Trip Recap

I know I told you about our first few clubs, but I thought now that I know how to do it I'd send out a few pictures. Since I was so confused about the dates I think I'll try to clear that up. This club was on March 28 th in Veszto. These are the girls that greeted us. They were practicing their English with us that is how there were able to be out of school early. It was the girl on the left's birthday.

These are the ladies and the gentleman that quilted in addition to making us a traditional meal. On the right you can see Palma in the blue, Patricia in the orange and Pattie next to her. This was our ministry group, well me too of course.

They showed us many of the crafts they have done in the past and are trying to keep alive now. Can you see the rugs and purses on the wall? These were woven on the loom just under the purses. In the standing loom they used fabric strips instead of wool. The product was more like the braided rugs we have. On the table there are two plates of what appear to be pizzelles you know Italian waffle cookies, but these are savory. It was quite a surprise when we bit into one. They had caraway seeds in them and were salted. Good just not what we expected.

Can you see the bread on the table they were prepared in the wood burning oven you see on the wall. They were so good. In the adjacent room behind the oven door was the back side oven the oven it looked like a giant beehive. The wall was very warm almost hot and we are told that was how they would heat their living space.

Patricia and I thought the green color reminded us of the 50's here. It was a recurring color theme in each of the rooms. The build was long with about 6 rooms the first three were connected, but the others were only accessible from the out side. One was the pantry/wet kitchen the others were bath areas and a laundry area. Were told the one of the rooms off the kitchen was used as a sitting area as well as a guest area, but not often used for the family itself mostly entertaining. Very interesting. It reminded me of an Amish home I once toured.

More of the Last Club

While we were waiting for the ladies to get there Palma did some exploring and found an old bible. This is one of the pages as you can see it is music. In the back of the bible it had the music for the Psalms. We'd never seen anything like it before. I can't Waite to get home and have Andrea play the music for me. This one is the 60 th Psalms.




Every club is so different these ladies wanted a group picture and we were happy to ablidge them as I said before some of the ladies had to leave early, so this is not the whole group. The lady center front in the orange was actually from another club, but asked if she could be a part of the group she heard there was going to be sharing of the gospel and wanted to hear what was said. The women on the far right standing in the back, we were told, is not a christian and is very cynical, but not only did she ask for a bible but she sat down and began to read it. The leaders were so pleased.




This is Dori as you can see she also received a bible and was so happy. She loved the pictures and also sat and paged through her bible. By the time we left she said she had read 2 pages. How fun for us to see her excitement.




We signed bibles for 45 minutes. Both Patricia and I signed each bible then Palma had the pleasure of translating it and rewriting it in hungarian. So, yesterday I told you we gave out 18 bibles, but this one made 19. Thank you Micah Swank for being a missionary to this little girl :)




What a joy to share the written word with others. We really hadn't thought of signing the bibles until some of the ladies at other groups asked us to, and we only signed them at their request.




As I'm writing this we are on our way home. We are in a dorm room at the Tyndale Divinity Seminary in Amsterdam. This is our 12 hour lay over. We will be at the airport at 7:30 in the morning for our last leg of the trip. There are so many things to share I'll probably blog for a while after I get home. Patricia took thousands of picture and she is going to share them with me so you can see more of Hungary and it's beauty.

Again we are so humbled to be a small part of what God is doing in Hungary there are not words to explain how grateful we are that you have encouraged us in this journey.

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Last But Not least

We were relieved that today, Tuesday, was our last club. It was about 100 miles away from Budapest. The club started at 4 they requested that we come at 11 because wanted to show is hospitality. You know what that means...more food! I will say the soup was delicious. We thought we were doing good because that is just what she served with some, you got it, home made bread. After the soup and when we thought we were done, she brought out these Two BIG desserts. They were both made with crepes one was folded in quarters and saturated with a light rum custard then topped with a chocolate topping. The other was rolled with a cottage cheese and raisin mixture with a cream of some type drizzled over the entire dish. Both were excellent. Our hostess was the gal in pink, the other is a close friend. Now both of them speak English but were afraid to use it in front of us. Finally, Palma said she would not translate for them unless they spoke some English with us. I can understand their reluctance I surely did not try their language :)




After lunch they took us for a tour of their town. They are on the largest lake in Hungary. It is a resort area so abut the season hasn't started yet. The hillside of that area is covered with vineyards. It was so beautiful and everything was just starting to leaf.




I thought you might like to see a sampling of just what we have had to endure :) at these clubs. Just look at all the food we are just positive they are going to ask us to weigh in at the airport and charge us double for our seats. Seriously though, every club has been so hospitable and the food has been lovely I can't imagine having this all the time.




