BOGÁCS (boe-gah-ch)

Because of our VBS last week, I wasn't able to commute to Bogács for our weekly Bible study. I was excited to be able to return again this week and was greeted by Mazsi and her daugther Melisza in their front yard. Mazsi asked me this week if God could hear her even if she didn't pray out loud. There are so many basic truths that we take for granted that this household is learning for the first time. Mazsi smiled as I told her that Jesus knows us from the inside out and that prayers in our spirit are heard just as much as prayers spoken out loud.

We walked next door to Pulyka's house where we are now regularly holding our Tuesday discovery Bible study. Pulyka, the father of the household, and his wife were there waiting as well as their daughter Izabella. Family members, all live in close proximity seemingly squeezed together in a section of Bogács where the Romani have built up homes. Mulit generations live in one house together, while those who have moved out being married or having kids are very close by.



Above: Izabella with one of her youngest. Izabella continues to read through the Gospel of John and is recognizing more and more the Spirit of God bringing conviction when she has sinned, cleansing when she confesses and discernment between what is right and wrong in God's sight. Her partner (not married) with whom she has three children is currently in prison. It appears that God is at work in his heart as well as he finishes his term in prison. Izabella has been writing to him about her faith in Jesus and the changes He is bringing into her life. Izabella excitedly gave testimony to how she is free from the fear that once controlled her in the past. Praise God!

Apparently the Jesus film was shown on TV the week I wasn't able to come out and the household spent much time retelling what they saw before we started the Bible study. Izabella highlighted one part of the film saying that Jesus commanded his disciples to go out to all the nations sharing the Gospel. I then said to her, "And does that have anything to do with you?" She responded with a smile, "Yes!"

Soon, Ödön, Józsi and Pukadur joined us and they shared some ways they saw God's grace in their lives last week. Without me knowing it, our Bible study coincided with the parts of what they saw in the Jesus film last week. When Izabella's little sister began reading the text out loud, three or four of them began shouting, "That's what we just saw!" God is bringing His truth to them in various forms!

Izabella also shared that she was learning about how our words can be used to curse or to bless and as believers we need to pay special attention to how we use our tongue. She said there is so much that she needs to learn and I encouraged her to not focus on how much more she needs to learn, but to simply be obedient to what Jesus is teaching her at the moment.



Above: Pukadur with his daughter Melisza. His wife Mazsi is pictured standing in background far right.

Pukadur (Mazsi's husband) said, "I don't know if I've made a decision or not or whats going on inside of me but something is changing. You know how I was against all this in the past! But now, It seems like everyday, more and more God is on my mind. I'm turning to him in prayer more and more." Pukadur continued to share a story about having the opportunity to do business illegally last week but choosing to say no because of new convictions God is giving him. Pukadur is one of the men who in the very beginning simply laughed in the background as we studied the Bible together months ago. His wife already has chosen to put her faith in Jesus and I believe the Spirit is at work in his heart. Please pray for him to come to a full understanding of the Gospel and be transformed by Jesus Christ.



Above: Józsi (green shirt), Krisztian (grey shirt) and Pulyka (leaning against back wall).

After the study I was able to pray for Pulyka's leg which was in pain again from his long days of picking mushrooms in the forrest. Jesus was gracious to heal him after the second time praying while the others watched. His son Krisztian that I prayed for a few weeks ago continues to be free of the pain he suffered for so long in his back. Krisztian has also been consistently coming to the studies and has asked for prayer for aggressive behavior and anger which he now recognizes are not right. He needs to come to know Jesus. Would you pray for Krisztian as well (above grey shirt)?

I feel so privileged to be invited by Jesus into this work in this village. This household has welcomed me in as family and Pulyka's wife told me that every Tuesday everyone is looking at the time waiting excitedly for when I will come with God's Word. She expressed her thanks as the marriage problems, the constant fighting and lack of peace they had experienced has since been changed by Jesus. May the Lord continue to bring His kingdom to this household and may they all come to worship the Peace Maker Jesus Christ. I appreciate your continued prayer for us!

APC

Unlike Bogács which is about an hour away, Apc is a neighboring town about 5 minutes away. We began holding studies in Apc a few months ago in the home of a Romani couple Zsolti and Vincse. Over the course of these months the group has seen visits from both sides of their family and various contacts that they have made in Apc over the years. Zsolt and Vincse have been praying for their daughter Vivi and her boyfriend Robi for years. They shared how recently he was so overcome with drug use that he began using money set aside of for his kids for drugs. Robi began to recognize how terrible a situation he was in and decided to come with Vivi to our small group Bible study seeking help.

It was funny to find out this week that initially Robi was itching to get back home and just get out of the small group. But he said as he sat there, he saw something in me that he wanted. He saw that I had joy and peace that something was very different about me. As the study continued he began to feel more peace and stayed to the end asking for prayer. Vivi was so surprised by his calmness that she assumed Robi was on drugs again, but it was God’s Spirit instead wooing Him to Christ. Before praying, I told Robi that I had no power to help him, but in prayer I’d be talking to Jesus who has all power and all authority to set him free.

We prayed for Robi who has been doing drugs for 8 years to be set free. We also prayed for him to be free of an impending possible jail sentence that threatened to take him away from his family. Did Robi deserve jail? Yes. Did Robi deserve God’s help? No. Did Jesus help him? Yes! With joy, I found out this week that Robi has been set free from drug use! This is an amazing work of Jesus! His wife was with him at the group giving testimony of the changes she saw over the weeks that had gone by since I saw them last. Robi shared that there is no way any of this could have happened in his own strength and many of his ‘drug buddies’ are beginning to ask questions and are beginning to look for freedom as well. I told Robi that God has given him a taste of His kingdom and that His kingdom is a good kingdom and He is the perfect Father. I told them that the next step is to put their faith in Jesus and His Gospel. Both Vivi and Robi said they will consider all that we talked about this week and make a decision the next time we meet (Thursday Lord willing). Please pray for Robi and Vivi who have already been touched with a powerful outpouring of God’s grace to respond with repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. “Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Rom 2:4)

Happy 4th of July!

Above: We our team over for a 4th of July get together on Thursday. Ziva is busy here telling Sammy how things should be done.



Above: Here’s some soup after a hard day’s work.



Above: We happened to have some sparklers stored away for the kids to enjoy.



Above: Ellie having some fun with shapes in the dark.



Above: Ziva being Ziva.