Cynthia Fouts – Romania

“Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

Cynthia Fouts is the wife of Brian Fouts, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Bistrita, Romania. Together they have four children, Kaidon (age 7), Sedona (age 5), Sage (age 3) and Ryley (age 5 months). Kaidon and Sedona were both born in Boise but Sage and Ryley were born in Romania. Their family has been serving in Bistrita for almost 5 years. They also help co-ordinate New Beginnings, an association that places orphaned children in home-like settings. The Fouts’ home also serves as a Ministry House. Currently they live with an “extended” family that includes two preteen Romanian girls (cared for as part of New Beginnings), and three other adults. Here, Cynthia shares her testimony:

I wouldn’t say that I grew up in one of those obvious, ultra-Christian homes but in general it was my parent’s goal to raise us in a Christian home the best they could. My mom grew up Catholic and my dad was Methodist. I can remember bouncing around a little between different denominational churches when I was young. Then we found Calvary Chapel in Escondido, California.

The earliest recollection of Jesus I have to say is from when I was about five-years old. I remember being at a conference with my family and they had an altar call at the end of the usual Sunday church service. I can remember being overwhelmed with the desire to go forward even if it meant being in front of thousands of people I didn’t know. I had such a peace about it that I didn’t even wait for my dad to come with me; he had to catch up.

As far as coming to know the Lord, I think I did at that young age of five but I never really felt like it “stuck.” I can remember responding again to an altar call at a Calvary Chapel Escondido youth camp when I as in junior high school. After that I felt like it was more real and started walking more with the Lord. The Lord finally got hold of me in December 1998. When I met Brian I was not walking with the Lord. He used Brian to lead me back and I have been growing with Him ever since.

Brian and I met at work. He worked for HP in Corvallis, Oregon and I work for a contract company in the same building with him. I had been seeing somebody off and on for about four years before I met Brian. I finally reached a point in that relationship when I knew I was completely done with it. I took a little time off work and had a mini-vacation so I could start over with a new frame of mind. I decided that I didn’t want a boyfriend or even to date anyone anymore. I just want to be able to go out with friends and meet new people without being tied down. Well, the Lord had other plans. Little did I know that he had been preparing Brian in the same way. We actually had met previously and had friends in common but I didn’t even remember him. When I went back to work after my time off, there he was. It was like I saw him for the first time. He was very friendly and I tried to avoid him since I didn’t want to get involved with anyone but that didn’t last for long.

I was not walking with the Lord when we met. I had walked away from Christianity around the end of high school and through college. When I found out that somebody else we worked with was interested in him, my competitive side came out. Before I knew it we were spending all of our breaks and lunch hours walking around the building together and talking. We had our first official date in December 1998. Brian proposed to me on Valentine’s Day of 1999 and we were married in August of that year.

When Brian and I were first married I worked full time for a couple of years. Kaidon Henri was born at St. Luke’s in June of 2002. It was our desire for me to stay home full time to raise our children but I was nervous to make the step. We agreed that I would work a little while longer and we would save all of my paychecks while we got used to living on one income. Our goal was two months’ salary in savings before I would quit. (This of course took longer than two months as I was down to working part time).

In February 2003 when Kaidon was seven-months old I was laid off from work. We had been praying for the Lord’s will when the rumors of layoffs started. My manager called me at home to let me know about my layoff and he told me it was the easiest layoff he had ever done. I explained to him how we had been praying for the Lord’s will and thanked him for playing his part in it. I was given a severance package of, wouldn’t you know it, two months pay. In Feb. 2004 Sedona Grace was born at St. Luke’s also. Everyone thought we now had our perfect family of one boy, one girl and just a couple of years between them. Brian and I knew we wanted more though. In October 2004 we started our preparations for moving to Romania. In April 2006 Sage Elizabeth Hope was born in Cluj, Romania. The private clinic here was definitely different than St. Luke’s, but it was still clean and personal. And finally came Ryley, also born in Romania.

The Call to Missions

Sometime when I was pregnant with Sedona (our second) Brian told me he thought we were being called to be missionaries. My super spiritual reply was something like, “okay, well have fun and send postcards, the kids and I will keep in touch.” I thought he was insane since we had a toddler and a baby on the way.

Brian took Pastor Bob’s advice and started praying that the Lord would either change his heart or mine. Brian would check back with me now and then to see what I thought of the idea. Over time my answers changed from “no way” to “I won’t be happy but I will submit to you and go” then “I won’t go kicking and screaming” and ”I have a peace about it”.

Finally about four or five months before we left my answer had changed to “I think you’re right, I’m excited, when do we go?” Somehow word spread that we were praying about going to Romania and the day after we decided to start selling our things in order to get ourselves ready we got a call from Mike Sasso’s office inviting us to join them for a meeting about Romania. We went to that meeting in October 2004 thinking it was some kind of informational meeting only to find out it was more like an interview. By the time we left we were on track with Bob, Mike Sasso and a few other pastors and elders to be leaving for Romania about 12 weeks.

The Challenges of a Missionary Life

I think my biggest challenges are the same here as they would be in the States: managing my time with family, the house and ministry, as well as parenting challenges. Our kids are all small now so really it is a matter of good discipling, but we are always looking to the future to help us in our decisions today. I currently do the cooking for and oversee our household of 11 people as well as serving in our church and just being available as the pastor’s wife for those who need me.

We confront challenges through lots of prayer and trying to stay flexible to what the Lord wants us to focus on each day rather than setting our own schedule and not being open to adjustments.

The Joys of a Missionary Life

One of my greatest joys is a quiet cup of coffee in the morning. Although I really enjoy this, I’m kidding. I would have to say it is seeing the way those around us are impacted simply by how we live. It is a tremendous joy to know that the light of the Lord is shining through us and that we can be an example of Him and also to see that both the Romanians that we are serving with, and those attending our church, are seeking the Lord in their lives.

Words of Wisdom

My best piece of advice would probably be something that Cathy Caldwell shared with me, and that the Lord continues to remind me of: take advantage of the “five minutes” you have. Especially with a busy schedule or small children, don’t waste time waiting for a few hours here and there to be able to study or have your quiet time or pray. Work on it all throughout the day, five minutes at a time.

Remember to always trust in the Lord because he knows the big picture and we only see a small glimpse at a time.

My life verse is without a doubt Matthew 6:25-34. When we were preparing to start our journey as missionaries the Lord gave me these verses as a promise that He would always take care of and protect us and I didn’t need to be scared about what might happen to our family.

Don’t be afraid of what the Lord calls you to do, no matter how big or how small. The Lord doesn’t necessarily call the equipped, He equips those that He calls and He will give you everything that you need when you need it. He just asks us to be willing to obey.

Prayer

At the moment I would have to say the Lord is teaching me about being content and dying to myself. Please pray for us:

• That we are using our time wisely and being good stewards of all we are caring for.
• We are always seeking prayer for more leadership within our church.
• For the kids that are part of New Beginnings, for spiritual growth.
• Pray that our family and our church would be a positive witness for those in our neighborhood.