The Ring

We learned something when we lived in Colorado Springs--be a tourist where you live.  We lived four years in Colorado Springs and never went to the top of Pikes Peak!  We finally made it to the top when we were back in town ten years later for some training!  So, when the opportunity came for us to spend two days in Vienna this week, we took advantage of it. 

Vienna was beautiful!  And since we had just one full day in town, we signed up for a bus tour that included historic sights of the city.  We saw important places as we drove by them including the statue of Strauss, the King of the Waltz, the Austrian Parliament building, and the palace of the Hapsburgs.  We also took a tour of the summer palace of the Hapsburgs and stood in the room where the six-year-old Mozart played for Empress Maria Theressa.  We were especially interested in the information about Elizabeth (Erzsabet) who was the favorite queen of the Hungarians.

But that's not all.  When we got on the tour bus, we heard the couple in front of us talking.  They sounded like Americans, so we introduced ourselves and had a great time visiting before the tour began.  Later, the lady handed me (Nancy) a ring and said, "I don't have any money with me, but take this ring and sell it and use it for your work in Hungary."  I said, "Thank you so much!  If you will give me your full name and address, I'll send you a receipt."  She said, "I don't want a receipt.  The Lord has been so good to us, I just wanted to give something."

May the Lord bless this wonderful couple from Virginia!  No matter where we are, God is always blessing us and giving us opportunities to bless others.  May you be a blessing and be blessed this coming year.  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Nagy Templom (Great Church) downtown Debrecen

Boldog Karácsonyt és

áldott Új Évet mindenkinek.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

 

Nativity scene behind the Nagy Templom with life-sized hand-carved wood figures.

Hungarian shepherds at the nativity.

New Church Law?

Last fall the Hungarian Parliament passed a law affecting the Open Bible Churches and many other churches in Hungary.  According to the law, only 14 major denominations would be recognized by the Hungarian government as churches and would be eligible to receive the rights of churches in Hungary.  Among those denominations were the Roman Catholics, Reformed Church, Baptist Church and three Jewish groups.  Among those not included, in addition to Open Bible, were the Church of God, Free Christian Church, Life Church, Salvation Army--in fact, all the churches INSTE works with.

Throughout the fall and into this winter, the churches have been praying.  We were not certain exactly how the new law would affect all the smaller churches, but we heard that unrecognized churches would need to register as organizations just like clubs and civic groups.  There were fears that rights to baptize, marry, evangelize in public and ordain ministers would be ended.  Memories of persecution under Communism are still fresh, so many, many people have been asking God to intervene.

On Monday, we were pleased to hear that Hungary's highest court nullified the law!  However, representatives in Parliament have made it known that they will write a new law this week and have it ready to be passed into law next week, between Christmas and New Year's.  We are praying for God to once again intervene.  Please pray with us.

It's Not About Me!

Besides the busyness that normally comes with the holiday season, Nancy and I have been traveling each Sunday afternoon to the village of Tomor in northern Hungary to lead an INSTE group.  Tomor is a predominantly Roma (Gypsy) village in one of the poorest areas of Hungary, and there is not one evangelical church in any of the villages within 30 kilometers (18 miles).

We are excited to minister to this group of new believers, but, to be honest, there have been times when I have felt it is inconvenient to have to leave immediately after church so we can drive the 1 1/2 hours to Tomor.  There is also the added expense of the gasoline we are spending driving back and forth, plus the extra frustration of studying the lessons each week in Hungarian and then trying to lead a discussion when we don't always understand each other completely.

However, it is at those times when God reminds me: "Mike, it is not about you!"  When we see the excitement in the eyes of these new believers when they begin to understand what the Bible says; the joy they have when they sing for the first time worship songs that we might take for granted; plus the growth that we see happening when they begin to live out the Word of God in their lives, it is worth any cost or inconvenience it might be to us.  We believe that we are laying the foundation for a strong church that will reach the village of Tomor and the surrounding villages as well.  Please continue to pray for these wonderful people!

Christmas Downtown

Debrecen has a lovely Christmas bazaar in its central square downtown.  Here are some of the things you can see there.  The only thing missing is snow.

A view of the Great Church and the Christmas tree

Grilling tasty sausages to sell

Stalls along the tram line with all kinds of products and foods for sale

Yummy chocolates and sweets

Traditional lace and embroidery for sale

Baking langos, flat bread with toppings like cheese, bacon, onions, peppers and sour cream. 

Langos. 

This young man, dressed in traditional shepherd clothing, said "Take my picture!"  We're thinking he wanted to impress the girls with his English speaking skills.

Suzy Homemaker

I (Nancy) have become quite the homemaker since we moved to Hungary.  I've always been one to find the quickest, easiest way to do things, so my meals in the States were often begun with a box of this or a can of that.  Here, though, when I'm hungry for American food, I have to make it from scratch. That's because either the food is too expensive or just not available here. So, besides making pie, dressing and mash potatoes from the raw ingredients for Thanksgiving, I also have learned to make macaroni and cheese, salsa and applesauce among other things.  I learned cooking from scratch is not really that hard and it is probably healthier, too.  I also have a lot of respect for Hungarian women who cook for their families every night--and make delicious food!

God Bless You, Everetts!



Brooke, Steve, Penny, Jordan.  Christen is attending college in the US.

Last night we said goodbye to some of our American missionary friends.  Steve and Penny Everett came to Debrecen with their three teenagers two years ago to pastor an international church here in Hungary.  They have been a tremendous blessing to the church, the Church of God Churches of Hungary, the city and to us.  Sadly for us, they are moving back to the US this week.  We will miss you, friends, and we pray that God will continue to guide you, provide for you and make you a blessing wherever you go.

Views from the Island

Last month I (Nancy) was privileged to participate in a retreat for missionaries on Margit Sziget (Margaret Island) in Budapest.  I had a great time meeting and talking with other missionaries from all over Europe and the middle East.  The staff from the US was incredibly service-oriented and honored us in many ways.  The only downside was that Mike couldn't come with me. 

Margit Sziget is filled with parks, hotels, a zoo, a water park and other recreational sites.  I enjoyed walking around the 5 kilometer jogging path twice(I don't do jogging).  Here are some pictures from my walk.

Jogging path

Looking across the Danube to the Pest side.

I love this sight-seeing boat.  Looks like a bus is driving in the river!