Feeding His Sheep

Being able to provide spiritual food on a weekly basis is a blessing not only for us but also for the members of the little Gypsy church in Hajduboszormeny. On Saturday, December 13th we also had the opportunity to provide physical food as well.

Seeing the joy and surprise on the faces of the families brought tears to our eyes. Having the opportunity to pray for each family individually is also a part of our annual visit. When you've experienced the tears of gratitude, the joy on the faces of the children, and the desperate situation most families live in, it reinforces how rich are the Lord's blessings. His love and grace know no bounds.



Once again, our brother in Christ from California, single-handedly blessed the Christmas Food distribution through his personal support. We are reminded that the prayers, obedience, and faithfulness of God's children availeth much.



As you click on the photos (the better to see individual faces) please lift up a prayer for them. They are aware there are people in America and around the world who are praying for them, sympathize with their plight, and support the on-going ministry among them. They are very grateful and send you their thanks and wishes for a blessed Christmas.

Comments from CBS Sunday Morning

Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning

I only hope we find God again before it is too late!!

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of g getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shall not kill, thou shall not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on
your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they
will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein

Anticipating Christmas

We don't always remember that Christmas begins with the word CHRIST, but that is the reason we celebrate this time of year. It is precisely because of Jesus that a time of celebration is observed. It's easy to forget that with all the emphasis on gift giving. Let's help one another rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas which is the gift of eternal life through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

MISKOLC ORPHANAGE MINISTRY. Last week 12/3, we made the trip to Miskolc, this time to help the Neni's (caretakers) at the orphanage purchase Christmas gifts for the children. A military chapel in Germany has donated the funds and each child will receive a hand-picked gift. It was fun getting reacquainted with the Neni's and getting to know a few of the newer caretakers. Since it is my hope to interact with them on a weekly basis when I start going regularly in January, it was a fun way to connect.

On December 20th we are planning to spend the day with the kids, hanging out,making and baking cookies, and sharing a bit of Christmas cheer along with the story of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Please keep this in your prayers. It's always a challenge to corral all the kids in one place with their diverse schedules and also varying interest in spiritual truths.

DEBRECEN WOMEN'S MINISTRY.
This past Saturday December 6th, the women of Calvary Chapel Debrecen came together at the Greathouses for a Women's Christmas Tea. Everyone brought loads of goodies to share, the youth group came early and helped me prepare sandwiches and fruit salad and other treats, and everyone shared a belly laugh while playing the "White Elephant" gift exchange. This was something new for the Hungarians so it took a bit of time to fully understand it was OK to "steal" a gift from your neighbor. It was a special time for us to just have fellowship time together, time being a rare commodity at this time of year.

GYPSY MINISTRY IN BOSZORMENY.


Mikulas (Santa Claus) came to the Gypsy church a bit early this year since our regular meeting time fell on the 2nd of December. Usually Mikulas makes his appearance on the 6th. Here is a photo of the Hungarian man who played the part of Mikulas and handed out a package of goodies to each child and adult. There were at least 100 people crammed into our tiny church that night!

Szundi and Dani, our teaching leaders had the brillant idea of showing how unreachable God's gifts are unless they are accessed through the blood of Jesus. To illustrate that idea, they brought in a large gift wrapped box. Inside were 4 baloons filled with helium and the words LOVE, HOPE, FORGIVENESS, and ETERNAL LIFE. The baloons immediately flew out of the box once opened and drifted far above the reach of everyone. They then shared that through the blood of Jesus we have God's gifts to us if only we will reach out and accept them. It was a really powerful demonstration and we are hoping everyone there understood what it all meant.

On the 11th of December, we will be shopping with a group of volunteers for the Christmas food baskets to be delivered to our Gypsy brothers and sisters on Saturday the 13th. While delivering the baskets, it's a great time to talk about God's love, His provision for them, and the free gift of salvation. I hope to have some photos to upload and share with you later. Please pray for our time with the families and for ears to "hear."

CHRISTMAS AT THE GREATHOUSES. It will be a bit different this year. We have invited 6 of the orphan "graduates" to come and spend the holiday with us December 24-28th. It's always a joy for us to be "Mom and Dad" to the kids and Rob outdoes himself spoiling them with his cooking and special treats.

To each and every one of you reading this blog, we wish you a blessed Christmas filled with many memory making moments. Thank you for your love, your encouragement, and your financial support this past year. Thank you for standing in the gap with us.

