A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

...in renewed strength, in hope, in joy, in anticipation and in gratitude for a NEW START, a new year 2008. - May it be GREAT! I am getting many reports from various places about the difficulties of 2007, especially in the last half and last quarter of the year. I encourage us, to shake off and leave behind the dust of the old year. I know there were also deep joys and adventures in 2007 but somehow it is the hard things that stick to us. When I lived in Scotland, the New Year's celebration was called Hogmany and in preparation everyone made sure the laundry was done, the bed linen changed and the windows washed. These days have been like that here, tying up loose ends, getting ready for the new year, I encourage us to do that spiritually, too in preparation of what is ahead. God has underlined these scriptures to me as we head into the New Year. I pray them for your life,too. Psa 90:12, 16-17 NKJV So, teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Let Your work ...

Erik & Sara, Swedish students visiting from Szeged, Debrecen univ students, Timea, MJ, Kati, Tibor & Zsolt, Pastor Ed Hope, Erik, Sara, Edith, MJ, Kati

Vika with the poinsetta, Rita and Gena (visiting from Israel) and MJ Coffee with Gena, Rita, Nadya, MJ and Anya (photo by Richard) Christmas with friends near and far.

and a new winter hat

Fred is making his way back from Ukraine to Scotland and arrived Tuesday with friends. We had a great time showing off Debrecen Christmas Market and the new shopping outlets. Then we put Fred to work getting ICD food baskets ready.

So, what about these treasures???!!! We were looking for a certain art exhibit so we hopped off the Turista bus at a beautiful monastery. Unfortunately, the exhibit had moved on but fortunately it was a beautiful day, and we had a great time with the digital cameras. Here are a few of my favorites.

We had a wonderful "Friday at 7". Marlow was able to come to Budapest early to get pages added to his passport and then drove down to Szeged with the Person's. Watch Arden's blog for pictures. (CEO for kids - address is on my blog, left column under certain friends). Meanwhile back in Debrecen Sybles was welcoming ladies from 3 different churches to a candle light Christmas party. Edith was the guest speaker. The theme was "Royal daughters of the king". Saturday morning I fly off to Barcelona to meet my roomate Tammy who will finish up an "Open Bible/INSTE" conference on Sunday. We will then spend the next 4 days enjoying this beautiful town. Wish you were here!! Photos and updates next week. Blessings, Mary Jill

While Edith stayed at home to wait for the repairman (who did not show up) I went to town to meet Peter and Luba Feldeshi. They were staying in a nearby town where Peter was attending an International Symposium for artists. He is a well known painter, primarily watercolor with a unique style. Luba and he moved to Budapest about 6 years ago to start a Russian language Church. The church was actually birthed in the guest house at Toldy Ference while they lived with me for about 9 months. They now rent my Batthyany flat. I am so blessed to have them there as they take care of it as if it is their own and also house the kingdom travelers that are transversing Europe. The church is growing and the faithful are getting stronger and maturing quickly. Luba has also started new congregations in Germany and Italy and the Budapest leadership team, and leaders from Ukraine share the preaching (in Europe) with Luba. They are looking at a 3rd location in Germany and a work in Portuagal for the new ...

Unfortunately - no heat or hot water, fortunately we bought wood, unfortunately the promised kindling never arrived, fortunately my roomate Edith has figured out how to get the fire roaring in under 5 minutes, I am thinking of calling her the "Fire Queen" instead of Edith.

Most Westerners are surprised to learn that in Hungary, Santa Claus is not really a feature of Christmas proper. Althought the red suited one is a familiar figure to Hungarian children, he takes a back seat to the gift bearing Christ child and his angels on Christmas eve. Indeed, old St Nick is relegated to the early part of December, coming around Hungarian houses only on Mikulas eve. Tonight, December 5, Hungarian children place their shoes on the window sill before going to bed. During the night, the kindly old Saint Mikulas fills their shoes with candy. While this sounds familiar, Mikulas differs markedly from his Western counterpart in that he is helped by a dark side-kick, Krampusz. Krampusz is a horned devil who puts a switch into the shoes of naughty children instead of candy! But this seems to be a very rare occurrence. Indeed, if kids ever get a switch from Krampusz it is spray painted gold and placed among the candy. Chocolates abound on Mikulas day, the most popular being s...

Christmas Preparations....

Our December celebrations started Saturday after I preached at the International Church-Debrecen. While we were at service there was a special celebration in town centre to turn on the lights and welcome the Christmas season. Edith and I and Syble and Eva walked uptown to see the lights. While walking and talking we discovered Eva and Syble were "single" for the night so we decided on a pj party at our house. It was all very spontaneous and just what we needed. We watched Christmas movies into the wee hours and had a nice brunch on Sunday and stayed together more than 24 hours. What fun to begin this special family and friends time like this. And P.S. it was Edith and Eva's first ever pajama party! ICD is videoing every service and so my message may be available on the web. If so I will post the link so you can listen to it. Here is a picture of me and Eva teaming up to preach in English and Hungarian. And the lights in Debrecen town centre,

What a blessing it was to go into Ukraine with friend and Pastor Marlow Dunham, and Gary Sherman from the River Church in Poughkeepsie, NY. We visited our friends at the Life Ministry, Nadja, Vika, Rita, Marlow, Oxanna and Volodya, Gary. Then to Mukachevo where Pastor Misha has a church. Here is Misha, Marlow, Volodya and Carlos. Marlow, Gary and I all ministered at this Tuesday evening prayer meeting. Carlos translated into Hungarian and Volodya into Ukrainian. This is a picture of Carlos's wife Lalo and their one month old baby Gloria. Carlos tried to wake her up so I could hold her. This pregnancy and problem free delivery is a miracle story. Two years ago Lalo was paralysed and at the point death. Much prayer from many nations resulted in her being almost 100% whole.

Martin, Jordan, Ed & Syble, MJ, Edith, Cindy, Tammy and Pablo (seated). Pablo is again back to step 1 in a lengthy process to get paperwork to return home to Cuba. God has surprised him with an invitation to attend the Calvary Chapel Bible College here in Hungary. We all are excited about this training that will further prepare him for the work in Cuba.