Dear Friends,
Oh, what a year we all had! An unexpected virus turned our world and our lives upside down. Nothing went the way it used to.
CHURCH – We went online in March. First we recorded Gyuri’s preaching and talked about it in ZOOM Sunday afternoon, then it was so good to personally meet outside in the summer time. In the fall we changed to ZOOM live worship service. We did not really know how our church can grow when we can not invite people to a place to worship together. We are so thankful to God for there are 5 individuals and a family joined us on ZOOM in the last 6 weeks. The Lord is working even in the pandemic. But church is certainly different than it used to be.
PTI – Pastor’s Training Institute. Spring time Gyuri did the first 5 days training with 7 pastors online. It worked better than he expected. In just 2 days, they developed a very honest personal atmosphere. Downstairs we could hear Gyuri laughing in his office room during their Zoom meetings. One 9 years old pastor’s kid said to her dad: “Daddy, it is much better for you. I study hard all day and you just have a fun time with your friends.” In August we were able to go away with the pastor couples for 5 days. Gyuri led the program that focused on marriage and family life, and we met every couple personally in the afternoons. It was life changing for them. (There was one couple – our age – who had never been to a hotel before.) We got so tired (8 am – 10 pm/ 5 days) Gyuri did not have the strength to pack up the family to go away for 5 days. He stayed home and Aniko took Áron and Abigél for a short holiday.
In November the same 7 pastors continued the program online. We are so thankful to God that we can have an impact on these pastors’ life and ministry! (20 in 3 years) It is an awesome privilege!
SCHOOL – Gyuri finished last semester with all A-s in the master’s program! This fall he could not join in the online classes because of our house construction. 2 weeks ago, he decided to skip this year and continue next fall. We are happy that because of COVID it is now possible without consequences.
KIDS - For Áron this year was very difficult. All his plans to do ministry were crushed by the virus. He had to cancel a youth camp and a young adult conference. He had been preparing for years and then nothing could be done. He got discouraged. Please pray for him!
In August we had to change school for Abigél because of her health problems due to coping with high expectation. She goes to Veritas Collegiate Academy Budapest, a newly founded Christian school. She studies everything in English except Hungarian Grammar and Literature. This school is accredited in the USA and in Hungary also. They will have two diplomas at the end. Theirs is the first and only class so far with 9 teens (3 are believers, 6 are not). Her personality came out much lively, her confidence grew. She is the student president. (We often tease her with this.) School is more fun for her than it is used to be. We are very happy for her. We feel this is going to be a ministry opportunity for us in the future.
WEDDING – September 20th was the big day for Samuel and Audrey. All summer we were preparing to go and celebrate with them. We did everything we could but we were not granted permission to travel into the country. In two weeks, we had to come up with another solution “to be together on the big day”. We are thankful that we were able to see and hear each other during the ceremony. Gyuri was preaching and led them through the exchange of their vows via internet. We were crying when we saw the pictures of what we had missed but very happy for the newly weds.
COVID changed everything but helped us slow down a little and evaluate what is really important, needs to be said or done.
Prices were raised because of COVID. Our house construction cost 50% more (we could not finish), all our financial recourses are gone. Gyuri’s teaching ministry – that provided some more income – was suffering this year. Abigél’s school is a new financial challenge. Online church is very convenient, but many don’t give to the church only enjoy the benefits. We need a significant raise in our monthly income. Please let us know if you know anybody or any church interested in supporting us.
WE WISH YOU A JOYFUL AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS AND MANY BLESSINGS IN 2021!!!
With love: Gyuri and Anikó from Budapest and Érd, in Hungary
