Friday-Saturday-Sunday Update
Sunday, June 24, 2007
FRIDAY
Above: On Friday, we had dinner with Edit (left) and her family at Miki's house. We have been seeking to invite a church member or those who are open to God to dinner every week for fellowship. Unfortunately, in larger ministry events we are often too busy 'doing ministry' that we fail to develop meaningful relationships with those who attend. These dinners are a way to truly get to know peoples and more effectively minister to them.
Above: Norbi, one of Edit's four children is Benjamin's best friend at preschool.
Above: Sharon talking with Miki's wife Erika.
SATURDAY
On Saturday, we squeezed into two vehicles and headed for the the city of Eger for a team retreat.
Above: Benjamin, Bence (Miki's son) and Csaba.
Above: Cute Kira. We were thankful for the beautiful weather that God provided.
Above: A very very very large church building.
Above: Benjamin and Anna. Who knows where that kid got his sense of humor.
Above: Elianna drinking radioactive liquid...or is that water.
Above: Ben wondering when his other front tooth will fall out.
Above: Brothers and sisters in Christ that I am privelaged to serve with in Heves County. L to R: Janka, Csaba, Erika, Brenda, Miki, Allen Sharon. Children: Elianna, Anna, Kira, Benjamin and Bence.
I heard a startling statistic before I came to serve cross culturally as a missionary on a team.The number one reason missionaries leave the field is NOT because of culture shock, or language difficulties, or support problems. The number one reason they leave the field is because of problems with other team members. Serving on a team is definitely not always easy, but I believe it creates the best possible environment for growing in our faith and the best means in witnessing to the world.
"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." (John 17:22-23)
When I think of our team that God has formed over the past few years, I am most thankful for the unity that He has maintained by His grace. Following His lead, we have been able to work through conflict, disagreements and misunderstandings. Instead of giving up on each other, we have matured and learned to love each other.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)
Our team retreat was about remembering and giving thanks for those things which are excellent and praiseworthy. In the midst of ministry and team meetings where we are discussing how to solve problems or increase effectiveness, we sometimes forget to 'think about such things."
We discussed how God uniquely called us to Petőfibánya and how He has since confirmed His calling in our lives. It was comical to hear how the majority of the team initially were completely opposed to the idea of living in Petőfibánya. Thankfully, God convinced each of us as He spoke through Scripture, prayer, dreams, fellow believers and various circumstances. Since that time, we have continued to seek to follow His lead as He builds His church in Heves County.
SUNDAY
Above: As our numbers have dropped in the summer months, we changed the seating orientation to allow for more personal interaction. After our musical worship, we broke up into small groups for prayer. I was thankful to see each group sharing personal requests and praying for their fellow family in Christ. We also give opportunity for people to share about why they are thankful to God. One visitor shared in tears how she was thankful to God for HIs provision of fellowship. Her adult daughter who suffers from schizophrenia has been ministered to by Miki and Erika as she visits them once a week for Bible study.
Peti, who preaches every other week brought an encouraging message on gaining a proper perspective of our redeemed self in Christ, so that we can more effectively love others. Hungarians, more than many other cultures, often see no value in themselves and are burdened with shame.
Above: We praise God for Gabi's graduation! For the past few weeks he has been working hard studying for various final exams. He thanked the church today for our prayers and gave thanks to God for giving peace and help at exam time.
Above: Kira teaching mom the word 'nose' after church. Kira is gaining more confidence walking, but still proceeds with caution.
Above: On Friday, we had dinner with Edit (left) and her family at Miki's house. We have been seeking to invite a church member or those who are open to God to dinner every week for fellowship. Unfortunately, in larger ministry events we are often too busy 'doing ministry' that we fail to develop meaningful relationships with those who attend. These dinners are a way to truly get to know peoples and more effectively minister to them.
Above: Norbi, one of Edit's four children is Benjamin's best friend at preschool.
Above: Sharon talking with Miki's wife Erika.
SATURDAY
On Saturday, we squeezed into two vehicles and headed for the the city of Eger for a team retreat.
Above: Benjamin, Bence (Miki's son) and Csaba.
Above: Cute Kira. We were thankful for the beautiful weather that God provided.
Above: A very very very large church building.
Above: Benjamin and Anna. Who knows where that kid got his sense of humor.
Above: Elianna drinking radioactive liquid...or is that water.
Above: Ben wondering when his other front tooth will fall out.
Above: Brothers and sisters in Christ that I am privelaged to serve with in Heves County. L to R: Janka, Csaba, Erika, Brenda, Miki, Allen Sharon. Children: Elianna, Anna, Kira, Benjamin and Bence.
I heard a startling statistic before I came to serve cross culturally as a missionary on a team.The number one reason missionaries leave the field is NOT because of culture shock, or language difficulties, or support problems. The number one reason they leave the field is because of problems with other team members. Serving on a team is definitely not always easy, but I believe it creates the best possible environment for growing in our faith and the best means in witnessing to the world.
"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." (John 17:22-23)
When I think of our team that God has formed over the past few years, I am most thankful for the unity that He has maintained by His grace. Following His lead, we have been able to work through conflict, disagreements and misunderstandings. Instead of giving up on each other, we have matured and learned to love each other.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)
Our team retreat was about remembering and giving thanks for those things which are excellent and praiseworthy. In the midst of ministry and team meetings where we are discussing how to solve problems or increase effectiveness, we sometimes forget to 'think about such things."
We discussed how God uniquely called us to Petőfibánya and how He has since confirmed His calling in our lives. It was comical to hear how the majority of the team initially were completely opposed to the idea of living in Petőfibánya. Thankfully, God convinced each of us as He spoke through Scripture, prayer, dreams, fellow believers and various circumstances. Since that time, we have continued to seek to follow His lead as He builds His church in Heves County.
SUNDAY
Above: As our numbers have dropped in the summer months, we changed the seating orientation to allow for more personal interaction. After our musical worship, we broke up into small groups for prayer. I was thankful to see each group sharing personal requests and praying for their fellow family in Christ. We also give opportunity for people to share about why they are thankful to God. One visitor shared in tears how she was thankful to God for HIs provision of fellowship. Her adult daughter who suffers from schizophrenia has been ministered to by Miki and Erika as she visits them once a week for Bible study.
Peti, who preaches every other week brought an encouraging message on gaining a proper perspective of our redeemed self in Christ, so that we can more effectively love others. Hungarians, more than many other cultures, often see no value in themselves and are burdened with shame.
Above: We praise God for Gabi's graduation! For the past few weeks he has been working hard studying for various final exams. He thanked the church today for our prayers and gave thanks to God for giving peace and help at exam time.
Above: Kira teaching mom the word 'nose' after church. Kira is gaining more confidence walking, but still proceeds with caution.