We were blessed to have our daughters Ellie and Kira serve with us at English Camp for teens and young adults this past week.



Above: Morgan who is serving with us this summer greeting parents and new campers.







We had a great team of volunteers that worked well together through the week to present the Gospel to the campers.





Our "Isten Hozott" banner hanging over the building we used for our main meetings. This means "Welcome" but the literal translation is "God brought you". Although we had a smaller number of campers this year, we believe God had a special plan to reveal Himself to each one of them through this ministry.





Each morning we held our Bible Reading Hour with the kids to help them improve their English reading ability. We were able to read about the life of Jesus in the Bible and helped the campers to understand truths of the gospel each day. Our classes were mixed with those who were agnostic, atheist, indifferent, seeking and believers.



Virág (above right) was in my class. She shared that one of her desires at camp was to draw closer to God after feeling that she had drifted over the past year.



Livia (left) with Alecia. Throughout the week you could see Livia hunting down leaders and talking one on one with them about spiritual questions. She asked Alecia, "Can you teach me how to read the Bible on a regular basis?" Alecia recommended that they begin that day starting with Psalm 1. After talking about it together, Alisa shared about the importance of personalizing what we read. Livia picked out a word that stood out in their reading: "wicked." She asked, "What does that mean?" Alecia said, "Anyone who chooses to reject God and not live according to His will." Livia replied, "That describes most of my friends. Should I leave them?" Alecia shared that Livia could be an influence in their lives to help them come to know Jesus. But if there is a point where they begin to lead her away, then it may be good to part ways with them. They continued to read the Psalms each day. After camp, Livia messaged our daughter Ellie asking about our church. Although it is far away from where Livia lives, she may try to visit soon.

Gospel Night

As time drew near for the evening Gospel Night program to begin, a violent storm swept through our area. High powered winds knocked down branches and tumbled large flowerpots. Thankfully all our campers were huddled in two separate buildings waiting for the storm to pass. Then more powerful rain came along with hail and lightening which knocked out the power. We grabbed a few portable lights, and began singing the songs we had learned together at camp. By now they had knew many words by heart and joined in with raised voices!



With the power outage remaining, we continued to go on with what we had planned for the night. With just a few portable lights, with the rest of the room in darkness, Ellie began by sharing a poem that she had written from Mary, Lazarus’ sister’s perspective. She shared about the reality of our relationship with God and how things don’t always go the way we expect. It was powerful.



Afterwards, Patrik shared his personal testimony about his journey of fulfilling his dream of professional soccer that tragically ended by a severe injury. He shared how God had showed him that Jesus was far greater than any of things we could obtain in this world.



The youth group from our church presented a drama about the separation one experiences from God through falling into the common temptations the world offers. After loosing her way, the drama shows the power and love of Christ to save her from the power of sin and restore her to her original purpose of being a child of God.



Andrew then gave the final message about the danger of wasting life gaining the whole world, but loosing your soul. He encouraged the students to consider all that they had been reading and talking about in small groups. Afterwards, Cathy asked for the campers who wanted to talk to someone and remain to raise their hands while all eyes were closed and heads bowed. Eight campers raised their hands and more stayed to meet and talk. And this is when the power came back on.





Above: Sandi was able to talk and pray with Ibolya (yellow headband) who stayed after to talk. Ibolya shared about having a very tough year struggling with depression but she gained a renewed hope while being at camp. Her parents are Buddhists and want their daughter to be the same. Ibolya made a decision a few years ago at English Camp, but at home pretends to go along with her parents as they are opposed to Christianity. One of the films we watched together with the campers before this had a character that was rejected by her parents for her Christian faith. Ibolya doesn't have a community of believers to be a part of where she lives and feels there is no one to talk to for encouragement. Please pray for her to find that community and grow in her faith in Christ.





Above: Our daughter Kira was able to talk to Kata (pictured above with her brother Gyula) who stayed behind. Earlier in the week, Kata seemed to be causing some trouble, forming clicks with other girls and even telling one of the staff workers to not sit at 'her' table at lunch time. Kira asked her, "Why did you choose to stay?" Kata replied, "I don't know, I just like the 'vibe' in here." Kira asked if she could pray for Kata and when Kira opened her eyes, Kata was weeping. Although Kata did not go much further, this was a good first step and Kata does have those who are open to God in her friend circle. Please pray for her and her brother Gyula's (red shirt above) salvation.





Above: Val talking with Lilli who stayed afterward. Lilli shared the same struggles at home that Ibolya was experiencing. She said if she wears a cross or says anything about God, her parents press her down and her family makes fun of her faith in God. Lilli asked for prayer for her family members and connected with Lilliom who will be following up with her.





Above: We had another Lilli that stayed after (pictured with Sharon above). After asking Amiya (pink shirt) about how she is different by believing in Jesus and hearing Amiya's testimony, Liilli said, "I want that too." She prayed to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Please pray for follow up for for connecting Lilli to a healthy church.



Above: Balázs also stayed afterwards and Patrik was able to pray with him. After prayer, Balázs just sat in the room by himself. He just wanted to be alone. He wasn't sad, but just sitting there thinking. He shared that at last year's camp he didn't make a decision, but he did begin to pray to Jesus at home after camp. He was dealing with some anger at God because of the death of his grandmother this past year and almost didn't come to camp because he knew we would be talking about God. Patrik spoke to him about the importance of being saved. It seemed to Patrik initially, that Balázs was hesitant, not giving a definite yes. They spoke for some time again and Patrik asked again. This time, Balázs strongly said, "Yes, Yes, Yes!" Balázs prayed to receive Christ as Savior and Lord.



