HEART HUNGER FOR HUNGARY

Haywood Baptist Association
2 days ago
3 min read

A team from Haywood Baptist Association has just returned from a mission trip to Hungary. Though we feel physically exhausted, we are spiritually energized. If you have never been on an international mission trip, I would strongly encourage it. Having been to Brazil, India, Albania (twice), Armenia, the Dominican Republic, and now Hungary, I can verify the zeal for the Great Commission that comes from the experience. It can make a difference in you, in your church, and in the lives of those impacted by the Gospel through you. We had participation from Bethel, Calvary Road, Dutch Cove, Victory, and Woodland churches.

On the Lord's Day, we gathered with a church in Nyírbátor--a small town about a 3 hour drive from Hungary's capital, Budapest. The Oasis Church is led by Pastor Zsolt Makra (who also serves two other small churches). All three came together for a joint service--worship with testimony, music, message, and communion. It was a special time with our brothers and sisters. After a delicious meal they served us, we then went across the road to a building the church has "miraculously" acquired and paid for. This gives them an opportunity for a community outreach ministry which they are excited about launching. All they need to purchase are the materials. They will supply the labor to renovate. What would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars here, can be done for approximately $15,000 there. There is no reason why the churches of Haywood Baptist Association could not take up offerings and do this!

During the week, we worked with two public schools teaching them the Bible--a theme based on the Lord's Prayer. The children were so thrilled to have us there. I taught at the Roma (Gypsy) school. Each day we were sharing the Gospel and showing Christ's love--with teachers as well as students. We also took food and gifts to the needy in the community. It was in one house, I was blessed to lead Barbi (pictured here) to Christ. In tears, she asked the Lord to save her. The tears of repentance giving way to the joy of forgiveness!

By the end of the week, some thirty children, one of the teachers, and my translator prayed to receive Christ! On Saturday I was privileged to close the celebration with a Gospel message to perhaps two hundred gathered there, as a young Christian lady, Vivi translated for me.

How many turned to the Lord is not certain, but all the Bibles we had were taken afterward, as well as Gospel pamphlets we brought. In conversation with a number of those attending, I was able to follow up and encourage them to connect with the church. My intention is to get my translator, Emili, to visit with a good church in Miami, Florida where she lives for part of the year. Here is a photo of me teaching, with Emili translating.

There is so much more to tell you; so many more pictures I could show you. Even on the last part of our flight home from Paris, God placed a Muslim named Ibrahim (Abraham) between me and Isaac Brooks. We had a good conversation. I wish I could say he was converted, but at least seeds were sown.