Betsy's update for the week

Hello Everyone,

I hope that this email finds each of you doing well.  I am so sorry that I haven’t written in almost a month.  Things got quite busy, but now they are getting back into our normal routine.  With that being said, I have so much to update you on!  First of all, my godparents were able to come and visit me along with their friends!  To say that this was fantastic is an understatement!  We spent a week in Budapest where I was able to show them part of a city that I have come to love.  We then traveled onward to Nagykanizsa and I was able to show them a bit of what life looks like from day-to-day for me.  I am so thankful and blessed that this could happen during my time here.  Although, unfortunately, parting had to come and it was quite bittersweet.  So please be praying for all of us in the days ahead.  Pray especially for me to remained focused during my finals months and weeks.  

Towards the end of my godparents’ time in Nagykanizsa, we also had a jazz group from America come to put on some concerts.  This group was about 25 individuals from all over the states.  They played concerts in Nagykanizsa, Lenti, and Körmend, as well as some orphanages and care homes, while they were with us.  We were able to strengthen our partnerships with some national Baptist churches in the area, as well as pass out over 300 Bibles and testimony tracts.

Please be praying for those who received a Bible or tract.  Pray that God would use those resources to open their hearts and that they would not be afraid to contact us with further questions about spiritual things.  I was also able to share with a believer that we met in one of the cities.  Her name is Anna.  She really needs to be encouraged in the Lord and His word.  So please be in prayer for her and her walk with the Father.

After having to part again with some great people, we were able to get back to teaching students and somewhat of our daily routines. We had a halloween pumpkin carving party with the youth and had about 13 attend.  Each one got to carve a pumpkin as well as make s’mores and play games.  Finally we passed out comic-book gospel plan tracts and information about our English lessons and Bible studies.  Please be in prayer for these kids who attended.  Pray that we would be able to strengthen and deepen relationships with them, and pray above all else that we would be able to either grow them in their faith or help them understand and come to know the Father.

This past Sunday we traveled to Székesfehérvár and attended the Baptist church there, as they had 7 people choose to follow in obedience and be baptized!  Praise HIs Name!  In addition to that, this church seems very open to working and partnering with us as we attempt to reach Western Hungary.  Please be in prayer for this relationship, that it would be glorifying to the Father and furthering to HIs kingdom.

 Teaching time with students finally got into high gear again this week.  I have been able to have some great conversations with some of these students.  Please pray that many more opportunities would present themselves and that I would be bold and courageous to seize such opportunities.  Pray that the Father would continue to work on hearts as they come to learn English.   Sunday group is continuing as well as Friday night.  Please pray for these times and that they would be glorifying and kingdom-building.  Also, please pray for our Tuesday and Thursday night groups.  Pray that more would show interest and attend these groups.

There is so much more that I could share with you, but since it is getting a bit long, I think I will cut it here and continue on next week.  Thank you all so much for your prayers.  Please know that they are felt and appreciated more than I can express.

 In Christ,
 Betsy

Adams' prayer update excerpts

Hello,

Solomon advises his sons in Proverbs 4:26 to “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” This verse describes what I was thinking as Mike and I prayer-walked Torokbalint this month. Our colleague and friend, Betsy, accompanied us one day and took the attached photo of this colorful fence and straight sidewalk. Many of the sidewalks, however, were not so straight. They were broken and overhung with ill-cared for trees that blocked our way. I was careful to watch for holes and low-lying branches so I would not stumble and fall. Sometimes we had to walk in the street, which made us feel like Hungarians. In the book of Amos, the prophet calls the Israelites to repentance when he said, ”Seek the Lord and live,…” . I prayed that verse many times as I strolled through Torokbalint this month. One man we met seemed to be a seeker of wisdom, if not God. He listened as Mike shared the salvation story with him and he allowed us to pray with him. He even asked if he could pray for us. You can pray for him. His name is “Frank.”

You can rejoice with us, because two of our campers became believers this month. One of these, “D,” attended a subsequent Christian camp where the seeds planted by the team from North Carolina were watered and we saw the fruit for which we long desire . Please pray for her mother, who told us the news about her daughter, but admitted that she herself is not a believer.

Mike and I had the opportunity to sing with a friend who officiated at a funeral this month. It was the second time we have been asked to sing at a  funeral of someone we had not known. The three of us were standing outside near the wall where the ashes of this lady were going to be placed. As we started singing the 4th song, two of the cemetery workers came forward, took the urn and placed it in the small opening in the wall, covered it with her marker, and then started sealing the grave. I didn’t know whether to stop singing or keep going, but opted to continue just as our friend Pisti was doing. Our singing wasn’t that bad.  We were so glad that Pisti was able to share the gospel with the family during the ceremony. What a joy to know that they still have hope.

By now many of you have heard that IMB has had to make the decision to offer voluntary retirement, available to 600 – 800 field personnel and office staff in Richmond, Virginia, in order to become more financially in line with our budget. Our age and years of service in Europe make us eligible for this opportunity. Please be in prayer for us and our colleagues as we seek to know God’s will for our future in ministry here in Hungary. We need to make a decision in the next few days and this is very difficult after pouring our lives into the lives of the people we have come to love over the years. We are so grateful for the support we have received from each of you and ask that you offer up additional support during this time of decision and potential transition.

