Each week we send a short list of prayer requests (which appear on our
home page) to
Tabernacle Baptist Church
of Richmond, Virginia. Requests from the previous week are moved
here so that we can recall what has been asked for.
During our time in England, we had several "divine appointments," plus
the joy of being with Lea's sister and her family. Please pray for our
brother-in-law Brian, who has been sick the last few days. They travel
back to the States on Friday.
Stewart, an unemployed young man in York, made a decision to follow Christ
two Sunday nights ago. Please pray that he will grasp how vast God's love
is, so that he will be completely filled up with all the fullness of God.
Renata, a good-hearted young lady from Poland, has had a difficult first
year in London. Doug met her at her new, better job at a laundromat.
Please pray that she will find real life in God.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Doug's meeting with the Deaf believers on Sunday turned out fine. Relationships
among them have improved.
On Friday we will begin twelve days of vacation in England, spending time
with Lea's sister, Donna, who is taking part of her sabbatical there.
Please pray that we will grow closer to God and do his will, even in our
"free time". Some missionary colleagues report that England has forgotten
much about God and is a hard place for the gospel; so every little bit will
help them!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Good news: This week we received new residency permits, valid for two years!
The three major Hungarian denominations (Catholics, Calvinists, and Lutherans)
decided that 2008 would be the "Year of the Bible." The Catholic basilica in
our town is holding a big gathering this weekend (June 27-28) to encourage
"renewal of the church through the power of the Bible." Please pray that
this will indeed be the result. It would be a tremendous boost if the
existing churches could experience awakening by meeting God in the
Scriptures.
There is a bit of friction among Deaf believers in the church in Budapest.
Please pray for their reconciliation.
We have incurred some unexpectedly large expenses: federal and state
income tax for 2007 ($2500 and $500), estimated withholdings for 2008
($1500 per quarter), immigration lawyer's fees ($1500), not to mention
our "money-saving" vacation to England. (We thought it would be cheaper
than visiting the US this summer. Oops.) Please pray that we will have
enough money to continue, especially considering the weakness of the
U.S. dollar.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
On Wednesday we spent a delightful day with IMB colleagues from Hungary
and several surrounding countries. Doug interpreted for Deaf missionaries,
while Lea and Karen enjoyed fellowship with friends. Please pray that all
Christians in Central Europe work together to bring the good news of Jesus'
love to hopeless, hurting people.
On Tuesday, Lea accepted the offer of a teaching job at the high school!
Hungarians are saying, "The children will love you," while Americans
(especially teachers) are saying, "Don't smile until Thanksgiving!" Please
pray that she prepares adequately for the challenge of teaching teenagers.
Please pray that we walk closely with God every day. We need this the
most.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
On Friday at 2:00 PM (8:00 AM Virginia time), Lea has an
interview with the high school where she would like to teach
next year. Please pray that it goes well, and that God's
desire will be made clear to them and to us.
Thank you for praying for more English students for us as
the school year comes to an end. They are starting to call us!
Please keep up the prayers, because we need the work.
A five-member missions team has been with us the last
five days. They have been able to spend time with the Deaf
church, with the kids at the Deaf school, and with our hearing
church's youth group. They have been a real encouragement to
us and have helped a lot. Please pray for the remaining weeks
of their trip. They will be spending time with English students
in Budapest (June 11-21) and serving in war-scarred Vukovar,
Croatia (June 22-28).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
From Saturday to Wednesday (June 7-11), a five-member missions team will
join us in Vác. Please pray for a fruitful time with the Deaf kids and with
our Váci church's youth group. Pray for the team's flexibility, unity, and
an attitude of servanthood. Please pray for us as we prepare, and pray
especially that our relationships with God will flourish.
The school year is coming to an end, and so is Doug's time at the Deaf
School and many of our teaching appointments with students. Please pray
that we will take opportunities to have good conversations with students and
that we can gather enough lessons during the summer to pay some of our way.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Please pray for our relationships with God and our prayer lives. When
life is busy, it often seems that God gets short shrift.
Please pray that Doug's involvement at the Deaf School and with the
baseball team will yield opportunities to plant the seeds of belief in the
people he works with.
Please pray that we will have enough English students to pay our bills.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thursday morning (May 15), Karen leaves for her five-day exchange trip
to Austria with her classmates who are learning German. That afternoon,
Lea's parents arrive in Hungary for three weeks. Please pray for health,
safety, and good visits all around.
Please pray that Doug's involvement at the Deaf School and with the
baseball team will plant the seeds of belief in the people he works with.
Please pray that we will have enough English students to pay our bills.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
On a very mundane but necessary topic, we have just started the process of
renewing our residency permits. Please pray that we will find favor with
all those officials who will review and approve our applications.
Early next Thursday morning, Karen will go on a five-day exchange trip to
Austria with her classmates who are learning German. Please pray for her
health and safety, and that she will have a good influence on the people she
meets.
That same day (May 15), Lea's parents arrive in Hungary for a three-week
visit. Please pray for their health and safety also, and that we will have a
good time together.
Please pray that Doug's involvement at the Deaf School and with the
baseball team will plant the seeds of belief in the people he works with.
We are starting from scratch in many places.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Lea is safely (and happily) in Virginia. Please pray that she gets
rest and refreshment from her visits with loved ones, and that her
presentations will lead others to deeper commitment and service to God.
Doug is very, very busy doing his own work plus those things that
Lea normally does—but he's not so good at them. Please pray that
he has the energy and sense of duty to do the one thing that needs to
be done at the moment, and that he is not distracted by the hundred
other things that whine for attention.
With Lea absent, Karen has carried herself rather maturely in what
could be a trying situation. Please pray for her continued growth in
body, mind, and spirit.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Lea flies to Virginia today, where she wants to make about a year's worth
of visits in three weeks. Please pray for safety, health, and useful
service to God for all three of us.
Please pray for Karen, because she will lack the accustomed degree of
parental attention. (Doug will be teaching Lea's students in addition to
following most of his regular schedule.)
Please pray for Doug, that he will be able to function adequately during
Lea's absence with good humor and gratitude.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Many students in Karen's class are consistently picking on a girl named
Blanka. Now there are two opposing groups, and Karen has been called a
"traitor" by some because she has come to Blanka's defense. Please pray for
Blanka's reconciliation with the rest of the class, and pray that these kids
learn to respect each other.
Lea has a lot to do before she departs for America, and not much time in
which to do it. Please pray that she keeps her sanity, so Doug can keep
his, too. Pray that we all do the One Thing that God has put before us at a
given moment.
Please pray for Doug, that he will have a good attitude about things that
he must do.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Karen is now a teenager! Give thanks with us
for her presence in our lives and for the person that
she is. Please pray that she will be the person God
has created her to be.
As prices go up, the dollar goes down. With this week's dive, the dollar
is worth about 2/3 what it was when we arrived in late 2005. Inflation in
Hungary is at least as high as in the U.S. Please pray that God provides
through our work and through the donations of his people so that we can stay
in Hungary as long as he wants.
Our little Deaf church moves around! This past Sunday they met in Györ,
in northwest Hungary. They are trying to start churches in several places.
Please continue to pray that a Deaf church will start here in Vác!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Last week Doug handed papers to our immigration lawyer to
begin the renewal of our work permits. Thus begins another
round of applications necessary for us to stay in Hungary.
Please pray that our case finds favor among the officials
who will be responsible for allowing us to live and work here.
Easter will be "open mike" day at our church in Vác,
where anyone can stand and tell the group what God is doing
in their lives. Please pray that the body of Christ will
take this opportunity to open up to each other.
Because it's Holy Week, many Hungarians will make their
annual Easter-time visit to a church. Please pray that the
story of Jesus' death and resurrection will make its way
into their hearts and that they will be changed.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Turnout was high at Sunday's national referendum, and the
vote was strongly (80-20) against the government’s recent acts.
On Tuesday Parliament reversed some of its decisions (effective
April 1) but warned that money would not be reinstated,
particularly for education and medicine. Numerous demonstrations
are planned for this weekend, a national holiday with strong
emotional content. Please continue to pray for Hungary!
