Life has been like a waterfall..

Quick - choose where you are supposed to go!

  When we realized how long it has been since we have posted anything - we thought we would catch you up on life here in Hungary!

First, we are fine!

Second, in preparing for Carrie's knee surgery in early September, time flew away. Surgery was successful for her total knee replacement, PTL. It is now 5 weeks post-op, and she can get around the house without crutches! The operation took place in a Budapest hospital. If you want more details, check the newsletter coming out soon.

                                                                     Third, we just had the privilege of celebrating our 28th anniversary! We heard about an very inexpensive Bible college/castle in Hungary, so we took two days for a road trip and getaway. Castles are all over Hungary, and they vary greatly in prices.
Some of these photos we just took on our way back yesterday.

Some houses are made of bricks, some of  adobe, like here - this one needs some extra TLC -  pray for the Hungarian people. Many are hard workers, but due to the pay scale, very little is able to be used for 'extras' other than survival. For instance, doctors, teachers and people working in a store all earn about the same amount! This is one reason the young people are leaving the country in large numbers due to economics.

   This was a celebration at some friend's wedding this summer. We had no idea that weddings can last over 12 hours! The celebrations are quite extensive and orchestrated. It is considered a great honor to be asked to such an event - especially for the festivities afterwards.  God has been gracious to us in allowing us to participate in many special occasions with people we have become friends with in a short amount of time. Thank you for praying and continuing to!

  Currently, our work is consisting of still learning the language (people have noticed we are getting much better at our Hungarian, PTL!), and we are assisting with English Club, Carrie helps with Patchwork Club and Kurt is participating in the new Men's Club that started this fall. Carrie is participating in the new Women's Bible Study, and we are also helping with the older Teen Club (called Ifi Club). Most of these are completely held in Hungarian, as well as the church services, so we are also viewing them as 'language classes' in addition to the tutoring we have been receiving.

  Please continue to pray for strength, wisdom, time management and for the relationships we are forming here, that we would continually be a fragrance of Christ to so many who are lost. Nearly every event that is held in conjunction to this church plant has more than 1/2 of the participants who are unbelievers - often there are only a few believers in the event! Please pray that Hungarian's hearts and minds would realize that what keeps drawing them to these events is the message of a Savior - and that is what they desire & would give their lives to Him. So many people continually say, "I just LOVE coming here! I feel so happy and safe at the Bárka. I often have a great attitude for days afterwards!" PTL, some are even 'daring' to pray! They have had a really big change in their actions and attitudes when they do. Pray they would be able to understand WHY!

  Although this picture doesn't do it justice, this is what a normal Sunday looks like - what you see way in the middle is the pastor teaching... then there is another 'room' closer towards the back, then this cafe area in the front - which is often packed out, as well! This means that we are running out of room in this building, since there are also children's ministry programs held elsewhere. Right now they are removing the side walls of the passageway in the foreground to add a little more room to the back of the Sancturary Please pray for either our church to be able to start another church plant in a nearby town, or for a larger building with nearby parking, or both! The pastoral team here and others are also joining with you in prayer as to what the next step is...