Salt and Light - November 26

Greetings from Debrecen,

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for your prayers! God did an amazing work during our Thanksgiving celebration. I love the way He brings just the right people and how he connects them for His purposes and the encouragement that results from our fellowship with other believers. God's ways are higher than our ways!

Sophia is making progress with school!  God continues to give me opportunities to influence "M." Many of the University students are finishing up classes and preparing for their final exams. God continues to give Hungarian Baptists freedom and influence in the public schools. A new family is coming to work in one of the schools supported by the main Baptist church in town.

Please pray:

• The Good family as they move this week to Debrecen that God would provide just the right place for them to live. They would have peace as they travel and that they would see God's hand providing for them as they get settled.
• The girls would be diligent as they study and have courage and peace at they tackle difficult subjects.
• That Debrecen, Hungary would see the manifestation of the glory of  God!
• University students as they prepare for exams that they would realize their need for God and how they can depend on Him.
• Wisdom and strength for Joseph Steiner and his family as they lead Hungarian Baptist Aid and the opportunities God gives them to influence the lives of Hungarians and others.
• Courage and strength for us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Thank you!

One of His servants,
Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen,

It has been fun to see people and to hear about what God is doing in their lives and in Debrecen. Most of this week was spent doing the daily things of home school, language, living and talking with the people that God sends to us. This is where God has called us to be faithful. It was so good to see to our neighbors I. and P.  I. helped me last year with speaking Hungarian. We have prayed for them.

We also saw Alicia who is working with the Roma and a school in a near by town. So cool to see how God is using this connection with the school to make disciples and to see the beginnings of a church. She shared about the division that still exists between the Roma and Hungarians even among Christians. This morning we were at an international church where some gypsies were sharing their testimonies and music. One person gave a testimony of paying off his debts and how God has helped him, which is huge!

We had several students come to visit us and it was encouraging to hear how they are doing and the dreams that God has placed in their hearts.

Please pray:

• Keep praying for the young lady from Holland, that she would read the book of John and that she would respond to the truth.
• God would continue to give us the ability to learn Hungarian, especially for Darrel as he prepares for an exam in June.
• We would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the opportunities that He gives us to pray and share the gospel.
• Still working on the Internet and telephone issues, pray that they are resolved soon because we depend so much on the Internet for school and communication.
• That I. and P. would continue to be open as we share our lives and the gospel with them.
• God would do a supernatural work among the Hungarians and gypsies and that unbelievers would see God and put their trust in Him.

Thank you for your prayers!

One of God's servants,
Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen,

We are thankful for a full week and it is exciting to see how God is working. Last week we attended a lecture at the University where a scientific scholar spoke on bridging the gap between science and the Bible. He did a great job explaining the Gospel and showing how modern science affirms many things in the Bible. The room was full and the students were attentive.

We also had our friend from Israel over along with her boyfriend and another friend. It was so much fun reconnecting with them and seeing more of an openness in their hearts. God is working in their hearts.

Also just yesterday we met a young lady from Holland is such a random way through a friend who we were able to share about God and give her the book of John. We asked her if she had any spiritual beliefs and she said that she did not have any and never was able to read past the beginning chapters of the Bible. Meeting her and talking with her was such a reminder of the divine appointments that God has planned.

We were encouraged by our Hungarian church this morning in their desire to do evangelism and discipleship and how we can help them.

Please continue to pray:

• Wisdom and patience with the logistics of registration, language lessons, Internet and telephones. God would work out the details of how to accomplish these things.
• God's timing as we continue to reconnect with people that we would encourage those we are able to see this week.
• God would give us favor in the lives of students and the ability to speak Hungarian.
• Our daughters would have the courage to do the hard things and that they would see how God is helping them.
• Our friend K who used to be a student and is now working, that he would see his need for God.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

One of God's servants,
Kimberly

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Texas,

We have been incredibly blessed by our time at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Thankful for the body of Christ and their encouragement to us. God in working in and through this church. We were also incredibly blessed to visit with some dear friends. We appreciate the wisdom and encouragement from those God has placed in our lives.