Also this Saturday, Doug's baseball team has a scrimmage
against the old (mid-1990's) Váci baseball team. Please
pray that God will use these events to bring people closer to Him.
Here is one that Doug will repeat from time to time: Please
pray for awakening among the Deaf to the things of God. Ask God
to nudge people in ways that we cannot, that they might be hungry
for something besides physical food.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
From Doug:
Karen often thanks God for our happy and loving family. I second that.
Please pray that our relationships deepen through her teen years and that
our family's love is a testimony to Hungarians.
Lea intends to hand in her résumé and cover letter
(freshly translated thanks to friend Ildi)
to the high school where she wants to work. Please
pray that this job possibility goes well—that is, according to God's
purposes.
I need to avoid discouragement and distraction, two great killers of
missionary endeavor. Please pray for my attitude and diligence. If my
relationships with God or people go sour, then it is not useful for me to be
in Hungary.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The baseball clinic on Sunday was a mission of three Christian
major-league players. Doug learned many things about baseball, and one of
his Hungarian teammates heard a player's testimony. Please continue to pray
that Doug and our young friend Caleb will be good influences on these guys.
Today Lea asked Ildi what she thought about Jesus, particularly from what
she's read in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, and part of Luke). Ildi said that
she doesn't always agree with him. That's understandable, of course; but
please pray that God opens her heart to his truth, goodness, and love.
Karen doesn't think her score at the math competition was good enough to
please her teacher, but the teacher nominated her to be one of six kids from
the school to join a city-wide math club. Please pray that Karen will learn
to handle lots of schoolwork in a finite amount of time.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Report:
Thank you so much for praying with us! We have all been healthy
for the last week, for which we thank God—and you!
Also, we had an encouraging visit from Tom Foley, the director of
CEO (our missions partner) and two men from a CEO-partner church
in California. The train strike was scheduled to resume at
midnight last Thursday, which would have been rough on their plans.
But at the last minute, the railroad union decided to continue
running trains for five more days.
On Friday (February 22), Karen will be participating in a
school math competition for the first time. Please pray for her
nerves and her brain!
Please continue to pray that Doug's work at the Deaf School
and with the baseball team will have good results. The baseball
team travels to Budapest on Sunday for a clinic run by a
major-league pitcher. Please pray for safe travel and good
"bonding" time.
Since Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on Sunday,
life there has not been peaceful. People are worried about war
and about having enough food to eat. Please pray for this part
of the world, where people can remember offense and retain hatred
for centuries. Only Jesus can break through such prejudice and
enmity. Also pray for believers who are working to make the
Prince of Peace known in these lands.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tom Foley, the director of CEO (our missions partner) has just
arrived for a five-day visit to Hungary and Croatia. He will be
traveling with two men from California whose church supports an
orphanage in Ukraine (another partner of CEO). Please pray that
their bodies will adjust quickly, that the train workers won't go
on strike during their visit, and that we will all be an
encouragement to each other.
Doug continues his regular work with the baseball club and at
the Deaf School. Please pray that his work will have lasting and
beneficial results for everyone involved.
Three times in the last month, Karen has vomited for two hours
straight, and therefore has missed three days of school. We took
her to the doctor this morning after episode three, and we have no
real news or diagnosis. Please pray that she has nothing chronic
or long-lasting.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Please keep on praying that Doug overcomes internal resistance to
important changes that God wants to make in his daily routine, his general
attitude, and his outlook. Good things are happening, and we want them to
continue.
Please continue to pray that an effective Bible study for the Deaf will be
established here in Vác. (Note use of passive mode; we do not know exactly
how this will happen.)
The general situation in Hungary is not good. We are in the fourth day of
a national railroad strike, so transportation is limited. Most people are
quite fed up with the current leaders, and the next elections are in 2010.
So the mood is rather sullen. Please pray that hopeless people can find
hope and that some in this very pessimistic nation can find faith in God.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Doug had a very good time with God last weekend while Lea and Karen were
out of town. He is experiencing good changes in his daily routine, his
attitude, and his outlook on life. Please pray that he can overcome
internal resistance to these changes and that he regularly walks closely
with Jesus.
Szabi (rhymes with "Bobby"), a young leader of the Deaf church in
Budapest, already has many demands on his time, and he just got a new job.
Please pray that he will have strength to do all that he needs to do.
Lea's good friend is reading her New Testament and asking great questions.
Please pray that God continues to open her heart and mind to his love and
good news!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Doug's flu started abating rapidly last Wednesday. He's okay now.
Doug is, however, going through a time of fighting discouragement. It is
hard to go week after week with no apparent progress, no manifestations of
the kingdom, no visible changes in the people around us. Please pray for
hope, for perseverance, and for opportunities to be more open and obvious
with the gospel.
Kriszta's children are trying to stay together, with the help of their
aunt and their great-grandmother. Karen reports that Roland, the
12-year-old, got a black eye in a fight during the last few days. We are
praying that God will provide a healthy family for the youngest two (Roland
and Attila, age 2).
Wednesday, January 18, 2007
Doug's got the flu. The real thing. Please pray that he gets healthy
quickly, and that he doesn't share it with anyone.
Late last year, we asked you to pray for Kriszta, a schizophrenic lady
whom our ladies' prayer group met with to pray for. We just heard that she
committed suicide around Christmastime. We are, obviously, very sad about
this. Please pray for her children, that God would redeem them out of a
very bad situation and into His love and salvation: Sandor/Alexander (age
20), a boy (18), a girl (16, who is living with her boyfriend), Roland (12),
and Attila (2).
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lea's good friend Ildi recently reported that she is reading
her New Testament while she waits for her daughter during various
activities. Please pray that she understands what she reads, and
for good conversations between her and Lea.
Baseball training got started again yesterday. Please pray
for Doug's good influence among these guys. Also pray for Doug's
body; he says he's feeling his age. :-)
We've received a few requests for new English lessons, but
we could certainly use a few more. Please pray that we will get
enough students to prove to the Hungarian government that we can
support ourselves reasonably well.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year! I am both excited and apprehensive about the coming year.
The general situation here is not improving, but God can still work in our
lives and in the lives of the Hungarians.
2 Chronicles 7.14 has come up repeatedly in recent weeks: "If my people,
who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and
will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Revival here must
start among the churches; I don't believe it will start as if by magic
among non-believers.
Please pray for us Christians in Hungary, that we will seek God and his
kingdom first, and that great things will happen thereafter. That would
be a good start for the new year.
Thank you for praying! Grace and peace to you and yours,
---Doug C., for the family
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
This coming Saturday afternoon, we will be visiting a dear Hungarian family,
with whom we will eat a huge lunch and celebrate Christmas.
Please pray that our words and actions, our questions and silence, lead them
closer to knowing God's love for them through Jesus Christ.
According to Hungarian tradition, "Baby Jesus" brings gifts to children on
Christmas Eve, which makes him out to be a fairy tale character rather than
a real person. Please pray that the many people who attend church on
Christmas Eve have open hearts and minds and ears to hear the real good news
about the real Jesus, the incarnation of God into this fallen world.
Karen has found out that one of her schoolmates is a believer. This has
been an encouragement to her. Yesterday they talked with two other girls
about worship and the Bible. Please pray that God uses Karen and Lili in
their school to make himself known to the other students.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Ladies' Christmas Tea on Saturday went very well. Lea's good friend
Ildi was able to come! Please pray that she—and all of us—will
understand the significance of Christ's advent into the world.
This past Sunday, three leaders from the Deaf church in Budapest came to
our home. No Deaf folks from Vác showed up, which was a little
disappointing. But we discussed the possibility of restarting a Deaf
orphans' Bible club that hasn't met for 3 or 4 years. Please keep praying
that their visit to Vác may be the beginning of a regular Bible study here.
Please pray that Doug and Caleb, the teenage son of another missionary
family, will have a good influence on the local baseball club. We practice
on Tuesday evenings (that's Tuesday early afternoon Virginia time), so you
can pray then, too.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
On Saturday afternoon our hearing church will host a Ladies' Christmas Tea
as an outreach. Lea's part is to give a three-minute speech on what Advent
means to her. Please pray that many ladies hear and understand the good
news of Christ's coming into the world.
