A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

Happy Birthday baby boy!! Photo by Tammy Swailes

Notice all the Ikea furniture, so good for small spaces Note to self: Put essentials on lower shelf :-) Sharon on phone  Cool brick ceiling, shuttered window at bathroom sink Gallery office area,  bedroom is to the right Since I have more and more responsibility in Budapest (and gas prices are nearly $8 a gallon) I have been praying about being in Budapest at least part time. Soon after a time of seeking God for His will in this matter, I was offered this flat! My departing missionary friends the Bixlers have left this "sweet nest" to be sold but in the meantime didn't want to leave it empty. It is fully furnished and  has extra's I have never had before like satellite tv, air con in bedroom and a dryer!! The flat is small (27 sq mtr) but has a full gallery above with bedroom, office area, bathroom.  It is in a superb location near Heroes Square with easy access to the M3 for travel to the country and all points east including the airport, m...

Home group on Thursday  was held at our new believer Magdi's house. She wanted her house to be blessed by us worshipping there. Her house is up the hill from me and we had a beautiful view from there. As we prayed for our village and county,  I remembered a pastor friend visiting some years ago and we climbed to a high point over the village and prayed for revival. It seemed this day our prayers had been heard.  Sandor with our song book and Eva ready to pray a blessing over him. On Friday evening the local school had the opening night of a week long exhibition of local artist's  My neighbor Eva was so excited to be included. She showed a collection of corn husk figures. This was my favorite. The boy hanging over the fence to give the neighbor girl flowers.  Paintings, wood sculptures, glass ware, and photographs were also included in the show.  I loved this painting of a village man. On Saturday evening we had a time of worship with Anya & Richa...

The proud papa The new baby bed Put the camera away Jillymamma, let me finish this yawn and go to sleep! At home and at church Otto and Sharon  Mary Jill being anointed as lead elder on ICB team Sharon has Word for Mary Jill MJ and Ago prayed and anointed as Trustees of ICB Ecc. 3.1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: The season of change at home is new life and a new baby. He may only be with me for 3 weeks but already little Jacob is causing changes in all of us - our schedules, our activities, our sleeping and eating patterns.  We delight to see him grow and respond to mom and dad. And the local body of Christ is ministering to us all with phone calls, visits, e-mails, facebook posts, advice, food, gifts and doing laundry! You are welcome into our family, baby boy. The season of change at ICB Otto and Sharon Bixler who have been in Hungary 18 years and have been called by God to return to America.  ...

My dear friends and ministry leaders of Hope & Life, Ukraine. Anya & Richard traveled to Hungary last week to wait for little Jacob to be born.  He is a very international baby as his mom is Ukrainian, his dad is an American from Texas and he was born yesterday in Hungary.  Anya had some special considerations which made having the birth in Hungary a much better option. She also has an American passport so it was easy for them to cross into Hungary.  The new family will be moving in with me (YEAH!!!!) probably by the end of the week.  Then all the paperwork needs to get resolved. It is also much easier to travel to the embassy in Budapest from here than if they had to travel to Kiev from Uzhghorod.  Little Jacob will need his US passport to travel over the border with mom and dad.  Please join us in prayer for a quick recovery for Anya and a strengthening for Jacob as he was born a little early and a little underweight.  A friend here had a W...

Last Friday I traveled to Hollókö, Hungary to meet with my Hungarian friend. Nora. Nora is leading her second Alpha Course in her village. From there we traveled to another village for an overnight retreat.  10 ladies and some children attended. The Holy Spirit was so faithful to demonstrate Himself in our midst giving encouraging words as we prayed together,  refilling some and baptizing some for the first time.  It was a very precious time. If God lays it on your heart please be praying for these ladies. The 10 ladies were from 6 different villages in Nograd county (and me,too). In none of the villages are living churches but most of these ladies are "keys" to living prayer groups. Nora has been working in one of the villages and is now in the process of setting up a small retreat center. After our weekend she took me there to pray. She and her husband were able to acquire a small "prayer" house, which was once a Baptist prayer house which is next to a home they...

