July Update
July 13, 2023
Thank you all for taking the time to catch up with what God is doing through various ministries of our church in Hungary. We NEED your continued prayers and appreciate your part in our ministry! In this report, we have an update on the English Camp in our village for elementary children, baptisms that happened last week and prayer requests for our upcoming English Camp for teens and young adults.
Above: We had a great turn out for holding an English Camp in Petofibanya's Middle School at the end of June. Our teammate Roger has been teaching Bible classes and serving at this school getting to know teachers and kids this whole year. Roger planned and coordinated with a team from his home church that prepared curriculum, activities and games that the kids enjoyed the entire week.
Above: Johnson, the team leader from the US did a great job sharing the Gospel with the kids each day.
Above: Who would have thought? This young girl is not practicing English, but Chinese with Francis. Francis found out that she attends a Chinese language school in Budapest and she had the opportunity to test her knowledge on Francis each day.
Above: Many of these kids have attended our Bible Camps in the past and this English Camp was a great way to kick off the Summer and get reconnected.
Above: Roger's daughter Emi served as a translator for the first time in her life and did an excellent job!
Above: On the last day, Johnson shared the story of their child that they lost and how they continue to trust God and find joy and peace in relationship with Him even in trials.
You can check out a short film with highlights of English Camp in Petofibanya below. We praise God for a great camp and hope that we'll be able to do it again next year.
Above: Right off the heels of English Camp in our hometown, our family headed off for a week of vacation together in Italy. We were able to visit Venice for a day and also spent some time at local beaches. Ben was also able to come with his girlfriend Niki. It was great to have some time together before the busyness of the summer camp ministries just ahead.
We had the joy of witnessing the baptism of two new members of the family of God, Berci and Emese. One who grew up in a Christian home and the other coming from just the opposite background. Here is the testimony they shared on Sunday:
Berci:
My parents are both believers. Growing up, I always believed that God existed and that He loves me. We had attended a church for a time as a family, but then we stopped and were out of Christian fellowship. I began hanging out with non-believers, but never really became close friends with any of them. When I was eleven years old, some of my classmates went to a small hidden part of school property and pulled out their phones. One of them had a picture of a figure with money printed on his face and they bowed down and worshiped it like an idol. This really shook me up and I returned home and told my mom that I wanted to follow God and we prayed together. That year, I attended a camp where I heard good teaching and there was an opportunity to talk to camp-workers about putting our faith in Jesus. It was there that I put my faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. God gave me Psalm 37:55 as encouragement: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” This is what I have done. I have committed my way to Him and put my trust in Him and now a year later, I am here today to be baptized.
Emese:
I am very happy to be here as this has been a challenging season of my life. My parents are not believers. There was a time many years ago when we had come to this church but we had moved away to another town. But I still would attend the Summer Bible camps. In 2021, at Christmas, I was sitting in my room and remembering my experience in camp and I remembered how much love and kindness was in this church. I wanted to have that same love and kindness toward others that they had. And I knew that it was only possible through Jesus Christ. I wanted to attend church, but there weren’t any opportunities where we now lived. I began feeling isolated and started to believe that I was the only one in the world who was sinful and God couldn’t love me. I know that is not true today. But at that time, I drifted away from God. After some months, I opened my Bible and began reading again. I wanted to come to this church, and now that I was older it was possible. I went to my dad crying and asking if I could go to church and he allowed it (praise God!). Once attending, I began to realize that we all struggle with sin and I realized that Jesus died for us while we were sinners. I then put my faith in Jesus as my Savior and my thoughts and the way I lived my life changed. I’m so thankful to God that I can be here today.
Above: Berci's sisters Gigi and Lilliom celebrating with their brother.
Above: Our daughters middle name is "Joy", now you know why :) Praise God that Elianna continues to meet with Emese for discipleship and prayer.
Above: Teammate Heidi praying for Emese after service.
Above: But wait there's more! After this baptismal service was over, Pisti (above), after hearing the message, the testimonies and seeing the baptisms asked if he also could be baptized. Pisti is married to our Hungarian teammate Miki's sister and Miki has had many opportunities to share the Gospel and give Christian counsel to Pisit over the years. Praise God that Pisti was also led to be baptized and proclaim His faith in our risen Savior Jesus Christ.
Above: Gizi, who is in her 70's is still following God's calling on her life for His glory. Recently, Gizi shared this testimony in our Sunday service and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Gizi:
“I have been in a retirement home for three years now. After my husband passed away, I received a new roommate that I have been able to assist and help. I began to realize in this retirement home how different life is in the world. It is hard for anyone to grasp the sufferings that happen in this place. There are those who are terribly weak with dementia and those who are terribly aggressive with dementia. Some speak so harshly and negatively that it really takes the power of God to bear what I hear. When I moved to this place, I believed God had called me to be here to help. Recently, someone who began working as a counselor here asked me if I could help her since I had good relationships with those she would be hoping to meet with. Our first meeting was a Bible study and we had five show up. I made a point to greet each one of them personally and to go around to each one to hug them and tell them that I love them. I also surprised them by making crêpes for them. The next meeting, we had eight show up. The third week we had twelve show up. Each time God gives me a way to bless them with a thankful heart. Instead of each of them talking about their problems, they often ask me to do the talking. I always have the Bible with me and I share from the word and we talk about it together.
