February 2012

Breaking Through the Ice...

Recently I was in downtown Budapest and was able to stop and take a few “cool” pictures of the Danube River. This is one of my favorites. What made it interesting was the ice flow that was making its way down the river. It hasn’t been cold enough here in Hungary for many years to cause the Danube to freeze like this. Specially-outfitted boats were brought in to break the ice and allow for normal river traffic to resume.

It reminded me of the way that ministry has to be done many times here in Central Europe. Sometimes it seems as though the message that is being proclaimed is not “moving” people at all and that their hearts are frozen in place, but we know that God’s Word is powerful and can change lives by breaking through the hardest of hearts. The method, person, or opportunity that He will use to break through the ice with people is not always known ahead of time. Our responsibility is to be faithful presenters of the Gospel, knowing that God’s timing is perfect in every situation. Please pray for continued opportunities to share.

Hungary’s National Airline Goes Out of Business...

On February 3^rd the Hungarian national airline, Malev, closed its doors after 66 years of service. More than 7,000 passengers were stranded in various countries as the airline ceased operations abruptly at 6am.

Malev’s plight reflects difficulties being faced by several other European airlines in light of the debt crisis and a likely return to recession in the

Eurozone. Malev was founded in 1946 and had 2,600 employees, most of which are now without a job.

Hungary continues to struggle with poor economical conditions, and currently ranks last among the European Union’s most indebted eastern members. Many of its younger citizens are looking to relocate to other countries because of the poor job market and high unemployment.

Village ministry in Tapolca, Hungary...

It never fails that the Lord brings people into our lives that encourage us in ways we never expected.

Recently, we had the opportunity to reconnect with a friend that helped in the packing of our shipping container back in August of 2010. He has been a part of leading ministry teams to the neighboring country of Romania for many years now.

Earlier this month, he and his team were returning from a week of ministry in Romania and had a couple of days to spend here in Budapest. We took the opportunity to spend a day in the village of Tapolca, Hungary which is about 2 hours from our house. We assisted some missionaries there with their weekly ESL ministry and made some new Hungarian friends as well.

As it turns out, the missionaries in Tapolca were also looking for some help with their summer English camp this July. As our friends checked their calendar, they realized that they will be back in Europe during those weeks and will most likely be able to assist in that ministry opportunity. What a blessing!

Hungary is the world’s most “unhappy” country…

According to portfolio.hu, an online financial journal, the world has become happier since 2007, while Hungarians have become the least happy nation of all. This is according to a new poll conducted by the global research company, IPSOS.

It is citizens in Europe who drag the global average assessment of happiness downward as only one in six (15%) say they are 'very happy’. Nationally, Indonesia scores the happiest out of the 24 countries surveyed with just over half (51%) of citizens reporting they are 'very happy’ followed by India and Mexico at 43% each. Brazil and Turkey tied at 30% each and Australia and the United States each at 28%.

As you can see on the chart above, Hungary’s adult population was found to be the gloomiest of all. Sadly, many Hungarians have turned to the idea that more money is required to find true happiness. Their government has let them down, their religions have disappointed them, and they don’t know where to turn for real meaning in their lives. Please pray for the country of Hungary to see a revival take place and for its citizens to realize that without Christ there is no real peace or joy.