Weekly Update
June 12, 2009
BRIGHT RAYS OF HOPE
God is always at work, but there are times when this is more apparent than others. This past week has been full of very visible works that have stirred up praise and thanksgiving in our hearts.
First there is the story of Dezső bringing sad news in our weekly team meeting. A couple who lives on the same street as Dezső were having serious marital problems. This couple once visited our English Club and even our marriage class many months ago, but did not return. It was Dezső's desire to reach out to them as it was apparent at that time that the husband also struggled with alcoholism as Dezső once did. Now months later, Dezső shared in the meeting that the husband fell back into alcoholism and was looking for permission to sleep outside in Dezső's yard. Dezső's wife Marcsi reached out to the wife who shared her hopeless situation and said she was leaning toward divorce. We took this to the Lord in our meeting and recognized that this low point could be just the opportunity for God to reveal His grace, His power to save and His love for Tamás and Ági.
Dezső had an opportunity to meet with the wife and shared his testimony of how God saved him from a destructive life of alcoholism. He encouraged her that there was hope in God and He has proven His power in his own life. Dezső encouraged her not to follow the examples or advice of those who readily approve of divorce. He then set up a meeting at his house where both Tamás and Ági could meet. While that conversation was going on, Tamás was in Budapest (being kicked out of the house) totally hopeless. Tamás turned to God in prayer saying the only thing he knew as a child ... the Lord's Prayer. Immediately after that, Tamás received an sms from Ági saying "Come back home, Dezső says he can help."
Dezső has met with both of them mulitple times this past week, and shared his testimony with them. By God's grace, Dezső has been used to bring them into a process of reconciliation and helped them to begin seeking a life of freedom found in Jesus Christ. They have agreed to attend a Christian recovery center together (Ági playing a supportive role there). They also agreed to attend a Bible Study with Dezső and Marcsi, and even came to church on Sunday!
Above: Tamás (yellow checkered shirt) and his wife Ági (in black) responded to Dezső’s invitation to attend our church on Sunday.
Dezső has been very clear that without fellowship, without support and accountability from those who love them there will be no progress. Praise God for this amazing work He is doing in Tamás and Ági's life and for helping Dezső know how best to minister to them. Please pray for Tamás' full recovery and for both of them to put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Above: Church member Hugi’s mother Érzsi (in light green) attended our church for the second Sunday in a row. When I introduced her in service, I used the form of her name that only family uses (similar to a lovable nick name), to which she got a kick out of. Hugi was overjoyed that her mother seems to becoming more open to learning more about God and spending time in our fellowship.
Above: Baby dedication. Church member Eszti with her newborn daughter Eliána. “I prayed for this boy, and the LORD has given me the request that I asked of him. Now I dedicate him to the LORD. From this time on he is dedicated to the LORD. Then they worshiped the LORD there.” — 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Above: Our Kira and Eszt’s Alina singing after worship service was over.
A TEEN TURNING BACK
Above: Teenager Norbi attended our worship service Sunday.
As I reported last week, we held our first hike of the summer for teens and young adults. It turned out that we had ages all over the spectrum join us. See short film below...
God was clearly at work in our discussion time around the campfire. Teenager Norbi who reconnected with us that night came to church tonight. What is amazing is that he has no other friends that come to church. He has no family there. He came according to his own desire, by himself. For a 17 year old in a small town, this takes true resolve and is a sign that God, the Holy Spirit is drawing him to Himself. “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” — John 16:8
After service, Norbi shared with me how he has had it with drinking and partying. He said for a long time he had a terrible relationship with his mother and it was his fault. It was clear that God was softening his spirit. I told him that it is good for us to see clearly the error of our ways and come humbly to God. This is exactly where our hearts need to be to understand the fullness of His love, His forgiveness and receive the new life in Christ that He offers freely to those who believe in Him.
Later in the week, Norbi expressed his desire to be baptized. Miki and Allen have spent significant time in two different studies explaining the Gospel to Norbi. Please pray for Norbi to come to a complete understanding of the the personal decision that remains for him to make. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” — Mark 8:35
ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY
Klári, Edina and Timi continue to attend our Wednesday English Bible Study. We sense that all of them are much closer to making personal decisions to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Please pray for Tünde, Klári, Edina and Timi as our Bible study is getting closer to the concluding challenge to weigh all we have learned about Jesus and personally decide what we will believe.
VBS JUST A WEEK AWAY!
Next week will be the final week of preparation for our VBS. We already have over 50 kids signed up from Petőfibánya and a few surrounding villages. Please pray for us (and especially Julika) as we finish all the prep work involved in presenting five days of Gospel centered teaching to these kids.
RANDOM FAMILY SHOTS
Above: Dad and Elianna going through the first steps of riding a bike. Kira was content skipping behind us.
Above: Elianna taking the pits out of a boatload of cherries. The cherries are ripe for pickn’ here in Hungary where practically every house comes with a cherry tree. People are bringing them by the bucket load to our house as gifts and Sharon is finding creative ways to use them.
