Another good day...

I just thought I'd share this great photo with you.

Isn't this field stunning. When the sun it it just right it looked like gold. Fields like this are everywhere. Can you guess what it is?


These are the plants used to make canola oil. When we stepped out of the fields our clothes were full of pollen good thing we aren't allergic to it.

Today was a good day, although we all seemed a little out of it. Good thing we didn't have a class. We went to the office with Palma. She did, well I'm not sure what she did, now that I think about it, but she did do something. I cut fabrics for the class in Romania (we leave for there tomorrow). Patricia worked on safe house quilts. I can't remember if I told you about that, but they are for the girls/ women that are rescued from sex trafficking. They try to make one for each one there. It's a big job! After I was done cutting fabric, I worked on some small sewing kits to give to the ladies at the refugee club. We thought if they had to leave things behind when the left, that they might be able to use some basics.


This club is Monday and will be our last one. Our flight home is Tuesday are 6:00 AM. YES REALLY. We have to be at the airport at 3:30, again if you missed it, AM :/

We had a nice surprise today, the pastor of Palma's church called to thank us for our willingness to speak to the congregation. He felt that it hit home with some and asked us to please be there on Sunday because there were those that wanted to talk to us. We were so happy to hear that Christ used us in some way. Palma told him we would come if he provided another interpreter, I think she is englished out - i know that's not a proper way to say it, but as Palma says she speaks Yoda ( backwards )

Early to bed, early to rise...

We got up a little early this morning to get some post cards written to the grand kids. We don't want them to forget us while were gone.

A quick bite of breakfast and then it was off to church. One would think it would be a time of relaxing with The Lord and praising him, but as it happens we were asked to speak to the congregation about the quilting ministry and give our testimonies. Needless to say we were a bit anxious through the beginning of the service not to mention the songs were in Hungarian. When it was in subtitled in English our words didn't sync with theirs or the music, so it was work to try and sing. The pastor gave us a half an hour to speak. Patricia is great, I'm not so fond of being behind the pulpit. Never the less I believe it went well. Actually the pastor decided not to have the sermon. We sang a little more and he reminded them of several things that were said and we were dismissed. They had a light refreshment and coffee after the service.

To Adam and Erin I would say, I used something I see at your church to end with. I told them that as you leave the church there is a sign that says "you are now entering the mission field". I did add that it was only part of the truth...because as you come back in there should be a sign saying you are now returning to the mission field, because we should all be reaching out to bring others in. It seemed that the pastor liked that and he added his own encouragement to them to be about the Lords work. As we tried to leave we were greeted with hugs, "God bless you"s, thanks, and encouragement to keep telling others. It was all very humbling.

We came home changed clothes had a quick lunch. Then headed to Szentendre, yes, really, who can say that? It's a quaint little shopping area that is very old world.

There are all kinds of hand made things, Hungarian blue fabrics, lace shops, food, ice cream shops there is even a huge Christmas shop. The area winds around for about two miles (that's must be why there are so many food shops that's a lot of walking without fuel ). Some of the shop doors are like hinged garage doors. It's cool to see. Then there are those shops that you walk into only to find out there is a courtyard with more shops on the other side. Very European, oh ya were in Europe so I guess it's normal to them. Not for us though.

You know with all that walking we had to eat. There was an interesting bistro with a huge stuffed ostrich. Seem odd to us until we opened the menu. :\ Yes indeed, ostrich was one of the prominent dishes. Since we aren't prominent we chose another option. It was delicious probably the best meal we've had since we've been here.

It was a very leisure meal by the time we were done eating the shops were closed. Fortunately the ice cream shops were still open. How could we think about leaving without topping off our meal with a great dessert. I suppose we could have, but we didn't !!!

By the time we got home it was time to get kits together for Tuesday. Tomorrow we work on safe house quilts all day as well as prepare some sewing kits for the refugee ladies. I guess that covers everything from today.

Halfway!

It's hard to think we are half way through our trip. Time passes so quickly. It seems we have been on the go since our feet hit the ground. It's one thing to know the schedule and another to actually work through it, but that's why we are here.

We had a great day today. Not to hectic but constant. First thing this morning we got all the kits and gifts together. Next we headed to Budapest to a quilt exhibition put on by the club from Vescse's, which is what we would consider a suburb of Budapest. They had some lovely things on display. It was actually a courtyard in the center of an apartment building. Beautiful.

From there we had a nice lunch in an outside cafe', the weather was perfect. A leisurely walk around part of the city took us to a Starbucks and a nice little sewing shoppe. Time passed quickly as we looked in windows and at the architecture. Before we knew it it was time to be at the club to set up. It was only about a 25 minute drive. We were greeted by Eniko the club leader. I will say the leaders have been delightful and so welcoming. The ladies were very timely and set up their machines in record time. This particular group of ladies were experienced quilters and picked up the technique quickly

We started at 3:00 and were to end at 6:00. About 4:30 there was a break , it was set aside for our time of testimony. Patricia did a wonderful job of comparing our life to making a quilt, small pieces made into something... but only God sees the big pictures and if we trust in him he makes all things beautiful. She assured them that they are loved and Christ sacrificed himself because of his love for them. It was an analogy that they seemed to connect with. Praise God. I spoke after Patricia. A little about my life growing up and the valleys that I've gone through but with the Grace of God he lifted me and drew me closer to him. We all have some similar thing that go one in our lives. No matter who we are or where we live life is strangely similar.

