A Gift of Food And The Promise Of Hope Through Jesus Christ

Most of us can go into the pantry and select from a variety of choices for our next meal. Not so for our Gypsy brothers and sisters. Poverty is a way of life and the next meal is not always a sure thing.

God once again moved hearts to partner with us to provide a variety of food staples, cleaning products, and a treat or two for the families who attend the Gypsy church in Hajduboszormeny. Saturday, December 22nd, a team of volunteers had the privilege of being the Lord's helpers and seeing the joy on their faces when we brought large bags of much needed and appreciated food.

As we were invited into each home, we were once again struck by the poverty we encountered. For some, whole families live in one small room which serves as kitchen, living room, and sleeping room. At one home, there was only one bed for 4 small children and the mother and father. In another home, their two small rooms both had dirt floors. Hygiene is nearly non-existent since it is necessary to walk to the community well and haul their water home and cleaning products are definitely a luxury.

Leaving bags of food, cleaning products, toothpaste and toothbrushes along with sharing a prayer of thanksgiving to God filled us, the volunteers, with a heart of gratitude. Gratitude for being allowed to be a part of His ministry and gratitude that our small congregation once again, saw how much the Lord loves them and was showing it through His provision for them.

Hope for the unsaved was high as Pastor Dani prayed and offered words of encouragement with each family we visited. At one home an unsaved family member sheds tears of gratitude for God's goodness towards her family.

For all those who have joined us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Boszormeny and provided financial support so that the ministry among the Roma people could continue, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We pray the Lord has added another jewel to your crown in heaven.

God Always Knows Best

Often we read in the Word that man's plans are not always God's plan. Once again we were reminded of this truth last night at the Gypsy Church. Thinking we were going to have a rather "intimate" gathering of our church family for our Christmas service, we were overwhelmed at the number of people waiting for us when we arrived.

Our plan was to have a small bonfire where our "little" family would gather around and sing worship songs and have a short message from Pastor Dani. Without a doubt, the gathering around the campfire was an overwhelming success and even more people were able to hear the message of Jesus! Just like God had planned!!!

We saw many new faces, both adults and children. God is working in the little Gypsy village, continually drawing new people to hear the truth of Jesus' love for them.

God must have been preparing us for this large event, even without our realizing it. While shopping for cookies and treats to share after the bonfire, I purchase more than I would have normally. It was a blessing to be able to share this little "gift" of sweets and hot tea with our new friends.

Later, our core church group motioned me to come inside...once inside I was surprised by a birthday celebration (my birthday is Dec. 21st). Another definition of joy is watching the faces of each child who came forward with a little treat for me. They were so excited and happy to be able to share something with another. As for me, I had to keep blowing my nose and joked that my tears were coming out my nose!

God has truly blessed us to be a part of His work among the Gypsy people. Year after year, God has grown our love and devotion to our brothers and sisters in the village. Our prayer is that one day, every single person living in the village will be a follower of Jesus Christ.

One Definition of Joy

Yesterday I discovered another definition for joy, i.e., watching little boys from the orphanage in Miskolc learn to make gingerbread cookies and one little girl who showed us her skill at making cut-out Christmas cookies that competed with the speed of sound.




As the children rolled out the dough and began cutting out the shapes, it was such a joyous moment for me. It took me back to the days when my own daughter Cheryl was first learning to cook and bake. There is something so satisfying in creating, be it food or a work of art. Maybe you will recall the time you created a "special masterpiece" you wanted your parents to display or if it was food, wanted them to taste, waiting expectantly for their smile of approval.

We are the creation of our heavenly Father, who looks at us through a Father's loving eyes, waiting expectantly for us to "taste" His love and accept the truth of His perfect gift, Jesus. What a joy it is for the Father when we finally accept the gift He so lovingly offers us.

Please pray for our little kids in Miskolc, that the truth of Jesus love for them would become real and a precious gift they willingly receive.

Blessings to All

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Mikulas Comes to Hajduboszormeny!

Mikulas comes to Hungary the night of December 5th, visits all the "good" children and leaves a treat in the shoes placed beside their beds before going to sleep. "Bad" children receive nothing or a twig indicating Mikulas is displeased with their behavior that year.

Well, no family left empty handed when Mikulas made his "surprise" visit to the little Gypsy Church in Boszormeny Tuesday night. Imagine our surprise when driving up to the church and spotting most of the over 120 children who heard that Mikulas might be paying a visit to the church that night.

Making room for everyone was a real struggle and ended up with people crammed into the larger meeting room, people standing in the entryway, and others who arrived late, standing outside under our newly built patio cover.

The evening started off with wonderful praise and worship music. Even those who had never visited the church were encouraged to sing as Pastor Dani shared the words and they were repeated in song.

