Cook - Out Hungarian Style

Saturday we were invited to Sányi and Márika's house for a cook out with our home group.  It was a brutally hot day (95 degrees in the shade), but Sányi made gulyás the traditional way, in a big pot over an open fire in the yard.

 Gulyás is a beef stew with lots of vegetables and paprika.  It was delicious!

 Dessert was palacsinta, a sort of crepe.  Márika made three kinds with different fillings, cottage cheese and raisin, pudding, and chocolate.  She slaved over a hot stove more than an hour and a half, but were they ever yummy!

 This is Mike and Sányi enjoying their gulyás.  We sat at a table under a grape arbor.  The shade made the heat bearable.

 Later, at Sányi's request, we introduced everyone to the American custom of roasting marshmallows.  Everyone tried them, but the general consensus was that they were too sweet.

The rest of the time we sat and enjoyed each other's company and good conversation.  Thanks, Sányi and Márika for a wonderful afternoon!

It's a Hot One

Whew!  It's hot! Europe is experiencing a heat wave.  High temperatures here in Debrecen have been in the 90's and are expected to remain that high for at least another week.   We, like most Hungarians, do not have air conditioning, so we are feeling the heat.  It is weeks like these that make us thankful that we don't live and work in the tropics! 

Step by Step

Most work progresses step by step and ours is no exception.  We have been back from our US trip just over a week but are very thankful to see progress.  Each step is small, but the important thing is that it is in the right direction. For example, we have learned of one INSTE group that will be continuing this summer by "going back" to the first book after completing the second book.  These students started with the second book because they wanted to study the same material another group in their church was studying.  As they went through the course, though, they realized they were missing some foundational truths and decided to study Discipleship One before going on. That's progress.

Another example is that a church new to INSTE is closer to starting groups.  Their INSTE group leaders have finished their training and are sending in their tests.  We are working now to connect with them to make sure they are ready to lead their groups and to help them get started.  That's progress.

Still another example is the email we received from one of our translators that she has finished her work on the Level Two book on Hebrews.  That's progress.

Praise the Lord for progress!

We Give God Thanks

We are back in Hungary after three weeks of Convention, Missionary Summit and family visits.  We had a great time everywhere we went.  It was wonderful to see so many friends, to worship together, to hug our kids and grandkids and to relax.  We thank God that every flight we took was on time and we made every connection. Each of our bags arrived with us and we remained healthy the entire time we were away.  Yesterday at church we shared this with our friend Bodo, one of the church's prayer warriors.  He was not surprised.  He had been praying exactly that way for us and God answers prayer!

I (Nancy) have another testimony to give about God's goodness.  Before we even came to Hungary, I made a list of my concerns (more like worries) and let the Lord know that in order for us to be able to live in Hungary, he would have to provide for every one of them. To my list I added "see all my children and grandchildren once a year."  But after a while, I changed my mind about such a selfish request and added "optional" to that item.  As time passed, I saw God meet each one of the needs on the list and I praise Him for it.  He has even allowed us to see our children and grandchildren at least once every year.  The years we have not been back to the US for itineration, we have returned for required training, required meetings and a funeral and each time included seeing our family.  God is faithful and I thank Him that he not only provides all of our needs, but our hearts' desires, too!