January 2008

Leaving Today!

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Although we are sad that we are leaving friends and family in the US, we are excited to reconnect with our friends in Hungary.

Here are some specific things that we could use prayer for:
• Catching our connecting flight in London (we have a one hour layover which is not much).
• No problems with our 21 suitcases arriving!
• Favor at customs at the Budapest airport (not to be stopped or hassled as we enter the country)
• Jet lag the first few days tends to be particularly hard on our little ones.
• Peace in the midst of transition for us and especially our children.
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Countdown to Hungary—5 days

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Above: Kira practicing her 'hair doo' for the 'staticky' seats on the long trip to Hungary.

We praise God for the various financial gifts that have been coming in for the past couple of days. Today, we were blessed by a friend who offered to give Sharon and I free eye exams. Various small groups have also made our last weeks in the US a special blessing as they have prayed for us and encouraged us to press on. We continue to work through the final details of organizing, packing and cleaning as we are scheduled to leave in just a few days.

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Above: "You were my best friend. We will miss you Ben." Ben came home today from his last day of school in the US with some goodbye notes from various friends. I said to him, "Now you can look forward to new friends in Hungary." Ben replied, "Dad, not new friends, old friends." We praise God that both Ben and Elianna are looking forward to getting back to Hungary.

Ben also shared a story about a kid at school who forgot his lunch money. Ben said, "I decided to give him the extra money I had for dessert." We were bursting with joy that Ben acting in kindness and not selfishness.

In other news, our friends and Pioneer's teammates Tamara and Attila have given birth to their first child, Levi! But wait there's more! Our sister in law Tania has also given birth to a beautiful daughter TODAY. Our family hopes to drive to DC on Sunday to see Tania's and Sam's baby girl face to face before we return to Hungary.

Please continue to pray for us as we hope to raise additional monthly financial support and for one time gifts that would help us get to work setting up our house when we return. For more information on how to support us, click here.

TRUE FRIENDS

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Above: Our friends from church in Hungary coming together to clean our house (as a surprise to us) before we return. What a blessing to have these special friends to greet us when we return!

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Above: We look forward to worshipping together with our Hungarian brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Countdown to Hungary—11 days

Packing Snow and Packing Bags!

Within seconds after hopping off his school bus, Ben got busy forming a gigantic snow ball for the base of his snowman. Kira offered a helping hand by following him around with a wobble and tapping the growing mass of snow.

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Above: Elianna was quick to join in on the fun, but chose to fall to her back and create some snow angels. She only lasted a few minutes outside, while Ben and Kira persevered to complete the snowman.

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Above: Our friend the snowman only lasted a day, as the warmth of a new day transformed him into two balls with a strangely placed stick protruding from the top. It was fun while it lasted.

Just 11 days until departure and 80% supported.

As our departure date quickly approaches we have been busy packing up the house that we have settled into over the last six months. Once again, we are in the midst of much transition. We value your prayers for wisdom, strength and also for the remaining $1000 of monthly support we still need to raise for sustained long term ministry. Click here for ways you could support us.

You're Invited to our Hungary House Warming Party!

Help warm our home in Hungary with your prayers, donations and final good-byes before we return to Hungary in 11 days!

Friday, January 25th, 6:30 pm, BVBC Fellowship Hall. For more information or to RSVP, please contact us.

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Above: Many of our friends who have served on short term trips to Hungary serving in our English camp invited us to a reunion dinner last night. We are thankful for their willingness to serve and the ways they encourage us in our ministry.
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Countdown to Hungary

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Above: Kira saying, "Baby Jesus."

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Above: As we approach our departure date to Hungary, we are saying our goodbyes once again to family and friends. The day after Christmas, Sharon along with Kira and Sharon's mother was able to fly out to Ohio to visit her grandfather. Kira made up for her lack of piano skills with her amusing expressions while playing.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

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Above: Long time friend and mentor Zach and his wife Hope joined our family on New Years Eve. Although I am younger, Zach was able to virtually knock me out three times in a boxing video game. Ouch.

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Above: In Hungary, it is our custom to hold a family oriented worship service on New Years Eve. Miki and Dezső led worship and many from the growing congregation gave testimony of God's grace in their lives.

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Above: After worship service in Petőfibánya, everyone stayed to bring in the New Year together. Hungarian partner in ministry, Miki, reported that new visitors joined the party this year as well as teenager Gabi (blue shirt above) who we haven't seen for some time.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

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Above: A supporter was kind enough to give our family tickets to see the light show at Longwood Gardens.

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Above: Our long time friend Mickey threw a birthday party for his nephew Sam. Eons ago, I taught Miki in a high school ESL class when he was a new resident of the US. I can still remember our first conversations about Jesus at that time.

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Above: Allen flew out to Florida to share our vision for Hungary at a candidate orientation for new missionaries.

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Above: Steve was one of the many people seeking to go oversees as a churchplanter. God has already used him in a church plant in the US and is calling him oversees to do leadership training. It was encouraging to hear how God has stirred up so many to go to the unreached places of the world with the precious gospel. May the Lord equip each of these young men and women who have made a new commitment to missions and provide for them that they may begin new works around the world for God's glory.

Now that Sharon is back from Ohio, and Allen is back from Florida, we are preparing as a family to return to Hungary in the month of January. We still have many needs before we return. Please pray for us in this time of transition or consider ways that you can help by going to our financial support page, or our practical needs page.
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