God bless you one and all.
Rob and Carol, Debrecen

An update at last!

Between busyness and an internet provider that goes up and down faster than the stock market, it's been a bit of a challenge to find the time to keep our readers updated.

The last time we wrote, we shared our renewed commitment to the ministry at the orphanage in Miskolc. Since then, a lot seems to be happening and it's all centered in Miskolc!!! Go figure.

First off, thanks to all of you who have prayed for Reni and David. As you may remember, Reni is one of the orphan "graduates" who has a young son and for a time, had been homeless.

God has certainly moved hearts and it seems, mountains, in order to get Reni and David established in a permanent home. Reni and David's father had purchased a 150 year old house which after they broke up, was totally gutted with nothing left except the bare walls. There was no way Reni could move back and was in jeopardy of losing David if she didn't have a home suitable to Social Services. That's where the body of believers stepped in and have provided many of the things necessary to set up housekeeping. The two most important things were a way to heat the house and a bed for Reni and David. Both of which were donated in time to meet the criteria of Social Services and eliminate the concern David would become a ward of the State.

During the past several weeks, many trips to Miskolc (about 4 hours round trip) were made in order to get the donations to her. There has also been money donated to help them with food until she is able to start working. There is a promise of a part-time, 3-days a week job, beginning in January. David is signed up to begin pre-school at the same time.

Again in Miskolc, November 21-22nd saw a large group of volunteers come together to share an American tradition...Thanksgiving.











During our two days there, we played crazy games (think fear factor), heard a gospel concert by Bible School students, saw a pantomime with a spiritual message, heard the children's choir from the orphanage, baked and decorated Christmas cookies, and ate a huge Thanksgiving meal together.

We've shared before that Rob has a twice a month cooking class for the young people at the church (photo of them at left). Well this year 4 of the most daring agreed to head up the cooking in each of the 4 houses at the orphanage. The rest of team were on hand to lend a helping hand (with the exception of Luca who is in California) and all in all, everyone enjoyed the time together and the yummy food. We give thanks to all the helpers, translators, and teachers who shared their love and God's blessings on our beloved orphans.

God Answers...In His Time

Working with the children at the orphanage in Miskolc has been an on-going joy in my life. From 1997 until 1999, it was hit and miss as I was still living in Colorado and could only take part in the ministry during my trips to Hungary. Once Rob and I moved to Debrecen in 1999, it became a full-time part of our ministry. Then in early 2001 after having helped plant a church in a gypsy village in Hajduboszormeny, it became apparent that God was telling me I needed to make a choice of where to focus my efforts.

As you know, for the past 8 1/2 years we have been involved to a great degree with the growing church body at the little church in the Gypsy village. Since November of last year, God began nudging me to once again refocus my efforts on His behalf toward His children in Miskolc.

Well of course, I put up a bit of a struggle...it's never been easy for me to give up people in my life...and we have been praying along with others who were also praying with and for us for wisdom in this. Many things needed to happen before it would be possile to turn the ministry over to the Hungarians and God in His faithfulness, did answer those needs...in HIS time. God has now brought forward people with cars to take over the transportation needs and Hungarian speaking teachers especially for the littlest children. Instead of just having a caretaker (me) they are now receiving teaching from the Word at their own level of understanding.

The prayer has always been that this ministry would be taken over in full by the Hungarians and in the fullness of time, God has answered that prayer.

Hence, beginning in January I will no longer be working with the Boszormeny church on a weekly basis. Instead, I will begin to get reacquainted with the ministry at the orphanage in Miskolc. A big emphasis for me will be working with the teen girls as well as with the older girls who have left the orphanage and are still living in the area.

To that end, we have invited all of the older girls to come and spend the Christmas holidays with us in the guesthouse from December 24-28th. These are young women who have not had an easy life...growing up in the orphanage, with no parents or family support for the most part. It is our hope that they will continue to stay connected with each other and the local church in Miskolc and feel that the Debrecen church body is their 2nd family.

We covet your prayers as we transition into this (re)newed ministry focus.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Pray for the church body at the Gypsy church, that they would continue to draw closer to the Lord and realize a fuller understanding and trust in their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayers for the children in Miskolc that God would become a presence in their lives. That God would bring forward an Hungarian woman, who speaks English, who would assist in the outreach to the young women living at the home.

