Every New Year’s Eve, we get together at Miki’s house after church for fellowship and fun into the new year. We started our night breaking up into small groups sharing with one another reasons we were thankful to God. I had a mixed group of first time visitors, a few people recently saved and mature believers. It was encouraging to hear from those in different stages of maturity in their faith. One young woman in my group shared about her grandmother recently passing away and how she was abused by her as a child. This new young believer continued by saying that she had mixed emotions about her passing away and then said, “As a Christian, does God want me to forgive her?” I was very thankful for her honesty and willingness to share. I responded with some of Christ’s teaching about forgiving others as He has forgiven us and it was a mini lesson for the whole group how Christ’s teaching is for our everyday experience and not disconnected religious babble.





Above: At 11:50 we began praying as a large group holding hands, giving thanks to God up until midnight. Afterwards, we blessed each other and broke out the noise makers and sparklers for the kids.



Above: Eszti who recently served with us in our Christmas Puppet Ministry climbing on and leaping off her little brother Gyozo.



Above: David (right), who has been attending church regularly after English Camp this summer brought his friend Sanyi to our get together. I’m curious to know what his friend thought about what we did together in contrast to the New Year’s Parties he has attended in the past.











Above: Game time was a blast! Csaba (far left) in the above photo was invited initially to just our New Year’s Eve party by church member Peti. Csaba and Peti grew up together, then lost contact and were ‘reunited’ on Facebook. Peti has been reaching out to Csaba and after hearing that Peti was preaching on Saturday’s New Year’s Eve service, Csaba agreed to come. I’m sure it was shocking for him to see Peti preach about Christ being the center of our lives since he knew Peti before he was saved. What a testimony for Csaba to see the new Peti saved by Christ, a loving husband and father and a man passionate for Jesus Christ.



Above: Peti talking with Roland after Saturday’s worship service.

ZIVA UPDATE







Above: Winter sickness continues to make it’s rounds through our family and God has been gracious to help Ziva recover from croup and coughing and congestion. It’s been a tough few weeks for her, but she seems to be on the tail end of the worst of it. We are thankful that even through this sickness she has been able to eat and sleep well. Ziva gets cuter every day and is beginning to smile when we interact with her. Please continue to pray for her, Kira, Ben and Sharon who are all sick in various degrees.



Above: Kira imitating Sharon with her version of a baby wrap.



Above: One of Ellie’s crafty gifts to Sharon at Christmas.

May Jesus Christ bless you with growing hope, a strong faith and greater intimacy with Him in the new year. We appreciate all your support, your encouragement and commitment to our family!