Life of LoveFall 2003 Issue 3 |
Andris and Angie Bartos Ministry Update
Word of Life Hungary Quarterly Newsletter |
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Life of Love Fall 2003 Issue 3 |
Andris and Angie Bartos Ministry Update
Word of Life Hungary Quarterly Newsletter |
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Praise and Prayer ~ Praise the Lord for each of the Bible Clubs meeting in Hungary, and especially for the ministries in Tóalmás and Csobánka. ~ Pray for the leadership of the Tóalmás Club and especially for Andris as he heads up that team. ~ Pray for the club in Csobánka, for more leaders, and for the various challenges faced in ministering to the young men there. ~ Praise the Lord that Desző is able to attend the Bible School and pray for his continued growth. ~ Praise the Lord that we were able to move into a house in September. ~ Praise the Lord that we will be able to spend Thanksgiving with Angie’s family as we travel to the States for the wedding of Brenda Sprankle, a good friend and fellow missionary to Hungary. ~ Pray for the upcoming events listed to the right. **** In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 **** |
Tóalmás and Csobánka...
As the school year got underway in Hungary, Bible Clubs resumed across the country. We are the new leaders of the local club here in Tóalmás, which began in mid-October. In addition, a brand new club started in a village north of Budapest called Csobánka.For the past couple of months, Andris has spent his Saturday evenings in the village of Csobánka working among the gypsy youth. It is not uncommon for gypsy girls to marry and start a family between the ages of 13 and 15. As a result, this Bible club consists solely of guys. Another issue is that in their desire to rush through school to get a job quickly, most of them have neglected their studies and struggle to read at all. Their meeting is held in the church, which is one room with no heat rented from a lady in the village who is trying to sell it. The group contains some very talented musicians and a committed leader who goes by the nickname Moses. Please pray that God would raise up a few more committed club leaders for this group. 
Andris is heading up a great leadership team for the Tóalmás club. Apart from us, there are four Bible School students helping lead the club. Our first meeting of the year we were glad to see most of the kids from last year return. We had an enthusiastic opening meeting. The kids had fun singing songs and playing active games. Attila Bán, the director of the Club ministry in Hungary, gave his testimony. Our next meeting was a very special meeting for them. Since our second meeting fell on October 23, which is one of Hungary’s most important national holidays, we were not sure how many kids would be able to attend. For that reason we planned a more relaxed meeting, which was greatly enjoyed by all. We were glad to see many of the club kids make it to that meeting, despite the national holiday. Next week will be special for Andris, because it will be the first time that he will be teaching them. Please pray that more kids would come to the club, and that our regular attendees would grow in their relationship with God.A Tale of Two Pauls... On October 24 we woke to a snow covered village. It stayed cold enough all day to keep most of it from melting. Our 13 year old neighbor built a two foot snowman which lasted for a few days. That was all it took for us to break out some Christmas music. The public schools were in the midst of fall break. The previous day is a major holiday here in Hungary. We celebrate the 1956 revolution against the Communist government, an event that some of you remember seeing in the news. At Presidential Chapel that week Al Konya had spoken about Pál (in English, Paul) Malítér, one of the heros of the ’56 Revolution. On October 23, 1956 a peaceful demonstration was organized by college students seeking some government reforms. Malítér, commander of the Hungarian army, was ordered to open fire on the unarmed crowd. Malítér instead joined the crowd and led them in a bloody battle against an oppressive government. The Hungarian army joined by college students and working men, greatly outnumbered and lacking sufficient ammunition, fought the good fight. Until reinforcements arrived from Moscow, it looked like they would be victorious. But from the moment Malítér was forced to make the decision to fire upon the crowd or to lead them into battle, he knew that the latter would end in defeat. Still he made what he knew to be the right decision, regardless of the outcome. And in-so-doing Malíter, who was later executed, won the hearts of the Hungarian people. Al Konya made the comparison between this “Paul” and another Paul, who in a prison cell not long before his own death, wrote an encouraging letter to his friend, Timothy. From his chains Paul wrote that we should, “endure hardship… like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 2:4) I am utterly impressed with this man and the many believers throughout history and even today, who are faced with the decision to serve Christ or to die. I pray that I never have to make such a decision; moreover, I pray that if I ever do, that I will make the right decision. And I pray that when I come to die, I will be able to say, along with the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Timothy 4:7) Meet Dezső Juhász... 
For years Dezsô has been coming faithfully to our summer camp to learn and play basketball. He is known by all the campers for his famous slam dunk. Through the years a friendship has formed between him and some members of the teams coming from the states to teach English and coach sports in the camp. He received Christ as his savior in our camp and gave his life fully to the Lord. Circumstances in his family caused him to have to grow up fast. He really wanted to come to our Bible School but he didn’t have the finances to do so. But God was faithful to him and provided a supporter so he would be able to attend the Bible School. Now Dezso is here studying the Word of God and preparing for ministry. It is just so amazing to see how God works in people’s life, opening and closing doors.Upcoming Events... December 6... Counselor / Helper Day (An appreciation gathering for our Summer Camp volunteers) December 13... Staff Christmas Party December 13... Students depart for Winter Break January 11... Students return from Winter Break January 16-18... Missions Conference |