mid January 2010 post

We are blessed to have two young ladies in our house--and they love the dog and converse with Jacob. I don't think they know about our blog, so I'm not writing to flatter them. I'm so thankful for the family of God--we have reconnected with many of our brothers and sisters in Christ since we've been back. I've also put in a bigger picture of our family for those of you who requested.
With much love,
Brad

Magyar Mullets December 2009 Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,
We wish you a blessed New Year! We miss you, sniff. My mom always said it was good to cry in a big city--it washed the pollution from your eyes. I’m asking myself, "Are we home again?" That always leads to the next question.
“Where is home?” I heard that question asked by a psychologist of a third-culture kid several years ago at a conference in Europe. His answer might surprise you. “In the car," was how the missionary kid, recently returned from college in the US, replied, “it’s the only time our family is all together.” I thought it sad at the time, but nonetheless I was intrigued. In fact, his answer has perplexed me for years. What kind of experiences and personal introspection would cause a kid to give that answer? I’ll get back to that.
Kari and I wrapped up a wonderful six month home assignment in the final days of 2009. Now, I’m sitting in Budapest, Hungary pinching myself. Let me first say to everyone how grateful to God we are for the kind hospitality we enjoyed from family and friends from as far north as Eagle River, Wisconsin, to as far south as Guatemala, to as far east as Chicago, to as far west as Los Angeles. More than 20,000 miles were put on my father-in-law’s Mazda MPV by the time we returned it to him on Christmas Day in Tucson, Arizona. We were greatly blessed by all of you.

Upon our recent arrival, several Hungarians have greeted us and said, “Welcome home!” While it will take some getting used to, we are thankful to be back in our mission house with just Jacob, and a couple young ladies who are teachers at the Christian School. The dog was glad to see us again, but I had to remind myself that she’s glad to see anyone--by way of the gate, over, or under the fence.
In December, we took in the Christmas lights with friends at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. We then said many goodbyes to supporters in Missouri and then set out for Arizona. On the way west we visited friends at First EFC in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, for a wonderful chili supper; then to Edmond, Oklahoma to see my sister; on to Albuquerque, New Mexico; and finally to Grace EFC in Mesa, Arizona. Looking back at our final month of the decade, we are truly thankful that God chose to provide through you, our partners in the gospel, for us to return to Hungary. While your supply means for us distance from you, it is clear that God has laid the foundation for what could be another decade of fruitful ministry here. Back home…

It was afternoon on Christmas Day when all seven of us were in one car headed south for Tucson, Arizona. We were singing Christmas carols along with the radio and feeling the sun’s warmth radiating through the windows. I was near tears for an hour or so. What was my problem? One glance in the rearview mirror confirmed it--the family was all together. It felt more like home to me at that moment than anywhere else this side of heaven. I then knew exactly what kind of experiences and personal introspection would lead one to believe that home is in the car--we were all together.

God keep you all,

Brad, for all of us