December Update

Since returning to Hungary just over four months ago from our furlough we sense the steady faithful work of God in our lives to bring healing, restoration and growth. Praise God that it is His will that “we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (Eph 4:13) This takes time and the amazing work of God’s grace and power of the Holy Spirit forming and shaping us. It takes tests and trials that give us more opportunity to practice what we believe and discover areas where we need to repent and be changed. Through it all, God’s plan is that we continue “growing in every way more and more like Christ.” (Eph 4:15) I am so thankful to be a beloved child in His household. What a privilege to know God as Father and to know that He is raising me in the best possible way. This Christmas season, let us rejoice that we have a God that lavishes His children with His love. “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! “ (1 John 3:1) Max Lucado writes, “He doesn’t just love; He lavishes us with love (1 John 3:1). He doesn’t dole out wisdom; He “gives generously to all without finding fault” (James 1:5). He is rich in “kindness, tolerance and patience” (Romans 2:4). His grace is “exceedingly abundant” (1 Timothy 1:14) and “indescribable” (2 Corinthians 9:14–15).” It is so mind boggling that this unfathomable expanse of God’s love came in such a minuscule fragile physical bundle…God’s Son taking on flesh, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth lying in a manger. Who could understand at that moment that Jesus’ life and ministry would saturate all of humanity and become the revelation of God’s love! A love that spans generations and saves and changes lives in every nation throughout the world. God’s love found us and overcame us.

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Above: Our team/family in Hungary. Part of these past four months have been focused on team building. As we look back over the years and consider ways we can improve, it is evident that we have room to grow in deepening relationships with one another. I have tended to focus much more on tasks and how much we can produce together and had little focus on the importance of how much we are understanding and loving one another. This is another area that God is building up among us and giving us the grace to change.

I wish this would never end


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Above: Children have often commented after attending our VBS in the summer, “I wish this would never end.” The majority of kids that attend are from families that do not know Jesus and do not attend church. As a way to continue to connect with these kids, to love them and continue to turn their hearts to Jesus, we have a monthly Children’s Playhouse Ministry that we hold both in Jászfényszaru and Petofibanya (the two areas we have held VBS ministries).

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Above: Edit, a retired teacher from Petofibanya was impacted by our VBS years ago and later saved. She is now taking on the facilitation of this Children’s Playhouse Ministry in Petofibanya’s public school.

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Above: Photos from the Children’s Playhouse Ministry in Jaszfenyszaru. This is a much younger church planting work and last year was only the second VBS we had held in this town. We praise God for a small group of believers that are taking part in this outreach and continuing to grow in their faith. We continue to hold public worship bi-weekly in Jaszfenyszaru as well as having a small group bi-weekly. Please pray for continued wisdom and that the Lord may build up a dynamic body that lives out the love of Christ.

Clothing distribution


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Above: Twice a year we have begun a service to the community of collecting and distributing clothing and household supplies to those who are needy in Petofibanya. There has been such a positive response that more from the community (who are not church members) are donating and we have so many clothes left over that we are able to also give to the neighboring villages of Apc and Zagyvaszanto.

Youth Ministry


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Above: Youth group continues to meet every Friday night and is composed of church member’s kids and also those who do not attend our church.

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Above: Roger (right) has spent years working with our youth and is such a great influence to those such as Robin (Left) who don’t have a father involved in their lives.

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Above: Roger has been working with church member Arnold (right) seeking to further develop the church’s ministry toward youth. Arnold is in his second year of formal theological training and has developed a small business with language tutoring for high school kids. Years ago, before Arnold met Jesus, he was oppressed with depression and suicidal. What an amazing transformation we have seen in his life! Please pray for our youth to come to know Jesus in much deeper ways and to begin stepping out in faith in serving others for His glory.

Entering a new season


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Above: Praying for teammate Brenda as she prepares to return to the US for a sabbatical. Please pray for our teammate and long time friend who we will miss as she enters into a season of rest, renewal, healing and growth in her relationship with Christ.

Christmas Puppet Outreach


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Above: Gyula, Andi and Miki practicing this year’s show in our basement/make-shift studio.

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Above: Thank all of you who donated to enable us to purchase the CDs and family magazines we’ll be distributing to the kids in public schools this year! We’ve been practicing the puppet show over the last week in our basement as we prepare for our first show December 5th. God has opened the door to 30 public schools and we’ll be able to share the true meaning of Christmas and the Gospel with over 1,500 children.

We appreciate your continued partnership with us as we seek to proclaim the Gospel in Hungary. Thank you for your support and all that you do to encourage and bless our family! May the Peace of God which exceeds anything we can understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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