Updates:
Our colleague who had brain surgery had a successful surgery and all the cancer was removed. He and his family are returning to the states for the holidays and some follow-up treatment. Their plan for now is to return to the country where they are serving for further treatment.

Ezra had his stem cell transplant and now it is the time of waiting. In the next couple of weeks his body needs to accept these new cells so it can replace the abnormal cells. He is expected to be pretty sick during this process, also the effects of the chemo will be more evident in his body.

Please pray for them as well as:

• "J." - God continues to stir his heart. Recently he has had some spiritual conversations with a friend. Pray that he would surrender to Jesus.
• We are traveling again this weekend to Perryton, Texas, and Darrel will preaching and we will have the opportunity to encourage some friends who will be serving in Lesotho.
• Many of the University students in Debrecen are taking exams this week so please pray for them that they would realize how much they need God to help them and they would see His hand in the midst of stress.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

One of God's servants,
Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Texas,

God is our strength! Darrel has been in Mississippi speaking at a missions conference. It has been a blessing to look back and retell the stories of what God has done in Debrecen. God is faithful and amazing. So we press on with school and doing life in Bonham. We are finally getting some fall-like weather. The girls and I had an opportunity to go to a Judgment House at a church in town. It was our first time and it really added a different dimension to our understanding of life/death and the importance of sharing the gospel. We are so thankful for the friendliness of the people in Bonham and the church.

Please continue to pray:

• Darrel as he finishes speaking and travels home, that God would continue to speak to his heart and for safety as he drives.
• We would be diligent in the work that God has called us to do and wisdom as we prepare to return to Hungary.
• So thankful for volunteers who have worked along side us. Praying that God would continue to raise up those who would be willing to serve in Hungary.
• The University students of Debrecen, their hearts would be open to hear and believe the gospel.

Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 

Lord, we lift up women across Europe who are suffering after a pregnancy loss. May we show them the love and compassion of Christ and tell them about the forgiveness and healing He can give.
 
(Taken from "40 Days of Prayer for European People" )

Thank you so much!

One of God's servants,
Kimberly

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Texas!

God continues to give us His strength each day! He is awesome in the way that he puts together the seemingly random things of our days and creates something amazing. Darrel made it safely to Pickneyville, Il. He spoke several times today and will have some meetings tonight and tomorrow as well. The girls and I have been working on school. It was good to hear from Z who we prayed for last week and I can see God at work in her life! I saw R again, the wiccan lady at Walmart, but did not have a chance to talk to her; I ask that you join me in praying for her. We plan on continuing with school this week, and Darrel will visit family then drive to another mission conference in Mississippi.

Please pray:

• The transition continues as we prepare to return to Hungary in January. It can be stressful but pray that God will give us clarity and peace. We continue to see God at work in the lives of students in Hungary and we desire for God to use us in their lives.
• God would give Darrel the words and stories to share as he speaks in churches and also safety as he travels.
• Our former pastor and his wife, Josef and Csilla, that God would strengthen them and raise up others who will join them in serving.
• Wisdom for me as I teach and God would give Abigail and Sophia the ability to learn and understand what is being taught.
• Denes and Alyssa, God would use them and show them in whom they are to invest, and doing life with a baby.
• Arianna would focus on the Lord as she desires to serve Him but not sure what that will look like in terms of her degree. God would affirm or change her degree choice so that it falls in line with His purposes for her life. She would have peace as she waits to hear from Him.

Monday, September 12 

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3
 
Lord, intervene, heal and restore marriages and families in Europe. 
(Taken from "40 Days of Prayer for European People" )

One of His servants,
Kimberly

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from the Road,

Today we are travelling to be with a church tonight to share our stories of what God is doing in Hungary. We have been blessed to spend time with some Belarussian friends this week. God has given us the ability to remember the Russian language. We are so excited that Arianna will be graduating this coming Saturday with other homeschoolers in the Springfield area. God continues to grow her and work through her life in a beautiful way. Yesterday our girls along with some other MK’s set up a craft booth at a local festival. They had so much fun, learned a lot and even earned some money. This week we will also have more opportunities to be with our Belarussian friends. We are thankful for our church family and friends who continue to love and bless these servants of God.

