March Update

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Above: A flooded field becomes a temporary ice skating rink for our hometown of Petofibanya.

Isn’t it amazing how God continues to seek and save the lost throughout the world? When I was saved by God’s grace in the small state of Delaware, I had no idea I would be sent to the small village of Petofibánya that many Hungarians don’t even know exist. God knows, and God cares. No one is lost in the crowd of over 8 billion people in this world. There is no ‘middle of nowhere’, no ‘out of reach’ that Christ cannot saturate with His love and raise the spiritually dead to life. What a privilege to be His child and to join Him in His purposes!

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Above: Welcome to the family of Christ, Barni and Erik!

Over the past few months three youth have been baptized from our church. One of them, Barni, says in his testimony, “I grew up in a Christian home.” That’s a rare statement for those being baptized as most are first generation believers. Barni’s parent’s were actually saved in our church as first generation believers. Odett, another youth baptized, also has parents that are first generation believers that were saved in our church. Praise God for His work in entire households and for a new generation of Hungarians that are growing up in Christ.

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Above: Erik, unlike Odett and Barni is a first generation believer. Erik first came to know us through our VBS ministry and he began attending our church in 2021. He said he didn’t believe in God but was interested in hearing God’s word. He ended up faithfully attending church and also the youth group meetings and eventually put his faith in Jesus.

Here are a few testimonies from their baptisms:



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Above: Odett with her best friend Magdaléna (who was also baptized) As Magdeléna is a member of another Baptist Church, we joined together at their church for this celebration.

“Hello, my name is Odett. When I was in third grade, my classmates began bullying me. When I thought about what they said, I just didn’t want to go another day being in the same situation. I saw that one of my teacher’s Edit would pray in our Bible class. I decided to pray. I thought at first that prayer wasn’t really going to change anything, but I began anyway. I began praying each morning and the bullying stopped. I began to realize that it’s true that the Lord is with us. I received Jesus, the only Son of God who died for our sins.” — Odett

Odett mentions her teacher Edit in her testimony. Edit was also saved in our church years ago and is known by most of the village as she has taught in the local middle school for many years.

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Above: Edit teaching in Petofibanya's middle school.

There is a situation in Hungary where public schools that were no longer able to be sustained by the government could become financed by established church denominations. The Baptist church took over the financing of many schools when this happened, but this did not mean that these schools became ‘Christian’ schools with teachers that are believers.

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This did however allow for more open doors to teach the Bible, which is happening in our local ‘Baptist’ middle school in Petofibánya. We praise God for positioning Edit along with our teammates Roger (above) and Janka as teachers in this school that can share the light of Christ in this setting.

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Barni’s testimony


“Hello, my name is Barni and I’m 17 years old. I grew up in a Christian home. Every year I would attend summer VBS and I would always pay attention to the teaching. I believed that God existed and that Jesus came to earth to die for my sins, but I didn’t surrender my entire life to Him. This past summer at English Camp we talked about the topic of trust and allowing God to take control of our lives. After attending that camp and then another VBS, I decided to surrender my life to Him to lead.”—Barni

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Above: Barni at last year's English Camp in morning Bible reading time.

Jatszohaz


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The majority of children that attend our summer VBS camps are unchurched. In order to maintain a relationship with them throughout the fall and winter months, we hold a “Játszóház” (Play House) once a month that is a mini-version of what they experience at camp.

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We have Bible teaching, lots of singing, a craft and fun games for the kids. Parents also usually stick around and there is opportunity to reach out to them. Please pray for spiritual breakthroughs in these families that have heard the gospel but have yet to take that step of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.




Free to Love




I’ve been songwriting since 2016 but very few songs have been in Hungarian. The complex grammar, long and short vowels as well as a rich vocabulary have made it too challenging for me to attempt. Last summer at a songwriting camp I played one of my songs in English for the teacher and he gladly took it home and translated it for me. While Ellie was home at Christmas, we were able to sing it together at our church. My heart’s deep desire is to be able to empower Hungarians to write worship music for Hungarian churches. Pray with us as we explore ways to bring this vision into reality. — Sharon

Original lyrics:

Free to Love
Sharon Mercer
 
Vs 1
Troubled waters swirl around me
Turbulent times fill every headline
Peace is fleeting like shifting shadows
Who will rescue me? Who will rescue me?
 
Chorus
Lord, let your Spirit wash over me
Just like the waters cover the sea
Lord let your Spirit wash over me
Cleansing my heart so I can be free to love
To love to love, so I can be free to love
 
Vs 2
Angry voices endlessly echo
Anxieties lies clutter my mind,
Ceaseless rumors plague and vex me
Who will be my guide? Who will be my guide?
 
Bridge
Your heart is for me
For my transformation
Your heart is for me
Over all temptation
Your heart is for me
In every situation
Your heart is for me
And I can be free to love
To love to love
I can be free to love

Ukrainian-Hungarian-Rómani families


Please continue to pray for the families that fled from Ukraine and have settled in Petofibanya that attend our church.