On Sunday, December 9, "our" Deaf church will come from Budapest to meet
in our home. Please pray that the right people come and that they will have
open hearts to hear God's message. Please pray that this may be the
beginning of a regular Bible study here in Vác.
Last week, we asked you to pray for Kriszta, a depressed and terrified
woman. We learned that she is schizophrenic. Wednesday evening, Lea and two
others went to Kriszta's house, but she wasn't there. They conversed with her
eldest son, Sandor (Alexander) for about an hour. Sandor said that they
took her to the hospital, but then she left and no one knows where she is.
Please continue to pray for Kriszta and her family.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Every Tuesday morning, a few ladies come to our apartment
to pray. Yesterday one of them brought Kriszta, a Hungarian
woman who has had a rougher life than any I have ever heard of.
She was recently in a mental hospital where she was tied down
and abused by the staff. She is very depressed and understandably
terrified of being sent back to the mental institution. We prayed
for her the entire hour yesterday. Please pray for her sanity
and safety, and that our group will be God's instruments in
her life.
Next Tuesday evening, Doug will begin attending the
baseball team's weekly winter training. Please pray for his,
and God's, influence on these young cussing guys.
The Deaf church in Budapest has agreed to meet at our
house on Sunday, December 9! Please pray that the right
people come, and that this may the beginning of something
regular here in Vác.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Lately we have been doing a lot of financial analysis. The most
noticeable conclusion is that our living here is totally insane, at
least from a worldly point of view. Please pray that God keeps us
on this joyful and crazy endeavor as long as He wants us to be here.
More and more we realize that "seeking first His kingdom" is
crucial to our usefulness here. Please pray that all three of us
keep God's kingdom as our first priority.
Thankfulness is not frequently found among Hungarians, who often
feel that they are at the bottom of the barrel and therefore have
nothing to be thankful for. Please pray that Hungarians will find
Real Life in Jesus, and thus overflow with thankfulness.
(John 10:10, Colossians 2:6-7)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Lea is sick with an intestinal bug and a fever. Please pray for her return
to health---and that no one else catches it.
We continue to be mindful of our spiritual "sharpness." We recently read
in a book that "bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God" means living so that
my *neighbor* will love God, too. Please pray that we can do this in an
emotionally damaged society.
The Deaf church in Budapest plans to meet in Vác on a Sunday in December
(not November, as previously mentioned). Please pray that many local Deaf
people will come and meet these believers and meet God, too.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Our company's income in October covered about half of its expenses. We
are gradually getting more students (thank you for praying!), but we still
need more work. Please pray for guidance about pursuing some possibilities
that our Hungarian friends have suggested.
Please pray that our communication skills will become sharper, so that we
may become more involved in the lives of others.
Today Lea had a "talky-walk" with a dear Hungarian friend. They
discussed who Jesus is, why He came to earth, and why the Bible can be
believed. Please pray for her, that she will get to know God and not just
learn more information about him. Please pray for her family, too.
As we wrote last week, both Lea and Doug feel that God is finally getting
their attention about some general truths as well as some specific matters.
Karen seems more in tune with spiritual things, also. Please pray that we,
as followers of Jesus, may love God and our neighbor so that the Kingdom of
Heaven may be made more obvious on Earth.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
On Tuesday night, Doug taught an English class of four who wanted to know
why he lives in Hungary. He explained that he first moved here as a Baptist
missionary. The question that arose (as time ran out) was, "Why do Baptists
need to send missionaries to Hungary?" We will address this question in the
next class. Meanwhile, please continue to pray that our connections with
people will lead to such interesting conversations.
We feel that we are reaching a "tipping point" when we shift into a deeper
knowledge and understanding of our host country, and which requires a deeper
commitment to learning, praying, working, and just plain *staying* here. It
also requires a deeper relationship with God and each other. Please pray
that we will not be afraid to do what is necessary to walk more closely with
God and to love our neighbor.
Karen requests prayer for her classmates Blanka and Anna, that they will
come to know God.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Deaf church in Budapest has expressed willingness to hold a meeting in
Vác some weekend in November. Please pray that this is a step toward
establishing a regular Bible study here.
Please pray that we seek the Lord with our whole hearts, and that we won't
be distracted by things that are unimportant or a hindrance in God's sight.
An unusual personal request: Please pray for Lea's mother, Nancy Hopkins,
who has a cornea transplant scheduled for Tuesday, October 30. Please also
pray that shingles do not return to her eye, so that she doesn't lose sight
in the eye.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
We gave a card of condolence to Ica ("eet-sa"), our recently widowed
next-door neighbor. When Lea saw her on Monday, Ica expressed her
appreciation through tears. Please continue to pray for her and that God
will show us how to build a stronger relationship with her.
Doug has added two more students to his weekly schedule, and he will also
teach a class at a local English language school. One man found out that
Doug was accepting new students by seeing the prayer request on our web
site. Thank you for praying! Please pray that God will use us in the lives
of all our students to bring them closer to himself.
This Sunday Doug will ask the Deaf church in Budapest to visit Vác some
time in November. Please pray that this will lead to a Bible study among
the Deaf in our little town.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
One of our older next-door neighbors died this week. We almost never saw
him. Please pray for his family, and pray that we will do the proper thing
for Ica ("eet-sa"), his widow.
Doug has added one student to his weekly schedule. Please continue to
pray that he will get the right students at the right times.
Please continue to pray that the Deaf church in Budapest will start
teaching Bible stories here in Vác.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Lea's friend Ildi sent an e-mail saying that her close friend Zsuzsa's
father committed suicide yesterday. He happens to be the grandfather of two
of Lea's young students. Hungarians have a reputation for suicide, but this
is the first time it has happened so near to our circle of acquaintances.
Please pray for Zsuzsa's widowed mother and the whole family, including
Lea's two students, Flora and Sara.
Please continue to pray that Doug will get more English students so that
we will have a break-even business. (He added one student today.)
Please continue to pray that the three of us will follow God closely and
make choices consistent with His will and His call.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Today Lea and her friend had another "talky-walk." They were both
expecting to talk about prayer, so Lea marked passages on prayer in a
Hungarian New Testament and gave it to her. But God led their conversation
toward forgiveness: deep forgiveness for grievous sins. Please pray that
she accepts God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and that she can
forgive those who have sinned against her. Please pray that she reads her
Bible and that God opens her heart to understand it.
Please continue to pray that a Deaf Bible study will begin here in Vác.
The Deaf church in Budapest is somewhat inclined toward outreach, and we see
potential here.
Please continue to pray that Doug will get more English students so that
we will have a break-even business. (Lea is teaching several students!)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Please pray that Doug's time at the Deaf School will bring lasting good
for the people there. Sometimes he feels like he just goes there, does his
thing, and comes home, and nothing has happened.
Please pray that we will get more English students and run a break-even
business. This is not a selfish request. We are here on business visas,
not as missionaries. Eventually, we will need to demonstrate to the
Hungarian authorities that we can maintain our household here.
Remus, our hamster, died on Monday night after living with us only six
weeks. Please pray that we get the right pet for our family. (This is
important to Karen; she is contemplating getting a more long-lived pet.)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Please continue to pray for our teaching schedules. Deaf school
(volunteer work) is now established and has started well, but we need more
English students and the time slots to teach them. Lea would like the time
to complete items on her perpetual to-do list.
Please continue to pray for the strengthening and growth of the Deaf
churches in Budapest.
Karen asks that you pray that she will be able to handle stress at school,
and that she will have a positive effect on her classmates.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Reports on previous prayer requests:
Lea's conversation with her friend Ildi went very well. Ildi was very
frustrated when they didn't have enough time to talk about prayer.
Regarding the meeting Doug attended in Budapest: There is a good chance
that a Wycliffe Bible Translator will move to
Budapest to help render the Bible into several sign languages.
The principal, teachers, and students at the Deaf School gladly welcomed
Doug when he returned.
Now for this week's prayer requests!
When it rains, the Vác baseball team
(www.vacstars.atw.hu)
sometimes comes to our house for analysis
of Major League baseball games on DVD. Please pray that these guys will
feel the love and peace of God in our home.
