Christmas Event in Budapest

Since our local school was bought last year by the Baptist Social Foundation in Hungary, there have been more opportunities for outreach not only to students but to teachers and parents as well. The Baptists held a special Christmas event in Budapest, inviting all the schools that are now associated with them.



Above: Teachers, students and parents were bussed in from all over Hungary to this evangelistic event. We were thankful that teachers from our hometown also attended.



Above: Teammates, Erika and Miki invited Erika’s grandmother to the Christmas outreach. We praise God that she ended up making a decision when there was an invite to pray and put faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Praise God for continuing to seek and save the lost, no matter how old!

New Year’s Eve

As is our custom on New Year’s Eve, our church comes together for an evening worship service. Afterwards, some return home and many others remain as we fellowship together until midnight.







We were thankful to have many guests attend, including Beno (above left in jean jacket). Beno’s wife Timi was saved a little over a year ago and has been a part of our church’s ministry team. Unfortunately, in the midst of playing games this night, Beno slipped and remained on the floor grasping his leg. After helping him up, it was clear that his ankle had been severely injured and Beno was in severe pain. As many church members and guests looked on, we laid our hands on him and asked Jesus for healing. Beno was then taken to the emergency room where by God’s grace he was (uncharacteristically in Hungary) able to get x-rays right away. We praise God that the x-rays revealed no problems. The following day, Beno’s wife Timi reported that he was already well! Praise God for pouring out his grace on Beno.

Sunday Worship

Above: “Aunt” Gizi embracing some of our kids before they head downstairs for Sunday School. Gizi is one of our oldest members who has an encouraging spirit and is constantly seeking to bless others with encouragement.



Above: Tomi giving thanks to God for His work in his life in 2013. Tomi was an alcoholic with a marriage that was falling apart a few years ago. Today, with freedom from alcohol and a restored marriage, he is an evangelist. Just recently, his boss at work invited him into his home to talk more about what Tomi believed. Pray for Tomi as he shares the Gospel with those at his workplace and now with his boss Jozsi and Jozsi’s family.



Above: Eszti and Zsofia, who years ago put their faith in Jesus at our VBS and have since been growing and maturing in their faith in Christ. Eszti is looking into continued education in theology as she desires to teach the Bible in public schools in Hungary. Please pray for her as this decision is hard for her parents (who are not believers) to understand. Pray that the Father would guide her to just the right school and fulfill her desires in Him.



Above: Roger has faithfully been meeting with the pre-teens in our church every Sunday and investing important time with them going through Scripture.



Above: Some of the pre-teens filling up one of the rooms that we are outgrowing. We have passed 100 when counting the number of people (including children) attending our Sunday worship service. I remember when the number was 4. Our current meeting place is great, but with our expectation of more coming to know Jesus we just need more space. Please pray that God would provide a new meeting place for us this year.

Bogacs

After a two week break in commuting to Bogács, I headed back out last week to start again for the new year with this household. My teammate Miki’s daughter Anna felt in her heart that she wanted to also come and help. No one asked Anna to come and she only had one experience in Bogacs when we presented our Christmas puppet ministry their. Praise God for putting his own love for the poor on Anna’s heart and moving her to join us on a school night to bring His good news and His love to this household.



Above: Eniko helping with the kids in Bogacs as we hold a Bible study in the adjoining room.



Above: Anna, teammate Miki’s daughter joining us to serve in Bogács.



Above: Izabella, Mazsi and Izabella’s little sister Maci. Before New Year’s, in our last meeting, Izabella was struggling in her faith and discouraged. I was thankful that after this two week break of not seeing her to find her encouraged in the Lord. She continued to read God’s word and was freed from a valley of darkness.

Also, before the break, Izabella’s mother Katyus was struggling with the call to forgive and be a peacemaker with her sister who she has been fighting with for years. I was glad to hear that over the break, she took steps to make peace as God’s Spirit moved in her to obey Jesus. Although her sister did not respond to these steps taken toward reconciliation, I praise God that Katyus is seeking to obey and has done what she can to seek for peace. Praise God for His continued work in this household!



Above: Pulyka and Jozsi. Pulyka is the father of the household, and Jozsi is married to Puljka’s wife’s sister. Over the break I had been praying for these men who had been beginning to drift and not attend as often as before. When I returned after the break, I was glad to see them and see their involvement in the Bible study. Please pray that God would put a burning desire for His word in their hearts. Pray that He would raise up leaders, pastors, evangelists from this household and bring His kingdom into this village.

Family

Above: Ziva with her friend Sam.



Above: The kids on Christmas morning, Ellie, Ziva, Kira and Ben.

We’re looking forward to a New Year and seeing how God will continue to pour out His abundant mercy and grace. Thank all of you that have supported us in this ministry and pray for us. You are partners with us as we seek to plant more churches in Hungary for the glory of Jesus Christ.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
— 2 Thessalonians 3:16