This was most of the group, we had a total of 22 some had to leave early. It was a combination of three groups in the local area. They loved the quilt presentation, even though we felt like we were not at our best, because we were exhausted. As we shared it seemed like every one was too busy with there quilts to listen but we gave out 18 bibles and left another 10 with the hostess for another time. She also does bible study and said they would be nice to have to give to those who don't have them. I must say once again our God is good and He is faithful to his word and He is not willing that any should parish, but all would come to repentance. Now we pray that these bibles, God's word would sink into their hearts and fill them with his love. The seeds are planted and they have the the light of his word. Remember I told you I needed one child's bible, well this was the club, the last night. Her mom was the other hostess in the first picture. Her daughter is 8 and come to the club after her piano lesson...the bible was for her. I was a little worried that I had missed the child for the bible somehow... but here she was. I'll get a picture of her in one of the next blogs.




We were so grateful to have this opportunity to minister to each of these ladies. Once again I feel I need to thank you and remind you that you have been light to each of these ladies and will continue to be part of their lives as they open God's word and He pours into their lives just what each one needs.

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Winding Down

Monday evening we had a small house group. It was very cozy. We started at 5 and of course they made us supper. The food is good, but there was way too much of it. We had a vegetable soup and lasagna and of course bread. You can see the house is a one person house the living room space was about 10x12.




There were 8 ladies in all several, 4 I believe, that attended last Saturday but wanted to work more on their squares and heard the "Stories from the ladies again," that's what they told Agnes. One of the ladies that was there on Saturday asked for a bible at this meeting, I guess she needed time to think about the testimonies.




It is the lady on the right. She was so sweet we gave out 2 bibles that evening.




The lady in the blue smock was our hostess. She is a Christian and usually comes to the Saturday group but because of time issues she couldn't make it that is why we had this small group.




All the ladies, even the so called crabby ones seemed to enjoy their time with us. I guess we are a novelty. Once again we came home very tired?

Three Generations

This is Palma, her mom, and her grandmother. Three generation one Catholic, one Orthodox, and one believer. It makes for lively discussions. Grandma wondered if Palma was going to take us to a real church or whatever it is she goes to. Mom whispered to me she had already been to service.




Palma's mom was busy making the meals for the day. This is a traditional Hungarian noodle. It is really interesting. I asked a few questions and the next thing I knew I was in an apron and learning the technique. It was fun. I believe she's even giving me the recipe, you know a little of this a hand full of that and egg or twine water. I told here I'd need some actual measurement and she smiled and shook her head. Of course everything goes through a translator, Palma. I wonder if she tell us everything her family says. Probably not :)




This is the gate to their house, this inside of the gate. I'm told it is older than Australia. As you can see it is huge. On the other side it has the address from the Russian occupation as well as the current address. Wow, the history here is vast. It's hard, as an American, to fully comprehend that this was a communist state even though you can see statue from old regimes in many places. They even had to rebuild part of their home because a bomb dropped on it. It's mind boggling for me.




After church we went to a small village that is now tourist shops. There was a marzipan museum there. I have to admit I was to tired to got to the second floor so this is the only picture I have but just look at the details in this garden. I'm told there is a life size Michael Jackson there...in marzipan ??? Yep that's what they said and you know what else Elvis is not dead he's just in marzipan.




We has a nice leisurely day. Again, I must add, we walk and walk and walk... I'm really to old for this :/

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Lots to See and People to Meet

I thought you might like to see a little of the open air market we went to, this lady is Romanian. Isn't she just like you would picture in you mind? She had some beautiful beaded bags and amazing ribbon flower work all made with her own hands. We always ask if they mind us taking pictures, "will they see them in America ?"...Yes they will... "Ok"



This gentleman is a wood crafter and a rug maker. You can see his wife behind him, notice the hair, hena, it seems a popular color here. Just a sample of some of the crafters and interesting dress we have seen.otIt was a brief but fun time.



Now on to the business at hand. This was the club in Budapest, Palma's own club, we expected 25 -30 and had 35, I believe. This was to be a 4 hour class and I think it went to 5 hours or so. We were was suppose to start at 1:30 and at 1:00 Palma had a call, "we are here and cannot get in" Palma explained," well, we are on our way, but the club doesn't start for another half an hour". "Ok, but we are here." When we arrived there were 25 people waiting for us... I must say it was a little overwhelming. We still had to set up the room and get organized, but they all pitched in and we were even ready a little early.



Most of theses ladies have been quilting for some time so they, of course, didn't have to wait for instruction, or so they thought. So as I walked around I had to tell people one by one, "no don't cut that out." One of they lady's told me "well I do things my own way", hmm interesting. She was not happy with me and let Palma know. So, of course as we went on she had problems and I tried to help her patiently, not what I'm best at by the way. By the end of the club she was ok with me even friendly, when she left I got the traditional kiss on the cheeks. So I guess that meant all was well. She even asked for a bible and asked us to sign it.




