The Last Two Weeks!
February 25, 2009
WATER HEATER STRIKES BACK!
Above: Dezső cleaning the heating rods found in our water heater. As you can see the water is full of delicious minerals.
After a few days of hot water, our heater began acting up again. After a day and a half of no hot water, Dezső and Miki came to the rescue and found the source of the problem. The person who installed the new part (that began this whole saga a few weeks ago) failed to install a 93 cent specially made washer. Without this washer, the boiler leaked constantly on the newly installed wires, which were then destroyed. I’m thankful for friends who are willing and knowledgeable to help!
MONDAY OUTREACH
Above: Part of our poster. Translation: Train as an astronaut, no thanks I have better things to do.
We held an outreach on Monday night with guest speaker Dr. Eric Barrett. He did an excellent job relaying the story of his interest in science and invitation to train as an astronaut at NASA. It was clear that he captured the attention of over thirty people who attended.
Towards the end of his lecture, he used one of his research projects as an illustration for the Gospel message. We praise God that all of our morning English Club students attended, and student Klári also brought her husband Tibór. For many of them, this is their first exposure to the gospel, or their first exposure to the idea that even a scientist could with all of his heart believe in Jesus Christ. We rejoice with church member Dezső also, as his father attended who seemed to be more open toward the idea of God after this lecture.
WEDNESDAY ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY
Above: For the past two weeks, Edina (left) and Timi (right) have been coming to the English Bible study. We are very thankful for the trust that has been developed over the past year through the English Club. Because of this, they are much more open to share personal thoughts and questions about God.
Through this study, we have challenged them to put away their preconceptions about God and allow the Bible to reveal to them what God says about Himself. We are starting from the beginning in Genesis and will work our way through major Biblical events that lead to the Messiah's coming. Please pray for Timi and Edina, and also for Tünde and Klári who have not been able to come because of weather, or commuting issues.
THURSDAY ENGLISH CLUB
Above: Klári and Tünde in our Thursday morning English Club.
At break time last week in English Club, Tünde began talking about her diet and meditation to Edina. I just listened until she turned to me and said, "right" to gain my agreement. The problem is that I didn't completely agree with what she was saying. From what I could gather from her comments, she believed that our spirits could be cleansed in a way through what we eat. Timi, who also joined the coversation asked, "What is it that you don't agree with?" I was able to share that according to Jesus, our spirit cannot be cleansed through physical means, but the physical can be effected by the state of our spirit.
“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Mark 7:18)
I was able to talk about the need to get healing of the spirit that led to healing of the complete person. The conversation then turned into Tünde talking about the philosophy of "all paths leading to the same God". I tried to help her think through the contradictions found in this philosophy. I talked about the various differences of other world religions when referring to who God is, how to know Him, what comes after death, and the explanation of evil or sin. As there were Bibles sitting on the table, I referred her to Jesus' words found in John 14, where Jesus claimed to be unique and the only way among all supposed ways. Tünde ended by saying we were talking about the same thing, and that she does believe in the God of the Bible. I was later able to put together a small study of scripture that made these Biblical truths clear.
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." (1 Tim 4:4-5)
The following week in English class, Tünde happened to ask me at break time how I was led to Hungary. Edina and Timi also happened to be sitting at the table when this opportunity for me to share my testimony came up. When I got to the point in the story where I told Sharon that I loved her for the first time, Sharon walked in from being out shopping. She also shared some details of our story and then she realized (with her super memory) that today, Feb 26th marks the anniversary of that day when we expressed our commitment to each other for the first time. God works in amazing ways! Tünde who initiated the conversation that led to retelling what happened on this very day years ago could only say, "God is at work." I tried to make the point that God is a trustworthy Father that I willingly follow. He has a far better plan and purpose for my life than I could have ever imagined. He stopped me years ago from continuing to sprint forward in my own way without Him and saved me from a life wasted for my own glory. The greatest joy and satisfaction comes from knowing that I am fulfilling my purpose in glorifying Him. All of this conversation also ties into previous talks I have had with Timi and Edina in our English Bible study. Praise God for opening up these opportunities.
SUNDAY
Above: Sharon helping in Sunday School.
Above: Dezső and Marcsi’s daughter Betti and Miki and Erika’s daughter Anna.
Teammate Brenda has been meeting consistently with the women in our church to teach them about prayer, and to equip them to someday lead their own prayer group. God has used this time to get us closer to the fellowship that I believe God desires for us, as women are sharing deeply with each other, encouraging each other and taking burdens together to the Lord in prayer. Marika, a member of our church who attends the group realized last week that Hungarians grow up in a culture of sadness and complaining. She said, "We can't let this continue in our new faith, we need to learn how to be joyful in the Lord." Praise God for using Brenda to encourage this group and praise Him for the ways He is transforming their thoughts for their benefit and His glory.
After Worship Service, Érzsi's husband Béla expressed his interest in being baptized. He said, "Really, it's not me just following my wife, I have made a personal decision. I want to be baptized." Béla will be meeting with Miki over the next few weeks to prepare for baptism.
FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS
Above: Dad dancing with Elianna at a preschool celebration similar to halloween but without the door to door candy collecting.
Above: Kira joining in on the fun in traditional Hungarian dress.
Above: Ben making a valiant effort at a goal in practice.
