A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

In preparation of doing a newsletter, I reviewed my notes/blog/posts for this year. Earlier in the year God gave  me a message based on Isa 42:22,23.  You are robbed and plundered, snared in holes and imprisoned, as prey and plunder BECAUSE No one Said, RESTORE!! Added to that the wonderful promise in Joel 2.25 that God would restore the years the cankerworms had eaten. I believed that God was speaking and encouraging that as we (dared) to speak into things according to His Word and promise that in this season He would bring restoration. But how exactly can He do that? Let me give you an example that I am "living and tasting" right now.  Some years ago an Alaskan family moved to Hungary. There initial connect was with me. After some years their ministry connection became stronger with another ministry who were friends that I greatly admired and the family's primary responsibilities shifted but we all remained very close. In fact, with me they brought alive Psa 68.6...

Mid-July the Hungarian Parliment passed a bill that is to go into effect in January 2012.  This new law officially recognized only 14 existing churches as legal to operate in Hungary and continue to receive government subsidies, grants and the taxpayer's designated 1% that came from the government coffers to the church. The stated reason for the law was the economy and need to weed out church "businesses".  If you were not on the very "short" list of recognized churches, and 344 were not you have the "opportunity"   to re-register by December 31, 2011. If you do not you face losing not only your status as church but any assets including property.  So, therefore you must re-register. The governments stand is "We do believe in freedom of religion" - you just need to re-register. OK, so to re-register as a "church" there are obviously some requirements. You must have 1,000 members (and furnish their names, address and official Hu...

Do you have 5 minutes to enjoy Budapest? Just click  here . It really is the most beautiful city! Perhaps you could join us this fall on our prayer walks through Budapest and use this as a virtual tool to visualize where we are praying.

I am back in Budapest for my 3rd Sunday since the trip to New York. Since the end of January, I am the chief elder of the International Church of Budapest (ICB), serving with a team of co-leaders. I have a wonderful an International group of partners in ministry. The leaders are from Ghana, Hungary, England and the USA.  Usually, August can bring a smaller number of  people to church due to vacations but we have had some really good services with decent attendance. We are increasingly hopeful for the future of ICB. Last Sunday, we welcomed back Jim, Tanya, David, Bethany and Jennifer Person after their 15 month sabbatical in U.S. &Alaska. Jim & Tanya first came to Hungary on a home-group mission trip to visit me. At the end of the visit God called them to minister in Hungary.  Here David is leading worship for us.  Here we are praying for one of our young people, Selena after she gave her life to the Lord.  A young girl, I look up to :-) S...

On August 15, in Sydney, Australia a little girl was born. Mom's 11th great-grandchild. Her name is Madeline Jill Hagan.  What an honor for mom, how sweet Lauren and Brett named her after her great-gram!! I am blessed to welcome MJ into the family!! Isn't she precious!! Look at all that hair. Welcome to the world little angel!

My niece Kari got married on August 6 and the family was ready to celebrate a happy event!! Jack and Debby and Kari and Charlie had planned the ceremony for a lake-front restaurant, the bride would come in by boat and walk up the dock to an outside ceremony with reception following under a large tent. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate but nothing dampened our spirits! The colors of the wedding were truffle and the green of "Irish Bells" The groom's joy was contagious. It was an Irish-Scottish event and the bride was "piped in". I love how adoringly Jack is looking at Kari!! And look how excited the ladies are! Arriving! The first dance. Gown details - and such a lovely bride! It would have been a wonderful dock to walk down. My brother Jack in a rare moment of affection! The father-daughter dance. My brother David and niece Sarah on the left. My son Michael and his wife Raelene enjoying themselve...

On July 26,  I "suddenly and unexpectedly" arrived New York.  On Wednesday 27th, I was at my mom's bedside.  On Thursday she got the news that her beloved youngest grandchild was accepted at medical school (Congratulations, Ryan). That afternoon I prayed and sang over her... Reminding her of the golden streets, her new body, having no more tears and living forever in heaven with God and other loved ones. On Friday, the 29th at 8.30 in the morning, we were called to her bedside.  5 siblings, their spouses and 2 of the 10 grandchildren gathered.  (In a wonderful "God" arranged summer - all of the 6 siblings and 10 grandchildren and most of the 10 great grandchildren had been with her in July!!). We all had a chance to affirm our love to her and release her, kiss her and gently hug her knowing we were saying our final goodbye's.  A little time passed and we were sitting around her bed telling stories, laughing and making a "commotion" - How she lo...