Coronavirus: A hope check

Fear and anxiety has erupted throughout the world as this terrible virus is tracked and spoken about on every form of media. This tiny virus has destabilized world markets, shut down borders and led many to living with a constant sense of anxiety. This tiny virus has toppled the idols that multitudes have relied on for stability and peace. This is a time where those who have been distracted from the reality of impending death have to come to terms with the utter frailty of hope when it is not founded in Jesus Christ.

I believe the world will recover from this pandemic. But all recovery is temporary until we find true freedom from sin and death by removing the roots of our hope from finding their home in this world and put our roots in Jesus who provides living water. Jesus did not proclaim that this world with its ingenuity and science advances and go-get'm attitude would lead to peace, security and paradise. This is why we pray, “Your kingdom come,” because His is the only kingdom of peace, security and true paradise.

Jesus has foretold, “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33) Death can be delayed from time to time with health care, scientific advances and healthy living. And we praise God for those gifts of His grace! But none of those things can destroy death. In these days of instability in the world, I continue to put my hope in Jesus, the Son of God who said, “Take heart, I have overcome the world…in me you may have peace.” (John 16:33)

When I do not have inner peace, it exposes that I have begun to put my hope and faith in idols that cannot deliver me from death. But when I have my hope in Jesus, I am delivered from losing heart. I rise up in Christ viewing these terrible afflictions in this fallen world from an eternal perspective that knows they are all momentary. The one who holds my hand is my Savior and Lord of all. These tribulations will not hinder him from accomplishing all His purposes for me and His kingdom plans through me.

I hear Him today, maybe even more clearly because of the threat of this virus: “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa 41) No, we are not those who have all our focus trying to delay inevitable death. We are those who know death has been destroyed and we have the gift of eternal life through Christ. As long as we walk on this earth, I hope that we can all turn more and more people to this same hope in Christ that sustains us now in peace and will sustain us into eternity.

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thess 2:16-17) May this time cause our roots to grow even more deeply and securely in Christ.

How Coronavirus has affected life in Hungary

We were nearing our Easter Puppet season and beginning to make preparations to share the Good News that Christ is risen with the usual 1,800 kids in schools scattered throughout our region. Within days, governments throughout Europe began responding more seriously to the spread of the virus and saw the devastation that was taking place in Italy. Schools were then shut down in Hungary, and so was our Easter Puppet ministry outreach. This is also the time of year that we begin planning for our summer camp ministries. We are continuing to plan, but understand that all summer events may be canceled.

We also had been in contact with a young woman who is exploring the possibility of serving long-term in Europe as a missionary. She was scheduled to visit our team at the end of March, but as we followed the rapidly changing events, it became clear that she should postpone her visit. God was gracious to give wisdom and direction.

Our teammate Brenda was in the process of moving back to the US as all of this began. This transition and planning is now becoming very difficult as there is a lack of clarity of how travel and other logistical matters will be over the next few months. Another teammate, Tom, was in the process of getting his Hungarian drivers license which was cut short because the school closing down lessons and the need for Tom to stay at home as much as possible.



Hungary has continued schooling through online tools, but this has put many parents in a difficult position. Families (including ours) are trying to figure out how to be homeschoolers while keeping up with previous responsibilities at the same time. It has been a difficult transition, but understandably a necessary one.

As with all other nations, Hungarians are losing work because of the economic effects of regulations related to the spread of the virus. We are praying and turning to God to provide for their needs.

What can we do?

God has given all of us giftings that we can continue to use for His kingdom in new ways in this crisis.


Above: Photo of our youth group taken a week before going into lockdown.

Our youth group that has been growing since last summer has volunteered in our village to do grocery shopping and run errands for the elderly that don’t have family in the area. Miki and I met with Petofibánya’s mayor and government board members to work out details of how our church could help. Sharon and our daughter Elianna began sewing masks to distribute to church members and as the word got out, the mayor asked that we also help produce masks for those doing volunteer work in the community. These are some practical ways that God is giving us to shine the light of Christ.







Prayer is another calling that we all have in this time. We have found ways for the church to remain connected through social media tools and I have learned a whole lot in a short amount of time about doing an online-worship service. Initially, Miki’s family and our family recorded our first online service two weeks ago. Then their were more restrictions put into place, so we ended up recording different portions of our service remotely and putting it all together to be distributed on Sunday. We’re learning as we go.

It is so encouraging to see how our church continues to use their giftings to build one another up. No, we can’t meet in a building, but a building was never THE church. It is all of the members of the body of Christ working together to accomplish His good purposes with His mighty power at work within us. Church member József began a Facebook group for prayer every day at 5:00. An elderly church member Marika makes the rounds calling the other elderly in the church seeking to encourage them. Miki and his family are producing worship sessions from home to be distributed online. Church member Norbi is writing and sharing encouraging words through his blog posts. The youth are grocery shopping and delivering goods to the elderly who are being told to remain home as much as possible. All of us can be spiritually enriched in this time. All of us can continue to grow and flourish as we keep firmly rooted in Jesus Christ.

