Hungarian Friends Visit Us in Virginia

We have been moving through an eventful and challenging year in the USA. Transitions are not easy, as we left Szeged last summer and have been planning for our new life in Germany, where we arrive in June. But we are thankful to family and many friends with whom we have had extra time in the States this past year. Before we share more of our plans toward Deutschland, we would like to share one of the highlights of the year - the visit of our Hungarian friends to us here in Virginia!

The Mihalecz family - Béla, Bea, and daughter Regina (Regi) - visit was a great joy for us, as they came for 11 days on their first trip out of their homeland. We had such a wonderful time with them here in Central Virginia. We hosted them in our temporary home in Maidens outside Richmond, and we introduced them to many friends in the area, including several events with our Hope Church family. We made a special trip down to Donna's family in Dinwiddie County and enjoyed a visit to Central Baptist Church there as well. Virginia history and culture was important as we made trips to Charlottesville and Williamsburg. See the pics below for better flavor of these special days together!

Szeged-Szőreg Farewell Party

Before leaving Hungary, we had a number of meaningful gatherings with friends. The biggest event was hosted by Béla and Bea at their strawberry farm. In cooperation with several fellowships in the Szeged area, they prepared all sorts of special surprises for us - 4 sets of music, testimonies, Communion, and various gifts to thank us for our ministry partnership over the past 7 years. One of the greatest surprises was Kübekháza Mayor Robi Molnar's gift to us - Honorary Citizenship to their town! Here is just a sampling of the pictures.

The WELCOME SIGN on Béla's gate entrance.

The hosts Béla and Bea in front of their greenhouse. They did a wonderful job organizing and leading the afternoon.

Szilveszter from Zion Church and Mihaly (Mishi) from Cornerstone Church warming up their guitars.

Zion Church Youth Band performing with István's leadership.

Mishi presenting us with a "stamp" souvenir from the Hungarian Railway, where he works.

András and Erzsi shared some special thoughts and memories.

Cornerstone Church gave us this nice plaque remembering our ministry partnership together.

Kübekháza Mayor Robi Molnar shared some encouragement and.....

we got a big surprise - Honorary citizenship to their town of Kübekháza!!

An AMAZING CROSS sign appeared before Communion!

Zion Pastor Botond, New Song Pastor Szabolcs, Cornerstone Leader András led our Communion time together.

There was very special prayer for each of us - here Sarah and Hannah were prayed for.
Most the BIG GROUP all together on the Farm!

Music and Packing!

Each spring there is a county-wide chorus competition, and Sarah's school chorus of 70+ kids participates. They won the Gold this year, with nation-wide recognition! As they waited to perform, I snapped a picture of her with best friend, Reka (to her right) and Pati.

Hannah, too, is developing her music skills. She thought it an appropriate time to learn to play the recorder in the midst of our stressful packing! She's doing quite well with it--and continues to be our little comedian, providing necessary comic relief!

We're thankful for music!

Easter Germany Trip

We had a great trip into the Schwarzwald/Black Forest, Germany, exploring mission partnership and discovering more about the Black Forest Academy, where we would like to send our girls to school in Fall 2011. Gorgeous spring flowers, but cooler temperatures greeted us in the town of Kandern, where we stayed for the week.


The girls met Janna and had fun meeting her two horses when we visited their family outside of Kandern.


Hannah had fun at a pizza party with a couple girls who attend Black Forest Academy.

Sarah met 8 of her future classmates from Black Forest Academy. They had a great time talking, laughing, and sharing with one another.


We enjoyed a meat sandwich in sunny city of Freiburg for Donna's birthday!


Lunch was followed by "After Eight" ice cream--yum!


One of our favorite scenes walking through Kandern.


Riding on the upper deck of the Deutsche Bahn train was exciting as we traveled toward Lake Constance for meetings with Freie evangelische (Free Evangelical) denomination leaders!


Beautiful Swiss town we passed by train on our way along the Rhine River.


Rob with three Free Evangelical pastors/church planting leaders following a great meeting and prayer time.

Laki and Boba's Wedding Weekend!

What a great celebration weekend it was! We are so glad Laki and Boba found one another via the Holy Trinity Church in Novi Sad. We were honored to participate in the services and enjoy the reception events together.
Boba, Laki, and Vujica, age 10.


At the civil ceremony in downtown Novi Sad. Rob standing as "witness" for Laki.



There was lots of posing for pictures in the beautiful park.


The girls and I enjoyed dressing up!


Laki's family: Hungarian father, Bosnian-Serb mother, and accomplished pianist sister, Maja.



Rob, as best man, gives the toast at the restaurant reception. Pastor friend, Rodja, translates into Serbian.

Szeged-Szőregi Friends and Future

We are so thankful for the way we have been able to partner with our friends Béla, Bea, and Regi in their town of Szőreg outside Szeged. Their farmland is becoming "szent föld" ("holy land!"), as God continues to use their witness and outreach in their community. A highlight of the spring was the Easter outreach event in their transformed greenhouse. They had to pull out some of the radishes a little early to make room, but it was "worth the sacrifice," said Béla. We do believe that God is growing a new form of church among our friends!

Similar to their Christmas outreach, over 50 people came out for Easter, including some from Zion Church, various Szőreg neighbors, and other friends who heard about the event. There was great music from the youth band, a skit where Béla drew in the kids, and the message of hope in Jesus was communicated to the visitors. A local baker contributed fresh Hungarian style pretzels as well!

Visit to Novi Sad, Serbia

Early this month I had a good 2-day visit to friends in Novi Sad, staying with Worship Leader Dario at his flat. Here is a pic of Dario and his 4-year old daughter Darija. It was great to spend time with Dario and give support to him and Pastor Nesha, as they seek to grow their church plant in the city. They are trying some innovative ways of reaching young people.

Darija posed for lots of pictures with her little stuffed animal horse!
Dario's dad is also an artist - and interestingly still holds to his Muslim background, but for Dario he painted this picture of Jesus and his 12 disciples by the Danube River, with the famous Novi Sad Fortress in the background.

The next day I went down into the city to meet Laki and Boba for lunch, and we enjoyed a special fish/seafood meal at a favorite restaurant in the city. In 2 months they will have the blessing of becoming husband and wife! I am so glad to see how the Lord is working in Laki's ministry. He continues to be our main contact for helping develop a growing network of church leaders in the region. Also exciting is that Laki and Boba are working together on a Children's Music Club business, in which Boba is teaching young school-aged kids how to sing and perform for festivals in the city.