USING EVERY MEANS

In recent months, God has given us many opportunities to share the Gospel and minister to others in Hungary in a special way. Pray for the thousands who have heard the Gospel lately, and for those who have made decisions for Christ during this time. Here are some of the ways God has worked.

Sports Ministries: 130 young people attended the soccer marathon in April, with 33 making public professions of faith in Christ for salvation.  Sports ministries in schools and a drug rehab center for teens have resulted in more than twenty trusting Christ as Savior.

“Born Again to a Living Hope”: We have recently had the opportunity to present this drama in Hungarian secondary schools and two major prisons. So far several thousand people have heard the Gospel through this drama, and several hundred have professed trust in Christ.

Open Air and Orphanages: In April a group of second-year students from the WOL Bible Institute in New York came to Hungary for take a on-site practical course on “Missions Realities.” Some of our staff and students joined them in ministry through giving out tracts and sharing the Lord on the streets of Budapest and in orphanages. About thirty made decisions to trust Christ during this special week that has become an annual event.

Family Day: On Pentecost Monday (May 12), the Lord sent a record crowd from our village and from across Hungary to our annual Family Day open-house. There were outdoor concerts by the Budafok Baptist Church choir and the Szeged Baptist Church youth choir. In addition our staff and students did a special children’s program, as well as a special presentation of “Born Again.” There were sports tournaments, sidewalk drawing contests and face painting for the children and other special activities around the property. The Gospel was presented several times throughout the day and there were decisions for Christ.

Ladies’ Conference: On May 17 around 400 women nearly filled our auditorium. Kim Silas, wife of the director of Word of Life Romania was our keynote speaker. Many Hungarian women come looking for answers to life - answers of hope and encouragement.  This year a woman came for counsel because of a son who has attempted suicide several times and is out of control. Another asked for prayer because of an unbelieving, alcoholic and abusive husband. We thank God for the opportunity to offer hope and encouragement to so many women who all help us see one important truth: evangelism is not dead in Europe! As in places all over the world, there are hurting, searching people who are open to the Gospel if we only go to them.

AN ENDING AND A BEGINNING

On May 31, 49 Bible School students received their one or two-year diplomas in Biblical studies. It was the largest graduating group in our school’s fourteen-year history. God has done a wonderful work in the lives of many of these students. They have great plans for the future as their school days end and the rest of their lives begin. Here is what some of them have said about what they learned this year: “God taught me to be a man who loves Him.” “I will try to have a regular, daily time spent with God, and be more dedicated to ministry and seeking God’s will.” “Living a life forged from anger and pain will only hold you back. You can never really move on unless you are willing to forget.” “Knowledge without obedience is worthless.” “I realized how asleep I was as a Christian, and how important it is to share the Gospel with others.”  “All our deepest desires can be fulfilled in God.” “God can give strength for seemingly impossible tasks.” “Growing to maturity takes discipline.” Pray for our graduates as they complete summer internships in various countries, and pray for God’s direction in their lives.

HUNGARY, SERBIA AND SLOVAKIA

Summer camp has now officially begun in Hungary, and we are looking forward to upcoming camps later this summer in Serbia and Slovakia. The economic situation in Hungary is very difficult for many families, who could not send their children to our camp without financial help. Of course God knows that, and He has given us a record amount of summer camp scholarship money to be used to help children who are for example orphans, from single parent homes, from minority groups, and kids from low income homes. We praise the Lord that a week before camp even began we already had more than 700 kids registered for camp in Hungary! In Serbia there will be three weeks of camp and we expect about 250 campers. The third camp week is in a completely new part of Serbia that is closer to the capital of Belgrade. Then in August we will team up with Word of Life Czech Republic to have our first-ever week of camp in Slovakia! Please pray as well over a thousand kids and teens will be attending these summer camps.

WE WISH YOU WELL, PETER!

Peter Somogyi resigned from our staff and recently moved back to his home town of Vancouver, Canada. He will be marrying a young lady from his home church, May Chen, on  July 12. Peter and May will continue to reside in Vancouver. Peter served with WOL Hungary 8 years in our IT department, and in the "Born Again to a Living Hope" drama. He planted a church in the neighboring village of Zsambok and has served as an intern pastor and main elder at our church in Tóalmás. He helped minister at the first ever WOL  camp week in Serbia. Peter leaves us with the testimony of a  job well done and with the warmest affection and best wishes of everyone on the WOL Hungary team.

VAN FUND INCREASE / DOUBLE YOUR INVESTMENT

We praise the Lord that the funds are rapidly increasing for our ministry van purchase. We need to buy a new extended van to replace our old one, which is in very poor condition and will not pass the next inspection in December. A total of $30,000 is still needed for the van project–but a gracious donor has committed $15,000 of this to a matching fund. This means that every dollar given to the van fund from June 15 will be matched up to $15,000! Please pray that this $15,000 comes in soon. If you would like to help, checks can be made out to "Word of Life Fellowship" with "Hungary vehicle project 05066C" in the memo section. Checks may be sent to Word of Life Fellowship, Box 600, Schroon Lake, NY 12870.