Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Hard Goodbyes -

Photo courtesy of 📷 @moncsodiaz

         Hard Goodbyes

   Garage Sales are happening right now - us selling our stuff that have helped us make so many memories in the past 6 years... our place is starting to feel naked. Our emotions are very much the same, yet we press on, trusting God will push His divine plan through for us.  We have known less than 3 weeks & many of our emails telling everyone have gone to spam, probably long deleted.

  Tonight we were able to help more people through some of the abundance of clothing we brought here - not only a lady's husband, but also a homeless, orphaned young man she tries to help out - so some of our favorites will live on and God willing, become some of his favorites! That great Camano Island coat will be greatly appreciated yet again, just in the Budapest area.

  God has ordered these steps - ahead of the curtain that has pulled aside for our reveal. Many different things all came together at similar times - only God-incidence could coordinate that! So, we trust Him with each step even more now than we have in the past. We covet your prayers!!

  You know our hearts want to continue to serve and minister, no matter where we are. That could be here, in Macedonia, in the US, in China, in Costa Rica, in your neighborhood, or one of your neighbor's former neighborhoods...

   Thank you for continuing to pray for us - you have no idea how helpful that is - our marriage is under attack, our languages, our confidence, our thought processes, our joy. We are leaning into HIM as we stalwartly hold onto our faith in the Living One and boldly press on, irregardless of how we feel and what is happening around us.




Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Great news!!




Great News!!





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Now onto the great news!!
In this last year, thanks to many many people, we have been able to help provide over 200 bibles to people who WANT them!!!! How awesome is that?? These photos are just a few of the recipients getting some bibles either for themselves or for others.  The pastor in S. Hungary just broke down in tears when he was given these for some of the people in his church! (bottom photo) We had the honor of also giving him a NEW bible for himself, as well as one in English. He has a number of 'congregations' as he travels around to minister to people, PTL.

There are two bible funds you can help give to, should you choose.  One is a fund through International Ministries (whom we are seconded to) that helps not only provide modern translated bibles but also scholarships for campers. Here is the link:

https://portal.internationalministries.org/project-support?sfcampaign=7011N000000OUUqQAO

This other link is for bibles for Central Europe (where we are), in order to help provide bibles in more modern translations in different languages in this area, as the needs arise:
http://ww3.pioneers.org/donate/Bibles for Central/Eastern Europe/150944

So, those are some other helpful causes where you can make a difference, where you are! Many thanks ahead of time to you!

Some of the interesting Hungarian architecture we encounter

Our Newsletter:
  Many of you know we are technologically challenged, so when we try to put out a web based emailed newsletter, we try our best, but sometimes it needs to be re-tweeked.  Hence, if you have received 2 emailed newsletters (non printable, as far as I know), this was due to my need to modify it. I apologize if it was a frustration for you.

Email addresses: When we are on the road in the states, we try really hard to input all the email addresses we receive in a timely manner - but, we get snagged up with time & energy (who needs sleep, anyway?)  as well as internet connections. If we have missed you somehow, or you have changed your email address & would like our updates, please feel free to email us! Our email is located within this blog.



  Camp season is in full swing - Kurt is currently at a Grain Game camp in Péteri. Last weekend I was teaching at a Patchwork Camp here in Vecsés. Next week will be the beginnings of English Camp and after that, more Grain Game camps through August. "Never a dull day at Smalley Bay"!

 For those who may not know, Grain Game is a fun camp for kids between 8-14 yrs., and they play games as well as demonstrate biblical concepts. The kids LOVE it! This is an easy way to talk about God and to demonstrate some of His attributes without being 'preachy'. It's all about loving the kids for who they are, no other expectations. PTL, one young man a few weeks ago in a neighboring country asked Jesus to come into his heart!! We have a new brother, thanks to this outreach! (he was also given his own, newer translated bible!)

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Challenges - Friend or Foe?

    I was reading a passage today speaking about challenges God puts in our path.  It was pointing out that some of these are to get us OUT of our comfort zone and to TRUST God.... Yet there are those who distrust the Almighty God, Creator of the heavens, the universe and all that is in it. So much so that they need to just keep with the flow, continue with their easy life - or difficult one - because what is 'known' to them is so much more comfortable than the unknown.

  All I could think of was, "Really? Distrust God so much that they wouldn't follow what He was asking them to do?"  Distrust seemed like a really strong word, yet when I thought about it, it was actually a spot on description. Does anyone think of the JOY of following the Lord?

  When Peter and the disciples were flailing about in the storm on the lake - think of it! The waves SO high that you just see the bow of the boat nearly over you or the side of the boat you are not on be taller than yourself & the boat was nearly sinking. Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat . The disciples shook him awake and said, "Master, don't you care that we are perishing??"  Jesus commanded the storm to stop - and it did! Flailing about to calm in less than a second.

   Another storm on the lake, again flailing about, when they see something strange in the distance. As it got closer, Jesus is just strolling along towards them.  Wind & rain pulling at your hair and clothes, ropes from the sail hitting you in the face, the groans and creaks of the wood as it moves within the structure of the boat, boxes smashing into toes as they are unleashed from the ropes that held them there in calmer weather..... and Jesus is just strolling past them.  Peter called out to Jesus, and Jesus  encouraged him to walk on over to him.

    Have you ever wondered if Peter thought twice about it, or just was so in awe that Jesus was walking in calmness that he wanted the same thing?

   Peter got out and started walking in this storm on the lake, not seeming to think about it for at least a few steps.  Yet, as soon as he thinks about it, realizing the utter contrariness of the situation, he starts to sink and asks for Jesus' help.  We have all been in that state - for instance, learning how to walk, and then watching a young child walk  - nearly the same (without the storm).  Until you get your head around the fact you are actually walking, all is fine.  It's the FEAR of walking on your own, without holding someone's hand that gets to us.  Jesus was right there, just like our parents or other reliable people were with us.

   Jesus was right there!

   Jesus was right there!

   Jesus was and is right there!

   Peter desired that calmness, that inner Joy that Jesus had within him more than sinking in a boat on the lake. He KNEW that the joy of following whatever Jesus had planned was SO much more than what was behind him.  Think about it - for the rest of their lives, who would have regretted that situation the most? Peter, who got out and followed, walking on the water? Or the other disciples, 'safely' back in a boat that was having a tough time of it in the storm?

   If God is asking us to do something, even before the storms of life, what is making us so hesitant?

  Jesus is right there!  Let's start 'practicing' our steps with him, our faith IN him to trust and walk in the path he is calling you to so that in the storms that will come (and they will!), we can get out of the boat, walk to him with confidence or call to the storm to obey, because Jesus is right there.