Crisis and the conscience

Longing to see transformation

One of my passions is not only seeing people put their faith in Jesus, but seeing steady and drastic change as they grow as His disciples. When much time goes by and I see little change in behavior that I know is not Christlike, I am saddened. Among the ministry to my Romani friends, this is especially apparent. There are issues with addictions, issues with murderous-words, family fighting, foolish emotionally driven choices, destructive parenting and the list goes on. I long to see one of those who have come to faith in this village become visibly, publicly drastically changed!



This has been on my heart. Lord, please cause life change. I want to see people change drastically. On one occasion as these things had been weighing on me, I was surprised in my meeting with Izabella on a Wednesday evening in Bogács. Recently, her husband returned to prison (a seemingly normal occurrence of men in this community). His return to prison allowed for open doors to meet with Izabella and begin Bible studies again in her household. Her husband is friendly with me, but he is opposed to allowing Izabella attend studies.

Izabella began telling me something she was very excited about that she said had never happened before in her life. She shared that she had recently visited her younger sister with her friend Mazsi. Her younger sister then asked Izabella’s friend Mazsi if she wanted anything to eat while intentionally ignoring Izabella. They have had a long past of family feuds. Izabella shared how hurt she felt. Her friend Mazsi looked at Izabella with great surprise and also perceived what was going on. These things rumbled around in Izabella’s mind as she returned home that afternoon and later did some baking that night for the younger kids. She headed back over to where her little sister was staying with a tray of baked goods to offer the kids, and then it happened.

She said it was like this voice in her spirit telling her to offer some to her little sister. But her thoughts were telling her to do the same thing her little sister did to her earlier and make her feel bad. Izabella said, “I just couldn’t ignore what was going on in my heart. I remembered Jesus teaching about not paying back evil with evil, but with good. And I called her over and asked her if she would like to try some telling her how good they were." Izabella continued, “In that moment, I don’t know if I can explain it, I felt like this huge burden fell off of me. I was free and I felt like I was filled with the love of Jesus Christ like never before. It was amazing!” This gave me opportunity to teach a bit about not only believing that we are saved from sin, but believing in Jesus to live a new life in the here and now for His glory. And to top all of it off, guess which scripture God had ordained that we discuss this night with Izabella? John 8:31-32 where Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Would you pray for Edit, Izabella and their families in Bogacs? Because of current restrictions, I can no longer commute to visit them for our weekly Bible study. Would you pray for their continued spiritual growth and for their needs to be met in Jesus Christ.

Before the lockdown

On March 1st, we had a fellowship day at church where we spend more time together learning, worshiping, praying and eating together. We had members from our church in Petofibánya as well as those from the church plant in Jászfényszaru attend. This fellowship day was just another way that we seek to offer the body ways to deepen relationships and give opportunity to use their gifitings to edify one another.





Above: Eniko taking part in praying for the nations. One of the highlights of the day is our time walking through 'prayer-stations' that guide our members to interact with different elements that help them focus on prayer.





Above: A time of confession and afterwards attaching a note of thanksgiving on the cross to our Savior who died in order that we be free.

Also, before schools shutdown, in mid February, our daughter Kira had the equivalent of a prom at her middle school that she is graduating from this year. Ben, pictured with her, will also be graduating from his high school and is looking into colleges.








Above: Sharon and I having some fun on a weekend away in the town of Gyor in early February.


Above: Ziva and Kira. So thankful to be living in village with vast open fields and areas to have recreation that are not affected by the current restrictions.

As we go through this time of crisis together, we are praying for you! We don't know what the future holds in the coming months in our land, but we know the One who holds the future. And He is for us and not against us. He is our steadfast love, our fortress, our stronghold, our deliverer, our shield and the One we take refuge in today and into eternity (Psalm 144). As you turn to Him with thanksgiving and ask for all that you need, may the peace of Christ guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7).

Above L to R: Betti, Ellie and Hajni

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). The recent baptisms in our church highlight the power of God at work to save children, teens and adults from the grip of Satan, from the hopelessness of a sinful life, from the power of death and dreadful separation from God. Jesus is coming to Hungarians to give them eternal life and a reconciled relationship with God their Father. I have included some excerpts from Hajni, Betti and Ellie's testimony and trust you will be encouraged and praise God with us for His work of grace in their lives!

