A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

My dear neighbors Sandor and Eva - they prepared and painted, shopped with me and then hung curtains and last week had to recharge the car battery! - They collect my mail, will advise on my garden and any other help I need. The best part - Eva and I pray together - sometimes daily! Praise God for His wonderful blessings in my life!!!

I had a wonderful visit with the Person family yesterday. They enjoyed seeing the "old house" as a home. We ate together and then they took me to pick up my car - which is now is tip-top shape (for the shape it is in :-) and we went shopping for the new washer! We had time to eat chili, make ice cream, investigate the attic and walk the dog around the yard. Julia (Jim's sister visiting from Alaska) and Tanya helped me to think about picture hanging options. In the collage above is Jim and Julia, Tanya, Bethany, Jennifer, David and Tianna and Misty the dog. (who has her own Face book account :-) The Person's are my friends, family, almost grandkids and support team here in Hungary. They are a huge blessing to me.

I am so blessed to have new photos of my wonderful son and daughter-in-love. They surprised me for Christmas with enough money to buy a new washing machine. In Debrecen the rental included one but had none here and 2 months without one is...a challenge :-). I am thankful for friends who invite guests with laundry :-) Cora (a local, large French supermarket) had a great sale starting yesterday and my new washer will be delivered next Tues. Yeah! and thanks again to my dear family!!

Austin in the middle - he is now 10 Mikhaila looking Oh so grown up at 12! Michaila and cousins - Bethany and Veronica - aren't they beautiful?! Bryce and cousin Chris - both 13 At the Ackerbauer's - Christmas season always includes a photo shoot of the 6 cousins (by Michael) This usually results in a Christmas card for each family. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

We three kings of Orient are....real men - that's why we can wear pastel crowns!

Here is mom wth her 2 youngest grands Ryan and Sarah. She really enjoyed seeing everyone and opening all her presents especially her Christmas stocking! Mom with her Silly Santa hat and her best friend Libby in antlers. I think mom wore her hat longer than Libby agreed to keep her antlers on! They are both good sports. With mom is Ryan, mom's youngest son David and his wife Sue.

I enjoyed a traditional British Christmas complete with Christmas crackers - full of jokes, prizes and these shiny hats and proper plum pudding for dessert. We listened to the Queen's message over BBC radio and had a lovely day together. Yes, we had turkey and gravy and roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, carrots and peas. After dinner we opened presents and I stayed long enough to have a turkey sandwich! Thanks for your great hospitality Roger & Chris! Our host & hostess, looking every bit a royal couple - Chris & Roger Pook and their friends (and my new friends) Michael and Val (also British). These couples and I have something in common. We are all english speakers who moved to a village in Hungary and renovated a house. As you can imagine we had lots to talk about. The table set with Christmas Crackers

May the God of ALL Peace, Joy, Love, Gifts, Grace and Provision dwell within your hearts and home as you celebrate His birth this Christmas. May you enter into the Fullness of ALL He desires for you in the New Year of 2010. You are each loved and appreciated by me!

We got a fair bit of snow this weekend, too. Shoveled myself out early so I could drive to Budapest for church. - It was really worth it and the new winter tires worked so well. Tanya P organized this choir and orchestra coming from Romania to do worship. They were just great! The grand piano got a wonderful workout. Worship was so sweet and lively! Then Ebenezer ministered from Isa 9. 6 -7 the wonderful prophecy of Jesus...For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end. Ahhhh the Prince of Peace! The tree in the living room... The tree in the entryway. New lamp #1 Lamp #2 both in living room My helpful neighbors and the new curtains Finished! It's official - I am all settled!

The Auschwitz sign "Arbeit Macht Frei." "Work sets you free" was stolen last night as reported by USA Today, today December 18. So glad we saw it last week intact!

Paul with Luba. She is the director of Dombokie the orphanage where we are helping to place "graduates" Church of the Living God, Muckachevo - Pastors Ivan and Tibi meet with Anya, Richard, MJ, Fred and Paul in there almost finished sanctuary. Joseph and Tanya have recently opened up a house for street children to live with them as family - they have 10 children now. (2 of their own). They also rented a small storefront in their new neighborhood in Uzghorod and their older street children have started a soup kitchen which feeds 85 kids daily. They would really appreciate your prayers. Tanya studies English now and will see us in October 2010 at GOIAM. This was dinner on one remarkable day when we were served breakfast, full lunch and full supper!! How did we ever forget true, rich, deep Ukrainian fellowship always includes a meal?? And why did we meet people every 3 hours that day?! PS - the meal(s) were fabulous!! Pastor Paul between Marika and Vasily who are "mo...

Richard & Anya Vandiver (Ukraine, Hope & Life) Pastor Paul Berube Basha, Marte, MJ and Yusik - English class discussion group with Graceland Ministries, Krakow The Florian Gate

To work is freedom Crematorium chimney Remembering/Mourning at the death wall

What a sobering experience Auschwitz and Birkenau Concentration camps were. Although I thought I knew what to expect I was not prepared.

Tomorrow I am heading out to pick up Pastor Paul Berube at the airport and then out for coffee with missionary friends and then will catch a 3 pm train to Ukraine. The journey will take 5 hours. Meeting us at the other end will be our "Hope & Life" associates Richard & Anya and Volodya & Oksana. It is the first time we have all been together in over a year. In the 4 days we will be in Ukraine we will be ministering and/or meeting people in 3 different cities Uzghorod, Mukachevo and Khust all in the Transcarpathia area of Ukraine. A leaders meeting and 3 church services are scheduled plus meetings with the heads of the Jewish ministry; Orphans; Outreach to poor; Street children and Gypsies that we currently work with. On Monday Dec 7, we train back to Budapest and have 90 minutes to eat, change train stations and hop on an overnight train to Krakow, Poland arriving 6.30 am on Tuesday. We are meeting with at least one local Polish pastor and spending time with a min...

The "Nagy Templon" - big church in the mist The flower sellers Pastor Charles and his new drum (in his new church) The International Church of Debrecen and its new carpeting, curtains - looking nice and really spruced up. Pastor Csaba preached an inspiring message of how to successfully wait even if your prayers take a long time to be answered My last evening and dinner with special friends and a special dessert - see how pretty it is decorated? Nori, Benji and Dorka with mom Eva and dad, Karis Janos - checking out my car which has been renamed (from old Nellie) to Caleb - because even in old age (80) his heart is strong enough to take the hill country (like at 40 :-)