Below you'll find the latest news from the Kovacs and the Menedek Alaptivany, or “Refuge Foundation”. We trust you'll find it encouraging. Thank you!
Summer! Physical and Spiritual Rejuvenation
We have the privilage to minister to many children who’s parents are residents at varuous Menedek facilities. During the summer we arranged a number of events for this children. The community activities were meant to capture the attention of all age groups in a way that would create lasting memories.
With financial support received from Word of Life Hungary and also from Budafok Baptist Church, these children got to spend time at summer camps in Toalmas at Word of Life as well as at Karad Youth Camp, both in Hungary. In July, we had some volunteers from Ireland visiting the Mothers’ Home and organized day camp for children of the resident moms.
Keeping with our tradition we held our annual Menedek Day in Kiskunmajsa again this summer filled with a wide variety of fun, playful activities. We had a great time, young and old, residents and staff: together in community.
"With Jesus in reality" was the name of the art - themed camp organized for youth in Bodrog and nearby Nikla (both Hungarian villages). Besides art, we facilitated english language day camps for children living in these vilages in cooperation with the local churches.
Meanwhile at the men’s shelter in Budapest we organized bicycle rides, and had dinner guests! Occasional chess tournaments in the house brought excitment to summer evenings.
Many thanks to the facilitators and volunteers involved in all these events! We are thankful for the supporting organizations and individuals!
Balaton-Net
This year again we participated at Balation-Net, an interbnational conference held at beautiful Lake Balaton. Thuis annual 4-day conference is aimed to bring chritrians together from near or afar and emphasize strong and balanced biblical principles. This year Balaton net is held August 19-23 in the town of Balatonszemes
During the conference we will have a chance to set up our Menedek-kiosk at the Mission Fair that is held during the conference. Our purpose will be to offer a view in to the many servioces Menedek does, as well as show case Menedek publications.
Nikla Board Decision
As per the decision and vote by the representative body at Nikla, the Bodrog church congregation was allowed to continue operating and support the Berzsenyi Dániel Primary School at Nikla and Mézengúz Kindergarten through August, 31st, 2015. God opened very many open doors at Nikla mission. The board's decision was acceped with a heavy heart.
English courses in Kiskunmajsa
Our weekly english language courses bring excitment to both children and their parents at the Menedek-Village in Kiskunmajsa. As part of the the class excercises, students memorized Bible verses in English. We are thankful for Péter Csaplár senior pastor who is oversaw this program.
Kornel Heizer relocates to Budapest
During his career with Menedek, long tenured Kornel Heizer looked after a number of different ministry areas, most recently in Bodrog where we was in charge of the foster home operations for years as well as the appointed mayor of the town of Bodrog. Kornel with his wife, Anna, has recently relocated to Budapest where he continues his ministry at Menedek as a consultant to the shelter counsellors. Welcome to Budapest, Kornél!
Donation
School season brings a returning financial burden to families living in our shelters, purchase of school equipment and clothing. We welcome school bags, sneakers, school supplies, or monetary donations to purchase these items.
Testimonial: A new life with God
An abused mother with my then four-year-old son, I came to the Menedek City in Kiskunmajsa in November 2009.
After a lot of enduring and suffering I decided to take the hardest step of my life and leave my abuse-heavy marrige behind and put my son’s future on highest priority. It was a very difficult decision, but I did it, I left my husband and came here. In the past I had heard about mother’s shelters, temporary accommodation homes, but I never thought that I could be part of it.
I arrived on a rainy, cold November day, beaten, humiliated, afraid of the questioning eyes of people, but all the same filled with hope as well. It was hard to fit in, I built a wall of shame around me, because of the way I looked. I know it was not my fault, but I was afraid what people thought about me.
Months passed before I accepted God's and the caregivers helping hand and start a new life with my son. At first it was difficult because I wanted everything at once: a job, a home with a loving companion for myself and a father figure for my son. There were times when I gave up, but there was always a Menedek counselor by my side to extend mercy and love! I here found true friendship, love, and that I am important to some people.
Fast forward from my arrival at Menedek in 2009. I now have an extended family! I am married to a faithful, loving husband and we look after my son and three grandchildren. Besides new family I also found deep friendship with two other moms as well as many other people whom I feel became family members. I found home in the Menedek Shelter. Should anyone ask me what Menedek City means to me, My aswer is simly: the beginning of a new life, with God!