Bibleclub Began

There wasn’t a year between 1995-2003 when Szandra and I did not lead a Bible Club somewhere in Hungary at a church. Between 2000-2003 it meant our local Tóalmás club. Then we moved to Dallas and the club here slowly stopped functioning. However the need has always been present, particularly now when our staff only has about 21 children. Thankfully the Tóalmás Bible Club is back and alive again! This time we are focusing on 7-12 year old children and the meetings go very well. Many thanks to Jill and Paul Weaver for opening their home and hosting a growing group of children week by week. Jill is not only our hostess, but a gifted administrator, while Laci would rather call himself a coach, training and helping the leadership group. Not only the club is back, but some of the old club-kids (now young adults, of course) are back as well. 3 of our former clubber teens have different responsibilities in the club leadership in reaching out to the children of our town! Ejoy the pics!

Roof Reconstructed

After 5 months of work, at the end of November the renovation of castle’s roof was finished. The roof is now in its original beautiful shape again. From the outside you can see beautiful black shingles, individually crafted ornaments and the classical symmetry of fine architecture.

While from the outside it may not be seen, now we have a great new possibility of developing the attic in a state-of-the-art bible school facility. The structure was rebuilt such way that now we gained a lot of useful space to create two classrooms, a couple of offices and a new library.

The heating system of the building was also modernized. The replacement of all the pipes, and other major changes will make it possible for our ministry to have a warmer building on the one hand, and save energy at the same time on the other.

Szandra's Selected Stories

NEW CHILDREN AND NEW SISTERS

My new children: As the fall begun I started teaching 3-6 year old kids in our church. During the worship service we sing, they listen to a Bible story, learn a verse, then we play. I am truly thankful for this opportunity that gives me more time to spend in God's word and see our own and other children learn and benefit from it. My girl-friend Ildiko and I take turns teaching and as we do it together we grow in Christ.

My new sisters: At the Word of Life Bible Institute I am mentoring 2 young ladies (Laci is mentoring a young man). The girls are such a delight as they are looking for the Lord's guidance and direction in their lives. I meet with them both together twice a month and then individually once a month. I can only hope that they are at least as much blessed as I am through them.

GUESTBOOK FILLING UP

About once a month Laci takes the guest teacher at the Bible Institute sightseeing and then they come home for dinner. For the most time it means seeing friends but we meet new people as well. It's a joy anyways and the kids know it's a special night with dessert and a longer movie, so that we can enjoy some fellowship. It usually works really well. Can't wait to have some of you too!

It was such a delight having some of our long time supporters and friends come and visit with us for a couple of days. They played with and loved our children just like their own grandkids and they helped me around the house a whole lot. Thank you dear Dave and Rosemarie, you have encouraged us greatly.

We really do enjoy having overnight guests in our house. At the beginning of October Laci's parents came for a short parental birthday visit. The kids loved the extra attention and I got to talk to some adults all day long. Not that I am a big talker but it does store up if you don't have adult company for a long time. Please look me up on facebook if we are not friends yet or just send me an email to kadarszandra@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you.

BIRTHDAYS AND OTHER FAMILY ADVENTURES

On October 16th Laci opened the birthday season and he was thrilled to get some of his favorite pictures of the Dallas skyline framed. I think he even watched a movie - a rarity with 3 kids. Our evenings are busy with putting the kids down, with plannig our next day, or the weekend ministry which is about every other weekend. On some rare nights Laci really enjoys projects around the house such as building a walk-in closet in our bedroom, installing a bathroom cabinet under the sink, cleaning up the basement/garage etc. I am thankful that he enjoys these after long days at work.

Luca was next, turning 3 on November 4th and then starting kindergarden. From the first day on she acted like she had always belonged there. Our middle one is a happy and social child. She likes to explore, to try out new things and to meet new kids. Now she thinks she is equal with Fanni... We got her a toy microphone since she is also convinced that she is a professional singer...