Please continue to pray:

• Renewed spiritual and physical strength for our Belarussian friends as they continue to meet with others this week. God will show others how to pray for and partner with them in their ministry in Belarus.
• Arianna would be encouraged and hopeful about the amazing things He has planned for her even if she doesn’t know what that is yet.
• I am reminded of the incredible lostness of so many people in Belarus so keep praying for the good news to spread and for many to accept this gift of salvation.
• Our neighbor in Springfield has stage 4 lung cancer. She and her husband are not believers so pray that we will they will know Jesus.
• We would continue to be attentive to the things that God is saying and teaching us.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

One of God’s servants,

Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Springfield!

It seems like forever since I have last written. We are thankful for safe travel visiting family, Richmond, and Kansas City. We were greatly encouraged by our time in Richmond during the debriefing that we had with IMB. Thankful to hear from David Platt and the things that are evolving. We also enjoyed hearing from other missionaries about what God is doing in other parts of the world. Our girls were blessed to be with other MK's who get who they are because of their similar experiences.

God is good! We have enjoyed speaking with some sweet kids from our church and with the WMU. We so appreciate the prayers, support and encouragement from these godly women. It is exciting to hear about how God is working in people's hearts. This week we will continue with school and finish up some doctor's appointments.

We will head out again next weekend for Florida so I am not sure what kind of connection we will have as we are traveling. As we have been sharing, I am reminded of the people in Hungary that we can be praying for.

Please continue to pray:

• J as God continues to speak to his heart that he would respond obediently and completely surrender his life.
• M, a young lady of another religion, that she would continue to respond to God as He reveals Himself to her.
• God would continue to give the IMB leadership wisdom as they seek God and His direction.
• The missionaries that are retiring who are waiting on God to show them what to do next. They would have peace and clear direction from God. They would be encouraged!
• D, K, M, A, I, Z, and others who do not yet know Jesus, that their hearts would be responsive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
• Our friend and GCC partner, Alyssa, who had her baby last week! God would give her peace, strength and wisdom as a new mother. Also for her husband Denes as he finishes seminary and trusts God for wisdom and direction.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

One of God's servants,

Kimberly

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Springfield, Missouri.

This week has been full and interesting. Our lives remain busy as we continue to reconnect with people and adjust to life in America. Our mission board requires us to be cleared medically before we return to the field, so we all get physicals and other appointments which are good but take a lot of time.

We are so thankful for some great Bible teaching that we have been receiving and the time that we are in the Christian community which is so different when we are overseas. The body of Christ is amazing and we are blessed! We have started to make visits with our family and we so look forward to spending time with them.

This week Darrel was able to reconnect with some of our friends in Hungary and to encourage them. Our Monday night Bible study is changing and growing and others are leading, and it is really great to see what God continues to do. This week some of our coworkers will be making a decision to leave or remain with the IMB. Please pray that God would give all of us wisdom and the ability to see His plans clearly. Please continue to pray for our friends in Debrecen.

Please pray for:

• J., that he would choose to follow after God and not let other things distract him.
• D. would see his need for a relationship with God.
• God continues to be at work in S.'s life, Pray that he would keep his eyes on Jesus and that the Holy Spirit would continue to reveal truth to him as He studies God's Word.
• Pray that our Muslim friends around the world would come to know the One True God of love and forgiveness and to trust that Jesus is more than a prophet, but the Son of God (taken from "Things to Pray for Muslims Around the World").
• Alyssa and Denes as they teach God's Word to students, that the students would grow in their faith and share it with others. Alyssa is expecting a baby in the next few months so pray that she and the baby will be healthy. They would see God's provision and that His peace would rule in their hearts.
• Coffee House on Thursday nights, that there would be spiritual conversations and opportunities to share Christ.

Thank you so much for praying for what God is doing in Debrecen!

One of God's servants,

Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Springfield.

We were encouraged by the Lord this week. Darrel had a great trip to New Orleans with many divine appointments. I am in awe of God when I think about the people that he brings into our lives and the opportunity we have to share Christ with them. Darrel was also encouraged by the men who have been faithful to share the gospel year after year like our friend Frank. He is around 80 years old and has a unique gift of recognizing which country people are from, and he also has tracts in so many different languages. He is faithful to continue to talk with people and share the good news.