Above: Hajni with her son Krisztián

Before I received Jesus into my heart, there was always something missing in my life. Zita (a church member in Jászfényszaru) invited my son Krisztián to his first VBS and he came home with many great experiences. At that time, I was still rejecting God in my life. The next year, Krisztián would come home after VBS singing the songs and telling me all about camp that day. I began to be curious and decided to go to the Family Day on the last day of camp. I felt very welcomed and Zita ended up inviting me to a house group. I began attending with mixed emotions. I ended up going to worship service which was an amazing experience. After that point, I had no hesitations and continued attending. Through that time I also was able to help in different social ministries of the church. As the days went on, they continued to help me see that I needed to follow Jesus Christ and choose His way of life. In worship service, someone spoke to me about repentance and believing in Jesus. It was on that day that I put my faith in Jesus. I immediately felt His peace come over me. It was as if a huge burden was removed from my heart. Now God is in my life as I read His word and spend time in prayer. I think my story shows that it is never too late to seek God, His presence, His love and blessing and to follow Him.

Christianity has never been something distant in my life. My two great grandmothers are Christian. My mom and dad have attended services in the past. Even though I didn’t go to church, I still heard about God. In 4th grade, I had to make a decision between going to ethics class or Bible class. This is when God took another step toward me. I chose to go to Bible class and heard about what He had done for us and how He has a perfect plan for each of us.

In 9th grade, I had to fulfill 50 hours of public service required for school. My mom had the idea that I try helping out at Summer Bible Camp.

Above: Betti's mom coming to our worship service for the first time to witness her daughter's baptism.

I ended up volunteering with my friend Luca and we had a great week. We felt that there was something different there. A different and bigger kind of love. We decided we would serve again if we could. Afterwards, I was invited many times to worship service but I just wasn’t ready to listen or grow yet. The following year, I volunteered for VBS again, and I wasn’t really doing well spiritually. I felt that I was missing something in life. I got into sports like handball to see if that would satisfy me. It didn’t. As I was in VBS and listened to the teaching, something was very different. I don’t know why I didn’t understand when I was at last year’s camp, but I know now that God was also trying to speak to me.

Everyday, I experienced a kind of love that I had never experienced in the world. At the last day of camp, we saw the camp video about the whole week and it gave me goose bumps remembering all that had happened. To finish, we sang my favorite song from camp that has a great message. As we sang it, the lyrics stuck in my mind… “Does He love me or not is not even a question anymore…what more could He do for you? (Referring to Jesus’ death on the cross) That question continued in my mind: “What more could He do. God loves you.”

As I was waiting in line for cotton candy, Eszti came to me and began a conversation. She asked what I thought about God and if I wanted to go somewhere to talk and pray. I said, “Yes, yes I would.” I came to understand that Jesus died for my sins and was willing to forgive me for anything that I had done and that He really loves me. My questions were answered. We prayed together and I was crying and it is there that God touched me and I became new. One of the first verses that God spoke to me after that was in 2 Tim 4:17, “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…” This is what God has done in my life!

Above L to R: Betti, Ellie, Ellie's mom Eszti and Hajni.

: My name is Ellie and I’ll be turning 11 soon. I grew up attending this church and have heard a lot about Jesus. But there came a time when I knew it was not enough just to be here, I had to decide if I wanted a personal relationship with Jesus. I believe He died for my sins and rose from the dead and He lives today. I know that He has spoken to my heart.

Encouragement from Bogi

On the eve of our baptism service I received an email from Bogi who's baptism was four years ago. God has given Bogi the gift of encouragement and I wanted you to share in the joy I received in reading her thoughts on the anniversary of her decision. (shared with permission)

Above: Bogi teaching at a summer VBS.

• “Nem tudnék visszafordulni” – I would not turn back to my worldly life, my true life is with God
• “Nem miénk, csak Tiéd minden dicsőség” – I would not be able to arrange anything in my own life without God’s help, so only He deserves the praise
• “Ki vagyok én?” – I am such a small thing, a nothing, I don’t deserve His love and care but still He loves me, He cares about my wishes, my emotions and everything about me.
• “Szükségem van most Rád” – I need Jesus. Always. When I’m broken and wounded, He is the only One I can turn to to ask for help.
• “Nem tart fogva semmi már, Fiad vagyok, Atyám” – the Lord is my true Father. Nothing can change it.
• “Keresztfán meghaltál és engem megváltottál” (one of my favorite songs) – Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well.
• “Karjaid tartanak” – I don’t belong anywhere else but to God. It’s the best place people could ever find.

Besides many others, these songs helped me to summarize my experiences, feelings and events that I went thru throughout the past four years. You helped me a lot to start to listen to God’s calling. Without your encouragement, prayers and constant willingness to talk about the Lord I wouldn’t have chosen this living relationship with Him. May you have a blessed and joyful day with all the baptisms today.

Your partnership needed!

Peace to all of you in Christ: Sharon, Allen, Ben (18), Ellie (16), Kira (13) and Ziva (8).