Magyar Mullets June 2010 Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from Hungary! A lot of water has gone under the bridges of Budapest since we last wrote. God is in control. We are so blessed to be in a reconciled relationship with the creator and sovereign of the universe and by his kind appointment taking the message of reconciliation to others. All the water of course has brought an abundant harvest of mosquitoes. We’re praying the wind will bring another kind of harvest. Our efforts this summer have been with the art café outreach events, English camps, and mother church responsibilities.

Right now our children’s English camp is in full swing. Last week there were 90 kids—the most ever. I spoke with a young mom this morning in the parking lot. She told me her kids were hearing Bible stories each day. She said she was curious to ask her kids what they learned each day. She said they have never heard Bible stories. Her eight year old daughter’s classmate was at the camp last year, loved it, and invited her. This mom teaches English, but said she’s too tired at the end of the day to teach her own children. She said this is a wonderful opportunity for them. Our church spent time praying for these children and their parents. What does it profit anyone to learn and speak English perfectly and still forfeit his/her own soul? Pray for them to respond by faith to God’s invitation. All the devotionals are in Hungarian and given by our church members.

A former missionary kid and his girlfriend came to Budapest and put on a two person drama of C.S. Lewis life called Shadowlands. It was excellently done. This was the second event of what we pray will be many outreach events to come in the Montage Art Café. I was equally impressed with the work behind the scenes to translate it all, make subtitle slides for the entire production, and rear project it on a screen above the actors’ heads. I’m thankful for the Revells and our Hungarian counterparts. The entire production was out on the coffeehouse terrace and afterwards a big discussion group gathered inside. We were surprised that there were close to 90 people in the audience. It is fascinating to me how quickly the arts ministry is gaining momentum.

This month I have a picture of my dream ministry vehicle that became mine in reality. It’s a 2007 Ford Transit with only 40,000km and a new smell. It has a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine, nine seats, air conditioning, and front wheel drive. It already made a trip to Lake Balaton this past weekend with the English teachers from St. Louis, along with their translators (all young ladies from our church). What a blessing it is to use quality equipment. Speaking of quality—the old Italian coffee machine we got from a guy in Sarajevo a few years back came back to life with a little tender loving care, new switch, and some clamps. I keep it in the cleaning closet above the floor drain. If anyone knows a Gaggia coffee machine rebuilder just dying to torture this unit back into shape, please advise me.

Thank you for praying for the Kelenföld Evangelical Church (KEGY) these past few weeks. There have been some very interesting developments in the life of the church. The leadership of the church agreed with Máté in a change that means he will no longer serve in the head elder capacity. We asked that he continue to serve on the elder board with myself and Sándor Bálint. Máté has had other areas of ministry with the association of churches that continue to grow and we’re encouraged to see the Lord’s hand directing him and the church here. That’s not to say it was a seamless decision making process, nor that it was easy, but all of us are confident that God is guiding us in some changes and leading us forward to see small groups started and churches planted across this city. Each of us in leadership will bear additional responsibilities shepherding the church while we seek the Lord for another pastor in His time. As the Lord would bring us to mind, we would appreciate your continued prayer for KEGY. Thank you for your partnership with us during these circumstantial uncertainties. The anchor holds.

Brad, for all of us.