Weekly Update
October 12, 2009
FRIDAY NIGHT HIKE
Above: Ben a little excited about being able to go on the hike which is usually only open to teens. This would be our last hike offered for the teens until next summer, as winter is quickly approaching.
Above: The kids and teens really enjoyed making there way up the mountain, enjoying the beautiful weather and sun set over Petőfibánya.
Above: After settling around the campfire, teammate Roger was able to give his testimony about how he came to know and put his faith in Jesus Christ. For most of these teens (and kids) this is their first exposure to hearing the Gospel. As they attend our Friday night outreach, we hope to live among them as role models, especially for the teen boys who have no father figure at home. It is our hope that they would all choose a relationship with our Father who has proven His love and faithfulness to us through Jesus Christ.
Above: Seated on a rock on the right is Enikő and Eszti. Enikő, who made a decision to put her faith in Jesus Christ in this year's English camp, commuted all the way from Budapest to hike with us. It is a joy to see Enikő continue to grow in her faith even in the midst of close famiy members opposing her decision. It was also a joy to see church member Eszti (far right) be an encouragement and friend for Enikő on the hike.
Above: Even though she looks like a teen, Eszti has four children and has begun serving in our teen ministry as her mother in law is able to watch her kids. Along with church members Gabi, Hugi and Peti, Eszti has begun attending ministry training for the past month as she takes on more responsibility on our worship team and in our Friday night outreach. God has given us the calling as leaders "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12) From the inception of the church in Petőfibánya we have been looking for those God is raising up to take our place. We are very encouraged that God has graciously been building these members up!
SUNDAY BAPTISM
Above: Over the past few months, I have been privileged to go through the foundations of our faith and the Gospel with Peti (seated in red shirt). Out of the three that were attending this class that is required before baptism in our church, Peti was the only one who felt called to publicly declare his faith in Jesus through baptism.
Above: Dezső and Peti, just before Peti made his way to our baptismal. Dezső, Peti and Gabi have been attending a Bible school one Saturday a month. The bulk of their work is done through extension, completing required reading assignments and writing papers before their monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity for all three of these men who are in different stages of life. Dezső is attending out of response to God's clear calling him into the pastorate. Peti is attending as a fresh believer in Jesus who has a family and four children. Gabi is attending as a young man with remaining questions about future direction in life. All three will benefit with a strong foundation in God's word as they continue to follow Jesus.
Above: Eszti must be feeling elated as she had been praying for her husband for years. In repeated attempts to draw him into our church and outreaches, Peti seemed very resistant and very closed to the whole idea of a personal relationship with God. Peti even told me that he remembers the day when Eszti returned home after being baptized years ago and felt indignant about the whole matter. It wasn't until this year, in a seemingly random event (a hike with Miki and Roger), that Peti recalls something happening in his spirit. Before the hike, Peti had been attending our Friday night outreaches and had been hearing testimonies and Bible teaching each week. He said that while he was on the hike, it was just like something all of a sudden changed and he was convicted that God was true. We believe this was a miraculous work of God's grace, just as Jesus spoke about in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." Miki gave Peti a Bible that Peti began reading for the first time with an open heart. Soon afterwards, Peti put his faith in Jesus and has been growing ever since. Praise God for His continued work of grace in the hearts of those who were once enemies and are now brought near through Jesus Christ's work on the cross as redeemed children.
THE KIDS
Above: We had to pull Kira out of pre-school last week because of sickness. She was gracious enough to pass on her sickness to dad and now both of them are experiencing flu like symptoms. Even while sick, Kira somehow keeps the family laughing with her hilarious dialogue about life and off the cuff comments at just the right time. After lunch the other day, Ben came to Sharon asking if he could do something. Kira, sitting right next to Sharon, blurted out in her robot voice, "NOT- UNTIL - YOU - FINISH - YOUR - HOMEWORK - BENNI."
Above: Ben continues to be a whiz kid at school, racking up the equivalent of straight A's in his classes. His soccer season has started again and he spends most of his free time riding his bike around town with dad or building new lego creations in his room.
Above: Ellie's crafty creation that she made in pre-school. Ellie has shown the most dramatic changes due to changing her diet in response to being diagnosed with celiac disease. Her language skills in picking up Hungarian are progressing and she is much more able to socialize with other kids at school. These are two areas where she previously struggled, most likely because of constant pain in her belly and tiredness associated with celiac disease. Last year she could only handle three days of school before looking exhausted, and this year she is going every day and is even starting a dance class. We praise God that this disease was properly diagnosed at a young age, where in most cases it is not discovered until much later in life.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Healing for Allen and Kira and for teammate Dezső who is also experiencing flu-like symptoms.
• Wednesday English Bible Study (That more would come and hear the Gospel through this class)
• Thursday Dinner with friends (That our dinner would lead to open doors to share the Gospel with our dinner guests)
• Friday-Saturday-Sunday teen conference. That Norbi, Niki, Peti and Hugi would be encouraged in their faith and in their prayer life as they attend a conference that teaches about the importance of prayer. Also strength and help for Sharon who will be at home with our three kids while Allen attends the conference.
• Please pray for continued financial provision as we have increased financial needs. Pray also for financial provision for our teammates, Miki and Erika and Dezső and Marcsi.
