Unsettling times call for renewed trust, fervent prayer

The International Mission Board is in the news, as our leaders announced a plan this week to deal with revenue shortfalls and "reset" the organization.  “We must get to a healthy place in the present in order to be in a healthy position for the future,”  IMB President David Platt said. “We want to move forward with innovative vision, wise stewardship, and high accountability to the churches we serve, the peoples we reach, and the God we worship."

The reality of the situation requires that we reduce the number of missionaries and staff by up to 15%.  One part of the plan will be voluntary retirement incentives.  We don't yet know exactly how all of this will affect us and our colleagues, but major changes are in the works.  Pray with us as IMB personnel and for the organization as a whole, that we will be very sensitive and obedient to how the Lord leads in this process, that He will be glorified and the Gospel will go forth stronger than ever.  (More details are in the IMB website article.)

Thank you so much for your support and prayers!

Migrant crisis in Hungary is very real

It was a surreal feeling this Monday as we were passing through the train station and subway areas of Budapest.  These places that are very familiar to us are now like scenes from a refugee camp...we saw men, women and children of all ages lying on blankets packed into every available space.  It was heartbreaking, and we saw before our eyes the enormity of what we've been hearing about in the news.  We realize that there is no quick, easy solution, but we know that God is able to move and to work in this situation as He can in anything that comes up in this world--He is able, and He has a plan. 

Pray for these people, for the governments and leaders involved, and for wisdom from God for all of us as we act in obedience to Him.

The BBC News report on the situation provides a lot of insight into what is happening: Migrant crisis: Hungary station 'feels like a refugee camp'

Here is information in English about an organization of volunteers that was formed to help; some of our colleagues and friends in Budapest are working as volunteers with them:  Migration Aid Website

Heat wave

Fountain in the Püspökladány city center

August is blazing hot here, with heat exhaustion warnings out on the local news; TV stations are showing video of kids playing in city-center fountains around the area.  Normally the police would chase them out of the water, but when the temperature reaches certain levels the rules are relaxed!

Ice cream venders are staying busy

Most people don't have air-conditioning, and many don't even have electric fans, so a lot of people are truly suffering.  Pray for relief, especially for the elderly, the very young, and those with medical conditions. Also pray that tempers will not flare and aggravate family problems and abuse, which are unfortunately common even in cooler weather.

On a more pleasant note, ice cream sales are doing fine!