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Jesus took his twelve disciples on a missions trip. One night he told them to get in their boat and take him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. A huge storm on the lake almost swamps their craft. Jesus calms the waves and wind and the team lands on the far shore. Two demoniacs meet them. The 12 weary disciples watch Jesus heal the 2 ferocious men, see $300,000 worth of pigs rush down a hill and drown themselves, and witness the irate villagers ask Jesus to leave. Then they cross back over to the other side of the lake — the same night.
This account taught our NAB Gateway Mission Team what to expect when you take a mission trip with Jesus! Expect to stretch your faith! Expect the unexpected. Expect to be flexible. Expect people to be people. Expect to do whatever it takes. Expect Jesus to do great things.
With these expectations our NAB Gateway team of Cathy Jensen, Trish Terrett, and Annemarie Doell from Edmonton, Alberta,Canada, and Tracy Haskin from Idaho, US, joined with our MEK Hungary Team and translators (top photo). The mission: to do children and adult outreach in the Roma communities of Zsambok and Boldog, Hungary.
Forty to fifty children gathered each morning for the 3-day camp in Zsambok that focused on the theme that we can be overcomers through the power of Jesus Christ living in us. The camp featured songs, drama, games, snacks and Bible teaching. Tracy and Cathy worked with Ron teaching the English class while Annmarie and Trish assisted Jeannie with the craft sessions. Feri Oláh taught the Bible applications.
In the evenings the team visited the homes of some of the children, giving out chocolate chip cookies, something uncommon in Hungary, and other small gifts from Canada and Idaho. Each member had opportunity to share her personal testimony of having Jesus Christ in her life and her certain hope of eternal life.
On the final night in Zsambok, the team held a Canada evening picnic, complete with home-made Canadian chili, the singing of O Canada, and videos of the country of the Maple Leaf.
The next three days the team followed the same pattern in the village of Boldog as we battled cold, windy, and rainy weather. The home visits and testimony sharing were a highlight, and a number of children prayed with Feri Olah during the Bible classes to receive Jesus Christ with their parents looking on (bottom photo first page).
Before the NAB Gateway Team headed home, they had opportunity to visit the medieval city and fortress of Eger, enjoy the thermal baths, and see the sights of Budapest.
Thank you Annemarie, Tracy, Trish, and Cathy for coming to Hungary and serving the Roma people with us.
For more exciting “Happenings from Hungary,” go to our website: justaseck.wordpress.com
Ron and Jeannie Seck