By the Grace of God there were 7 ladies that asked for bibles and the leader of that club asked if we would leave five with her for other meetings. We were so happy that we had all they needed.

I hope is you read these blog notes you remember that you have been a very important part of getting the gospel message to these women. They have been blessed through your love for the Lord!

Into Bosnia

Well where to start ... We left Hungary on Wednesday morning. Not real early around 8:30. We traveled until about 1:00 and then we stopped in Croatia at a friend of Palma's where we had lunch. A lovely young lady who is working with the Roma's ( gypsies ). There are 6 in the group that work together. Very interesting work. On the road again and crossed the boarder into Bosnia. Palma was full of information as we traveled. We drove through what is known locally as the "War Zone". It was amazing to see. The war has been over for twenty years and it looks like yesterday, housed bombed out or covered with bullet holes. It was like that even in Sarajevo but with the new built around the devastated buildings.

It was a war within the country with three factions involved I guess you would call it a civil war. The city of Sarajevo is in the valley surrounded by mountains. Like a donut with the city in the center. So it was easily devastated. Just a little history for you.

It is mostly Muslim you can see mosques is all directions large ones and small ones. They  sprinkle the countryside as well as the city. The missionary couple we stayed with live just around the corner from a large mosque and you can regularly hear their call to worship. So odd for us we are more used to church bells.

Larry and Jill are church planters along with a team of three other couples. If I remembering right, the idea is to do home church plants because the economy is so poor a new local church could not sustain itself.

The quilt ministry is something the ladies started to reach out to local women and share the gospel. It's quite a task to witness to the Muslim women without offending them so they won't return. This is one of the clubs, so out of respect for their program we did not offer bibles. They are at a tender point and afraid that if they push too hard, too quickly the ladies won't come back. Each week the club is opened with prayer and there is a short testimony or reading or study. Of course this week we gave our testimonies. There are four Muslim women there after it all was said and done. They each came up to us and thanked us for sharing. All I can say is I think seeds were planted, the rest is up to God to send who is needed. The ladies were warm and inviting. We enjoyed our time with them very much.

So many people who do not know, who cannot see their creator. Pray for the people of Bosnia and the missionaries who work so hard to bring the truth of salvation to them.

Looks like Patricia's on a break :)

Yesterday we had a day of worship and rest.   Hmmm..... I think that is what Sunday is suppose to be :-).  Well that is exactly what it was.  We went to church with Palma.  It is a Pentecostal church lots of great songs, testimonies, and teaching. We enjoyed it thoroughly.  It happened to be The Lords Supper Sunday, that was nice. On this Sunday of the month they have guests that stay at the church so they provide a luncheon and we were invited to attend. It was a time of meeting more people, poor Palma she is constantly having to translate. We sure do appreciate it, without her we'd be lost. I think that may be literal too.

Today we spent the day at Palmas office.  We worked on quilts for the safe house (a place for women and girls that have been trafficked). There were 25 tops that need batting and backs cut. We did accomplish that and were able to get 1 stitched and flipped ready to be tied. We'll do more as time allows. Tonight we invited Ava, the lady who's house we stayed at two years ago, for supper.   We served tacos  :-).  Food from home. Everyone seemed to enjoy it  I know Patricia and I did. Late suppers here, 7:30, but now it's bed time (11:00) so I'll say goodnight.

Day one, Good, but tiring.

We arrived safely on Friday around 4 in the afternoon. Boy were we dragging. Patricia had been up since 5 on Thursday morning and me around 8. Sleeping on the plane was not really possible it was a long sit on those planes ! We crashed around 8 last night and slept until 8 this morning. The weather was a little cool this morning, around 60 but overcast with a breeze but still better than home.

Our first club was today, Fo't, just outside of Budapest. A lovely town and in the midst of it there was a beautiful Catholic Church. Palma told us the architect that designed the Parliament here also designed this church, well back to the club information. We had 7 ladies there, one of which had never used a sewing machine or a rotary cutter but she caught on fairly quickly. Each lady chose the fabric kit they wanted and then Patricia set about telling them all about the stack and whack technique. They worked diligently and each lady finished at least one of the squares.

We took a break about half way through the club to give our testimonies. Patricia talked about how our lives are like the quilt we were making and how God would use each step to shape us. After her analogy she gave the salvation message straight and to the point. It was so cool. Then it was my turn. I gave an overview of my life, so far anyway, and told them how much my relationship with Christ guided me, lifted me and showed me the path I need to take. I was sure to say that a relationship with Christ was a two way street it wasn't just up to Christ to be with me but I needed to be close with Him. "My bible is my very own love letter from him " I said , " and that is how I grow each day into a deeper relationship with him. ". I love the story of the rich man and Lazarus and I recounted it to them. It is personal to me because I know those who choose to live a life outside of Christ....people I love , friends - old ones and new ones. We them offered them a love letter of there own, Gods letter to them. After the club was over one of the ladies requested a bible. It was the best part of the day. God surly works in the hearts of man. I pray this woman will answer Christ call and accept him as Lord and Savior.

Well that was our day we left at 9:30 am and we arrived back home about 8:15 pm and yes we are still tired, but with hope that God was glorified today.

We are off!

Well the day has come.  We are at the airport, checked in through security and now we are sitting at the gate resting. We board in a half an hour and away we go. Look out Hungary we'll be there tomorrow ready to go😊.
I hope you are ready to hear about the lives you will be touching.  I'll do my best to keep  you informed about each club.
Keep praying 🙏.