We are thankful for how God is providing for Arianna's future studies at the University. We found out that she is a National Merit Scholar finalist and will receive a scholarship. She told us earlier that if God wanted her to go to Dallas Baptist University that He would provide. We are blessed by God's provision and her faith.

We were also blessed to participate in an amazing discipleship conference which was such an encouragement to us and a reminder to go and make disciples. We are thankful for more tools and practical information about helping churches make disciples and how faithfulness to this task can have a great impact in reaching the lost. We were also blessed by how God through our church family blessed our children while we were gone. We are thankful! Yeah, God!

Please pray:

• The seeds planted during Mardi Gras would bear fruit in the lives of those who heard and received the truth. The Holy Spirit would convict their hearts to obey what God has shown them.
• We would be attentive and obedient to the things that God reveals to us. We would see who God wants us to invest our lives in while we are here in Springfield.
• Churches and pastors would catch a glimpse of the things that God can do through a disciple-making church. They would commit themselves to making disciples.
• Many of the students we know are struggling with the question, "What is God's will for my life?" Pray that they would keep their eyes on Him and that they would see the next step and walk in obedience. God would give them peace. 
• Wisdom for my doctor as I go for a physical and investigate some lingering issues with my back. I am trusting God to show us the best thing to do.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

One of God's servants,

Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen.

Happy New Year!  After today we have 14 more days left. Today we said goodbye to our Hungarian church family. Thank you for praying for our friends last week. We just sensed the importance of praying for this couple (keep praying). God continues to send people to us as we say goodbye and have opportunities to encourage and share with them. This week we will start school for the second semester and pack. We will have two more Bible Studies and one more English Worship time this coming Saturday.

Please pray:

• We will keep our eyes on Jesus and finish well in Debrecen.
• The University students will have their exam period over this next month. The students have exams and if they do not get the grade that they desire then they can try again until they achieve the grade that they are satisfied with. Pray that God would enable those who trust in Him and that those who don't know Him would realize their need for God.
• Our Monday night students would walk in obedience and that their love for God would grow this year.
• Arianna has not made a definite decision about which University to attend because we are waiting to see about some scholarships and financial aid. Pray for God to give her peace and clear direction.
• We were at a church last week with a lot of students where the Bible was mixed with some very humanistic teaching. Pray that these students would hunger and thirst after God and the truth of His word.
• God continues to be at work in the Hungarian schools. Since many of the schools are facing financial difficulties they have allowed other groups to adopt them and help provide for them. Hungarian Baptists have adopted many schools where they have the freedom to teach a Bible class as well as English. Our friends Alicia and Tunde are working in an area where a church is developing. They will begin discipling some new believers and are praying for a leader for this group. Please pray for God to give them wisdom.

Thank you so much for praying for us!

One of God's servants,
Kimberly Hathcock

Betsy's update for the week

Walking around the lake soaking up the last colors of fall

Hello Everyone,

Things here have been moving right along.  We have been teaching students and we were able to have a youth group this past Friday night.  Please pray for those who attend the Friday night group that they would be bold in proclaiming the gospel, remembering that Christ Himself resides within them and that He promises to never leave or forsake them.

"A" and I during the children's lessons

Our Sunday house group was also quite full.  We had about 25 people in attendance and we were even able to have a children’s class and discuss the story of creation.  Please be in prayer for our group as several of the group are from the other church and are deciding where God is calling them to go.
 Please pray that everyone in the group would be bold and passionate about reaching their own.  This week we will have a youth party and watch The Blind Side.  Please pray for those in attendance and that many would come, relationships would be formed, and seeds would be sown.  We will also be celebrating Thanksgiving as well as a team.  Pray for relaxation and rejuvenation.

"J" and I during children's lessons

Finally, please continue to be in prayer for me and my team as we transition.  Three girls will be coming to serve in my role in January.
 Please pray for them as their fundraising deadline approaches, but above all pray that God would prepare their hearts and give them a love for the Hungarian people.

In Christ,

Betsy

Betsy's update for the week

Hello, Everyone.