Please pray for the leaders of both ministries that God would continue to bless them with wisdom in sharing the Word of God.

Visions of the Wild West!

Russ Chun who heads up GoodSports Ministry here in Debrecen had an unusual experience last week, harkening back to the wild west days!

While moving a ping pong table to the local Reformed Church in preparation for their first ever Youth Group meeting, Russ had loaded the table into the back of a horse pulled wood wagon.

It was at this point that something spooked the horse which was being led by his 12 year old assistant and neighbor (who had volunteered his horse and wagon)for the project. The horse took off, dragging the young boy, and as Russ was holding the reins and trying to get the horse under control, the horse began zig zagging back and forth across the road, Russ lost control of the situation and was thrown out of the wagon along with the ping pong table which whizzed over his head.

The outcome was that Russ landed on a stake which the neighbor had placed around his front garden. Landing on it caused two ribs to be broken from the stake, he also had an additonal broken rib, a fractured wrist, and a gash in his head requiring 7 stitches.

Once all the x-rays were over, it was decided that Russ needed to stay in the hospital for 4-5 days to make sure the broken ribs would not cause a breathing problem.

We're happy to say Russ is home and recovering. He is joking about his "wild west" adventure so his sense of humor is still intact.

We invite your prayers for Russ' continued recovery. Also, please pray for the ministries he heads up, i.e., baseball ministry, orphanage ministry, and the soon to start youth group meetings at the local Reformed Church in Mikeperc. He is being told he needs to take it easy for another 5-6 weeks and for those who know Russ and his legendary energy, not an easy task for him.

Looking Back

On a beautiful Fall morning with a chorus of birds singing outside our windows, I am looking back over all that has happened this summer.

Eventful would not begin to describe how wonderfully the Lord has been working in the lives of the young people in our small Debrecen church. God has blessed our church with a Youth Pastor who truly cares about his flock. Pastor Dani has inspired our young people to truly live out the message of Matthew which encourages all of us to "go and share the good news of Jesus Christ." They have done that through their willing hearts at the summer sports and English camps, through their teaching of God's word to the littlest children at the Gypsy church in Boszormeny, and through their on-going mentoring and encouragement of the orphans in Miskolc.

We thank God for each person who has stepped up to the plate, sometimes literally, as they have participated in teaching/coaching American Baseball.

In gratitude for such willing hearts, Rob and I decided to host a bar-b-q for all the youth group members. We spent an afternoon and evening enjoying each others company eating bar-b-q, playing badmiton, volleyball, and praising God in worship.

Thank you one and all for your continued prayer for the work of God's hands here in Hungary, always remembering "the prayers of a godly man/woman availeth much!!!

Blessings in Christ,
Rob and Carol

A Friend in Need

A friend who was instrumental in our coming to the Lord is now in need of prayer as she battles cancer. Carol Porter is our former pastor's wife and is beginning a difficult treatment for Metastic Melanoma which has spread to her lungs and liver.

We are asking our friends and readers to lift Carol in prayer as she begins the journey towards restored health. You can follow her progress by reading her blog at: http://www.carolsclimb.blogspot.com/

Thank you for standing in the gap.

Rob and Carol

Take Heart America...

The news from America seems unsettling; foreclosures, gas and food prices spiraling, and hopelessness on the rise.

Take heart dear ones, the Lord is still in control! Nothing happens by chance. Someone recently told me that the higher gas prices were a blessing because it is causing people to reevaluate their priorities. May it be so; may the Lord lead each person to search their hearts and find peace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

Just to let you know it could be worse (gas prices that is) we are now paying $9.68 per gallon of diesel for the van and $9.00 per gallon for gas for the station wagon.

We would welcome your prayers for God's provision for our ministry as the price of everything continues to climb.

If you are interested in supporting our ministry, you can send your tax-deductible contribution to the following address:

Valley Bible Church
Attn: Roberta Perry
7106 Johnson Drive
Pleasanton, CA 94588

NOTE: Indicate support is for: GREATHOUSE MINISTRY

We continue to thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. May the Lord continue to bless you abundantly. Please let us know how we can be praying for you.

Rob and Carol Greathouse
Debrecen, Hungary

2008 English Camp

Bringing together 172 campers and volunteers, English Camp 2008 began. Many of the campers were attending an English camp for the first time and many were also non-churched. All that was to change as the week progressed.

