Hungary team report

The Hope team with the George Family, The Repic family (Novi Sad, Serbia) and the Mihalecz family (Szoreg, Hungary)

April 20, we returned from a fantastic week in Szoreg, Hungary.   Jay, Dave, Wes and I flew over the previous Friday and met the George family (Rob, Donna, Hannah and Sarah) there.   The Georges lived for seven years in Hungary and, after an 8 month stint back in Richmond, moved to Germany, where they continue to do great work furthering Christ’s kingdom there. We flew into Budapest, drove ~2 hours to Szeged, a small, beautiful city near the Serbian border. We spent Saturday and Sunday seeing the city, visiting with friends of the George family and attending the service of their church, Scion, while in Hungary.

On Sunday evening, we drove to Szoreg, a small village 20 minutes outside of Szeged.   We went to a farm managed by the Mihalecz family, Bela, Bea and their daughter, Regi.   To say that they are a wonderful family that truly lives with Jesus at the center of their lives is an understatement…

The main crop that Bela grows is strawberries.   He and Bea sell that and other fruits and vegetables in the small store that they operate next to their home.   People come not only to buy fruit and vegetables, but also to talk to Bea andor Bela.   They truly have a gift for relating to everyone that comes to see them, telling them about the Good News that can be theirs!

Their Bible studymeets every week at their house.   They also have regular outreach worship services, where they invite people from their church and other friends & family, and people from their village who are not believers, but are intrigued by the amazing things going on there.

A big part of their ministry vision is converting the green house (that currently contains about 1/5 of their strawberry crop) into a church, where they can comfortably worship and study the Bible.    Our effort during the week was focused on this mission, building brick walls and installing windows.

The construction part of the trip was great and, in addition to having a lot of fun working together, we accomplished a lot (click for pictures).   But the fellowship during our brief stay was unbelievable.   The 4 of us bonded significantly during the week, but we also forged a strong relationship with Rob, Donna and their amazing daughters, Sarah and Hannah.   And we are forever changed by being around Bela, Bea and Regi – they are amazing.   I have never seen people who better demonstrate furthering God’s kingdom before their own in every aspect of their lives.   Their house is filled with humbleness and a love for Jesus Christ.

Bela told us that he has at times felt alone in their efforts to further Jesus Christ in the lives of fellow Hungarians.    I told him that he should never feel alone, he has an army of friends and family praying for them here in America.   So thanks for all of your support!

The Art of Welcoming

Hope Church supports several families and individuals who serve the Kingdom in a variety of ways and in a variety of places.   We love and respect these brothers and sisters dearly, and especially recognize the sacrifice they make to live in a country other than their home, leaving family, friends and churches behind.   So when they do get to come home, even for a short time, it’s a privilege to shower them with love while they are here.   This spring and summer we get to welcome 2 families and 2 individuals home for a brief rest and time to reconnect with family and friends.    C & L (E. Asia)  will be home with their 3 small children from May 6-August 14, the George family (Germany)  from June 7-July18, Karen Carr (Ghana, W. Africa)  and Darlene Jerome (Ghana, W. Africa)  from early May through August.

It’s important that they ‘feel the love’ while they are here!  And you can be a part of welcoming them home.  How, you ask?  Well we have asked them and here are some ideas below.

1)  Invite them over!  Your small group, Bible Study or play group would be a great way to introduce them to new friends at Hope. If you’d like some ideas on how to get your group involved, there’s a list of individuals and local ministries that you can invite at Up Close and Personal.

2)  We’ll be collecting gift cards and gifts in a box at the Welcome Desk.  If the gift is for a specific person please note that.

1 mini-van on loan for C & L

1 vehicle for Georges in June

Toys:  (Cars, Carz2, Thomas the Train)

Diapers (7 mos.)
Exersaucer

Gift cards:

• Gas
• Chuck E Cheese, family restaurants
• Children’s Museum
• Kangeroo Jacks
• Hair salons
• Blockbuster
• Date nights – gift cards to area restaurants
• Blockbuster
• Nail salon
• WalMart, Target, etc.
• Drug stores
• ITunes
• Putt putt golf, bowling, etc.
• Movie tickets
• Video games
• Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens
• cell phones

Embrace the Streets!

Can you take a long lunch on Thursday, March 22?   This is a great way to spend it!  Last month I went with a friend, to get an idea of the new things going on at Embrace Richmond and was I impressed!  Not only are they seeing community leaders developed and discipled in Hillside Court, but now they are setting their eyes on a Northside neighborhood, Brookland Park.   Come on out and learn what is really happening in Richmond and how you can be a part of the change!

Nancy Friesen (World Impact leader)

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Embrace Richmond is a faith-based non-profit organization addressing issues of concern from a Christian perspective. Embrace Richmond grew out of a homeless woman’s desire to give back and they continue to foster this “pay it forward” philosophy in everything we do. Their mission is to strengthen under-resourced communities by empowering neighbors to help one another.

Want to learn more about Embrace Richmond?

Join us for the “Embrace the Streets Tour”

Date: March 22, 2012

Time: Noon-3:00PM

Location: 3400 Brook Road

(On the campus of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond)

Virginia Hall Building – foyer

Itinerary

12:00 – 12:30– Welcome and Embrace Richmond Overview

12:30-2:15 – Driving tour of the Northside then Lunch, fellowship and team overviews in Hillside Court

2:30 – 3:00 – Closing session back at Embrace Richmond offices

For more information contact Nancy Friesen at worldimpact@hopecentral.com or RSVP to Susan Carminucci at susan@embracerichmond.org or (804)204-1240

What Are Others Saying About The Tour?

“If you live in metropolitan Richmond and have had a desire to see the hands and feet of Christ at work this tour is not optional for you. God’s greater Spirit awaits you and wishes to show you something through Embrace the Streets. A gift to you, should you choose to accept it, and our collective good is at stake! What will you do about it?” Logan Jones, Northminster Church

Short Term Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic

Have you ever considered going on a short-term missions trip?

There will be a meeting this Sunday after the 11:15 service to discuss the opportunity of a trip to the Dominican Republic for a week this summer.

If you are unable to make it, please contact Matt Sanner: matt@pinkminnow.com

A Lesson in Multiplication

Matt Sanner and Ken Hurst just returned from Hato Mayor, DR for a whirlwind weekend of business training.  This is Hope’s second trip with a Business As Mission focus.   Matt and Ken spent hours working with Pastors Rodolfo and Cruz on establishing a business farming “chinolas”, or passion fruit.

This was Matt’s second trip to Hato Mayor, the first being last summer with the Hope summer team which worked in the community of Jalonga. On this most recent trip, he was able to return to Jalonga to visit the church and pastor there… and to receive a lesson in multiplication!

Read Matt’s thoughts, and see his pictures at his blog, Matt Salad.