Radio Personalities

Andrew and Christina will be "famous in Hungary" because their voices will be played for Hungarian students who are learning English. One of the guests is a Hungarian who teaches English and recorded their voices for her students. I am kidding them that they will be internationally known. Day four of the camp is now history and an eventful few days it has been. Most of the team is fighting through jet lag and I am so encouraged in the way they are each stepping up to the plate and doing their part. Teachers and students are bonding and we all shared the powerful story of Nicodemus today and drove home the need to be born again through belief in Christ during our reading time. How fitting that I read this morning in Jeremiah how God's word is hard like a rock that crushes--it is able to do a powerful work. Then in Acts 16 I read how God opened Lydia's heart to believe as He also worked in the Philippians jailer's family. What a good reminder to just stay faithful proclaiming the powerful truth of God's word that will penetrate hearts and trust God to open hard hearts. Many students are eager to learn and receptive to God's word but not yet surrendered to Christ. We have had good conversations with campers and I see the team trying to encourage believers and love on the seekers. Today in the city of Pecs one of our Hungarian team members fell and fractured a bone in her arm. She will hopefully mend quickly but please pray for her full recovery. In His Glad

Camp Day 1

The team met for a time of worship and considered 2Corinthians 4:1-7 along with 1Corinthians 4:7. We have this ministry as we have received mercy so we do not give up. God's mercy motivates us to serve. We are not adequate for these things but God is the one who works through us as He worked in us. After another lunch of hot soup and fried chicken we headed to the school to prepare for the arrival of the campers who began to arrive at about 3:45 pm local time. The next two and a half hours was filled with many conversations. Team members stepped out in faith to introduce themselves to frightened Students some of which know little English while others are very proficient. It was so good to see new faces and to reconnect with several familiar friends from past camps. We need grace and courage to go deeper now after these initial meetings. God continues to bring campers as we now have 100 registered for our time here. There is a reason why we have the largest team ever. God is good all the time. First Bible study is tomorrow. Jesus calms the storm and the difference between belief and true trust. The disciples knew Jesus was in the boat but failed to trust Him. We ask for wisdom to help campers know what it is to trust Christ.

Arrival in Mohacs

News of a record number of campers signed up for this year's English camp left us scrambling at the last minute to print more materials amidst last minute packing. It was a short night for most of the remaining members of the team who left from Iowa on July 23rd. The Albert City and Havelock contingent left home about 5:30 a.m. Arriving in good time in Des Moines to meet the two remaining members of the team still in Iowa. What a gorgeous morning it was as we greeted the sun rising in the east. As we began our eastward journey the "Windy City" was our first stop where we made it through to our gate without incident. There we met Carly. We boarded the massive Boeing 777 and departed at 2:20. Mission groups get priority seating...NOT. That is why most of us occupied the very last seats on this massive plane with 10 seats across (in economy class). Row 45 was the place to be. Actually the lavatory traffic was minimal and no small children so nobody behind us to bother and we were content to ride it out. I must say that the turbulence seems to be accentuated in the back of the plane. At times I felt myself rocking back and forth in my seat. But I love roller coasters so it was an adventure, although I have never tried to sleep on a roller coaster :). I'll spare your the rest of our travel detail sis, suffice it to say that sleep was scarce but every leg of the journey went smoothly. Upon arrival in Budapest we were greeted by our gracious hosts the Dans, my niece Natalie and her husband Brsdley who had arrived a couple of days early, and some friends from previous camps--Dani and Timi and their newborn baby boy. A three hour van ride found us in Mohacs. A quick shower and we were off to lunch. Traditional vegetable soup, fried cheese, and fries with ranch dressing. Actually quite yummy. Right now most of us who just arrived are still in a fog and are trying to nap. Sleep will be "fast and short" these next few days so we are trying to catch up. Praying for our hearts to engage in ministry while our minds and bodies make the adjustments. I read the feeding of the multitudes in Mark 6. Jesus asked the disciples to give what they had and trust Him with the "details". If you think about it the details were overwhelming. Right now The Lord is asking us to give what we have and trust Him with the details. Camp starts tomorrow.

Preparations for Hungary 2014

Proverbs 16:1 says, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from The Lord. As the team prepares to leave it is a good reminder that we are not the center of what is happening. We may have our "plans" but what happens in and through us is up to The Lord. May we be very careful to invite The Lord to use us in His plans, to humbly ask that we might be sensitive to and cooperative in what He wants to done in that ministry. So it would be best to expect to be involved in whatever God has I store. I am praying for the team and for the campers. I hope you will join me in asking God to work and then for team members to trust Him to do His will. Thanks