Mike and Terry

Hathcocks' prayer update excerpts

Greetings from Debrecen,

We are thankful for truth and the power of His Word. God is at work among the young people in Debrecen. As we study God's Word on Monday nights it is exciting to see the students desire to know God more. J. continues to come and God is tugging at his heart. Our neighbors organize a worship camp every year and a lot of people from the surrounding areas come and participate. It is neat to see the Hungarians writing their own worship songs. There is such a desire among the young people to truly worship God that spreads across denominations.

We have also had an extremely hot week! We still see many immigrants around the train stations, even whole families. There was also a huge campus party this week. We are also thankful for how God is providing for us when we are in the states in January. Next week we will head to Poland for a gathering of missionaries for encouragement and training so I will not be able to write next week.

Please continue to pray:

• Darrel received an e-mail from D. who is aware of the difficult situation of his parents and is looking for answers. He is at a critical time so please pray that he will see God in such a way that he would know that God is different from anything else that he has worshiped before. Ask that he would put his trust in the One True God. He is in his home country right now.
• The youth that are serving in different camps this summer, that God would work through their lives. They would have opportunities to encourage and share truth with those they are serving.
• Safe travels for us as we make our way to Poland and that our kids would be encouraged in the Lord. We will keep our eyes on Jesus and that He would use us to encourage others.
• We would follow God's path to healing for Darrel's foot and for my back. Wisdom for those who are advising and helping us.
• Several students are at critical times in their lives and have big decisions ahead. Pray that they will see the next step and to be obedient. Pray that they would choose to honor God in their relationships.

Thank you so much for your prayers this week.

Blessings,
Kimberly Hathcock

Adams' prayer update excerpts

We hope you enjoy these pictures of our English camps. Thank you for your prayers of support. May the Lord bless you as you serve him.

Mike and Terry

(Left) Kickball was new to some at the Teenage Camp. (Right) Whitley and Donna are helping out a camper with his picture frame in crafts. Donna and Mike taught the Bible stories during the second camp.

 

(Left) Wade got "netted" during sports. (Right) Kriszti and Kinga led the Hungarian teams during the second and first camps respectively. Lilla was a big help as well. Ricsi just liked to photo-bomb.   :-)

 

(Left) Barnanne kept the campers moving as she imparted Biblical truth during recreation. (Right)  This is Jerry and Susan's 7th year of teaching the Bible stories at Children's Camp. We are very thankful for their leadership.

 

Jesus paid it all

  

(Left) Here is music in motion from the teenagers. (Right) English classes in 

the afternoons also prompted spiritual questions during both camps.

 Lincoln, Dylan, and Kayla are singing camp

 songs with the younger kids.

Update from the Browns

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your prayers! God is at work doing great things and we know that it is because you have partnered to pray with us. Your support of the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program and gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering make it possible for us to serve here. Thank you!

Attached is our newsletter for April. Share this with your church, Sunday school class, Bible study and mission group.

Grateful for your prayers and encouragement,
Ron & Robin

Update from the Browns

Dear Friends and Family,

Hi! Greetings from Hungary!

We are following up on the prayer request from our last newsletter for the children's program "Full Circle," hosted by the Érdliget church as a way of loving, blessing and connecting with families in the community. A few years ago, the congregation adopted a local elementary school to assist and serve. And it would be with this school that this children's program was developed and implemented after learning that a Christian musician was available to do a children's concert on Saturday, March 28.

We asked you to pray for this program that the church would connect and interact with the children (grades 1-5), their teachers and parents. And that happened. We greeted a lot of parents on Saturday, spoke with some, and had opportunities to visit with some of the children and the teachers. Teachers and the school administration was very pleased with how well organized the event was and how many children and parents came for it. This program also gave us an opportunity to also promote this summer's two weeks of camp for grades 1-5: June 22-26 and June 29-July 3.

It is through events like these that we get to meet and connect with Hungarians, develop relationships, exchange life stories and explain the hope we possess in Christ and the power of the gospel to save, redeem and reconcile us to God. 

Below are some pictures of the event.

Again, thank you for praying!
Ron & Robin

Brown family newsletter excerpts

From Browns' newsletter - January to March 2015

Saturday, March 28, Érdliget church will host a children’s concert featuring Pinter Béla and are inviting children grades 1-5 from the school for this special event. Pray that the Lord will use this event to help church members connect with families in the community and share the hope they possess in Christ!

Three weeks

Because the larger school building will be renovated this summer, changes have been made regarding this summer’s camp plans. Instead of 120 kids, grades 1-8 for two weeks, there will be three weeks of camp limited to 60 children each week.

1st week: grades 1-5 . . . . . June 22-26, 2015
2nd week: grades 1-5 . . . .  June 29-July 3, 2015
3rd week: grades 6-8 . . . . . July 6-10, 2015

Tailored focus with less stress

All three camps will have a sports theme where the children will learn teamwork, crafts, songs, games, English vocabulary and recreational activities that teach biblical principles, build friendships and are fun. The first two weeks will be tailored to younger children and should allow for more interaction with the children and their  parents. The third week will focus more on the abilities and interests of kids, ages 12-14.

Fellow helpers warmly welcomed!

Do you enjoy coaching kids in sports and fun recreation games? Or interested in helping children learn some crafts? As a native English speaker, how about having fun using games & group activities helping children learn English? Do you like to sing, play a musical instrument? Pray for these three weeks of camp. Share this with your church. We’ll be glad to speak with anyone interested in serving with us during any of these three weeks.

Thanks!

For more information contact Ron: www.heartforhungary.com/contact