I hope that this email finds each of you well.  Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and soon Christmas will be upon us.  I am always a fan of Christmas and this time of year.  Everything here is going well.  We have been meeting with students and getting to have some great conversations with them.  I have two new students, S. and K.  Please be in prayer for them.  Pray that God would open their hearts to hear the gospel.  We also had Sunday House Church this week.  Eszter taught for us completely in Hungarian.  It was great to be able to follow along about what she was saying.  Please also be in prayer for our group.

We have been talking with another group of believers in the city.  They attended house group this last week, and are seeking about what the Father would desire of them.  Please pray that God would reveal to us how we can best partner with them so that the gospel goes forth.  Finally, please also be in prayer for me, personally.  I have decided to accept a position with the company when I return to the states.  I will be acting as a J3.
My job duties will include partnering with a church in LaGrange Georgia, and working with the company on helping recruit people to serve in Europe.  Please pray for me as I make this transition.  I am confident that this is the next step for me, but please pray for me as I say goodbye to everyone here, a quick hello to my friends and family, and then move onto work in Georgia.  Please pray for peace within my heart.

Thank you all so much for the prayers.  I appreciate them so much.

In Christ,
Betsy

========================================================

Prayer Requests:
-believers to be strong and mature in their faith
-devotion and commitment from believers
-wisdom on how to partner with this other church
-my future steps

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen.

God continues His work in Debrecen. Last Sunday there were so many who attended the Super Sunday service who heard the Gospel. Thanking God for all the seeds that were planted over the last two weeks. I get excited and encouraged when I see how students are serving and inviting their lost friends to know more about Jesus. God is working in and through the lives of students. Last Thursday's coffee house was very interesting because one of Darrel's former students came with a friend, and for two hours they had a respectful discussion about Christianity and his own different religion. So thankful for what God is doing -- it is amazing.

Please pray:

• That God would soften the student's heart to the truth of the Gospel, and that his eyes will be open so he can see clearly what his own religion is really about. 
• For a medical student, that he would realize that he needs someone (God) greater than himself to help him with his struggles. 
• For another student, that he would completely give his life to Jesus, and that whatever is hindering him would be removed. 
• For a student who indicated that he gave his life to Jesus; pray that he will grow and have the courage to talk to others about his decision. Ask that his life will reflect the commitment that he made in his heart. 
• That God would draw the students He wants to come to the Thanksgiving outreach dinners. That they would clearly see and hear about Jesus during the time that they are with us. 
• For the church that hosted the MGI team to see the importance of contacting those who attended the English classes and continuing that relationship that began over the last couple of weeks. Pray that people would respond to God's invitation to go fishing and make disciples. 
• That God would continue to enable us to learn Hungarian as we meet with teachers this week. Our exams will be December 4th and 5th. 

Thank you so much for praying for us!

One of God's servants,
Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen.

We are thankful for how God is at work in the midst of this intense English course. God is using them to share His love and to plant the seeds of truth in many hearts. We are encouraged by the eagerness we see in the hearts of students to know Him. Last week Darrel talked about the role of religion in medical care, which led to so many interesting discussions. We are thankful that we know of one Christian in his class who can also share the truth. We had a great group on Thursday and it is exciting to see the students inviting their friends. Saturday worship was also good. It was such a blessing to meet in the church on campus and to have a mix of students and families.

Please pray:

• Today the Michael Gott team, which is teaching the English course, will present the Gospel very clearly as students were asked to bring their friends and family. Pray that their hearts would receive the truth and that they would put their faith in Jesus. Pray for the team to have renewed strength to continue the second week, for many conversations about Jesus, and that many would decide to trust and follow after Him. 
• Wisdom for the church hosting the English classes in how to respond to all that has happened over the last couple of weeks. People would respond to God's call to disciple the new believers and that their eyes would be opened and hearts burdened to the lostness around them. 
• We are in the midst of working with a team from the States who will be coming to cook and serve several Thanksgiving meals to students. Pray for wisdom in the planning and that God would be drawing the lost students and their families. They will hear about and see Jesus in the lives of those serving. God has provided the places to host these dinners and the turkeys have been ordered. (It is unusual for Hungarians to cook a whole turkey so we had to order them.)
• The students who come on Monday night that are believers, that God would show them specifically who they are to disciple. We still have some unbelievers who are coming and we are praying that they will know Jesus. Wisdom for us as we teach and prepare them. 
• I was reminded of the fact that many Hungarians struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide. Please pray that the truth and hope of Jesus would penetrate their hearts. 

