HEALTH UPDATE

Last Monday I (Allen) had a follow up exam with my doctor concerning my problems with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Blood tests returned normal results for my liver and pancreas which could have also contributed to the symptoms I continue to have. We praise God for these positive results. The doctor believes that the symptoms I continue to experience can be triggered by stress. I will be on one more week of acid reducing medication and a special diet and then see where we stand after that. I can say that God has been very gracious as I continue to gradually feel better, but I am still not 100%.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.”— Psalm 57

I am also thankful for this season of struggle as it has drawn me closer to my Father and helped me to experience Him as a refuge like no other time in my life. Because of the gradual healing that God is providing I am starting this week to step back into ministries that require physical and mental strength. I would appreciate you joining me in asking our Father to grant complete healing and restoring of normal breathing and freedom in eating. The words “you’ve lost weight” are not a positive thing for me if you know how skinny I am already :)

Sharon has gone on a completely gluten free diet at the advice of her doctor as we try to find out what is causing stomach problems. She is over a week into the diet and still has had problems. Please pray for wisdom for proper diagnosis and for complete healing.

SUNDAY WORSHIP



Above: Hugi (left) wishing Gizi (right) a happy birthday at the end of our worship service by encouraging her with a Psalm. Gizi then stood before the church and said, “I want to thank God for life. I’m seventy one years old and believe it or not, this is the first time I am thanking Him for the life He gave me.” Meeting Gizi is like meeting a warm fire on a cold night. She emanates joy and warmth as God is doing a mighty work of healing in the last year of her life. Raised as a Catholic, Gizi ended up leaving God for many years and lived pain because of past abuse and in grief after losing one of her daughters tragically. God in His grace wooed Gizi back, first through a Christian radio show and then through being invited to our church. Since that time we continue to see healing in her soul and evidence of God’s Spirit transforming her from the inside out. Just this past Sunday, Gizi stepped into our baptism preparation class and informed me of her decision to be baptized. Praise God for meeting this seventy year old woman with decades of pain, grief and sin to call her into HIs powerful arms of love through Jesus Christ.



Above: Niki, Eszti and Enikő. Enikő who was saved in English Camp, is commuting to our church every other week. She has also decided to be baptized and attended our first preparation class. Please pray for all three of these women to continue to mature in their faith, to walk by His Spirit and to develop a deep fellowship where they can encourage and bless each other through God’s word.

FUN FAMILY PICS



Above: Our youngest Kira disappearing and reappearing under mommies chair.





Above: Ellie had an idea a few months ago that she wanted to be a Christmas tree for Farsang (a Hungarian holiday where kids dress up but don’t go door to door to collect candy). Sharon was successful taking her idea to reality and Ellie actually won second place in a costume competition held at a gluten free Farsang event this past weekend. The prize... gluten free cake she can actually eat!



Above: Kira’s lady bug costume fits her cute personality.



Above: Ben continues to grow in wisdom and stature. Hugging him every night, I realize how he has gone from a little boy looking and reaching up to me, to a boy that can now tackle me.



Above: Kira holding her pretend baby Elianna, and teammate Heidi holding her real baby Emily.



Above: Our girls matching Mickey Mouse hair they sometimes wear to preschool together.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Healing for Allen and Sharon mentioned above. Healing for Hungarian teammate Marcsi.

• Strength for Allen transitioning back into ministry.

• Enikő and Gizi who have decided to be baptized.

• Wednesday night English Bible Study starting back up (Pray for God to draw those who attend to Himself through the study of the book of John)

• Friday night teen outreach (Specifically for Dezső and Roger who have been leading discussions)

• Saturday Puppet Conference (Safety in traveling and encouraging fellowship with those who attend)