9.29.2009

The replacement of my shortcomings

Erzsébet Csabák alias Böbe

I mentioned our new staff member working at our camp team in one of my earlier entries. Even though I still owe you the "older" staff member's too - here is Böbe's testimony, how God directed her back here among us (she graduated 3 years ago at our Bible School), to Word of Life. I also have a strong connection with her: There isn't a day passing by without me having stomachache by night from laughing so much. :D We are a great team - to entertain each other! ;) We were quite mischievous in school too - since we were sitting together -, but you don't know about that! ;)

"My plan: I wanted to go work in a foreign country this summer, so that I would have enough money to finish my last year at school (Baptist Seminary). But no matter where and how I tried, I was facing closed doors.

God's plan: Since my summer ended up being free, I undertook 5 weeks of ministry at Tóalmás as a unit leader. I heard Laci's announcement: He would like to see one or two volunteers at the camp team for the coming year. When I first heard it I thought to myself: "This is for sure not for me. Here we have a lot of skillful young people, so for sure it's not for me." So I didn't even think about it.

After 1 or 2 weeks, Laci asked the question specifically from me at breakfast. Since he was looking straight into my eyes I had to believe he is asking me. I was very surprised and it stirred me up, because I thought I would be the last one they would ask to serve here. So all I asked is that we would pray for it.

The fight started in me. I was praying for weeks, but I started to like the thought of serving here more and more. I'm doing my last year at school and the required ministry is 4 months, that was one of the reasons I was willing to say yes. I asked my parents and my pastor, and after they all gave their blessings :), we sat down to talk about the details. I want to be an effective part of the camp team and to bear fruits to His glory and to build others up. So please pray for this when you are reminded of me! :)"

The new "hairstyle" of the castle

Someone who didn't want to name himself or herself gave an offering to our organization with a specific purpose. Using this gift, we started the entire replacement of the roof in June and also in September they started the modernization of the heat system. We are not taking baths in milk and honey, but in dust, though we do look forward the glorious future: "dry" rainy season and "lovely, warm" winter. : ) Maybe those of you who have been to Tóalmás before ask the question: "what about the greenhouse?". Will not be renovated yet. But hopefully soon! Till then, enjoy the pictures made of the process.

September 17 - 18

2 days, a lot going on, plenty of reasons for praises...

1. Street evangelism

Every year, the first couses at the Bible School are Personal Evangelism and Street Evangelism (I had the privilege of translating at the latter one), after which we go on the streets for 2 days. This year 210 people heard the gospel through personal conversations and 10 of them - at Nyugati's underground and at Blaha - trusted God as their personal Savior! To God be the glory!!! This year I was mainly translating for our international students and interns, but I also had a long conversation - in Hungarian. Praise the Lord, that He saves, and convicts people with love to salvation. How longsuffering our God is!

2. Last shots :)

I've got everything in me! Health-wise I'm ready to conquer Africa! :D God is so good!!! The last ones were given to me at the Health Department in Budapest. I called another international injection-center before. They would have made me pay as much for 1 shot and the required counseling as I had to pay for the 3 altogether. (Side note: If anyone is planing on going to Africa, I would love to give you advice how to prepare!)


3. Friends - in focus: Rita

I spent the 2 days inbetween evangelism at her place! While we were at Bible School, the deepest spiritual relationship developed between us. We met every day for half an hour to share our joy, struggles and most importantly to pray for each other! Even though we graduated 3 years ago and we can rarely send e-mails to each other, and meet even fewer times, whenever we do meet, we continuie from the exact place we "ended" the last time. I'm so thankful for her, because she is not only my friend, but as a missionary (CEF) she is also my supporter!

9.24.2009

Bits of August - in pictures

Home

Four of my cousins visited us on a Friday. We had a blast! :D We acted out the story of the Good Samaritan (I played the part of the ambulance), we drew an invitation for a show, which devolved into a "marketing-slogan writing" campaign. (Kids these days... :D ) We stuffed ourselves (since we are still in growth), and by the end of the day we - or rather "I" - managed to wind up exhausted.



This picture was taken by the youngest guy, Márk. We couldn't pry the camera out of his hands. I think he was on to something... :) Then there's Ádám and the kisses... :D The next morning, when Márk got up next to his his grandma, he asked: "Are we going to Éva's house today, too? (Éva being my mother)




Márk, as he is being " creative"... (By the way, he is drawing a fish inside a fish - eating was a constant topic, even outside the kitchen. :)







Doctor

Just a few words about my current state: Skin turgor - Normal. Pharynx - Not inflamed. Contractile tissues - Healthy. AHDL-C: 1.9 mmol/L. Clean lungs. Regular hila. Isoelectric ST-divisions, positive T-waves. But I do have an iron-deficiency. But I knew that already, it wasn't a surprise, I got medicine for it.


The other great adventure was getting my shots. So I have the solvents of two preventative injections flowing through my veins: Typherix (for typhoid) and the first two of the combined shot series for Hepatitis A and B. Because of my rapidly changing geographic coordinates, every shot was given by a different person, and that won't change any time soon. :) I have about 5 shots to go. Pictured is the official documentation, as well as the long-long list of side-effects. :D But thanks be to God, I didn't have any of those, except feeling that my arm was a lot heavier that day. :)

These doctor's appointments and trips gave me many opportunities to tell me what I am getting ready to do, and especially to tell them why. I had to be quick and concise each time, but may God grant that the planted seeds come alive in these people.

Since September 5th I have been breathing Tóalmás' air, preparing music for the opening weekend of the Bible School, trying to make up all the e-mails that have collected in my inbox. I am also slowly teaching Böbe (Erzsébet Csabák), our new camp staffmember, how to do my job, so that by the time I leave, she will hopefully not be faced with too many surprises. But I will tell you more about the start of this year later... :)