Sunday: The Wind of the Spirit in Acas

Fourteen years ago, Bonnie worshipped in Acas and Satu Mare for the first time.  Thirteen years, two months ago, I worshipped in Acas and Satu Mare for the first time.  In May 2000, we had Lord’s Supper with the Acas believers.  Today, we were with them again celebrating the Lord’s Supper together.   We were led by their “pastor”, the elder of the church, Dezu.   We were led in a prayer time by two Roma (Gypsy) brothers who presented the truth of following Jesus Christ with power and personal testimony. 

The church was full.  Since Christmas the Spirit of God has swept across Acas.   In our last Teleios Newsletter we shared that 76 new believers had been baptized given Bibles by Teleios partners.  What is amazing is that the church was full but many of the church members were working in Hungary, Germany, and other European countries as migrant workers.   Bonnie and I rejoiced with tears as we saw the building full and the new wing of the church under construction.  When winter comes, everyone will come home and the church will not be large enough for just the members—what about their families, the friends, and those coming from other villages to hear the Gospel and worship with them.   What is even greater news is that the Gypsies themselves did the work on the new wing foundation.  

If ever there is an example of the transforming power of the Spirit of God in Jesus Christ it is in Acas.   In October, they will celebrate twenty years since the first Gypsy was baptized.   This mission of the Hungarian Baptist Church of Satu Mare has been challenging and “down right” difficult at times.   The Satu Mare church has been faithful and sacrificial in their God-given mission in Acas.   

To the countless Teleios partners who have ministered at Acas, prayed for Acas, and supported the ministry in Acas, may God richly bless you because your labor of love, faith, and hope was not in vain.  May you find great joy and strength in faith by reading and seeing the work of the Spirit of our Lord in Acas.   Acas worship can really only be experienced not described. 

The Acas church is putting the finishing touches on a social hall for discipleship classes, weddings, conferences, etc.  Before now, everything was done outside.   The members of Acas did the work themselves.   They are not ones to sit and let others do the work.  They are givers and hard workers in the Gospel.   They have started a new mission in a near by village of Ratesti.  A small “lean to” building is used for worship.   

Acas does have some needs.   They will need a heating system for building with the new addition.  Land is needed for building a small chapel in Ratesti.   (The lean to was needed because the place they rented for worship was sold).  

At least five years ago, Zoltan and Elizabeth Vekas and Bonnie and I stood in front of the Acas church.  Across the street was a new building that was suppose to be a bar had gone up for sale.  They began to pray for the building.   A pastor in Acas would need a place to live.   Since that time Zoltan has passed away, but Elisabeth, Bonnie, and I stood looking the building still for sale.  Now the price has dropped almost in half.   We prayed again.   Who knows, maybe soon, Dezu and family will have a house of their own. 

Bonnie and I were late for lunch with the Nagy-Kasta family at the Vekas “Pensuine”.   They are a special family to us.   They have been such a blessing to Bonnie and I over the years.  They have helped us out in so many ways—sharing meals, ministry, and great times together.   We will see Oti and Julia on Tuesday (they are helping with the Gypsy Children’s Camp this week) and Zsolt and Reni on Thursday (they are giving us a ride back to Budapest).   As always, Elizabeth and Blanka had a great meal prepared.    

In the evening we worshipped with our “home” church of Satu Mare.   The first church that I worshipped with in Romania in May 2000.   What a blessing to return to our roots to be with our family again.   To hear the choir again was such a blessing.    Bonnie shared her and I spoke during the service.   Satu Mare is a model mission church—a mother to many missions and churches.   Now, seeking to help its grandchild, Ratesti Gypsy church, be born. 

What a great day.