Dani and Szundi both donned black attire with black stockings over their heads (the better to scare) and began reciting sins committed by all little children, telling them there would be no Mikulas for anyone found "guilty" of even one of these sins. Suddenly, an angel in white

appeared telling the children, wait...there is someone who paid the price for all these sins and if you believe, all of your sins will be forgiven. When asked who had paid the price, the children all chanted the name Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

By the time Mikulas arrived, the children were beside themselves with excitement. Our Mikulas this year was actually a young woman named Marti. She played her part to perfection, deep voice and all.

The looks on the littlest children's faces was a joy to behold. They were so grateful to see Mikulas, have "him" say a kind word to them, and give them a wonderful gift of goodies.

This is the 4th year a couple from our local church have put together goodie bags for the

children at the Gypsy village. We are so grateful to all who have prayed for this ministry and we seek God's guidance on how to further relationships with those who may have come for the first time.

With Thanksgiving In Our Hearts!

Dear ones,

With Thanksgiving not long behind us and Christmas just ahead, it is a perfect time to reflect on all that God has accomplished in this past year here in Eastern Europe.

We are praising God for the many new believers He has called to Himself, through sports camps, English camp, and orphan ministry this year. The ways in which God moves and the timing is always a lesson in faith for those of us working here. It was only after nearly 10 years of working with the orphans in Miskolc that we experienced the fullness of joy when the harvest was ripe at English Camp this year. If anything, it encourages us even more that it is the on-going relationship building that God can use to reach the seemingly unreachable.

In the ten years we have been a part of the ministry to the orphans of Miskolc orphanage, God has allowed us to become "surrogate parents" since moving to Hungary. We've had the joy of hosting groups of the children, usually 3 at a time, for a weekend of being served by our Debrecen church and the body of believers here. It's always fun to see the excitement on their faces when Rob, our chef, comes up with a dish they've never had before.

This year, God has opened a door for us to come alongside a brother from another church who is ministering to the orphans on our doorstep here in Debrecen. We have participated in two large group outreaches to the kids so far. It is still a case of relationship building among both the children and their caretakers. We welcome your prayers for this hopefully, on-going ministry.

Relationship building has been a big part of our ministry this year. In September, Carol once again accompanied two women to Romania who ministered to the Hungarian women in three different areas. This has been an annual outreach for 6 of the last 8 years. It is a time where the ministry focus is on encouraging Christian women and the Pastor's wives in their personal relationships and ministry.

Upcoming Ministry Opportunities

Tuesday, December 4th we will celebrate Mikulas Day at the Gypsy Church in Hajduboszormeny

Friday, December 7th there will be an evangelistic outreach and potluck dinner at the church.

Tuesday, December 11th the children at the Gypsy church will hold their annual Christmas Program.

Saturday, December 15th we will go to the orphanage in Miskolc for a day of Christmas activities, including cookie making and decorating, crafts, and music.

Saturday, December 22nd we will be distributing bags of food to our Gypsy church families.

We want to take this time to wish you all a joyous holiday filled with the many wonderful sights and sounds of the Christ-filled season.




With love and gratitude, Rob & Carol

Thanksgiving at Miskolc Orphanage

Wednesday, November 21st through Sunday, November 25th saw an outpouring of God's love through the volunteers He brought to help with the 10th Annual Thanksgiving outreach to the orphans in Miskolc.

This year God brought 32 brothers and sisters in the Lord from the American military community in Heidelberg, Germany. Many of those who came also helped with the ministry last year as well. In addition, there were at least 10-12 translators who came to help from among the Debrecen church body and Youth Group members.

It is such a joy to watch as the love of the Lord is poured out through His children, not only the adults, but the children of the volunteers who brought their families to help. It is a time when the orphans can experience what a Christian family looks like and what it means to be a part of God's family.

Besides bringing along the ingredients for a full American style Thanksgiving meal, the team of volunteers also purchased gifts for each child at the orphanage. For some, it was the very first time they had ever received something "new" and not passed down from others.

We pray that this time of sharing the love of God, hearing God's Word, and seeing how much they are welcomed to join God's family, that the children will think on those things that were shared and make a decision for Jesus Christ. For those who have already made the commitment to follow Jesus, we pray they have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a child of God.

This year we celebrated our 10th year together in Thanksgiving, watching a video of photos showing the children through the years. Many have grown and left the orphanage but quite a few returned to share in the joy of the Lord.

Thank you one and all who are so faithfully praying for our orphans in Miskolc. We pray you too are blessed to be a part of God's work here in Eastern Europe.

Warm Sweaters and Hats!

Tuesday, November 20th marked the date our Gypsy children in Hajduboszormeny received the gift of an Alpaca sweater or hat made from donated yarn and the creative hands of many Mennonite women who came together to knit the warm gifts for these most deserving children. It was an extention of God's "warm and loving embrace" through the efforts of His faithful children. Thank you dear ones for your faithfulness in praying for God's work among the Gypsy people.