world. First hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousand, and finally now, no counting possible. Even non-Adventist churches have asked permission to copy and distribute the tapes.

Incredible reports of conversions have come from around the world. 25 souls were baptized in a major European capital due to these little tapes. Invitations have come over and over for live crusades in Spain, France, Italy, Israel, Australia, Moldavia, and of course, Romania. Cities with Romanian populations in the U.S., with non-Adventist Romanian churches, have invited me for crusades. The Lord has put me on several TV stations. I am overwhelmed with all the response!

I want also to thank you, Brother Jeff, for your vision and the encouragement you have been to me. I do not remember ever hearing you saying “NO” to my requests for help. I owe to you (and your Partner) much of the joy I have today in my heart. I asked for a high speed audio duplicating machine for Romania. You made it available in just a few days. I gave it to a brother in Romania who is copying thousands of tapes, totally for free. Months and years of toil, sleepless nights—people are amazed when they learn that this man works for free.

Here in the States, I asked you for two more copy machines and for 5,000 tapes. In a matter of a few days I had them. In a few more days, more tapes were flying around the world. (In the title picture, Nicu stands with a shipment of 20,000 tapes that were delivered to our studio, then distributed to the faithful people who do the duplication work.)

One of the tape duplicators went to a very dedicated lady who lives in the southern United States. She has made it her life work to duplicate these tapes. She is very ill, and cannot leave her home, and has energy for very few activities. And yet it sustains her spirit to be able to be involved in ministry in some way, and so she duplicates tapes, day after day, as her contribution to the Lord’s work. It is my belief that this work is, in part, responsible for her clinging to life—she has a purpose and a mission in life that takes her focus away from her own illness and discomfort. She asks the Lord to sustain her for just a little longer so she can do just a little more for His cause.

There is a painful lack of pastors in Romania now. In many churches these little tapes are the pastor. I received letters written with tears thanking God for the audio tapes. Here is just one example:

“Our church was empty. We have no pastor so we started putting your tapes in a player on the pulpit for the sermon. Now you need to come early to find a seat. Our church, once dead, now vibrates with life from those tapes you sent to us. My life has been changed through this ministry, as well as the lives of others who are attending and listening. Thank you so much for the tapes.”

A few days ago I received a call from Germany. A lady told me that she found Romanian workers at a building site in Germany, and gave them tapes. When she went there again, she told me that they had copied those tapes until you could hardly understand the words anymore. These men sent copies back to Romania and gave them to their friends everywhere.

A pastor in Romania went to a very remote area and found, to his surprise, that an important elder in a Protestant church was keeping the Sabbath. He expressed his amazement and asked the man how he knew about this. The man answered that he had met a lady who spent some time in America, at a place called Loma Linda, and she came back keeping the Sabbath. He was shocked in the beginning, but she gave him some audio tapes. In a short time he started keeping and preaching about the Sabbath!

I went back to Romania not long ago, and in my travels visited a leper camp. I was taken there by a blind lady. Yes, a blind lady! I was moved deep in my soul and asked with many tears what kind of message should I present to these martyrs? The Lord gave me the words, and all of us were blessed. I went out in tears and couldn’t stop crying.

As I was leaving I saw a leper lady under a tree. She couldn’t come to the meetings because her legs, mouth, and eyes were nearly eaten away. I went under the tree, gave her a big hug, and I asked how she was. All of a sudden she turned her almost blind eyes to me, smiling like a sunrise, and with a very strange voice (she was missing the palate), she asked me, “Are you Nicu Butoi?” I jumped back, startled, and said, “Where do you know me from?”

She said, “I got a tape and I recognized your voice.” We took a picture of the two of us, and I was again in tears. How is it going to be when we meet under the Tree of Life, and we are each one whole in body, mind, and spirit!

The stories are many. We will learn the whole truth only on the Sea of Glass. Until then we need to harvest tirelessly. At this time I need at least ten more audio tape duplicating machines and unlimited blank tapes. Thanks in the name of the Lord, and in the name of the many people who will find comfort in these tapes. I pray for you, my brother, and for your family and ministry.—Nicu Butoi.

From the editor: Dear reader, What do you think? Should we purchase some more high speed tape duplicators? Good ones, which duplicate three tapes simultaneously on both sides, cost about $1,200 each. If you would like to help with this, earmark your donations for “Romania tape ministry.” Also, we have an audio tape interview between myself and Pastor Butoi. This heart warming interview will keep you on the edge of your seat! Call our office and request video #40, The Leper Camp.

One last item. This November we are making plans to have Pastor Butoi appear on National TV across all of Romania, reaching every major city by cable, and on satellite across most of Europe. You will be hearing more about this soon. This will be a major investment, but one that could lead thousands to Christ! Interested in helping? Call and ask for more information.