Karen started school with more enthusiasm that we expected, especially
considering her attitude last week. Please pray
that she will be a light and an encouragement to her classmates.
The companies where Doug taught English in recent years probably won't
need him much longer. Please pray that we will get enough students to make
our own little company at least break even. We need to demonstrate
financial viability to the immigration office.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Karen starts school on Monday. Please pray for her peace of mind and that
her teachers and classmates will have a good year together.
Doug has yet to arrange his schedule at the Deaf School. Please pray that
the administrators and teachers will welcome him. Please pray for the
students as they return to school.
Please continue to pray that we get enough students to make our company at
least a break-even proposition.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Karen and Lea went to visit our friend Ildi and her family Wednesday afternoon.
Right before we left, Ildi asked Lea what she says to God when she prays. Lea
gave her a quick synopsis: "Whatever I want to say, whatever I am thinking,
whatever I am feeling at any given time." Please pray that Ildi will
realize just how much the real God wants to communicate with her.
Wednesday and Thursday, Doug is participating in (and often interpreting
at) a meeting of representatives from the IMB, Wycliffe Bible Translators,
Deaf Opportunity Outreach (DOOR) International, and the local Hungarian Deaf
church. The purpose of this meeting is to decide on how best to translate
the Bible into the sign languages
of Central Europe. Needless to say, it is very exciting to be involved.
Please pray that we will follow God's guidance and that the Deaf in Central
Europe will some day receive a faithful translation of the gospel in their
heart language.
Please continue to pray that we get enough students to at least make our
company a break-even proposition.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A Hungarian eighteen-year-old has latched onto Doug. He is Kis
Tamás, a heavy-metal-rocking, beer-guzzling, gypsy-hating, unkempt,
wiry, emotional redneck from Kosd, the village where the Tabernacle Team
prayer-walked this spring. Tamás wants to spend time speaking
English and playing baseball. Doug has set a time to meet him: Friday at
1:00 PM (7:00 AM Virginia time). Please pray that
Doug can escort Tamás at least one step closer to God.
Doug has accepted the volunteer position as baseball instructor
for the Vác Stars baseball club, a group of (hearing)
twenty-somethings. They are inexperienced and a bit rowdy, but very eager to
learn. Please pray that Doug can be successful in this position of
leadership, responsibility, and influence. And yes, he wants to lead
them one step closer to Jesus, too.
Please pray that we will find enough students to make Old Dominion
English Instruction a viable, break-even business by next summer, while
still having enough time for family, ministry, etc.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Doug has agreed to be the instructor for the new "Vác Stars" baseball
team. These guys are in their teens and twenties, and they are typical:
sports, girls, cars—not always in that order. Please pray that Doug will
be more than just a "good influence".
The Deaf church in Budapest is still tentatively interested in starting
work in Vác. Please pray that we can work together to see good things
happen here: the gospel among the Deaf.
Please pray that Doug and Lea will find enough students to make Old
Dominion English Instruction a viable, break-even business by next summer,
while still having enough time for family, ministry, etc.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
We are back from a wonderful visit to the States, and now we are trying to
get back into a semi-normal routine. Please forgive the long absence!
These are the folks we mentioned many times this summer.
Please continue to pray for them:
Feri, the good-looking Deaf guy with remarkable spiritual understanding;
Tamás the Red, who surprised us by finding the Deaf church in Budapest;
Rita, the only Deaf teacher at the Vác Deaf school; and
Ildi, Lea’s friend who has many spiritual questions.
Karen and Lea will be attending a church retreat this coming week.
Please pray for a good time with God and others.
Now that we are legal here, Doug and Lea must teach many hours
to keep our little company afloat. Please pray that we have enough
students and that we balance our time wisely between work, ministry, and home.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Doug and Karen are slowly getting over a stomach virus, and Lea is being
very careful. Please pray for our health, and pray that we don't share this virus
with anyone.
We handed in our visa applications at the Embassy on Monday. We hope they
have everything they want, although Doug later remembered one box that we
didn't fill out. The lady expected that the visas would be ready in three
to four weeks, which is good, because we need our passports back before we
fly to Hungary at the end of July.
Please continue to pray for the strengthening and the growth of the Deaf
churches in Budapest.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Graduation at the Deaf school is on Friday morning. Please pray for these
young people as they finish a school year and go home for the summer.
Please continue to pray for the strengthening and the growth of the Deaf
churches in Budapest.
We must alter some of our company's legal papers and get everything ready
for Karen and Lea's visa applications before we leave. Please pray that
these things will be taken care of in good time.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Dinner with our Deaf friends last Friday went very well. Please continue
to pray for Feri, a local Deaf guy, that he will get to know Jesus.
We continue an e-mail conversation with Kriszta, the young lady we met on
the train last week. She is asking deep questions about God and her purpose
in life. Please pray that she hears the truth and that her faith grows.
A team of seven people from Charlottesville will be working with us at the
Deaf school early next week. Please pray for safe travel, unity of the
team, and effective time here in Vác and the other places they visit.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
We had an excellent holiday this past weekend; all of the not-yet-Christian
adults staying at the house had deep God-conversations with believers. As we were
coming home, our train got stuck on the tracks for more than two hours due to
electrical failure. During this time, we had a delightful conversation with
our seatmate, a young lady named Kriszta. We also had deep conversations, and
she wrote us an e-mail this morning thanking us for reminding her of God.
Friday evening (June 1), a few Deaf believers from Budapest and a young,
interested Deaf man from Vác will have dinner at our house. Please pray hard
that this will lead to a regular Deaf Bible study among the Deaf in Vác.
We are still in awe that Doug's residency permit is valid for two years.
We will apply for residency permits for Lea and Karen while we are in the States.
Please keep praying that we will get these before we return to Hungary in late July.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Doug's residency permit has been granted! We will apply for residency
permits for Lea and Karen while we are in the States. Please keep praying
that we will get these before we return to Hungary in late July. Once these
visas are in hand, we'll be legal until January!
On Friday, June 1, a few Deaf believers from Budapest and a young,
interested Deaf man from Vác will have dinner at our house. We hope that
this will lead to a regular Deaf Bible study. Please pray that God will
use this time to accomplish his will among the Deaf.
Monday will be a public holiday in Hungary. Here they celebrate
Pentecost, not Memorial Day. We will spend the weekend with several
families at a retreat house. Some of the Hungarian families don't speak
English, and some don't know God. Please pray that God will use us to
show them the love of Jesus. Also, Karen is not feeling well. Please
pray that she gets better in time for us to go.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Please pray that we live according to God's priorities, that we choose
wisely, avoid temptations, stay healthy, and love God and our neighbor.
Please pray that Deaf believers from Budapest will meet our Deaf friends
in Vác, beginning relationships of eternal significance.
Please pray that God and his people will reach our Deaf kids, so they will
begin to understand how much they are loved.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Now that Doug can legally work, we are discovering how much of a
commitment our company is. We are bound to a certain income by the
conditions of Doug's visa. This will require us to teach many more hours
than we anticipated. Please pray that we can balance our time among family,
work, and ministry.
Deaf believers in Budapest have agreed to come to Vác and teach the Bible
through stories—a method much respected in Deaf culture. Please pray that
we can gather the right people at the right time so the hearts of the Deaf
will hear the truth of the Bible.
Please pray that God will intervene in the lives of our Deaf kids, so they
will begin to understand how much they are loved.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Please pray for Lea's friend Ildiko (ILL-dee-koe).
Their conversations have deepened in recent days and have come around to the
topic of God, faith, purpose, etc. Ildiko has problems with priests. Pray
that she will nonetheless see God and come to saving faith in him.
Please pray that the Deaf churches in Budapest will grow strong and will
begin to reach out to Deaf communities in the surrounding towns... like Vác!
Please pray that Karen will meet God in Jesus. As she approaches her teen
years, she has made some profound statements about her own faith, God's work in
her life, and her desire to see her friends and schoolmates have real life.
