Ten Days in One Blog
March 3-7
Monday morning began with a trip to Oradea with Zoltan and Elisabeth. I taught 1 & 2 Corinthians at the Hungarian Baptist of Romania Seminary in Oradea. I taught four and half hours on Monday, seven hours on Tuesday, seven hours on Wednesday, four hours on Thursday, and two hours on Friday. Tuesday night was a special time with the students as we had supper together at the Piccolo Restaurant—just around the corner from the seminary. A night at the Piccolo has become a tradition for us. Wednesday night, I spoke at the Young People’s Meeting of the Hungarian Baptist Church of Oradea. I was also able to visit with Zoltan and Elisabeth Vekas who were in town for a HBR convention meeting. Gyula Borzasi and I had a couple of hours together sharing and catching up. Thursday was a full day with teaching. Then I had lunch with Adrian, Ruth, Petra, and Rhode Giorgiov. Ruth is a very good cook and hostess. Adrian and I worked on his new ministry of sponsoring Kenyan orphans and displaced families. His trip to Kenya in November and December led to the development of this ministry. Already he has churches and individuals involved. Bringing together the Hungarian speaking Christians and their Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ for a common ministry partnership is a dream come true for Teleios Ministry. I preached Thursday night at the Oradea church and Rogerius (a new church) in Oradea. Rogerius will enter their first building with a celebration on April 27. Pray for them on this special day.
March 7
Friday, I had a change in plan from traveling by train to Turda to be with the Pusok Family to traveling with Istvan Borzasi to his new church field in Perecei. We visited the site of a new camp for Hungarian Baptists and then to meet Marta (Istvan’s wife) and his daughters. The evening was filled with an evangelistic meeting in Varosolt—a village church. The church was filled with people—sitting in the aisle and coat room area. A wood burning stove had it very warm in the building. The Lord’s presence was evident as we worshipped together. We returned to Istvan’s home for a delicious meal with Marta, Johanna, Tabitha, and Miriam (and Istvan).
March 8
Saturday morning marked a new first for me as I boarded a bus to travel 2.5 hours to Cluj to meet Daniel and Adina Pusok. Actually, my two most vivid experiences were that I slept from Zalau to Cluj (most of the trip) and an older gentleman sat next to me who smelled of Salami. By the time, I arrived in Cluj I was hungry and rested.
Adina is expecting as some of you know—due date in May—a girl. Saturday evening I had a special treat of celebrating Lajos’ 74th birthday with his family. This was a unique experience that was not unlike those of our own culture. His four children and their families came together with cousins going away in a separate room to play. They emerged for snacks and cooling off. Adults were catching up and talking. A lot of food, laughter, and story telling-- It was a great evening. Lajos and his wife will have another big celebration in April—50 years of marriage.
March 9
Sunday was a day of preaching. The morning began at the Turda Hungarian Baptist Church with the 10 AM worship service. The children here are amazing with their knowledge of the Bible and their singing. After lunch, we traveled to Ocna Mures for worship at 4 PM and to visit a church leader who was ill from a stroke. Daniel anticipated eight people but twelve were there. We then traveled to Iernut for an evangelistic meeting at 6 PM. During the worship service, several first time visitors came to the church—some of them Romanian. So we had preaching in English and Hungarian with a brief summary in Romania. The evening worship was followed by a fellowship time together. A group of young people from Tirgu Mures church gave testimonies and sang. Otto Suzcs, a former seminary student that I taught, is missionary in residence at the church. His wife is a medical student in Tirgu Mures. He and I share a common love for knives. His father-in-law makes them. Also, a friend of his from his home area makes knives. I am now the proud owner of two new, deer antler, knives—they are really pretty—sharp!
March 10
Daniel and I rested on Monday with another first for me. Daniel learned to play golf while studying in England last year. So we hit the links (only golf course that I have ever seen in Romania). I must say that it was one of the most beautiful settings that I have experienced playing golf. Snow covered mountains and beautiful valleys. The golf course was a little wet from snow melts. We visited an old site of Anabaptists from the 16th century. The day was great.
March 11
On Tuesday Daniel and I went to the Agape Hotel in Aghires near Zalau for the Barnabas Group Meeting. A group of 20 young pastors meet twice a year for leadership development and fellowship. The group was organized by Istvan Gergley, President of the HBCR, and Joseph Kovacs, General Secretary of the HBCR. Here I led a discussion on “Who Is God Today?” and “What this means in my life and ministry?” In the evening, Magdi (Pap) and Arpi Suto picked me up and we had dinner together in their new home. They are very active in their church in Zalau and also in the Salaj district churches. Magdi is enjoying her work as a social worker for a local hospital and medical care. The Agape provides accommodations for the pastors. They cover the cost of their meals. Teleios Ministry is a partner with the Agape and the Hungarian Baptist Convention of Romania (HBCR) in the providing the conference. The pastors decided to contribute to the Agape by splitting wood needed for heating the hotel and the hot water.