Above: Elianna usually leaves these type of beautiful pictures for me every week before English Club.
Above: Dezső cleaning the heating rods found in our water heater. As you can see the water is full of delicious minerals.
After a few days of hot water, our heater began acting up again. After a day and a half of no hot water, Dezső and Miki came to the rescue and found the source of the problem. The person who installed the new part (that began this whole saga a few weeks ago) failed to install a 93 cent specially made washer. Without this washer, the boiler leaked constantly on the newly installed wires, which were then destroyed. I’m thankful for friends who are willing and knowledgeable to help!
MONDAY OUTREACH
Above: Part of our poster. Translation: Train as an astronaut, no thanks I have better things to do.
We held an outreach on Monday night with guest speaker Dr. Eric Barrett. He did an excellent job relaying the story of his interest in science and invitation to train as an astronaut at NASA. It was clear that he captured the attention of over thirty people who attended.
Towards the end of his lecture, he used one of his research projects as an illustration for the Gospel message. We praise God that all of our morning English Club students attended, and student Klári also brought her husband Tibór. For many of them, this is their first exposure to the gospel, or their first exposure to the idea that even a scientist could with all of his heart believe in Jesus Christ. We rejoice with church member Dezső also, as his father attended who seemed to be more open toward the idea of God after this lecture.
WEDNESDAY ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY
Above: For the past two weeks, Edina (left) and Timi (right) have been coming to the English Bible study. We are very thankful for the trust that has been developed over the past year through the English Club. Because of this, they are much more open to share personal thoughts and questions about God.
Through this study, we have challenged them to put away their preconceptions about God and allow the Bible to reveal to them what God says about Himself. We are starting from the beginning in Genesis and will work our way through major Biblical events that lead to the Messiah's coming. Please pray for Timi and Edina, and also for Tünde and Klári who have not been able to come because of weather, or commuting issues.
THURSDAY ENGLISH CLUB
Above: Klári and Tünde in our Thursday morning English Club.
At break time last week in English Club, Tünde began talking about her diet and meditation to Edina. I just listened until she turned to me and said, "right" to gain my agreement. The problem is that I didn't completely agree with what she was saying. From what I could gather from her comments, she believed that our spirits could be cleansed in a way through what we eat. Timi, who also joined the coversation asked, "What is it that you don't agree with?" I was able to share that according to Jesus, our spirit cannot be cleansed through physical means, but the physical can be effected by the state of our spirit.
“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Mark 7:18)
I was able to talk about the need to get healing of the spirit that led to healing of the complete person. The conversation then turned into Tünde talking about the philosophy of "all paths leading to the same God". I tried to help her think through the contradictions found in this philosophy. I talked about the various differences of other world religions when referring to who God is, how to know Him, what comes after death, and the explanation of evil or sin. As there were Bibles sitting on the table, I referred her to Jesus' words found in John 14, where Jesus claimed to be unique and the only way among all supposed ways. Tünde ended by saying we were talking about the same thing, and that she does believe in the God of the Bible. I was later able to put together a small study of scripture that made these Biblical truths clear.
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." (1 Tim 4:4-5)
The following week in English class, Tünde happened to ask me at break time how I was led to Hungary. Edina and Timi also happened to be sitting at the table when this opportunity for me to share my testimony came up. When I got to the point in the story where I told Sharon that I loved her for the first time, Sharon walked in from being out shopping. She also shared some details of our story and then she realized (with her super memory) that today, Feb 26th marks the anniversary of that day when we expressed our commitment to each other for the first time. God works in amazing ways! Tünde who initiated the conversation that led to retelling what happened on this very day years ago could only say, "God is at work." I tried to make the point that God is a trustworthy Father that I willingly follow. He has a far better plan and purpose for my life than I could have ever imagined. He stopped me years ago from continuing to sprint forward in my own way without Him and saved me from a life wasted for my own glory. The greatest joy and satisfaction comes from knowing that I am fulfilling my purpose in glorifying Him. All of this conversation also ties into previous talks I have had with Timi and Edina in our English Bible study. Praise God for opening up these opportunities.
SUNDAY
Above: Sharon helping in Sunday School.
Above: Dezső and Marcsi’s daughter Betti and Miki and Erika’s daughter Anna.
Teammate Brenda has been meeting consistently with the women in our church to teach them about prayer, and to equip them to someday lead their own prayer group. God has used this time to get us closer to the fellowship that I believe God desires for us, as women are sharing deeply with each other, encouraging each other and taking burdens together to the Lord in prayer. Marika, a member of our church who attends the group realized last week that Hungarians grow up in a culture of sadness and complaining. She said, "We can't let this continue in our new faith, we need to learn how to be joyful in the Lord." Praise God for using Brenda to encourage this group and praise Him for the ways He is transforming their thoughts for their benefit and His glory.
After Worship Service, Érzsi's husband Béla expressed his interest in being baptized. He said, "Really, it's not me just following my wife, I have made a personal decision. I want to be baptized." Béla will be meeting with Miki over the next few weeks to prepare for baptism.
FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS
Above: Dad dancing with Elianna at a preschool celebration similar to halloween but without the door to door candy collecting.
Above: Kira joining in on the fun in traditional Hungarian dress.
Above: Ben making a valiant effort at a goal in practice.
Above: Elianna usually leaves these type of beautiful pictures for me every week before English Club.
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