Karen herself has not yet been baptized.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
This past Sunday afternoon, we travelled from Budapest to Vác on the train
with Tamás the Red. You prayed a great deal for him in February. It turns
out that for the past few weeks, he has been regularly attending the other
Deaf church in Budapest—the one Doug usually doesn't go to. So your
prayers are being answered! Please continue to pray for Tamás as God brings
him to your minds.
We also ask you to continue to pray for Rita Gedeon, the Deaf teacher at
the school. In a conversation on another train, she told Doug about her
future vision of a new school in Budapest, where administrators, teachers,
and students would all be Deaf. This excites us! Also, please continue to
pray that she will become a disciple of Jesus.
Good news: We just found out that our work permits were granted! Also,
on Monday, Doug applied for his residency permit, and for the first time in our
history, they didn't require any extra papers or signatures. Please continue to
pray that Doug's residency permit and Lea's and Karen's visas will be granted
before we leave for the States on June 21. Pray for good moods among the
officials and that they will be fair.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Please pray that our work permits, Doug's residency permit, and Karen's and
Lea's visas will soon be granted. Pray for good moods among the officials, and
that they will be fair as they make their decisions.
Pray for Bléga Feri (= Frank Blega), a young deaf man, that he will hear
the gospel and know God. He is a graduate of the Deaf school in Vác, and we
run into him every now and then in town. He is under-employed, and with
nothing better to do, he seems open and receptive.
It is our continual prayer that the Deaf house churches in Budapest will
grow strong through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that they will work
with God to spread the gospel among the Deaf in Hungary.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
We ask you to pray that our work permits will be granted soon. We turned in our last
documents to the lawyer yesterday. We hope that the papers received from the University Registrar
will be adequate for the requirements of the labor office.
Pray for Bléga Feri (= Frank Blega), a young deaf man, that he will hear
the gospel and know God. He is a graduate of the Deaf school in Vác, and we
run into him every now and then in town. He is under-employed, and with
nothing better to do, he seems open and receptive.
It is our continual prayer that the Deaf house churches in Budapest will
grow strong through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that they will work
with God to spread the gospel among the Deaf in Hungary.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Please pray that the Deaf church in Budapest can link up with the Deaf
community in Vác.
Our work permits are stalled because we don't have our original diplomas.
We received confirmation letters from the University, but we doubt that they
are fancy enough for Hungarian authorities. We might need to get
replacement diplomas, which can take two months. Our current deadline is
April 10. Please pray that we can find a quick solution to this problem.
Many people in Hungary have no thought of God, and many others believe
that empty ritual will buy acceptance from God. During this Holy Week,
please pray that Hungarians—priests and pastors included—will "see
with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and
turn to God and be healed." (Isaiah 6, Matthew 13, John 12)
Please pray that Deaf churches in Budapest be equipped for missions to
Deaf communities around Hungary—in Vác, for example! We would like a
Bible study or similar meeting here soon.
Karen just turned 12. Please pray that she will grow closer to God as she
goes through her teen years. Recently, her history class has been studying
Christianity, which got her into some theological discussions with some of
her classmates. She gave a Hungarian New Testament to one of them. She has
not yet been baptized or participated in communion.
Please continue to pray for the seven members of the Missions Team from
Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond: Emily, Erin, Erin, Megan, Robert, Terry, and William.
Mission trips tend to start things, not end them.
Please continue to pray for the Traveling Team as they re-enter "normal"
life. It takes a lot of time and energy to process an experience like this.
Listening to stories such as theirs may even fire you up
for future adventures—at home, in Hungary, or elsewhere—that God has in
store for you.
Our work permit applications were held up because the Labor Office doesn't
have a translation of our original University diplomas. These diplomas are
misplaced somewhere in Virginia, and none of our relatives can find them.
The Registrar's Office at UVa has been very prompt to provide degree
verification documents that might please the Hungarian authorities. Please
pray that the letters from the Registrar will be adequate.
Please pray that all those in Hungary who are known by Jesus' name will
develop a strong sense of unity with each other. Please pray that the
"extras" that each group has—traditions, rules, added beliefs, added
prohibitions, etc.—will not hinder the development of each person's
relationship with the one true God.
Doug got his visa at the consulate in Serbia just fine;
he's now legal until January 23, 2008.
Next we apply for Karen's and Lea's visas.
Please pray that these will be granted soon—along with our work permits.
Baseball training has begun at the Deaf school!
Two classes, 1st-2nd grade and the 3rd grade, have shown great interest in
learning how to play. They are all beginners, and many of them are mentally
or emotionally impaired. Please pray for safety, patience, and fun for everyone.
Please pray for the Team from Tabernacle Baptist in Richmond as they
prepare to travel and adjust and adjust and adjust.... Pray that their time
here will be a great benefit to everyone involved, and that people will
eventually be drawn closer to God as a result.
Good news/Bad news: Doug will go to Serbia on Friday to pick up his new
visa! However, Tuesday afternoon we found out that there is a snag in
getting our work permits. The Labor Office needs some documents that were
provided with previous (successful) applications, so they should have them
on file somewhere. Please pray that they can locate these papers before the
deadline next week!
This past Sunday, a 17-year-old neo-Nazi skinhead gang leader named Imre
came to our little church. He seems open to the Lord's leading. Please
pray for him and his gang, that they will know God's love through Jesus, and
pray that God will create a love in their hearts for their fellow humans as
well!
Please pray for the strengthening of the Deaf churches in Budapest, that
they will become mature in their faith, and that their obedience to God will
have an influence in the Deaf community.
GOOD NEWS: We just found out that Doug's visa has been granted! Thank
you so much for all your prayers! Now that we have Doug's visa, we can apply
for "family unification" visas for Lea and Karen. Other than that, we adults
still need work permits, which are also in the works.
The Deaf church in Budapest is trying to develop every member into a
leader of some kind, which is a healthy sign. New people are learning how
to lead the group in their Bible storying sessions, and it's a slow, grinding
process. Please pray that Deaf churches in Hungary develop and grow, and
that the gospel will be propagated throughout the Deaf community.
Tamás, a teenager at the Deaf school, was not able to go to the Deaf
church in Budapest this past week. He expects to be available on Sunday,
March 4. Please pray that Tamás will visit the church soon, understand the
incredible love that God has for him, and also see how Deaf people are
completely capable of doing and being church.
We are gearing up to have Tabernacle's delegation come visit us, and we are
excited! Please pray for us as we prepare for the Tabernacle Traveling Team's
visit. We've never done this before, and we would like it to be a rich and
joyful experience for everybody.
Tamás, one of the older teenage Deaf students, plans to go to the Deaf
church in Budapest this coming Sunday. (He expected to go last week, but
the entire Deaf Church met in another town.) Please pray that Tamás will
come to know more about life in Jesus.
Please continue to pray for the salvation of Rita Gedeon, who teaches
at the Deaf School. We hope she soon understands that following Jesus leads
to an abundant life.
Doug's visa application is still in the works. We hope to hear good
news by mid-March. Please pray that the governmental officials allow us
to live and work in Hungary in the future.
Tamás, one of the older teenage Deaf students, plans to go to the Deaf
church in Budapest this Sunday. Doug will go with him. Please pray that
he will really go, that he will have a great time, and that he will come
to know more about life in Jesus.
Please continue to pray for the salvation of Rita Gedeon, who teaches
at the Deaf School. We hope she soon understands that following Jesus leads
to an abundant life.
Doug's visa application is still in the works. We hope to hear good
news by mid-March. Please pray that the governmental officials allow us
to live and work in Hungary in the future.
Thank you for praying with us! Regarding last week's requests:
Lea reports that the Ladies' Retreat in Pécs was a great success. There
was good conversation, good listening, good prayer, and good worship. She
returned fired up and in very lively spirits (or rather, with a good
Spirit).
Szabi and Fritz's visit to the Deaf School was also one of the month's
minor triumphs. Szabi had some engaging conversations with the students,
and I introduced him to Gedeon Rita (American name order: Rita Gedeon). And
Fritz gave her some information about Gaulladet University, in which she is
interested.
And so, with continued thanks, on we go to *this* week's petitions!
Please continue to pray for the salvation of Rita Gedeon, the only truly
Deaf teacher at the Deaf School.