Teams of volunteers from all over the map were represented. A team from Texas was back, a team of Navigator missionaries were also in attendance, and individuals from California, Minnesota and Germany were also a part of the team that God put together to help shine His love to all who were a part of this ministry.

It is so interesting to see how relationships begin, deepen, and later, grow when God is in the equation. Through the years, we’ve watched as God has worked in the hearts of young people impacted by the loving presence of God among them.

By weeks end, there were 7 young people baptized plus the mother of one of the kids decided that she too needed to commit her life to Christ!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll make my words short and include a Smilebox slide show of photos taken during the camp. As you view the photos, please pray for the Holy Spirit to continue the work the Lord began during the week.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Saga...Missing Soccer Balls

God blessed the ministry for Children’s Day at the village in early June. Along with a day filled with opportunities to share God’s love, He also provided three soccer balls for the ministry. Hence, the saga begins…

It started out innocently enough several weeks ago; a not so quiet early evening just prior to the start of Tuesday night church at the Gypsy village in Hajduboszormeny. It soon became apparent there was a fox or two in the henhouse!

Having started the evening with 3 soccer balls, it soon became apparent that all three balls were missing. Pastor Dani talked to the church about the sin of theft. Everyone shook their heads, tsking about the missing items. There wasn’t a guilty face to be seen. And, no leads as to who might have done the unthinkable…steal from the church!

The following week found us being joined by Americans who came to minister alongside the team. The only playing that evening was with one lone Frisbee. There were many sad faces on those who came early looking forward to playing the National obsession…”football” or as Americans know it, Soccer.

This past Tuesday there were still no soccer balls and many more disappointed faces. Our trusty Frisbee was still around so a lively game kept most of the kids involved. Still, talk centered around whatever happened to our soccer balls?

Well lo and behold, rumors were running rampant about who now had a soccer ball that looked suspiciously like the ones belonging to the church. After the church service was over, the team decided to load up and head out into the village to visit the “suspected” new homes of the missing soccer balls.

As we pulled up in front of the first house, the father walked out and was greeted by Pastor Dani asking about the churches soccer balls. The father said he was told the ball in question had been a “gift” and readily handed it over to the team. We all jumped back in to the van, rejoicing and thanking God for His leading in how to approach the next “suspect.”

When we arrived at the next house, we were greeted by at least a dozen kids outside the fence. No one claimed to know anything about or possession of a soccer ball. Then, Grandma (a member of the church and a strong believer) walked out giving the kids “the eye” asking them where the soccer ball was. Many denials ensued but Grandma wasn’t having any of it. She started walking around the yard, house, garden and lo and behold, she came out bearing a smile and a soccer ball. There was no doubt it was one of the churches balls because it had our name marked out, and a big patch of suspicious black was in it’s place. It should be noted that the first ball had the same blackened area hiding the church name.

When the kids were asked about the third ball, they admitted they knew who had it but were unwilling to give us their name. Pastor Dani then asked them to tell the child they could just throw the ball into the church property and no questions would be asked.

All this has prompted us to question our effectiveness in ministering to our Gypsy brothers and sisters. Even though proof of lying and stealing came to light, none of the children showed any remorse or shame.

In light of the fact they are being taught the 10 Commandments, it doesn’t seem to have sunk in. Of course we are working with a people group who have very little and a soccer ball is a treasured commodity.

Please, will you join with us in praying for the Holy Spirit to do a work in the hearts and minds of His children in the village. We are so aware that we are God’s servants, sent to share His Word and love to all. It is hard not to be disappointed at times. Pray the team will persevere in the calling God has placed on our lives, to invest our time and His love to all those who do not yet know the forgiving love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Miskolc Orphanage Sports Camp

Praises to God for all He accomplished during our week of ministry at the orphanage. At least one young man accepted Christ on the very last day! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. You too were a part of the team.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Correct E-mail Address

We are experiencing a problem receiving mail through our Hungarian provider. In the future, please write to us at the following address: carolgreathouse292@hotmail.com

We've never experienced a problem receiving mail through Hotmail so feel free to contact us with your prayer requests, suggestions and ideas.

Blessings in Christ,
Rob and Carol

Children's Day in Hajduboszormeny

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Prayer Requests

In the next 2 months there will be many opportunities to reach out to the youth in Hungary and Slovakia. We invite your prayers for the volunteers as well as the young people attending the outreaches and camps.

