Magyar Mullets December 2006 Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,
Christmas-time greetings from Budapest! I’m writing this between holidays and reflecting on a year past and the New Year to come. Thank you for praying for the Christmas season special events. The prophet Isaiah said, “On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” We joyfully celebrated the Light of the World come to earth and are still proclaiming him to those living in darkness.
The last two weeks of December went by too quickly. We were blessed to slave and serve in several special events around Christmas. Whitney came home a day later than planned due to air travel complications, nonetheless we picked out a nice Normandy Christmas tree together and went ice-skating at City Park and took our yearly picture there. Compare Christmas 1999 with 2006. There was much hustle and bustle, baking and cooking, and still pause to enjoy family together.
At midnight on Christmas Eve, 16 of us gathered for singing and a reading of the Christmas story. We had prayed for neighbors to join us, but they didn’t come. From diverse backgrounds and interconnected ministries, God caused this group to gather and ponder anew what He has in store for us. We want to honor Christ by praying into existence a church in this new location. Believers gathered and inquiring of the Lord together—it’s a fitting beginning.
An end of the year update on our children: Whitney is now a sophomore at College of the Ozarks, transferring after her first year at Campbell University. She is studying nursing and working at the conference center on campus. Next semester she will be working in the new nursing lab instead, where her dorm room is right upstairs. We are blessed to speak with her often through an inexpensive internet phone line. Kari is especially thankful for that!
Kelsey is a senior in high school and is also planning to attend College of the Ozarks and study nursing. She’s playing basketball and keeping the house properly decorated, candles lit, etc., when she’s not giving me advice on which shirt goes with which pants.
Peter is a sophomore. I’ve so appreciated his joining me on the music team as he’s become quite the guitarist. He was glad to make the varsity boys’ basketball team this year and still manages to do well in school.
Jacob is an eighth-grader. He’s learning to cook. His pet-sitting services are in demand as he is responsible and conscientious. He has an arsenal of air-soft weapons in his room and enjoys the thrill of battle against his buddies. He also is playing basketball on the middle school team. We trust this finds you well and walking in the eternal Light that dawned over 2000 years ago—so men might no longer live in darkness. Thank you for your generosity toward us this Christmas—the warmth of your love traveled the miles to us this season.
With Gratitude in His Service,
Brad, for all of us

Saturday Morning around the Ministry Center

Saturday morning market crowd outside the Ministry Center looking to the left.
















Looking to the right,
the Fourth Subway
line going in.

Pipe break outside the coffeehouse

For the sixth time in as many weeks, the underground subway building crews punctured a water line...this time on market day Saturday. Never a dull moment. Warm temperatures have not been like this in December in a hundred years--according to those who keep track of such things...building continues on the subway.

Peter and the Zsámbok band.

Magyar Mullets November 06 Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,

Thanksgiving greetings from Budapest!

It is good to worship the Lord together. The first Sunday afternoon in November our family went out to encourage our sister church in Zsambok. We enjoyed singing praises to God with them. It's the first time I've preached impromptu in Hungarian, so it had to be short. Peter enjoyed jamming with them on guitar. We shared a spicy gypsy-sized spread of food with the believers before driving the hour back to Budapest.

An encouragement recently: Another guy and I have been praying in a residential area for several weeks and inquiring of the Lord concerning His plan for us and a possible church there. Our inquiry led us to a home where we found two believers. We've begun to get to know each other and we're now meeting weekly to discuss what God might have us undertake together. Please pray for us to make the most of every opportunity and to understand what the will of the Lord is concerning us there.

City team leaders from Sarajevo, Mostar, Szchechen, Leipzig, and Budapest were brought together the middle of November for mutual edification and sharpening. My boss on the right, Todd Hiltibran, intends to gather us twice a year for mutual prayer, coaching, and influencing. It was valuable to hear and share of work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. I can say we all came away with a deeper gratitude to God for the workers and the work He's entrusted to us. Thank you all for supporting the work in Central Europe—God is at work here.

November saw the wrap up of Kelsey's volleyball season. It was rewarding to see the girls improve so much, win matches, and play competitively against older teams. Sadly, this likely wraps up my girls’ volleyball coaching days as Kelsey graduates in May. With our mission as a sponsor of the Christian school, many of us pitch in where we can to help the full-time teachers. I am substitute teaching two courses in the morning for the six weeks before Christmas for a newly-to-be-wed teacher: 12th grade Economics (Kelsey) and 8th grade New Testament (Jacob). I find it demanding, but advantageous in opening more doors to parents and the community at large.

Please remember to pray for our Christmas season special events in which we have occasion to share the good news of Christ come to earth and salvation found in Him alone. We always thank God for each­­­­ of you, mentioning you in our prayers. (I Thessalonians 1:2)

With Gratitude in His Service,

Brad, for all of us