Two weeks ago, there was something that happened that just felt like too much for me to handle. I have often helped this person in the home, but for some reason she began cursing and spoke with me with such harshness that I begged her to please stop. And I didn’t say anything back to her as she continued to yell and scream at me. This happened in front of everyone in the cafeteria. She just kept screaming at me. I just broke down. I went back to my room and called my daughter and said, “Get me out of here. You can come anytime.” And I went away for a week to regain my strength. And when I left, I thought to myself, “I am never ever going to speak to that person again in my life.” I ended up falling down that week and injuring my knee and had to spend some time at the hospital. Two nurses from the retirement home came to visit me. So, once I returned to the retirement home, the first thing I did was look for those nurses to thank them for their visit. As I was looking for them, I heard someone greeting me. It was the person who had yelled at me that I had felt so hurt by last week. But instead of seeing a terrible pride filled and arrogant face, she was broken and humbled. I greeted her by name. She came toward me with open arms and I also opened my arms to embrace her. She planted her head in my neck like a child and wept and wept and wept asking me if I would forgive her. And with complete honesty, I could tell her that I never felt any anger toward her. I told her I could imagine how difficult it was for her at that moment because her mother was on her death bed at the time. I continue to do what God has called me to do in this retirement home. It’s just like the Scripture that we read today says, “I will not leave you or forsake you.” I was feeling like I had to escape and I was already looking for a place to rent. But God always renews my strength, he gives me strength that can only come from above. It is right here in this church that I always receive the joy and strength that I need, and I go home comforted.” — Gizi
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Praise God for the ways that He is at work in the young and old, giving grace, giving strength and revealing Himself as we pursue Him everyday! As we finish this update, we wanted to ask you all to pray for English Camp for teens and young adults that starts on Saturday! We have a good number of teens (first time campers) coming from our area and this will be another great opportunity to share the truth and love of Jesus Christ with them. So please pray for us and all those serving, and for these teens that need to know the Savior. This English Camp in the town of Lakitelek is from the 14th to the 22nd of July. We'll be sure to update you when we return.
And as we mentioned in our last update, we find ourselves in financial need. We appreciate all of the ways so many of you have faithfully given over the years to partner with us. Please pray for our financial situation and if you are in a position to give, we would ask you to consider making a donation toward our ministry. You can find more information about giving here. Now, we're off to English Camp :)
English Camp in Petofibanya
Above: We had a great turn out for holding an English Camp in Petofibanya's Middle School at the end of June. Our teammate Roger has been teaching Bible classes and serving at this school getting to know teachers and kids this whole year. Roger planned and coordinated with a team from his home church that prepared curriculum, activities and games that the kids enjoyed the entire week.
Above: Johnson, the team leader from the US did a great job sharing the Gospel with the kids each day.
Above: Who would have thought? This young girl is not practicing English, but Chinese with Francis. Francis found out that she attends a Chinese language school in Budapest and she had the opportunity to test her knowledge on Francis each day.
Above: Many of these kids have attended our Bible Camps in the past and this English Camp was a great way to kick off the Summer and get reconnected.
Above: Roger's daughter Emi served as a translator for the first time in her life and did an excellent job!
Above: On the last day, Johnson shared the story of their child that they lost and how they continue to trust God and find joy and peace in relationship with Him even in trials.
You can check out a short film with highlights of English Camp in Petofibanya below. We praise God for a great camp and hope that we'll be able to do it again next year.
Family Vacation
Above: Right off the heels of English Camp in our hometown, our family headed off for a week of vacation together in Italy. We were able to visit Venice for a day and also spent some time at local beaches. Ben was also able to come with his girlfriend Niki. It was great to have some time together before the busyness of the summer camp ministries just ahead.
Sunday Baptisms
We had the joy of witnessing the baptism of two new members of the family of God, Berci and Emese. One who grew up in a Christian home and the other coming from just the opposite background. Here is the testimony they shared on Sunday:
Berci:
My parents are both believers. Growing up, I always believed that God existed and that He loves me. We had attended a church for a time as a family, but then we stopped and were out of Christian fellowship. I began hanging out with non-believers, but never really became close friends with any of them. When I was eleven years old, some of my classmates went to a small hidden part of school property and pulled out their phones. One of them had a picture of a figure with money printed on his face and they bowed down and worshiped it like an idol. This really shook me up and I returned home and told my mom that I wanted to follow God and we prayed together. That year, I attended a camp where I heard good teaching and there was an opportunity to talk to camp-workers about putting our faith in Jesus. It was there that I put my faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. God gave me Psalm 37:55 as encouragement: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” This is what I have done. I have committed my way to Him and put my trust in Him and now a year later, I am here today to be baptized.