Please pray for the strengthening and the outward reach of the Deaf
churches in Budapest. There are so many opportunities, and so few Deaf
believers!
Please pray for our so-called chance meetings and our encounters with
others: friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Please pray that we will not
fail to meet our divine appointments, and that we will say and do the things
that bring people one step closer to God, regardless of their beliefs or
their standing with him.
Tomorrow Doug will bring visitors to the Deaf School. One is Szabi Wéer,
a Deaf Hungarian church planter who knows some English. The other four are
an American family with Deaf parents and two hearing boys. One goal is to
tell the 8th graders that English is a worthwhile subject. Another goal is
to show the Deaf family the inside of a Hungarian Deaf School. Still
another goal is to link the Budapest Deaf church with the Deaf community in
Vác. Yet another goal is to introduce Szabi, a skilled Bible story-teller,
to Rita Gedeon. (See the next item.) Please pray that this visit will be a
great success and that it will open doors to future meetings between the
Deaf of Vác and Budapest.
Please continue to pray for the salvation of Rita Gedeon, the only truly
Deaf teacher at the Deaf School.
Lea and four other missionary women will go on a retreat this weekend in
the small city of Pécs (rhymes with the letter "H"). Please pray that they
will grow closer to God and to each other and return home re-energized for
their work.
Doug's visa application was turned in last Friday, so now we wait. This
visa can take 60 days to process, but the consulate told him to call back
after a month, and then call back rather often after that. Please pray for
approval by all officials and a quick turnaround.
Please continue to pray for the salvation of Rita Gedeon, the only teacher
at the Deaf school who is truly Deaf. Doug spends two afternoons a week in
her class. This gives him the opportunity to learn a lot of sign language
and to build relationships with both Rita and her learning-disabled
students. Please pray that Doug will have good opportunities to share the
love of God with these people.
We are very excited about Tabernacle Baptist Church's emissaries coming to see us!
Please pray that we will prepare well: that we will find the right lodging,
plan our time appropriately, and give everyone the opportunity to see and
share God at work among us.
Doug is gathering the papers to apply for an income-earning visa in Serbia
on Friday. Please pray that everything will be in order and that he will
have safe and uneventful travel. Also, please keep praying for good moods
among the officials!
The English-speaking Bible study on Wednesday afternoons has been quite a
help and encouragement to us. We are hoping to soon start a Bible study
among the Deaf. Please pray that this happens, that we find the right
people, and that we pick the right time and format.
Please pray for the salvation of Rita Gedeon, the only teacher at the Deaf
school who is truly Deaf. In a recent conversation, she seemed interested
in the format of Deaf church, but Sunday is her day off, and she is
reluctant to give it up.
Please keep praying for our visas. Every bit of news we receive seems to change our emotions 180 degrees. Faith is hard to come by sometimes.
Since things have been so uncertain, we have been a bit touchy
with each other. Please pray that we will set our hearts and minds on God instead of circumstances, and that we will speak to each other with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
We hope to apply for Doug's visa in the next few days.
Please pray that we go to the consulate at the right time,
that Doug's application is complete,
that his application is accepted,
that we have no problems crossing the border,
and that all officials are in good moods.
Good moods are amazingly crucial!
Thank you for praying with us! Regarding last week's requests:
We now have a solid plan to apply for visas.
Lea's presentation at the ladies' Christmas Tea went very well. She reports that the women of the churches responded much more openly than Hungarians usually do.
The missionary couple whose residency permits were denied submitted their appeal, and the word through the grapevine is that the result will be the issuing of two-year permits.
And here are this weeks' requests:
One of our goals in the coming 6 months is to link the Deaf missionaries in Budapest to the Deaf community here in Vác. Please pray with us that this will happen soon and that it will be frutiful.
We are relying on the word of a Hungarian consular official that we can stay here as "tourists" until we get residency permits and legitimate visas in the spring. Please pray that we will not run into any legal difficulties until then.
After the Christmas holidays and the turn of the new year, the price of many things will go up as the economy here worsens. Please pray with us that the Hungarian people will look to Jesus, not just for relief from their problems, but for salvation, healing, direction, purpose, and strength in their lives.
Yesterday we spoke with an immigration lawyer, who has a new plan
on how we can legally work here. Over the next few days we will get
the plan in motion. We ask you to pray that all our paperwork goes
smoothly.
Lea will be speaking at a Ladies' Christmas Tea in southern
Hungary this Saturday afternoon. Please pray that God uses her.
One missionary couple we know were recently denied
residency permits after living here 14 years! Please pray that
God would use people in official positions to accomplish what
he wants to accomplish here in Hungary.
Update, Friday, December 8, 2006:
Last night (Thursday) we met with our landlords, Krisztina and Szilárd.
Krisztina said that the risk was too great for her to become our company's
proprietor. Apparently, the tax authorities have a reputation for being
very dogged in pursuit of violations and for giving severe penalties if
anything goes wrong. We are therefore still looking for a way put our
company into working order so that we can get work visas.
Lea has decided that ESI, the missionary teacher placement agency,
is not in her future.
So we are still trying to get work visas though our company.
Tomorrow (Thursday) is a big day. Krisztina, our landlady, will tell us
whether she is willing to join our company. Whether or not she does, we
will need wisdom, cleverness, ingenuity, imagination, and all kinds of
smarts to stay in Hungary and/or make the company a success. Please pray
that we will do God's will in every circumstance we find ourselves in.
The Wednesday afternoon Bible study is proceeding well. There is even one
Hungarian lady who is interested in coming. Please pray that this will turn
all our hearts more toward God.
Now that the weather is bad and the playground has been planted with grass
seed, we cannot play baseball out of doors at the Deaf School. The new
gymnasium is enclosed but not finished, so we might play whiffle ball inside
or watch baseball videotapes this winter. Please pray that Doug's time at
the Deaf School will have good consequences for everyone involved.
Update, Saturday, December 2, 2006:
Friday morning we met with our landlady, Krisztina, to talk about whether
she would be our company's managing director. We gave her a long list
describing what was positive, what was negative, and what was interesting
about the proposal. She will consult her friends and professional
acquaintances and then give us her answer on Thursday. Please pray that
everyone will be wise, and that this situation will turn out best for us all.
Today (Wednesday) we held the first weekly Bible study for
English-speakers, mainly for the feeding of the missionaries here.
As we asked last week, please pray that our joining together will
strengthen us and lead to a wider witness to Jesus in Vác.
Friday morning we will meet with our landlady, Krisztina,
to talk about her becoming our company's managing director.
We think they like us as tenants, and we ourselves would like
to stay in our apartment as long as possible. However, "managing"
this company would be an involved, long-term commitment for her.
Please pray for wisdom for all of us and that things will work
out well.
Éva is a young, hard-of-hearing teacher at the Deaf School.
Doug interacts with her class the most at baseball time. She is a
believer, and she's had unspecified health problems for a couple
of months. Please pray that her health will improve and that her
work at the Deaf School will be a good influence on the children.
Our list of candidates for the company's managing director
has shrunk to one: Krisztina, our landlady. We plan to to
ask her this week to consider it seriously and to think about
the disadvantages (the phrase we use is "counting the cost")
before she commits. Please pray for wisdom for all of us.
We will start a weekly Bible study for English-speakers
next Wednesday, November 29. This is for the feeding of the
missionaries here. Pray that our joining together will strengthen
us and lead to a wider witness to Jesus in Vác.
Lea is considering getting a job teaching English in a
public high school through ESI, a missionary teacher placement
agency out of California. This would give us visas, but it
wouldn't allow either of us to work free-lance. We are just
starting to investigate this path. Please pray for wisdom
in figuring this out.
A couple of Hungarians have offered to consider being the managing
director for our company. This is quite an encouragement to us, and we thank you
for your prayers for this! Please pray that we will discern who the right
person is, and he or she will still be willing when they find out the details.
Some English-speaking folks in Vác are thinking about starting a Bible
discussion group in English. We would greatly welcome this. Further down
the pike, we still hope and pray for Bible studies in sign language.