March 12
Wednesday, Attila Toth and I left the Agape for Reghin where I will spend the remainder of my time. Attila’s mother traveled with us to provide “support” and to spend some time with her oldest son in his mission work. She is an excellent host but prepares a lot of good food. We arrived in time for the Gornesti church meeting at 6 PM. We were joined by a group from England who work with Istvan Borzasi in church planting. The church filled with Hungarians and Gypsy. After the worship there was a surprise of desserts. The people are so kind, loving, and giving.
March 13
Thursday provided a relaxed morning. In the evening we traveled to Apalina for the gypsy mission work. We visited with my friend, Denes (pronounced “Danish”) and his family. Then, we walked together to the church meeting for the first of three evangelistic meetings. The house was filled with people. The Spirit of the Lord was evident as we sang, prayed, and preached. Three of the gypsies prayed to follow Jesus. One thing that would be strange to most of Americans is that they prayed out loud. They confessed their sins—out loud in prayer. One man had quite a list. The joy was to see all the gypsies who had become believers over the past months. There was only one believer when we visited in October. Now, there are about ten. Claudia, a young lady, featured in one of our newsletters with Bonnie was so excited by her discoveries while reading the Bible. Worshipping with the Apalina gypsies was such a meaningful experience. Seeing God at work with life changing power is a great encouragement.
March 14
Friday we talked about the mission work in the area. Then, we visited the newest mission effort in Dubravioara, a village close to Gornesti. Attila and I visited about 4 PM and there were four who came. It was a little early and the people were still working. We left there to worship with the gypsies at Zozo’s house in Gornesti. In July 2007, Zozo was baptized. At his baptism, his family made decisions to follow Jesus Christ. Now their home is the center of a movement of God in the area. Every member of the family from grandmother to youngest son is believers. Last night, almost 40 people gathered in their home for worship. Joyful singing, passionate prayer, loving fellowship, and testimonies marked the worship time. After the worship, the family surprised us with a feast of cabbage rolls, smoked sausage, wiener schnitzel, fresh fruit, and homemade desserts. It was a great time of Christian fellowship. What was all the more enjoyable was knowing that one year ago there was none of this.
Monday morning began with a trip to Oradea with Zoltan and Elisabeth. I taught 1 & 2 Corinthians at the Hungarian Baptist of Romania Seminary in Oradea. I taught four and half hours on Monday, seven hours on Tuesday, seven hours on Wednesday, four hours on Thursday, and two hours on Friday. Tuesday night was a special time with the students as we had supper together at the Piccolo Restaurant—just around the corner from the seminary. A night at the Piccolo has become a tradition for us. Wednesday night, I spoke at the Young People’s Meeting of the Hungarian Baptist Church of Oradea. I was also able to visit with Zoltan and Elisabeth Vekas who were in town for a HBR convention meeting. Gyula Borzasi and I had a couple of hours together sharing and catching up. Thursday was a full day with teaching. Then I had lunch with Adrian, Ruth, Petra, and Rhode Giorgiov. Ruth is a very good cook and hostess. Adrian and I worked on his new ministry of sponsoring Kenyan orphans and displaced families. His trip to Kenya in November and December led to the development of this ministry. Already he has churches and individuals involved. Bringing together the Hungarian speaking Christians and their Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ for a common ministry partnership is a dream come true for Teleios Ministry. I preached Thursday night at the Oradea church and Rogerius (a new church) in Oradea. Rogerius will enter their first building with a celebration on April 27. Pray for them on this special day.
March 7
Friday, I had a change in plan from traveling by train to Turda to be with the Pusok Family to traveling with Istvan Borzasi to his new church field in Perecei. We visited the site of a new camp for Hungarian Baptists and then to meet Marta (Istvan’s wife) and his daughters. The evening was filled with an evangelistic meeting in Varosolt—a village church. The church was filled with people—sitting in the aisle and coat room area. A wood burning stove had it very warm in the building. The Lord’s presence was evident as we worshipped together. We returned to Istvan’s home for a delicious meal with Marta, Johanna, Tabitha, and Miriam (and Istvan).
March 8
Saturday morning marked a new first for me as I boarded a bus to travel 2.5 hours to Cluj to meet Daniel and Adina Pusok. Actually, my two most vivid experiences were that I slept from Zalau to Cluj (most of the trip) and an older gentleman sat next to me who smelled of Salami. By the time, I arrived in Cluj I was hungry and rested.