In the picture below you can see how diligent the ladies were working and I think you can see the block in the front of the picture. A good share of the ladies were about 1/2 way done with their blocks by the end of the session. Patricia always starts by saying, "Now you won't get this finished today we just need to get though the techniques." But they still seem disappointed that they didn't get done and that the hand stitching takes so long. I don't think it will be a favorite of to many. As with all the classes we have about 45 minuets to give our testimonies that happens about 1/2 way through the session. I have a love hate relationship with this part this is why I'm here, but I feel so inadequate in expressing what Christ has done in my life and how much more he has to accomplish, but God can even work through my short comings. After the testimony time we had 14 ladies requested bibles and a few more seem interested but not quite ready. We'll leave extra bibles with Palma for this group.




Christ is at work in these ladies lives. Please continue to pray for them as they begin to open the word and their hearts to His plan for them.

To God be the Glory now and forever.

A Sweet Greeting

This club was on Friday April 4th. It was club number 5. Yes I know I said the last one was April 4 th but I also said things were getting blurry sooo this was really on Friday April 4th.




Isn't this a neat building, it belongs to the church. The pastor and his wife life on the main floor. The two floors above have small apartments in them it was very sweet and cozy. Palma, Patricia and I had one of them for the night before the club. (Oh I guess I forgot to tell you they use it for guests and for pastors that desire a respite.) It had a fully stocked kitchen so the night we got there we walked around the corner to the store and picked up some sandwich fixings. By the way they walk or ride bikes everywhere :( and we don't have bikes with us so walking it is in these small towns. I'm getting way to much exercise...and I'm the oldest one here so it's hard to keep up :) We spent the morning walking around town looking at the historic building and enjoying the open air market then back to the apartment to rest before the club.

The quilting group numbered 9 and as has been at each camp they were so excited to see us. Well not really me, but Patricia since she is the teacher. She has so much knowledge to share and not just about the piece were doing but history. I didn't really realize that the art of quilting was founded in the U.S. but it was, who knew well that would be Patricia. The picture below is taken as we were setting up.




This little girl was a delight. She was my partner for the evening. Usually I go around and help with pattern placement, showing the quilters knot and helping to get them started with their invisible stitching. This group was pretty good so I stuck with Audra. She was so cute. She spoke a little English and tried to show it off to me... Do you like butterflies, do you like bananas, what is your best color ect ect ect. I loved it. It was like sewing with my granddaughter.




The evening went well and just before we gave our testimonies a group of ladies came in from another group, a secular group, they wanted to hear Patricia talk about quilt history. (The schedule always puts the testimonies in the middle.) I think the were 5 ladies in that group anyway Patricia gave her story, she always does a great job sharing the salvation message. Then it was my turn. It went well enough. I told the ladies the story of Lazarus and the rich man and told them one of the reasons I came was that I need to know I have shared the message of Christ with those I see, my friends new and old .... How could I not share the news of the wonderful gift Christ had given me. I shared that my bible was my love letter from God and that it was for them too. We offered them their own copy of this wonderful love letter. We had two ladies request bibles that night. I'm told that several of the ladies from the other group had tears in their eyes. Who knows what seeds Christ has planted through Patricia and myself. Our prayer is that those seeds will grow and lives would be changed for Christ glory.

When club was over I asked Audra if shed like the child bible we brought, she smiled brightly and said,"that is the same one I'm reading." She also played a little key board for us and did a wonderful job of singing a worship song to us. What a blessing she was to us. I fell in love with her.

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Wednesday April

The days are starting to blur in my mind especially since I can't blog the same day but I'll do my best. This is a small club that meets in a community center here in a small hungarian village. It was a quick club only 2 hours so we made our block with only two techniques instead of four.



I think this was my favorite club so far. The ladies are part of an addiction program so we were working with a little slower group, but they were so proud of there work as they finished. I think this is the only group that wanted their pictures taken holding their blocks. I so enjoyed my time there. These are the two ladies that asked for a bible. Rosie, the lady in black asked each of us to sign it for her, so we dated it and wrote a short blessing or prayer or scripture in it for her.



Because we were in a rented space we had to finish quickly. The leader of the group wanted to learn how to tie a quilt. It seems that they will make quilts to give away, get this, for the less fortunate. Since our time at the community center was up we continued this lesson at the leaders house. Patricia is demonstrating the tie method here I'm just holding the quilt... I'm not the teacher just the helper and I just fine with that job.