Fanni is turning 5 this coming Christmas and is very excited about the possibility of starting school next Fall. She is a very responsible child, remembers homework when her teacher gives them one. We need to help her improve in recognizing her right and left sides and in her time awareness. Fanni loves being the big sister and is very helpful around the house and in the kitchen.

Little Laci thinks he is a great help around the house too, but often he is more like a tsunami or a tornado. When I see all the tupperware, plastic cups and other kitchen gadgets on the floor it really makes me wonder if we should have industrial strenght steel gates in the house. He is turning 18 months in December and is a real boy. He loves helping daddy, whatever he does, from drinking coffee to doing quiet time, from fixing things around the house to playing the guitar.

Life is fun and so is family and ministry! Looking forward to all the blessings at this coming Holiday Season and to a Christ-centered New Year. Wishing you the same!

Szandra

Soccer Marathon 2009 Fall

As I am writing this note our biannual Soccer Marathon is still going on. What a day it has been! Ten nearby elementary schools sent their teams to compete in this all day long soccer championship. Considering the number of the teams and the number of victories needed for becoming champion, the even truly is a marathon. But, teams are enjoying it very much, and kids seems to have endless enery supply to play yet another game.

During the lunch break I had the privilege to present a Gospel message. I read and explained the story of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20. Part of the message was a spontanous melodrama - some of the young soccer players acting out the story. And, that they did so well that pretty much everyone got the message of the text. At the end, I gave an invitation and some 13 kids came forward to talk to our students and staff about salvation. Hopefully many of them became Christians today.

Praise God for such wonderful response!

Street Evangelism, Budapest 2009 September

Zsiga is a 40 years old Gypsy man. The last time he cried was when he was 3 years old. He never knew his parents, and was raised up in a poor state home. This far, he spent 23 years in prison. The last time he saw his 25 years old son was when the boy was 5 months old. He is hungry and he may need to go back to prison. Yes, very likely he deserved those 23 years... but God loves him, Jesus Christ died for him on the cross and wants to give Zsiga eternal life.

Zsiga and many others had a chance to hear the Gospel, as the students and staff of WOL Hungary kicked off the school year with Open Air Evangelism first learning the “how to” in the classroom, then actually doing it on the streets of Budapest. In our highly secular society, where going to church (actually being in a church building) is something odd for the vast majority of the population the street is the place where we can meet our fellow countrymen and pass on to them the message of hope. Of the two days of open air ministry, Szandra and I were both able to participate in one (switching off watching the kids on the other one). So, on Friday I (Laci) was left alone with the three youngsters and Szandra evangelized with the group (I think evangelizing is far easier...) But, seriously both days were great. Altogether we were able to personally share the Gospel with 220 people (and approached many more with tracts and sketch board presentations). Nine of these people decided to trust Jesus Christ for their salvation right there on the streets of Budapest.

Summer Testimonies

What a summer it was!

450 kids could get 50% off, and 50 kids could do camping free of charge. Never before were we able to distribute so many scholarships than this year. While Hungary has been going through a great economic crisis, while many Hungarian church and secular camps decided not to open this year, we were able to maintain our numbers from last year, for which we praise our Provider. 750 kids enjoyed camping, and about 200 of them trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation. Please enjoy some of their testimonies. In accordance with Hungarian law, I can only give you the initial of the first names

T. 8 years old girl
My parents divorced and my mom is getting married to my step-father, whom I really love. My parents are Christians, I have a sister. My favorite things at camp are the Bible hours and the games. It was Tuesday when Laci told us that it is not required but if someone wants to pray the prayer after him, then do it, and I did. This decision was important, because I can only go to heaven if I believe in Jesus. Please pray for my dad who smokes, and because of that I’m afraid he is going to die.

