Pig fat and prayer

It's been a marathon of activity here, but what a joy it is to see God working!  Gary has been assisting with a Grain Game Bible camp in Karcag, where he's had the opportunity to provide simple inductive Bible study for some of the older kids.  Some very serious conversations have been taking place!  Pray that these young men will open their hearts to the Lord as they look into His Word.

And tonight after camp is over for the day there will be a cookout -- the Hungarian delicacy of pig fat roasted on a stick over an open fire, with the tasty drippings drizzled over thick hunks of bread topped with slices of onion, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.  Along with food for the body will come some food for the soul.

Pray for Grain Game's Chip Riley and for Gary as they tell the story of how God orchestrated "random" people and events to kick off the crazy, creative wonderfulness that is the Grain Game - Bible teaching for kids unforgettably illustrated through active games, demonstrations, lots of water, shaving cream, balloons and more.  In addition to the Bible truths explored throughout the day, the gospel message will be shared very plainly tonight at the cookout with the campers, family members and friends who come, so pray with us that hearts will be open to receive the message. Pray that nothing--including rain, which caused the postponement of this event last night--will stand in the way of decisions for Christ!

Pentecost Monday outing to Hollókő

Young couple in native costume in the village

This is a photo from our Pentecost Monday (June 5) outing to Hollókő castle and historic village, up in northern Hungary.  Our full photo album is here if you'd like to see more.

We had already visited there last year as a part of cultural re-entry after being in the US for 10 months, but a group from the Karcag Baptist Church circle were going for the holiday and we went with them. It was a beautiful, bonding day with our friends,  leaving super-early to meet them in Karcag, going on from there on a chartered bus.

The folks at Hollókő were doing a lot of re-enactments in full costume, very dramatic. In the morning there was a ceremony welcoming all of us to the castle..."you came as free men, you may depart in peace as free men!"  (I was glad to hear that.)

There were some pretty warlike confrontations on the village streets between marauding bands of warriors from different parts of Hungary, as well as some Turks. One squabble was over some captive maidens, but after threatening speeches, saber rattling, guns fired into the air, and double-dog-daring to meet later by the castle gate, it all turned out OK.

Hungarian history is very long and interesting -- often tragic -- and learning more about it helps us to better understand the people we live among and minister to.  

Pray with us that God will move in a mighty way in Hungary, showing the people that He loves them and has had a purpose for them since the beginning of time; ask that they will turn to Him with all their hearts.

Feature story on Hungary from CNN

If you're thinking of coming to visit us, or if you already have and would enjoy the memories...here's a CNN feature story on 11 things to know before visiting Hungary.  Very interesting!

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St. Stephen's Day and the Flower Carnival

Yes, we're still here...I've just been busy (or procrastinating?) and haven't posted in a while.

Today is a really important holiday in Hungary--St. Stephen's Day.  It commemorates the founding of the Hungarian state in 1000 A.D. by the first king of Hungary, King Stephen.  His name in Hungarian is "Istvan" [EESHT-vahn].  Here are a couple of pictures I took of some of the people in the parade in traditional Hungarian dress:

          



Here are some little flag twirlers:



And some people from an Italian drill team (people come from a lot of countries to participate in the Flower Carnival here in Debrecen):




Finally, here's a little video I took of parts of the parade:

Hungary was founded as a Christian nation way back in 1000 AD, but to most people it is simply a cultural Christianity and not something that touches their everyday lives. Please pray that the people will come to realize that a Christian
heritage cannot take the place of a personal relationship with Christ,
and that Hungarian believers will take this opportunity to share their
faith with those around them. Pray that Hungary will become a country
that is not only culturally Christian, but also known as a place where
the Lord is truly honored in the hearts and lives of the people.

 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:12a).