Around 70 women and men gathered for our 5th "Women for Women" meeting in Arad, Romania last Saturday.  We had a testimony from a young English girl who ministers to handicapped people in Romania and then I ministered  on "Joy".  A highlight was when one of the youngest attendees (almost 11) testified about seeing an angel standing guard at our meeting. She described how he looked (very large, shiny and with a sword) and what he said to her. "Do not be afraid." On Sunday, I also spoke at the gypsy church in Vinga and 3 women came forward to be water baptized. It was a great weekend. Jackie is doing such a great work in a very difficult environment.

Getting ready to return to Arad, Romania to start this year's ladies meetings with missionary friend, Jackie R. I train out tomorrow arriving Arad around 8 pm. Jackie will meet and we will prepare for our meeting on Saturday at 5pm.  We head out around 2 to set up the hall and get things arranges, welcome the worship team, talk with the translator, etc.  We usually minister until 7.30. On Sunday, I will minister at Jackie's gypsy church in Vinga. That is always a treat for me. I must return on Monday as I have a full schedule in Budapest on Tuesday. I was assigned the "Celebration of Joy" topic for ministry in Moldova in March and as I was working on it now, I decided to make it the theme of this quarter. Joy is an interesting topic; We will be talking about the differences between joy and happiness; what robs us of joy; and how to cultivate the fullness of joy among other things as I minister in Romania and Moldova. Speaking of joy - in our home group today, ou...

21 day fast and prayer for the Hungarian Eclesia and Nation Purpose is that God would cleanse his people, enpower them with love and power to give strong testimony about Jesus and that God would heal our land. Week 1 (Jan 9-16) Fast for personal life and family (prayer and water or juice fast for 1-3 or 7 days, then continue with a Daniel fast)   Effects on personal life:   (Is. 58:6-14) 1.     (6)  breaks the yoke of sin over your life, makes you holy , sets you apart for God, you will recognize your hidden sins ans will want to get free of them 2.     (8/b) (Mt 17:14-21)  breaks the power of stubborn sicknesses, makes you healthy 3.     (8. 10/b. 14.) (Jesus in the wilderness)  prepares you for the anointing 4.     (9. 10/b. 11)  makes you accepting of the leading of the Spirit , (11)  breaks the yoke of poverty over your life , 5.     (12)  ...

Many here in Hungary are called to a 21 day fast this January.  Our International Church is joining with 44 Hungarian churches to fast from Jan 9 - 29 with a prayer celebration on Jan 30th.  I had been feeling to do that myself and then heard from many other people, places, and churches in the USA that are being led to do the same. We are following the Hungarian Church's prayer points. The first week (Jan 9-15) praying for our individual concerns: Spiritual breakthroughs; family or health needs, and drawing closer to God. The 2nd week (Jan 16-22) We are to pray for our church: Spiritual health and growth, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, maturity and practical needs of the church.  The 3rd week (Jan 23-29) Praying for the nation of Hungary, the churches of Hungary, and Europe that revival would come. Here is a website with wonderful resources about fasting. http://www.jentezenfranklin.org   Some people will fast and drink water only, some will fast with b...

The birthday girl! at Arriba's The Birthday Burrito! We sang,too. MJ & Patricia having fun together Jackie loves Mexican and Sarah,too Good burrito buddies, Bela & Elizabeth Sandor enjoying salsa & chips

My dear friend, Jackie, missionary in Romania and her 2 granddaughters came to Budapest for their Christmas break. We all really enjoyed "The Chronicles of Narnia, Dawn Treaders". It was in 3D and a great adventure! Because Jackie  and I each received Christmas money designated as "personal - do something special", we were able to treat ourselves and the girls to 2 nights at the Ramada Aquaworld Resort in Budapest. What a break this was! Despite the crowds, we really enjoying all the water adventures and the indoor and outdoor pools. Breakfast and dinners were also included and the dinners especially were fabulous! Sarah, almost 11, Jackie and Elizabeth 12 Sarah & Jackie people watching in the lobby The girls "posing" in the lobby