Emese:
I am very happy to be here as this has been a challenging season of my life. My parents are not believers. There was a time many years ago when we had come to this church but we had moved away to another town. But I still would attend the Summer Bible camps. In 2021, at Christmas, I was sitting in my room and remembering my experience in camp and I remembered how much love and kindness was in this church. I wanted to have that same love and kindness toward others that they had. And I knew that it was only possible through Jesus Christ. I wanted to attend church, but there weren’t any opportunities where we now lived. I began feeling isolated and started to believe that I was the only one in the world who was sinful and God couldn’t love me. I know that is not true today. But at that time, I drifted away from God. After some months, I opened my Bible and began reading again. I wanted to come to this church, and now that I was older it was possible. I went to my dad crying and asking if I could go to church and he allowed it (praise God!). Once attending, I began to realize that we all struggle with sin and I realized that Jesus died for us while we were sinners. I then put my faith in Jesus as my Savior and my thoughts and the way I lived my life changed. I’m so thankful to God that I can be here today.
Above: Berci's sisters Gigi and Lilliom celebrating with their brother.
Above: Our daughters middle name is "Joy", now you know why :) Praise God that Elianna continues to meet with Emese for discipleship and prayer.
Above: Teammate Heidi praying for Emese after service.
Above: But wait there's more! After this baptismal service was over, Pisti (above), after hearing the message, the testimonies and seeing the baptisms asked if he also could be baptized. Pisti is married to our Hungarian teammate Miki's sister and Miki has had many opportunities to share the Gospel and give Christian counsel to Pisit over the years. Praise God that Pisti was also led to be baptized and proclaim His faith in our risen Savior Jesus Christ.
Encouragement from Grandma Gizi
Above: Gizi, who is in her 70's is still following God's calling on her life for His glory. Recently, Gizi shared this testimony in our Sunday service and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Gizi:
“I have been in a retirement home for three years now. After my husband passed away, I received a new roommate that I have been able to assist and help. I began to realize in this retirement home how different life is in the world. It is hard for anyone to grasp the sufferings that happen in this place. There are those who are terribly weak with dementia and those who are terribly aggressive with dementia. Some speak so harshly and negatively that it really takes the power of God to bear what I hear. When I moved to this place, I believed God had called me to be here to help. Recently, someone who began working as a counselor here asked me if I could help her since I had good relationships with those she would be hoping to meet with. Our first meeting was a Bible study and we had five show up. I made a point to greet each one of them personally and to go around to each one to hug them and tell them that I love them. I also surprised them by making crêpes for them. The next meeting, we had eight show up. The third week we had twelve show up. Each time God gives me a way to bless them with a thankful heart. Instead of each of them talking about their problems, they often ask me to do the talking. I always have the Bible with me and I share from the word and we talk about it together.
Two weeks ago, there was something that happened that just felt like too much for me to handle. I have often helped this person in the home, but for some reason she began cursing and spoke with me with such harshness that I begged her to please stop. And I didn’t say anything back to her as she continued to yell and scream at me. This happened in front of everyone in the cafeteria. She just kept screaming at me. I just broke down. I went back to my room and called my daughter and said, “Get me out of here. You can come anytime.” And I went away for a week to regain my strength. And when I left, I thought to myself, “I am never ever going to speak to that person again in my life.” I ended up falling down that week and injuring my knee and had to spend some time at the hospital. Two nurses from the retirement home came to visit me. So, once I returned to the retirement home, the first thing I did was look for those nurses to thank them for their visit. As I was looking for them, I heard someone greeting me. It was the person who had yelled at me that I had felt so hurt by last week. But instead of seeing a terrible pride filled and arrogant face, she was broken and humbled. I greeted her by name. She came toward me with open arms and I also opened my arms to embrace her. She planted her head in my neck like a child and wept and wept and wept asking me if I would forgive her. And with complete honesty, I could tell her that I never felt any anger toward her. I told her I could imagine how difficult it was for her at that moment because her mother was on her death bed at the time. I continue to do what God has called me to do in this retirement home. It’s just like the Scripture that we read today says, “I will not leave you or forsake you.” I was feeling like I had to escape and I was already looking for a place to rent. But God always renews my strength, he gives me strength that can only come from above. It is right here in this church that I always receive the joy and strength that I need, and I go home comforted.” — Gizi
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Praise God for the ways that He is at work in the young and old, giving grace, giving strength and revealing Himself as we pursue Him everyday! As we finish this update, we wanted to ask you all to pray for English Camp for teens and young adults that starts on Saturday! We have a good number of teens (first time campers) coming from our area and this will be another great opportunity to share the truth and love of Jesus Christ with them. So please pray for us and all those serving, and for these teens that need to know the Savior. This English Camp in the town of Lakitelek is from the 14th to the 22nd of July. We'll be sure to update you when we return.
And as we mentioned in our last update, we find ourselves in financial need. We appreciate all of the ways so many of you have faithfully given over the years to partner with us. Please pray for our financial situation and if you are in a position to give, we would ask you to consider making a donation toward our ministry. You can find more information about giving here. Now, we're off to English Camp :)
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