I don't think I have told you this but if I have chalk it up to a tired old lady :)
Every where we go there are LARGE amounts of Hungarian pastries... It like a pot luck of pastries and everyone wants you to try theirs. I will weight 50 pounds more by the time I get home... good thing we don't pay for our flight by the pound !

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The Ukraine

Well we just made it home from the Ukraine. So very interesting going through the boarder crossings, it reminds me of the war movies you see... The Hungarian boarder with two separate checks then a neutral area and then two checks with the Ukraine guards. Any way it was a good day just very late. We didn't get back to Hungary until 12:39 PM.

The club was suppose to meet at 4:00 but it didn't meet until 6:00. There were 12 ladies that includes the pastors wife and a missionary lady. I'm told, and the hands confirmed it, that the club had to start late because the ladies were working the fields. What we have found is that we are more alike than different we enjoyed quilting and chatting about our families and our lives.

Patricia gave a powerful testimony that included the plan of salvation. I love to listen to her life story. I gave my testimony as well and at the end offered each a bible. All 10 ladies that asked for the bibles, every one of them! It was so amazing to see a desire for God's word. We are so thankful for all of our supporters and the impact that they have made on the lives of so many women here in Hungary and the small village in the Ukraine.

We also gave a gift of 10 bibles to the pastors wife to give as God leads and to use at their small church. So far we have given out 41 bibles and we still have 4 more quilt clubs to visit.

Please continue to pray for open hearts and a desire to know our Lord more intimately in each of these ladies lives. The bible says, "today is the day of salvation," our deepest desire is for each of these ladies to accept Christ and grow in Him through His word.

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Some Rest in His Hands

The last two days have been restful. We were able to see some of Budapest, their beautiful architecture, the Danube and of course lots of Hungarian food and sweets. The people we have met have been so kind and generous it's hard to believe they are distrustful of Americans. We have done our best to be examples of the love of Christ.

Today we had a fairly leisurely day. First thing we went to a local open air market, very interesting, most of the venders seem to be of oriental decent. It was strange looking at them and hearing Hungarian come out of their mouths. Then we met an American missionary family that just moved from Hungary to Slovenia. They had to be here for an appointment so we had opportunity to have lunch with the and stroll alone the Danube. It was so peaceful. Then we stopped at a local fabric shop and then home for a bit of rest before supper with the family Palmas family, the Hungarian missionary we are working with. Palma spent a month in Texas last year with Patricia learning about running a quilt shop. It seems a quilt shop may be something that would expand the quilting ministry here. Anyway Palma warned us that her father was not a fan of Americans and Christians so that was not a topic of discussion....but her parents wanted to thank Patricia for caring for her while she was in America. We had a delightful time and her father even laughed with us. It seemed to go well and we hope that we have left a better image of Christians and Americans.

The response to the quilt clubs has been more than we anticipated, praise God. Each club seems to be adding numbers and we find that we are having to make another 20-30 appliqué kits. Thankfully Patricia had the foresight to bring extra fabric. Of course we are so thrilled about the numbers not because of the sewing, although that is fun, but because it means more will hear the salvation message. The more seeds that are planted the larger the harvest will be. I know God has a plan and we are thrilled to be a part of it. We are still looking forward to meeting more of the ladies God has been preparing to have these bibles. We leave tomorrow morning for the Ukraine, it's about 200 miles. There will be a class there tomorrow and then classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well. So as you can see we needed the last two day to rest and prepare.

I leave you with this thought
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

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On the mission field

The past two days we were in the country areas. It has been a great blessing. Palma and Patti had arranged for us to stay with some of the ladies that are in the quilt clubs. They are so gracious and kind. Friday we were in a small town Viseto. The club there is meeting in a historic building and we were shown how they lived over the centuries. It was very interesting. Three girls met us in traditional hungarian clothes and danced for us, it was the oldest 12 birthday. There were 9 ladies at the club and 4 of them wanted bibles.

Yesterday we were in Gyulia a much larger club we had 44 women it was a very tiring day. This was a full days club with an 11:00- 12:00 hour for testimony Patricia spoke first she touched the hearts of several that could relate to her life. I was bold, I think so anyway, and was able to give the gospel and tell how it had changed my life even though I was saved at 5. There was a young girl,16, that played the violin for us, she has a marvelous gift, she come to me later with many tears and said she like to be a missionary and tell people about Jesus just like me. How humbling eye cried together and I told here that God would use her in a might way if she was willing to follow his guidance. Wow I'm crying just thinking about it.

We had 15 ladies ask for bibles each one wanted them signed. Well I'm not famous or an author so I wrote a little blessing in each and dated them. They seemed so grateful to have Gods word.

I wonder what will come of the seed Patricia and I planted what a beautiful garden it could be for The Lord.

We were exhausted but it was so well worth it.


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