A. 11 years old boy
I have 4 siblings, my parents are Christians. We go to a Baptist church. I got saved in this camp, and I believe, that this decision is important, because that is the way to heaven. I really like the Bible hours, specially when Istvan Madarasz is the preacher, because he talks to the children in a way that they can understand it, but when I’m in church, I feel that the preacher is not really into it. This camp helped me to understand that I won’t go to hell after I got saved, even if I do something bad after it. I didn’t know that before. This is my third time here in this camp and I hope I will come again!

L. 11 years old girl
I was born into a Christian family, but I got saved here at camp. My mom takes us to church regularly, and my dad believes in God but doesn’t go to church with us often. I have two siblings. I know I will go to heaven no matter when I die. I’m a friend of Christ, and it’s much easier to live my life this way. I want to read the Bible everyday, pray and act in a way that is pleasing Him. I love the English instructions, because we have really nice teachers. I also love the program, because it varies from day to day.

L. 11 years old girl
My parents are Catholics, I have a brother. I used to go to church but I don’t have time for it nowadays. I heard the gospel before, but then I thought I have time… But at this camp they gave us a chance to be saved, and I felt that I have to make this decision also. I learned a lot of new stuff at this camp that I didn’t know about, and it also reminded me of things I have heard before. The camp also encouraged me to believe in God and to pray. I know if I die I will go to heaven. This is my first time at camp and I love it, mainly the playground, instructions, meetings.

R. 11 years old boy
I have two siblings, my parents divorced and only my mother is a believer. We attend a Baptist church. This is my second time here, my favorite thing is soccer. I heard the gospel before, but I only made a decision here, at camp. I know that I will go to heaven when I die. When I go home, I’m going to talk about my decision to my classmates, so that they can be saved too.

D. 17 years old young man
I come from a sort of Christian family. My classmates didn’t really like me, but now they start to accept me. We go to a Catholic church on Sundays. I believe that we have to have a personal relationship with God. I really like the fact that there are a lot of people here just like me. The Bible hours were good reminders. At school I try to talk about my faith and share my view on it with my classmates.

L. 14 years old guy
My parents divorced. I live with my mother, who is a Christian. We don’t go to church regularly, just time to time. This is my second time here, and I love it a lot. My favorite part is the games. It’s so cool that even though it’s a Christian camp, we can laugh so much, and spend a lot of time with God. I got saved this Tuesday. I go to a school where I face a lot of bad influence, and this camp helped me a lot to be able to handle those temptations with God. Please pray that I will love people more and that I would be less critic.

N. 13 years old girl
My mom loves God a lot, but my dad doesn’t really. He gets angry a lot of times and mad at us. I have 3 siblings. This is my first time here at camp, and I love the English instructions, games, conversations. I loved the illustrations at the meetings, they made me think. It was also good to hear about honoring our parents because I struggle with that. I got saved this Tuesday. This camp helped me to make this decision, and I am so glad I could share my testimony at the camp fire. Please pray that my parents will not divorce.

K. 15 years old girl
This is my first time here at camp. Everyone is so joyful here, and that made me think. My parents divorced and I live with my mom, who is not a Christian. I have an older sister. I was lonely for a long time, and I felt there is something missing from my life. At the meetings they were talking about the fact that we need to know where we stand. I knew I have to make a decision, because I can’t be here and there. That’s why I made a decision to give my life to Jesus, to trust in Him. I go to a youth group sometimes. This camp helped me understand some basic truth. I really enjoyed it. Please pray that I can stay firm in my faith, and that my not Christian friends would not influence me in a bad way.

Back to Texas

It was amazing how God provided for our trip. We just cannot be thankful enough for all those individuals and churches who made it possible for us to visit our current and potential new ministry partners. Thank you for helping, thank you for praying. After Laci finished teaching his last winter quarter course in the Bible Institute(New Testament Backgrounds)we left on February 25 to Texas. Fanni was very sick all the way to Dallas. A couple of days after we arrived we got the news that Laci's father ended up in ICU in critical condition. Of our 8 weeks in American Laci senior spent almost 6 hospitalized. And, on the very first week of our stay Szandra's mom got chicken-pox, and a pretty severe case of it... We seriously thought about returning during those days.
But with all these difficulties the trip still went remarkably well. This entry would be way too long to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the churches and individuals who gave us opportunities to present our ministry, who extended hospitality, opened their homes and heart to our family.
During our 8 weeks long stay we visited 7 different churches, and we were able to make many new contacts. We ate out or in a friend's house almost every day, and it was no small ordeal for our kids being exposed to scores of unknown friends, babysitters "uncles and aunts."
We hope and pray that this trip will broaden our ministry base, hopefully more churches will be able to come over and help in camps and hopefully our support will reach 100%.