Thank you so much for your prayers,

Kimberly Hathcock

Betsy's update for the week

Hello Everyone,

I hope that this email finds each of you well and that everyone is enjoying the beginning of fall.  It has gotten a bit cooler here in Nagykanizsa, which I am super excited about since fall is my favorite season!

First off, let me apologize for the pause in updates.  Things have been a bit busy around here; however, I will now attempt to update everyone.  Two weeks ago, I traveled to Helsinki, Finland with another friend who is a journeyman for a quick vacation before the semester starts for us.  It was a wonderful time of relaxation, encouragement, and rejuvenation.  It was great to hang out with my friend as we encouraged one another to finish our time off well.  (Some pictures are below).  I returned last Monday and taught my first student of the semester, Z., on Tuesday.  We had a great conversation about what exactly Passover is and how Jesus became our Passover sacrificial lamb.  She was very interested, but didn’t fully understand that she needed a Passover lamb.  Please pray that these conversations would continue and that God would work on her heart to hear and understand His word. 

On Wednesday I traveled to Croatia, as my supervisors had surgery.  Please be in prayer for them and their recovery.  Sunday we also had house church and celebrated several birthdays.  It was a great time as we learned from Luke chapter 4 and how prophecies of Jesus have come true.  Please pray that this news would work on hearts and that believers would be faithful to share with their friends and neighbors.  Finally, please be in prayer for this upcoming week as I will be traveling to a school to discuss what American holidays are.  Pray that I might form relationships and might even be able to relate our holidays to the gospel. 

Thank you all so much for the prayers.  They mean more to me than I can say.

In Christ,
Betsy

Prayer Requests:

-upcoming time at school
-supervisors’ recovery
-youth group this Friday
-new students and conversations with them
-Z. to understand her need for a Savior
-to finish well as I have only four months remaining
-future decisions
-upcoming Bible studies with non-believers

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen,

We are thankful to be here in Hungary at this time working with students. Darrel's class will start this Wednesday! If you would like to pray for one student for this first semester let me know and in the next couple of weeks when we get the final class list I will send you their name. We are excited about seeing how God will work in their lives this semester. We continue with school and we are expecting my mom and her husband to visit us. We are very excited. Darrel preached this morning at an international church and did a wonderful job challenging the students. As you have probably heard in the news that the refugee crisis continues and intensifies. There is not easy solution.

Please pray:

• Darrel's class on Wednesday, that God will bring the students He wants in the class. Darrel will communicate clearly and the students will feel the freedom to participate in the discussions. He will be a light and that the conversations will continue after class.
• Wisdom and discernment for the government officials working with the refugees. Also for the best way believers can offer practical and spiritual help to the immigrants.
• Students who came to church this morning would see themselves as missionaries where God has placed them among other students. They would be bold and ready to share their faith.
• IMB missionaries who will have the opportunity to take an early retirement in the next few months, that God would speak to them clearly and that He would give them peace. Also for everyone else who is waiting on God, to discern what His plans are for their lives. We are all praying and asking God for what He wants us to do.
• J. continues to come to Bible study and is still very open to God. Pray that what ever is stopping him from fully trusting in Jesus will be removed.
• D. continues to call from his home country and will be back with his father at the end of this month. Pray that God would give him the ability to understand and believe in Jesus. Only God can do that!!!
• While Darrel teaches at the university, the girls and I will be on campus, pray that God would give us divine appointments to share the gospel.
• God would give us the ability to learn and speak Hungarian as we meet with teachers this week and prepare for an exam in December.
• I need wisdom as I teach my daughters that God would direct my words so that they bring clarity where there is confusion and encouragement when they are discouraged.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Blessings,
Kimberly Hathcock

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."  I Cor. 3:6

I really like this verse because it reminds me that it is God who causes things to grow, and we are also blessed by the different people who have come and helped plant and water the seeds.  I am thankful for what God is doing in Debrecen.  We see Him at works in the lives of students. Some know Him and some are in the process. We are excited that the details of Darrel's class have been finalized and he will have the opportunity to teach again next semester. God is giving me wisdom with the girls as I teach and help them with school. We said goodbye to "K"...and so is the reality of working with students whom we get to invest in while they are here with us. May we be good stewards of our time with them.