Above: Nimrod pictured left. As the night was coming to an end and campers were retuning to their rooms, Nimrod came back and asked if we could talk. Nimrod has been to a few camps already and really relates to my personal testimony and what I've been through in life. He said, "I just wanted to thank you." I could see that Nimrod was moved in his heart. He said, "I don't know why I always get emotional here. I'm not an emotional guy, but it happens here every year." He shared how this camp has helped him to have a renewed hope in life. Nimrod made a decision last year, but unfortunately, he hasn't found a home church where he can grow. I shared with him the importance of finding a fellowship where he can be known and know others and grow in his faith. Nimrod shared about some fears that he was experiencing about his future and I brought his attention to how God's promise in Matthew 6:33 has brought direction and peace in my life: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." We talked about the amazing love of God and how we can trust Him even if He is calling us in directions we did not expect or even desire. On the closing day, Sharon and I were able to meet Nimrod's dad who shared that he was brought up a Catholic, but did not really practice religion. While standing with Nimrod, his father said to us, "I know my son has had a spiritual experience here and is seeking. He will need to find his own path." Nimrod has found Jesus, but is in great need of a home church and discipleship. Please pray for him to follow up on recommendations that were given to him of church options in his area.




Above: Lara and Luca were in tears the last day of camp saying their goodbyes. Many of these kids don't look forward to going home after being with us for a week and experiencing the beauty of the love of Christ in so many ways through the volunteers at camp. Lara lives in a town that is not too far from our village and she said that she'd visit our youth group with Luca. Please pray for them.





Above: Our red team group pic.

Closing ceremonies

Above: The campers get a certificate, a camp shirt and a Bible.

We had a wonderful week and it ended with several parents joining us for our closing ceremonies. They too heard the Word of God in the songs we sang. Several of the parents came to Cathy and said it was so important for them to see how we were with their kids and to see the camp video. They want to send their kids back and encourage others to come as well. The campers were so excited to have family there.



What a great week and a great time serving together with our brothers and sisters in Christ with a common goal to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to Hungarians.

We would appreciate prayer for the campers we've mentioned above. We also ask for prayer as we prepare for our first of two VBS camps coming up in our home town of Petofibánya. We have around 100 kids registered for each one and the first Camp starts Monday! Pray for God to do a might work in their hearts and to draw a new generation to Jesus. Enjoy some of the films below that I put together while at English Camp!

Summer camp season begins!

Above: Our youngest and oldest daughter Ziva and Ellie. Not too long before Ziva catches up in height! Both of them served as translators at camp.

Above: Our daughter Kira with our new teammates Morgan and Adilene. Morgan just arrived to Hungary and will be serving with us throughout the summer and Adilene has already been with us a few months and will finish her time with us after summer. We're so thankful that they answered God's calling on their lives to take a step of faith and venture out to serve in Hungary.

This past week we served together in English Camp for younger children at our local middle school where our teammate Roger (below with mic) teaches Bible classes.





Above: On the first day, it was clear that first time camper Zalán was afraid and anxious as kids were checking in. Teammate Heidi was quick to come over to comfort him and help him ease into the new environment. It didn't take long for Zalán to fit right in and enjoy being there each day.









The children would rotate through different classes like grammar, science and art class. They had fun with various team building projects and problem solving.








Above: Each day we finished with someone sharing their personal testimony as to how they met Jesus Christ. It was great to hear the variety of ways that God sought them out and revealed his love and presence to each one.




Above: We finished our week with an afternoon full of water games.


Above: The 7th graders from last year enjoyed the camp so much that they asked to return this year even though there were no plans for 8th graders to be allowed to come. Sándor (pictured above left) was one of those kids. On the last day, Kira had an opportunity to share with Sándor how God has been changing her and invited him to come to the youth group meeting that was being held that same night. Sándor attended and we hope that he will now come on a regular basis to learn more about life in Christ.


Above: I had a great time playing soccer with Zalán at free time each day. He told me he'd be coming to our Bible camp that is just over three weeks away. Pray for these younger children to come to faith in Jesus at a young age.





Above: On Saturday, the parents were invited to camp for closing ceremonies.



Above: While outside for snack time with the kids, I was able to speak with Vivi’s mother (above), telling her what a great job her daughter did saying her memory verse. Her mother told me how much Vivi loves going to our camps and how there aren’t many opportunities in the area to practice english with native speakers. God opened up a door to share a bit of my testimony about how God called me to Hungary. I often see people nodding their head with understanding when I share about the emptiness I experienced before knowing Jesus, even though I had reached all my worldly goals. The majority of kids that go to our camps come from unbelieving families that do not attend church. We know that we, the believers in Jesus are the body of Christ and we bring the ‘church’ to them. These camps and the topics we talk about are a great bridge builder to help them taste and see that the Lord is good. They can all hear the invitation that we heard in our own lives to return to God through Christ and begin a new life of faith in Him as a beloved child of God.







Above: Praise God for the team from the US that came to serve. Szabi wanted to present them with a surprise Hungarian gift, a face painted flag of Hungary before finishing camp.

This camp was a great way to kick off our summer camp season and we’ll be continuing to spend time with many of the younger kids who will also attend our VBS camp next month. Praise God for providing a capable and joyous team that served in unity and blessed these kids. Praise God for great weather throughout the week to be outside and for protection from major injuries and sicknesses. We trust that many seeds were planted in these kids hearts and ask you to continue to pray for them to personally encounter Jesus Christ and understand and believe the gospel this summer.



We ask you to pray as we'll be beginning our next English camp for teens and young adults in the town of Lakitelek on Saturday! Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to share the love and truth of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ to a new generation of Hungarians.

Here are some highlight films from last weeks camp.