The weather here has been astoundingly warm for this time of year, so
baseball continues! Please pray that the relationships that Doug is
establishing through baseball will lead to Real Life for these Deaf
students.
Hungarians, especially Deaf ones, assume that "missionary" means you are a
salesman with lots of money coming from the United States, and you don't
have to do any real work. Therefore, they have more respect for people who
"work for a living" and who have to deal with the problems of "normal" life.
We are not the only missionaries in Hungary who are trying to work part-time
and minister part-time. Please pray that we—and our missionary
colleagues—can be *trusted* by Hungarians.
Please pray that we will find a Hungarian to be the director of our
English-teaching company. We are still trying!
Doug went to a gathering of the two little Deaf churches in Budapest this
past Sunday afternoon. The community of believers among the Deaf is slowly
increasing. Their leaders are young, well-trained, dedicated, and clever.
Please pray that they can join God in touching and changing lives in one of
the most easily overlooked groups in society: the Deaf.
Last Sunday we visited a small but growing mission church,
founded by a nearby Hungarian Baptist church, in the village of
Körösladány in southeast Hungary. They asked
Doug to say a few words, and he greeted them on behalf of our
home church: Tabernacle Baptist of Richmond, Virgina. (It's
so FUN to do that!) This little church is in an economically
and spiritually depressed area, but they are reaching many
outcast and estranged people like gypsies, ex-convicts, etc.
Please pray that effective little churches like this will
multiply throughout Hungary.
Please pray that we will find a Hungarian to be part of
our English-teaching company. We are still trying!
Today is the "Day of the Dead" in Hungary, a holiday when
most people go to cemeteries to tidy up the graves and honor
their deceased loved ones. Pray that Hungarians will realize
their mortality and start to ask questions beyond material
existence.
On Monday, Hungary commemorated the 50th anniversary of their unsuccessful
revolution against the Russians; however, the day was marred by
anti-government demonstrations. Lea and our friend Liz spent several hours
poking around Budapest, looking for ceremonies or exhibitions. Instead, they
got their first whiff of tear gas and watched a large number of police in riot
gear clear out a nearby area. Please pray for Hungary and the Hungarians!
They are in a quandary and divided.
We are still waiting for a Hungarian to step forward to be managing
director of our company. We have a feeling that this person will have to be
called by God, because no one in their right mind would want to do it, given
the silliness of Hungarian business laws. So, as we asked last week, please
pray that God will lead us to a trustworthy person who is able to shoulder
whatever responsibilities there are.
Due to the lack of work for pay, Doug's volunteer time at the Deaf School
has increased greatly. Plus, the weather has been unusually pleasant, so we
have enjoyed a lot of baseball. Pray that this time bring long-term
benefits!
We are happily back in Hungary, and now we can resume Normal Life!
Thanks so much for your prayers and love for us.
Our first task toward getting our work visas is to find a Hungarian who
will be managing director of our company. Please pray that God will lead us
to a trustworthy person who is able to shoulder whatever responsibilities
there are.
We keep running into three teenage Deaf guys on the street. We are hoping
to get our Deaf friends from Budapest to come and tell these guys Bible
stories. Doug will be trying to get in touch with our Budapesti friends.
Please pray that the path is smooth!
Karen seemed to jump back into school life okay, but P.E. is stressing her
out. She showed no signs of stress during our recent ordeals, so we are
keeping our eyes open. Please pray for her mental, physical, and spiritual
health!
Update on Lea's health: We were grateful to hear that the lumps in Lea's
neck are not malignant, nor do they come from any lung problems.
The doctor thinks she had a local infection, and that the
lumps will go away eventually.
Thanks for praying for peace during times of uncertainty!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006; updated Friday, October 13, 2006
We joyfully praise God for
Your love, support, prayers, encouragement, insights, scriptures, songs....
Your e-mails, including forwards to others....
Your offers of help, travel, finances, places to stay, sandwiches....
Your advice, suggestions, experiences....
There's more, but this'll do for now.
These are the only prayer requests we have left, out of eight! Please pray...
That, when we cross the border into Hungary Friday afternoon,
the border guard(s) will be in a good mood.
[ANSWER #5896: We're back in the country we love! The border
guard was, evidently, not in a bad mood, and let us through without
comment!]
That the results of the tests on the lumps in my neck would
be happy.
[ANSWER #5895: The lumps are not malignant! I'll find
out next week if I have to do anything about them, if anything.]
That the other box of academic books for Karen that were
supposed to arrive in late September would show up sometime,
although we don't have a deadline now. [Not a huge priority....]
That we continue to trust and thank God for all he's done
for us! [And how could we not???]
That God gives Doug lots of wisdom in knowing what to do.
Doug's been shouldering much of this burden.
That we go to the right place, and find the right people,
and they're in a good mood.
That Karen's health improves, and that her resilient
self survives so much upheaval and uncertainty.
That the results of the tests on the lumps in my
neck would come quickly, that the lumps would be easily
remedied, and that not having insurance coverage in the
United States would be no problem.
That the two boxes of academic books for Karen
that were supposed to arrive in late September would
show up before we leave Vác.
That we can quickly find a temporary home for our
two hamsters.
That we can pack for we-dont-know-how-long, take
care of bills, etc., and close up the house really fast.
That we don't worry, don't get impatient with each
other, and do trust God!
Please continue to pray that we will find a Hungarian who is willing to be
the Managing Director of our company. We cannot make progress getting new
work visas without this person!
There will be a called demonstration against the current government
administration on Friday. Many churches are requesting a day of prayer and
fasting, that the protests not become violent and that the country's
situation will improve.
The emerging Deaf churches in Budapest might start to send evangelism
teams on short trips to other cities in the near future. Vác is a prime
candidate. This would be great!
Please pray that we will find a Hungarian who is willing to be the
Managing Director of our company. This will enable us to apply for new work
visas. One of our old friends is thinking about it....
Doug has met several times with Feri (Frank), a graduate of the Deaf
School in Vác. The conversations are starting to get deep. Please pray for
his spiritual awakening.
The political situation here is unsettled. Please pray that those in
government will be honest and work for the public good, not their own.
Doug's been saying for a while that "Hungary can't go
on like this." Monday night's riot in Budapest proved
that others thought the same thing. Please pray for
wisdom and peace for Hungarians.
On Saturday Doug
talked with an immigration consultant, and we decided not to appeal the
decision of the Immigration Office. Here is our latest plan:
* Reorganize our company with a Hungarian as the managing director.
According to the law, this person CANNOT do "the work" of the business (that
is, teach).
* Sign contracts of employment (Doug & Lea) with the restructured
company.
* Get new work permits (Doug & Lea) to teach with our company.
* Apply for new visas (Doug, Lea, & Karen).
Our immediate need is for a Hungarian to accept the responsibility of being
the managing director. This is like asking someone to co-sign a loan; it
takes a lot of trust on both sides. Please pray that we can find the right
person for this, and that he or she would be willing!
Until we get matching work permits and work visas, what will we do with
our time? Should we go to the Deaf School more often? Or teach some of our
students without pay to continue the relationships? Or concentrate on
learning Hungarian? Please pray that God leads us to do what he wants us to
do.
Our residency permits were not renewed, but we can appeal! Please pray that the labor office in Vác will grant Doug's work permit more quickly than usual.
We would like all the governmental people we talk with to have a GREAT day when we talk with them, that they are in good moods and feel like helping. No kidding! Over here, the mood of the person across the counter can make or break a transaction.
We get the impression that God wants to do something through this confusion and red tape. Please pray for that!
Legal obstacles continue. Please pray that they get resolved soon! This afternoon Doug leaves for Croatia, so he can get a different visa and then re-enter Hungary. Friday morning he travels from 3:30-9:30am, and then goes straight to an appointment with the Immigration office. Doug's residency permit extension expires Sunday night. For some reason, Lea and Karen were granted extensions until September 22.
Andrea, our lawyer, has asked Lea to have an English conversation session once a week. Andrea is very interested in spiritual matters, and we are interested in what happened during her El Camino walk. We consider this time to build a strong relationship a major answer to prayer!