Above: Ben a little excited about being able to go on the hike which is usually only open to teens. This would be our last hike offered for the teens until next summer, as winter is quickly approaching.
Above: The kids and teens really enjoyed making there way up the mountain, enjoying the beautiful weather and sun set over Petőfibánya.
Above: After settling around the campfire, teammate Roger was able to give his testimony about how he came to know and put his faith in Jesus Christ. For most of these teens (and kids) this is their first exposure to hearing the Gospel. As they attend our Friday night outreach, we hope to live among them as role models, especially for the teen boys who have no father figure at home. It is our hope that they would all choose a relationship with our Father who has proven His love and faithfulness to us through Jesus Christ.
Above: Seated on a rock on the right is Enikő and Eszti. Enikő, who made a decision to put her faith in Jesus Christ in this year's English camp, commuted all the way from Budapest to hike with us. It is a joy to see Enikő continue to grow in her faith even in the midst of close famiy members opposing her decision. It was also a joy to see church member Eszti (far right) be an encouragement and friend for Enikő on the hike.
Above: Even though she looks like a teen, Eszti has four children and has begun serving in our teen ministry as her mother in law is able to watch her kids. Along with church members Gabi, Hugi and Peti, Eszti has begun attending ministry training for the past month as she takes on more responsibility on our worship team and in our Friday night outreach. God has given us the calling as leaders "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12) From the inception of the church in Petőfibánya we have been looking for those God is raising up to take our place. We are very encouraged that God has graciously been building these members up!
SUNDAY BAPTISM
Above: Over the past few months, I have been privileged to go through the foundations of our faith and the Gospel with Peti (seated in red shirt). Out of the three that were attending this class that is required before baptism in our church, Peti was the only one who felt called to publicly declare his faith in Jesus through baptism.
Above: Dezső and Peti, just before Peti made his way to our baptismal. Dezső, Peti and Gabi have been attending a Bible school one Saturday a month. The bulk of their work is done through extension, completing required reading assignments and writing papers before their monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity for all three of these men who are in different stages of life. Dezső is attending out of response to God's clear calling him into the pastorate. Peti is attending as a fresh believer in Jesus who has a family and four children. Gabi is attending as a young man with remaining questions about future direction in life. All three will benefit with a strong foundation in God's word as they continue to follow Jesus.
Above: Eszti must be feeling elated as she had been praying for her husband for years. In repeated attempts to draw him into our church and outreaches, Peti seemed very resistant and very closed to the whole idea of a personal relationship with God. Peti even told me that he remembers the day when Eszti returned home after being baptized years ago and felt indignant about the whole matter. It wasn't until this year, in a seemingly random event (a hike with Miki and Roger), that Peti recalls something happening in his spirit. Before the hike, Peti had been attending our Friday night outreaches and had been hearing testimonies and Bible teaching each week. He said that while he was on the hike, it was just like something all of a sudden changed and he was convicted that God was true. We believe this was a miraculous work of God's grace, just as Jesus spoke about in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." Miki gave Peti a Bible that Peti began reading for the first time with an open heart. Soon afterwards, Peti put his faith in Jesus and has been growing ever since. Praise God for His continued work of grace in the hearts of those who were once enemies and are now brought near through Jesus Christ's work on the cross as redeemed children.
THE KIDS
Above: We had to pull Kira out of pre-school last week because of sickness. She was gracious enough to pass on her sickness to dad and now both of them are experiencing flu like symptoms. Even while sick, Kira somehow keeps the family laughing with her hilarious dialogue about life and off the cuff comments at just the right time. After lunch the other day, Ben came to Sharon asking if he could do something. Kira, sitting right next to Sharon, blurted out in her robot voice, "NOT- UNTIL - YOU - FINISH - YOUR - HOMEWORK - BENNI."
Above: Ben continues to be a whiz kid at school, racking up the equivalent of straight A's in his classes. His soccer season has started again and he spends most of his free time riding his bike around town with dad or building new lego creations in his room.
Above: Ellie's crafty creation that she made in pre-school. Ellie has shown the most dramatic changes due to changing her diet in response to being diagnosed with celiac disease. Her language skills in picking up Hungarian are progressing and she is much more able to socialize with other kids at school. These are two areas where she previously struggled, most likely because of constant pain in her belly and tiredness associated with celiac disease. Last year she could only handle three days of school before looking exhausted, and this year she is going every day and is even starting a dance class. We praise God that this disease was properly diagnosed at a young age, where in most cases it is not discovered until much later in life.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Healing for Allen and Kira and for teammate Dezső who is also experiencing flu-like symptoms.
• Wednesday English Bible Study (That more would come and hear the Gospel through this class)
• Thursday Dinner with friends (That our dinner would lead to open doors to share the Gospel with our dinner guests)
• Friday-Saturday-Sunday teen conference. That Norbi, Niki, Peti and Hugi would be encouraged in their faith and in their prayer life as they attend a conference that teaches about the importance of prayer. Also strength and help for Sharon who will be at home with our three kids while Allen attends the conference.
• Please pray for continued financial provision as we have increased financial needs. Pray also for financial provision for our teammates, Miki and Erika and Dezső and Marcsi.
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