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Above: Sanyi and Ilona have both benefited from the focused studies on marriage and commented on how much their relationship has changed by God’s grace.

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Above: Erno with his daughter Johanna and wife Szandi.

Erno had a terrible accident at work months ago where he had broken both of his wrists. By God’s grace he continues to recover and even was able to share a song that he wrote with the church, with enough healing to be able to play the guitar. Being displaced has been very challenging and yet a tremendous blessing for his family. Johanna has excelled in school and had education here that was not available to her previously. Erno has had a revival of faith and is maturing through the trials. He is now part of our worship team.

How is Kira doing?


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As many of you have been part of God's provision in Kira's life to be able to attend Black Forest Academy, I wanted to share some her recent writing with you.

Danger Of The Mundane
by: Kira Mercer

I stared at myself on that cold winter night,
Faithless, hopeless, unknown
Thinking of all the ways the stories of old could be flawed and mis-told

Sleep, I thought.
I just need sleep,
and all my fears of the facade will fade with the jumping sheep.

But when i awoke the truth stared me down.
With all the thoughts of this invisible crown—
I was still doubting.
My heart still pounding with questions too complex for my mind breakdown.

But there in the panic, God sent a friend. She reached out a hand to my soul and she said,
“Doubt over complacent”
I read

You see faith is often crushed under the weight of the mundane.
And without a perfect challenge we often force ourselves to pain.

But in those moments, in those fears
in those drowsy nightly tears
The God of ages stands above and cradles us with boundless love.
He’s not bothered, not surprised
He’s not put down by our demise
He is faithful He is true,
and His love carries me and you.


God heard you when you cry in uncertainty.

Lately I’ve been wrestling with my faith, with all the questions that come along with my love for Jesus. And I’ve come to realize (because of good friends) that asking and debating and questioning your faith isn’t wrong. It’s not sinful to ask questions, and it’s not against God to plead with him to make himself known.

Psalm 73: 21-24 says: ”When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.“

God isn’t shocked by your unbelief. Even the most famous people in the bible: Noah, Moses, even Jesus’s own disciples doubted him.

But when we doubt, Jesus reached out in kindness.

John 20:27 says: ”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Jesus didn’t get angry at Thomas, he didn’t scream at him for not understanding, or for being a “bad follower”, he responded with love and care, and he gave the proof that his beloved child desperately needed.

Faith is an essential part of being a follower of Jesus, but so is doubt. If you never debate the validity of God‘s word then your belief is blind, but by asking questions and searching for answers, you gain a deep trust, that is no longer rooted in overheard doctrine and passed down tradition, but in solidly placed faith in a trustworthy God. — Kira

At the Airport again


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Above: Multiple trips to the airport as Kira returned to Black Forest Academy in Germany and Elianna returned to Moody in Chicago after a great Christmas break together.

We would appreciate your prayers because of recent changes to the residency process in Hungary. Our permit will be due for renewal this year and because of an overhaul of the residency system, we are still looking into how to proceed.

Unexpected return to the U.S.


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Above: Allen with his brothers Sam and Bob.

In late January, Allen returned to the US as his dad had become seriously ill. God worked out just the right timing, as Allen’s dad was released from the hospital the day after Allen arrived. Allen was able to help in the recovery process at home. His dad continues to make steady progress, but has many challenges ahead. We appreciate your continued prayer for him. Thank all of you who heard about this return and joined in prayer! Allen was able to return to Hungary in February.

Puppets already?


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With the Easter celebration landing on an earlier date this year, we're already calling schools and preparing for our Easter Puppet Ministry starting next week. As we go out to proclaim the good news of Jesus' death for our sins and triumphant resurrection from the dead, we ask that you pray for us. You can download a PDF Prayer Guide by clicking this link.

Thank you!


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Above: Ellie, Sharon, Allen, Ziva, Ben and Kira (oh, and Phranky in Kira’s arms)
Thank you all for your faithfulness and generosity in partnering with us in this ministry in Hungary! We deeply appreciate how God has used you to equip us and our kids toward following our callings for His glory.

“The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” — Numbers 6:24-26
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Christmas Puppet Update

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Above: What a great Christmas gift to have our daughters back over Christmas break! Ellie returned from Chicago and her studies at Moody, and Kira returned from Black Forest Academy in Germany.

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We were met with a nice snow storm as we kicked off our Christmas Puppet Ministry to 27 public schools throughout northeastern Hungary. We were thankful that all of our team members were healthy and through some difficulty with scheduling with various schools, God still made a way for a full schedule over two weeks.

On our first day, the snow conditions were so bad that a tractor trailer jackknifed and blocked the mountain road to our daughter’s school in a neighboring town. Needless to say, she wasn’t sad that she could stay home and play in the snow. Thankfully, the three destinations on our first day were in areas where we didn’t have any issues traveling. Over the course of the next two weeks, God was gracious to protect us when traveling and gave us success in getting to every school on the schedule.