To our surprise, Karen is excited to be back in school! She got in the advanced German class, so she studies her third language five days a week instead of three. Please pray with us that she would be a good influence on her classmates.
The legal procedures involving our permits and legal papers becomes a
crazier circus every day. For example, it is discouraging to hear an
accountant say that the national tax office can give her no advice about new
laws. Doug will go to the immigration office in Budapest on Thursday morning
to ask for an extension of our current visas so that we can complete our
applications.
We still need wisdom on formulating our work and ministry schedules for
this semester.
Andrea, our lawyer, just got back from her 500-mile El Camino walk a week
earlier than expected. She had a "spiritually great" time. We will know
more next week. Please continue to pray that God will show himself to
Andrea.
We have a few more hoops to jump through for our residency permits. It is
baffling, but seems hopeful!
We still need wisdom on formulating our work and ministry schedules for
this semester.
This Friday evening (lunchtime in Virginia), youth from our church will go
to the riverside park to share the love of Jesus with the youth who hang out
there. Please pray that people will be open to God.
We haven't yet heard that (or whether?) our residency permits have been
granted. Please pray that they are granted before our current papers expire
on August 30.
Soon we will be planning our schedule for the next semester. Please pray
that we order our lives so that God's purpose for us is accomplished.
Andrea, our lawyer, is on the 500-mile El Camino pilgrimage until
August 30. Please pray that God will make himself obvious to her as she walks.
After a month in the States, we are back in Hungary and back to a consistent connection to the Internet! We would appreciate your prayers for re-entry into Hungarian life. Doug is already teaching after being here less than a full day!
Doug's dad's lung biopsy came out fine. He's doing very well, as are all our parents who have dealt with surgeries this past year. Shingles is still giving my mom's eye some grief.
Please pray for Lea's Uncle Bill and Aunt Emily, whose house burned up a few days ago.
Your prayers are working! Please don't stop! All official meetings so far have gone
amazingly well. We delivered our company papers to the Court of Registry this morning, and we seem to have all the appointments we need for work and residency permits between now and Tuesday. This is good, because our plane takes off at 7:00 am on Wednesday!
Doug's dad gets the results of a lung biopsy today. Your prayers for him
are welcome.
We would also appreciate your prayers for temporary farewells in Hungary and
preparations for our trip to the U.S. next week.
This week we have been joined by Catherine, Kami, and Liz, who are part of a mission team from Charlottesville ministering in Hungary. This has been a time of encouragement for us and prayer for our city. On Friday, they and the 12 others on their team go to Ukraine to work with street kids. Please pray for their ministry and safety.
Thank you for praying for our all the legal rigamarole regarding our work permits and our English-teaching company! Things seem to be going smoothly so far. This week is meeting week: the accountant Wednesday, the lawyer Thursday, and the notary Friday. Sometime next week we will deliver our papers to the Court of Registry.
Doug's dad is having some tests regarding his recent lung problems. Please pray for his health.
Last Thursday we ran into Feri, a young Deaf man who is a former student at
the Deaf school. A couple of years ago, Feri went with Doug to see "The
Passion of the Christ." It would be really neat to get Feri and other young
Deaf (late teens, early twenties) into a discussion group about Jesus.
While we wait on our work permits, we continue to pursue the establishment
of a little English-teaching company here in Hungary. We now have Hungarian
taxpayer ID numbers, and we will soon have a local bank account. The
renewal of our residency permits are still pending. Please continue to pray
that this bothersome and time-consuming process works out well.
We recently learned that Doug's dad is having some serious lung problems.
Please pray for his health and general well-being.
We have much to do between now and our trip to the U.S. next month. Please pray for wise use of our time, especially that we don't neglect prayer.
The timing for our work permits is down to the wire. If all goes well, they will be issued on the day before we leave for the States. However, in Hungary, "all goes well" is a miracle. Please pray for a miracle!
More American friends, including a 10-month-old baby, went to the Deaf school with us yesterday. The baby was a big hit! The kids will disperse for the summer after graduation on Thursday, but we hope they will take with them a bit of God's love.
Our friend Lee Hlavka's nerve disease (CIPD) is worse than ever. Please
pray for him, for his wife and children, and also that our little church
will go out of their way to help them.
It sounds stupid, but baseball is really extending Doug's social network.
Carrying a baseball around can open surprising doors! This also sounds
stupid, but Doug believes it is valid: please pray that play will someday
become joyous worship of God for these people. (Think like in the movie
Chariots of Fire: "When I run, I feel His pleasure!")
Repeat from last week: We are here at the mercy of the Hungarian
government. Please keep praying that application for our work and residency
permits go smoothly.
A 14-year-old American MK is now playing baseball with Doug at the Deaf school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This adds credibility to Doug's presence there. The kids have a fair amount of free time during the last few weeks of school. Pray for good conversations to lead the kids (and teachers) at least one step closer to God.
Doug has a dream: That a Deaf mission team will come and play baseball with and be witnesses to the students in May or early June. Pray that this miracle happens! Also, if you know of any Deaf Christian baseball players, please let us know!
Residency permits: We are here at the mercy of the Hungarian government. Please keep praying that application for our work and residency permits go smoothly.
Lea's father had a heart attack on Sunday. He is doing remarkably well now. Please pray for him and for Lea's family.
Please pray for diligence and motivation in learning Hungarian and Hungarian Sign Language.
Same as last week, with good progress since then: Please pray that the last month of Doug's volunteer work at the Deaf school will be meaningful and worthwhile, and will bring the people there (including Doug) closer to God.
Please pray that we live and spend our days with God, especially that we spend adequate time in prayer.
Please pray that the last month of Doug's volunteer work at the Deaf school will be meaningful and worthwhile, and will bring the people there (including Doug) closer to God.
In the next few weeks, we will be renewing our residency and work permits: gathering lots of papers, making trips to the city, waiting in line, and hoping that the clerks are in a good mood. Residency permits are usually given for only one year at a time, but it would be great if ours were granted for a longer period. Please pray for smooth sailing!
We recently heard about a deviant "Christian" cult in our area. This is depressing news. Please pray that people won't be deceived by lies but will come to know the real Jesus.
In two recent English lessons, Doug talked about Bible study and the Lord's prayer. Please continue to pray for good conversations.
Some of our time is spent helping and encouraging other missionaries. This weekend (May 13-14) we will visit friends and colleagues in southern Hungary. Please pray that these visits will be mutually beneficial.
Please pray for Lee Hlavka, an American living here with his Hungarian wife and their children. He has a debilitating chronic disease. He is not a believer and is extremely frustrated with God.
Please pray for Zita, a Deaf woman who claims to be a "good person" who doesn't need to be saved. She cannot hear the gospel.
Please pray for István, a Deaf man who recently discovered that his father [CORRECTION: mother] has terminal cancer. Pray for his family, too!
Karen has been reading the Bible a lot lately. Please pray that she gains insight into what she is reading and that it leads her to firm faith in Jesus.
Please continue to pray that playing baseball at the Deaf school will lead to something significant. [Also pray for safety. On Tuesday a skinny little girl gave Doug a nice lump on the side of his head with an errant throw. Physics is amazing, sometimes!]
Please pray that Rita, a Deaf teacher at the school, will be moved a few steps closer to God by Eva, a Deaf believer who is also a teacher there.
Eszter and Ildiko, two hearing teachers at the Deaf school, commented to Doug that he is a "religious person" and therefore he is "good." Eszter said that maybe what Hungarians need is to be "more religious." Zsuzsi, one of Lea's teenage English students, believes that when people die they simply cease to exist, and therefore resurrection is not possible. Please pray that this weekend many of our friends and acquaintances will be struck by the startling message of Easter: that Jesus in fact rose from the dead and that he is alive today.
Karen was sick and was absent from school from Thursday to Tuesday. Please pray that the three of us stay healthy.
It is time for baseball at the Deaf school, starting today. Please pray that this will be not only a fun time, but that it will lead to opportunities to talk of spiritual matters with these kids and their teachers.
The first round of elections for the whole Hungarian Parliament will be on Sunday, April 9. Please pray that honest and wise people will be elected into office and that the country can overcome a history of corrupt politics for personal gain.