God is always at work, but there are times when this is more apparent than others. This past week has been full of very visible works that have stirred up praise and thanksgiving in our hearts.
First there is the story of Dezső bringing sad news in our weekly team meeting. A couple who lives on the same street as Dezső were having serious marital problems. This couple once visited our English Club and even our marriage class many months ago, but did not return. It was Dezső's desire to reach out to them as it was apparent at that time that the husband also struggled with alcoholism as Dezső once did. Now months later, Dezső shared in the meeting that the husband fell back into alcoholism and was looking for permission to sleep outside in Dezső's yard. Dezső's wife Marcsi reached out to the wife who shared her hopeless situation and said she was leaning toward divorce. We took this to the Lord in our meeting and recognized that this low point could be just the opportunity for God to reveal His grace, His power to save and His love for Tamás and Ági.
Dezső had an opportunity to meet with the wife and shared his testimony of how God saved him from a destructive life of alcoholism. He encouraged her that there was hope in God and He has proven His power in his own life. Dezső encouraged her not to follow the examples or advice of those who readily approve of divorce. He then set up a meeting at his house where both Tamás and Ági could meet. While that conversation was going on, Tamás was in Budapest (being kicked out of the house) totally hopeless. Tamás turned to God in prayer saying the only thing he knew as a child ... the Lord's Prayer. Immediately after that, Tamás received an sms from Ági saying "Come back home, Dezső says he can help."
Dezső has met with both of them mulitple times this past week, and shared his testimony with them. By God's grace, Dezső has been used to bring them into a process of reconciliation and helped them to begin seeking a life of freedom found in Jesus Christ. They have agreed to attend a Christian recovery center together (Ági playing a supportive role there). They also agreed to attend a Bible Study with Dezső and Marcsi, and even came to church on Sunday!
Above: Tamás (yellow checkered shirt) and his wife Ági (in black) responded to Dezső’s invitation to attend our church on Sunday.
Dezső has been very clear that without fellowship, without support and accountability from those who love them there will be no progress. Praise God for this amazing work He is doing in Tamás and Ági's life and for helping Dezső know how best to minister to them. Please pray for Tamás' full recovery and for both of them to put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Above: Church member Hugi’s mother Érzsi (in light green) attended our church for the second Sunday in a row. When I introduced her in service, I used the form of her name that only family uses (similar to a lovable nick name), to which she got a kick out of. Hugi was overjoyed that her mother seems to becoming more open to learning more about God and spending time in our fellowship.
Above: Baby dedication. Church member Eszti with her newborn daughter Eliána. “I prayed for this boy, and the LORD has given me the request that I asked of him. Now I dedicate him to the LORD. From this time on he is dedicated to the LORD. Then they worshiped the LORD there.” — 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Above: Our Kira and Eszt’s Alina singing after worship service was over.
A TEEN TURNING BACK
Above: Teenager Norbi attended our worship service Sunday.
As I reported last week, we held our first hike of the summer for teens and young adults. It turned out that we had ages all over the spectrum join us. See short film below...
God was clearly at work in our discussion time around the campfire. Teenager Norbi who reconnected with us that night came to church tonight. What is amazing is that he has no other friends that come to church. He has no family there. He came according to his own desire, by himself. For a 17 year old in a small town, this takes true resolve and is a sign that God, the Holy Spirit is drawing him to Himself. “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” — John 16:8
After service, Norbi shared with me how he has had it with drinking and partying. He said for a long time he had a terrible relationship with his mother and it was his fault. It was clear that God was softening his spirit. I told him that it is good for us to see clearly the error of our ways and come humbly to God. This is exactly where our hearts need to be to understand the fullness of His love, His forgiveness and receive the new life in Christ that He offers freely to those who believe in Him.
Later in the week, Norbi expressed his desire to be baptized. Miki and Allen have spent significant time in two different studies explaining the Gospel to Norbi. Please pray for Norbi to come to a complete understanding of the the personal decision that remains for him to make. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” — Mark 8:35
ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY
Klári, Edina and Timi continue to attend our Wednesday English Bible Study. We sense that all of them are much closer to making personal decisions to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Please pray for Tünde, Klári, Edina and Timi as our Bible study is getting closer to the concluding challenge to weigh all we have learned about Jesus and personally decide what we will believe.
VBS JUST A WEEK AWAY!
Next week will be the final week of preparation for our VBS. We already have over 50 kids signed up from Petőfibánya and a few surrounding villages. Please pray for us (and especially Julika) as we finish all the prep work involved in presenting five days of Gospel centered teaching to these kids.
RANDOM FAMILY SHOTS
Above: Dad and Elianna going through the first steps of riding a bike. Kira was content skipping behind us.
Above: Elianna taking the pits out of a boatload of cherries. The cherries are ripe for pickn’ here in Hungary where practically every house comes with a cherry tree. People are bringing them by the bucket load to our house as gifts and Sharon is finding creative ways to use them.
blog comments powered by Disqus