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The name of our show is “Csoda Könyv” (Miraculous Book). The story begins with two children venturing into an old attic and discovering a “miraculous book” in an old chest.

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When they begin reading the Miraculous Book, the story of the birth of Christ comes to life. They later share their discovery with their grandmother who reveals that this book is the Bible that she reads every day.

At one location as the show was going on, one child was heard saying, “But I don’t have a Miraculous Book!” Little did the child know that we had brought Children’s Bibles for all the kids that God had provided. This young boy and all the others would have their own Miraculous Book for Christmas.

In the town of Bér, one of the preschool teachers told her kids, “Now when you get home, ask your mom to read to you the stories from this book.

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After the puppet show is over, Erika brings an object lesson using candles to represent the light of Christ. But these were not normal candles. They are the type that once blown out, they immediately reignite and continue to shine. She reads from the Bible about how Jesus was the light and the darkness could not overcome His light. She shares about his dying on the cross and then blows out the candle. In a moment, the candle reignites and she tells the children the good news that Jesus rose from the dead after dying for our sins. She then lights another candle that cannot be overcome by darkness to represent those who put their faith in Jesus and spread His light. The children were very engaged and remained amazed that the candles could not be put out. They were also very excited that each would receive a Bible to take home.

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Above: Sharon talking with “aunt” Marika who taught our kids when they attended this preschool in our hometown of Petofibanya.

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Above: The Rainbow Special Needs Center. We were able to take this year's show to a few special needs schools/centers in our area.

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Above: We also had a good turnout for our Christmas get together for the Mothers of Preschoolers Club. Along with presenting the Christmas puppet show, crafts and fellowship, we offered families free photo portraits.

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Above: Sharon was able to invite our across-the-street-neighbor' Fanni and her son Armand (pictured above) to the event. Fanni's sister used to attend our children's Bible club many years ago. I mentioned in our last news update that our Hungarian teammate Erika is opening a sensory therapy business. Fanni's son Armand is actually signed up for classes, so we hope to have continued opportunities to build relationship with them. I also learned that the family pictured above them will also be our neighbors in the future as they are restoring a house across the street from us. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with both these families.

Overall, we had a very successful Christmas Puppet Ministry, however it was not without challenges. In the midst of serving, our Hungarian teammate Miki got word that cancer was discovered in His dad's body and he needed immediate radiation therapy. His dad is still not doing well after therapy and we ask you to pray. Various team members (including myself) got sick having to miss some days, but God was gracious to provide those who could fill in. Sharon got sick the last day and is still recovering. We praise God that we were able to distribute around 1,500 Bibles and God gave us the strength and provision to successfully bring the Good News to these schools at Christmas. Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer and partnering with us in this ministry.

Take a look this brief highlight film and praise God with us that we are allowed to openly proclaim the Gospel in public schools in Hungary through this ministry!



Retirement home visit



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Above: "Aunt" Gizi with Ellie, Ziva, Kira and Sharon. Church member Gizi knows that she is called to be light in her retirement home and with God's strength she brings encouragement and love to those in her community. We brought our church choir for a special Christmas performance at her retirement home in the neighboring town of Rozsaszentmarton where our youngest daughter attends middle school.

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Christmas Worship Service



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God gave us a wonderful snowfall in the afternoon, blanketing the surroundings in pure white just before we began our evening Christmas Worship Service. Our choir performed and we read through the Christmas story. We also had some church members give testimony. "Aunt" Gizi shared the following testimony:

“May God bless you all. Being here tonight is being with my family. We are one family. I am very thankful for this fellowship. Yesterday, at our retirement home, there was an announcement that a priest would be coming at 9:00 and afterwards at 10:00, there would be a group coming from First Love Baptist Church. I spoke to two of the oldest woman in our retirement home, asking if I could also come to the 9:00 gathering. They told me that I could come, but that the priest would only be there briefly and not to expect much else. And, that’s what happened, after fifteen minutes, he had come and gone. But when my “family” came, they didn’t leave when they finished singing. They dispersed and went out to spend time and talk with those who attended. And these very ‘poor in spirit’ people told me that they experienced such love on that day, they now understood what ‘worship service’ was. I told them that love is always flowing at our fellowship. And I’m very thankful, because my strength is most often not enough being at the retirement home to serve all those who are there. The love they experienced was so powerful and now they know what I experience and how I am strengthened each week when I attend worship service here. Hallelujah. May God’s blessing be upon you.” — Gizi

Yes, this Christmas we love because God first…
He first came to us in the incarnation.
He first called to us through the word of His grace.
He first served us in great humility that we would know true love.
Jesus is the firstborn of God, the preeminent eternal Creator who first loved us. We love because He first loved us.

May the blessing of God's love encourage you this Christmas as you turn your attention to Jesus and continue to find your life in Him. We wish you all a Merry Christmas!
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