Adina is expecting as some of you know—due date in May—a girl. Saturday evening I had a special treat of celebrating Lajos’ 74th birthday with his family. This was a unique experience that was not unlike those of our own culture. His four children and their families came together with cousins going away in a separate room to play. They emerged for snacks and cooling off. Adults were catching up and talking. A lot of food, laughter, and story telling-- It was a great evening. Lajos and his wife will have another big celebration in April—50 years of marriage.
March 9
Sunday was a day of preaching. The morning began at the Turda Hungarian Baptist Church with the 10 AM worship service. The children here are amazing with their knowledge of the Bible and their singing. After lunch, we traveled to Ocna Mures for worship at 4 PM and to visit a church leader who was ill from a stroke. Daniel anticipated eight people but twelve were there. We then traveled to Iernut for an evangelistic meeting at 6 PM. During the worship service, several first time visitors came to the church—some of them Romanian. So we had preaching in English and Hungarian with a brief summary in Romania. The evening worship was followed by a fellowship time together. A group of young people from Tirgu Mures church gave testimonies and sang. Otto Suzcs, a former seminary student that I taught, is missionary in residence at the church. His wife is a medical student in Tirgu Mures. He and I share a common love for knives. His father-in-law makes them. Also, a friend of his from his home area makes knives. I am now the proud owner of two new, deer antler, knives—they are really pretty—sharp!
March 10
Daniel and I rested on Monday with another first for me. Daniel learned to play golf while studying in England last year. So we hit the links (only golf course that I have ever seen in Romania). I must say that it was one of the most beautiful settings that I have experienced playing golf. Snow covered mountains and beautiful valleys. The golf course was a little wet from snow melts. We visited an old site of Anabaptists from the 16th century. The day was great.
March 11
On Tuesday Daniel and I went to the Agape Hotel in Aghires near Zalau for the Barnabas Group Meeting. A group of 20 young pastors meet twice a year for leadership development and fellowship. The group was organized by Istvan Gergley, President of the HBCR, and Joseph Kovacs, General Secretary of the HBCR. Here I led a discussion on “Who Is God Today?” and “What this means in my life and ministry?” In the evening, Magdi (Pap) and Arpi Suto picked me up and we had dinner together in their new home. They are very active in their church in Zalau and also in the Salaj district churches. Magdi is enjoying her work as a social worker for a local hospital and medical care. The Agape provides accommodations for the pastors. They cover the cost of their meals. Teleios Ministry is a partner with the Agape and the Hungarian Baptist Convention of Romania (HBCR) in the providing the conference. The pastors decided to contribute to the Agape by splitting wood needed for heating the hotel and the hot water.
March 12
Wednesday, Attila Toth and I left the Agape for Reghin where I will spend the remainder of my time. Attila’s mother traveled with us to provide “support” and to spend some time with her oldest son in his mission work. She is an excellent host but prepares a lot of good food. We arrived in time for the Gornesti church meeting at 6 PM. We were joined by a group from England who work with Istvan Borzasi in church planting. The church filled with Hungarians and Gypsy. After the worship there was a surprise of desserts. The people are so kind, loving, and giving.
March 13
Thursday provided a relaxed morning. In the evening we traveled to Apalina for the gypsy mission work. We visited with my friend, Denes (pronounced “Danish”) and his family. Then, we walked together to the church meeting for the first of three evangelistic meetings. The house was filled with people. The Spirit of the Lord was evident as we sang, prayed, and preached. Three of the gypsies prayed to follow Jesus. One thing that would be strange to most of Americans is that they prayed out loud. They confessed their sins—out loud in prayer. One man had quite a list. The joy was to see all the gypsies who had become believers over the past months. There was only one believer when we visited in October. Now, there are about ten. Claudia, a young lady, featured in one of our newsletters with Bonnie was so excited by her discoveries while reading the Bible. Worshipping with the Apalina gypsies was such a meaningful experience. Seeing God at work with life changing power is a great encouragement.
March 14
Friday we talked about the mission work in the area. Then, we visited the newest mission effort in Dubravioara, a village close to Gornesti. Attila and I visited about 4 PM and there were four who came. It was a little early and the people were still working. We left there to worship with the gypsies at Zozo’s house in Gornesti. In July 2007, Zozo was baptized. At his baptism, his family made decisions to follow Jesus Christ. Now their home is the center of a movement of God in the area. Every member of the family from grandmother to youngest son is believers. Last night, almost 40 people gathered in their home for worship. Joyful singing, passionate prayer, loving fellowship, and testimonies marked the worship time. After the worship, the family surprised us with a feast of cabbage rolls, smoked sausage, wiener schnitzel, fresh fruit, and homemade desserts. It was a great time of Christian fellowship. What was all the more enjoyable was knowing that one year ago there was none of this.
posted by Becka | 3:01 AM
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