Please continue to pray:

• Pray for us and our co-workers as we each consider what God will have us to do. Here is the link for the information - http://www.bpnews.net/45376/imb-leaders-announce-plan-to-balance-budget
• Pray that we would fully invest in the people God is sending to us this semester and keep our eye on Jesus.
• Lift up "Z," one of our students who is preparing to be a pastor and possibly start a new church. Ask that he would continue to let God direct and prepare him for leading and serving.
• The refugee situation has become more intense. Pray for the leaders of Hungary to have wisdom. Pray God would show us opportunities for service and sharing the gospel with these people as well as meeting their physical needs.
• Ask that God would already be drawing people to sign up for Darrel's class, and that hearts would be open.

Blessings,
Kimberly Hathcock

Betsy's update for the week

Hello Everyone,


I hope that this email finds you well and that you are enjoying this last week of August.  Here in Hungary, this is the last week of summer and most of our students start back to school next week!  So everyone is soaking in those last few moments of summer break before hitting the books again.  I have seen on that most of you guys have already started back and that even football season has kicked off.  It is definitely signs that fall is right around the corner. 

This week we were able to have house church and continued our study in the book of Luke.  Please continue to pray for our house church and for those who are coming to be obedient with what they are learning.  This Sunday was also the last Sunday for one of our students, "Zs".  He will be traveling to Debrecen (in Eastern Hungary about 5 hours away) for medical school and probably won’t return until December.  Please be in prayer for him and his adjustment to university.  We are so excited for him, but will miss him very much!.  Another student, "Z," will also be starting high school in Budapest next week.  Please pray for him and his adjustment as well. 

Finally, I have some absolutely wonderful news to share with you guys!  We have a new sister, "E."  She is a student of my supervisor’s and she prayed to receive Christ this morning!!! Praise HIm.  Please be in special prayer for her, because as it turns out, she is moving to Norway tomorrow to join her husband.  Please pray that God would make Himself known to her and that she will be able to find some other believers to grow with! 

Thank you so much for y’all’s prayers.  I am grateful for each and every one of them.  Please let me know how God is working in your life and if there is any way that I can pray for you.

In Christ,
Betsy

Prayer Requests:

-new believer, E. and her growth in Christ
-Zs’s move to Debrecen and adjustment to university life.
-Z’s move to Budapest for high school
-Sunday Group and Friday night group
-Our new students

Betsy's update for the week

Hello Everyone,

I hope that this update finds you well.  I know that currently Hungary is in the middle of a heat wave.  So we are all busy trying to stay cool, and have just been resting this week.  We had two discovery Bible studies meet on Tuesday and Thursday night.  Each of those groups had about 4 in attendance.  Please pray that God would bless these ministry endeavors and allow these groups to grow. 

Our house group also continues to meet each Sunday.  Please be in prayer that these believers would continue to reach their own.  Finally, please be in prayer for this week.  Bill Sorrell, from Memphis, TN, will be with us and will host a conference about difficult questions that Christianity and Christ answers.  Please pray that many will come to this conference and that God would be glorified through this conference and teaching. 

Finally at the beginning of August, we will all be traveling for our annual company meeting.  Please be in prayer for this time.  Pray that it will be a time of encouragement, rejuvenation, vision, and refocus for all of us.  Finally,  today marks only 6 more months in Hungary.  Please pray that my remaining time here would be glorifying to the Father and to His Kingdom. 

Thank you so much for your prayers.  They mean so much to me.

In Christ,
Betsy

Prayer Requests:

• Discovery Bible Groups
• Friday Night Groups
• House Church
• Upcoming Seminar
• Upcoming Company Meeting
• Remaining time on the Field
• Personal Requests