Here are some dates to keep in mind:

June 14th - An afternoon/evening evangelistic outreach will take place on the grounds of the Gypsy church in Hajduboszormeny. We will begin the outreach with worship music and a short evangelistic message. There are also plans for sports competitions and crafts. We will provide a light dinner for everyone followed by a cooling chocolate covered ice cream bar. Szundi, our teacher for the teens is going to be married at the end of the month. He and his fiancee Marti, will also be sharing a bit about themselves and their road to the altar.

June 16-21st - Calvary Chapel Hungary is hosting a week-long conference in Western Hungary where the foundations of our faith will be the topics. We are providing transportation, two roundtrips to drop off on Monday and pick up on Saturday.

June 22-28th - We will be traveling to the Miskolc orphanage about 1.5 hours from Debrecen to assist with a week-long sports camp for the orphans. One of the hopes for this week is to deepen our relationships in discipling one-on-one. Our hope is also that the children will choose to come to Debrecen and spend the following week serving the church.

June 28th - Szundi and Marti's Wedding

June 28-July 6th - A large team of volunteers will be traveling to Bojnice, Slovakia for a week-long soccer camp.

July 7-11th - English Camp and sports activities in village of Mikepercs

July 7-12th - A week-long conference for members of Hungarian Calvary Chapel churches will be held in Western Hungary. We are providing transportation, two roundtrips to drop off on Monday and pick up on Saturday.

July 13-19th - Debrecen English Camp is attended by scores of unchurched youth. There will be a baptism on Friday, July 18th for anyone wishing to profess their commitment to Jesus Christ.

August 15-20th - The Debrecen church will be holding their annual church-wide retreat. Location is still to be decided. Croatia anyone???

September 3-19th - Rob and Carol are taking a vacation, destination to be determined.

Thank you for keeping us all in your prayers. May God bless you abundantly.

A Time To Connect

Precious moments, all pieced together, make a beautiful quilt...

These past few months since we last wrote have been made up of moments which have shown us the beautiful patchwork quilt the Lord is designing from our lives.

Some of these moments were joyous, as in the case of our friends dearly awaited first child being born 3 weeks early, and in perfect health. Another joyous memory was sharing a week-long driving trip with my beloved sister, Georgia, visiting our cousins, brothers, and father. Another memory making moment was having the opportunity to attend a week-end women's retreat where my friend and mentor, Carol Porter, was the guest speaker for the retreat. A special joy because it was shared with my sister Georgia and also her first women's retreat.

Never give up praying...after more than 9 years of prayers, one of our long-held dreams was answered when our home church, Valley Bible Church, Pleasanton, California, brought 28 people to come and minister among our Hungarian brothers and sisters. During their 10 days in Hungary, they were able to visit a hospital for newborn babies in Ukraine, minister among Gypsy brothers and sisters in Hungary and Romania, hold a 2-day retreat for the young people of the church as well as orphans from the ministry in Miskolc. There was also a time of meeting and encouragement of a pastor's wife from Romania and a gathering of the women from the Debrecen church.

Finally, after many years of praying, God has provided an answer to our long-held wish to have a more permanent church home. We have now been able to purchase a property with two buildings on it. The larger of the two will be used as the sanctuary once it is renovated and the smaller will be used for the children's ministry, coffee house ministry, and a wonderful area for the youth group to meet.

Praise God for the perfect solution to our housing situation. We can now begin the remodeling, and even do some much needed modification to the current garden area, creation of a play area for the children, and construction of a deck area for the coffee house.

Of course, all of this is dependent upon the Lord's provision to cover the expenses involved. The great thing is that the Lord's wallet is unlimited. We just need to wait upon His timing.

As always we are so grateful for you and continue to covet your prayers for the Lord's work here in Eastern Europe and especially our beloved Gypsy brothers and sisters in Hajduboszormeny.

Be blessed dear ones as the Lord helps you construct your own "quilt" of life.

A Brand New Year

With the holidays behind us and a fresh new year ahead, we are seeking God's guidance and wisdom in the days ahead.

While reading a devotional recently, I came across this thought and have been pondering it, a lot!!!

God in His mercy brings us comfort in our trials, not always to remove our struggles but rather to give us strength through the trial...His idea is that if we accept and receive His comfort, we will then be able to offer His comfort to others and become comforters. Nothing is wasted with God. He can and will use everything in our lives to accomplish His good and perfect will.