January Journal (and a little February)

January 11. 10.00 am.

Preaching in the Győr Brethren Assembly. 

A small and faithful church in a large industrial city, Győr. The city has its long history, and vibrant present. Their mayor is a former Olimpic champion, and in the city one of the largest car manufacturers of Europe operate a huge plant. How moving it is to see the faithful few praying for revival in the large sea of secularity. 

January 11. 2:00 pm.  Surprise B'day party for Dad

My three brothers, their wives and the nine grandchildren all arrived. Everyone parked in front of Mom's and Dad's house, then as they arrived they entered the house, gathered in one small room, lit the birthday cake - and Dad did not notice anything. That was an achievement in itself, considering the presence of 6 kids under the age of 4. What a suprise it was. How thankful we are for Dad, and his love!

January 14 10:00 am.  WOL Hungary Leadership Meeting

Count your blessings... says the old song, and that was what we did. It is still hard to believe that the funds are there to do the renovation of the castle, and the meeting included an intensive two hours of planning, prayer and discussion of this "mega-project" (at least for us it is that). Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we will spend most of the year in dust and noise.

January 20-30 Introduction into Modern Missions

This was the thirteenth time for me to teach this class in our Bible Institute - and it was still so exciting seeing how God opened the students' eyes for the world's needs. The great heros of the history of missions all started up as young people dreaming big dreams for the LORD... I wonder what dreams my student dream, and what God will accomplish through their dedicated lives.

January 23-25 WOL Hungary Mission Conference

The conference focused on the need of a Hungarian Mission, "Menedék Alapítvány" (Refuge Foundation), a Baptist charity and evangelistic ministry. Their goal is toto evangelize and integrate into society homeless adults families and children. They operate a school, several homeless shelters, a foster parent network a crisis center for single moms, and many other things. And, they faithfully proclaim the Gospel. Our students and staff made a faith-promise to help them with over $10 000 by June, 2009. During the Mission Conference Laci had a seminar introducing the staffing needs of our ministry. Of the 14 people present 6 turned in an application to become a short term volunteer.

February 2 10:00 Preaching int the Tóalmás Bible Assembly

Though we are not members of this church, we love it dearly, and it always feels to preach here. Laci gave a message from 2 Cor 3:1-12, encouraging them to remember God's faithfulness and go on when difficulty or opposition comes.

Destination: Dallas

Now it is confirmed, our family will be back to Texas February 25 through April 22.  The way (and speed) God provided for this need was rather amazing. As I am writing this entry (with tickets already purchased) half of the needed funds for our trip came in.  Thank you very much if you helped.  Please pray for the completion of this project before we leave.

As far as our schedule is concerned we have just started organizing the details. If you, my reader live in Dallas, and would like to meet us sometimes, please send us a note to lszkadar@gmail.com.  We would be glad to give a report about the exciting ministry of WOL Hungary, particularly about the Bible School and our evangelistic camps in your church as well, including mid-week and youth events. Szandra is organizing some "Meet the Missionaries" events. There are informal home-fellowships, where our hosts and their guests have a chance to hear a presentation of our ministry and our needs with no further obligations. Would you be interested in hosting such an event for us? Please let us know.  And, meanwhile please pray for all the details of our trip. It will be no easy challenge to travel with three little kids, settle in a new house, keep on eye on the upcoming summer camping season and make the best out of our time in America.