The One About Homesickness, Hungary, and Heaven

I got homesick at church tonight.

Not homesick for our house or family in Mississippi, but homesick for my OTHER family--the family that I may never see again on this earth--

One of our sweet missionary friends from Hungary is visiting the U.S. right now.  He's here to raise more financial support for his family's ministry and to spread the word about mission opportunities like the one we were privileged to participate in two years ago.  Istvan shared his testimony and ministry updates with our small group tonight, and when it was time to go-- when we all said our farewells-- the homesickness set in.

Istvan with Phil in Budapest

He's here alone on this trip, but last summer his wife and children traveled to the states with him. When their visit with us came to an end and we said our farewells, they urged us to join them again in the work in Hungary, and the homesickness washed over me...I remember trying to hold back tears.

I've had that same feeling before...

Two years ago I felt it when Betti and Tomo left our camp in Hungary to return to their home in Macedonia. We had been blessed to spend two weeks with them at the Speak Out language camp.... we talked and listened for hours as they shared how Jesus gloriously rescued and redeemed them and how He later opened the doors for them to be missionaries to their own people.  I vividly remember our last evening with them... the prayer, the tears, the hugs... sweet Tomo even gave us a replica of a clay lamp that was used by early Macedonian Christians (the ones mentioned in the book of Acts, y'all).  He encouraged us to be diligent--ready--and consistent in letting our light shine in America. When this faithful couple left us, my heart ached so much.... they invited us to join them on staff at their Macedonian language/evangelistic camp, but only God knows if we will be able to accept that invitation or if we'll ever see them again.

Tomo and Betti after a water gun fight during Speak Out

During that summer in 2012, our family spent nearly five weeks with other believers like Betti, Tomo, and Istvan; our mission was to share the good news of salvation with Hungarian students.  Our time was spent among dedicated brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world who have left behind homes, home lands, good jobs, extended families, and much more--all for the gospel's sake.  We heard their stories, we watched them minister to lost students, we prayed with them for God to work in mighty ways among the people of Hungary, and we learned from their examples.

And y'all.  Y'ALL.  The Hungarian students....the ones who were already believers and who had decided to join the Speak Out Staff and minister to their peers.... Those young men and women were ON FIRE. Many of them --like my friends Betty and Rebekah-- spent their afternoons witnessing to strangers in the nearby villages as well as dedicating hours to praying for the campers.  Betty and Rebekah even arrived at our going away party in Budapest a few hours early JUST SO THEY WOULD HAVE TIME TO WITNESS TO PEOPLE IN THE AREA.... Y'all.  

It's been two years and still, my heart is so full as I remember the beauty of the body of Christ at work in Hungary.  After all of this, how could we NOT feel like we had indeed become family with these amazing people? For most of our first month back home in the U.S., Phil and I both ached --even cried-- with homesickness for our new family members... 

If you've been made a part of God's family through the work of Christ on your behalf at Calvary, then you may understand this homesickness I'm (so pitifully) trying to describe.  Think of the precious believers you have met and grown to love throughout the course of your life...  The shared experience of being made NEW and being FORGIVEN and having JESUS as a BEST FRIEND can draw strangers together in a matter of moments.  That bond that Jesus creates among His people is hard to describe but SO VERY REAL and PRECIOUS to those of us who know Him. I can't help but think of the many summer camps, youth retreats, and conferences I've attended as well as the different church congregations I've been blessed to worship with.... so many brothers and sisters that I've laughed, shared, and cried with .... so many brothers and sisters I haven't seen in years and who I will not see again....at least, not HERE, anyway... can you relate?  Do you at times feel some homesickness for your Christian family, too?

When we attend the funeral of a fellow believer, even as we grieve, we are greatly comforted by the reality that we will see that loved one again in heaven.  That same feeling of loss, that same ache, and that great hope of reunion is what I'm feeling tonight... except, there hasn't been a funeral.  No one has died.  I'm just missing my family--my brothers and sisters who are a part of God's family all over the globe--and the chances of seeing many of them again on this planet are small....

What a blessing it was to see Istvan again tonight and to hear of the continued work in Hungary.

And what a blessing it will be when "the family" is all together again.  Knowing a day is coming when goodbyes are a thing of the past and knowing we're all finally "home" makes the hope of Heaven even sweeter, doesn't it?  

 Istvan and his wife Isabella

 Tomo and Phil in Budapest

 Ingrid and J.R....they left their secure jobs and home in the U.S. and now live and minister in Hungary

 Istvan and family dressed in costumes for our weekly Staff Hunt

Ingrid and I dressed for Staff Hunt

The Davis Family + Daubenspeck Family = The Davispecks

We shared a home together in Hungary for the month.  Despite our differences, we felt like family.  (We're from the Deep South, y'all,  and they're from Philadelphia, you guys.)

Betty and Rebekah in their staff hunt costumes

....some of my "little sisters" in Christ

I'm not sure which Hungarian student leader this is, (and I actually swiped this photo from a Cru staff member) but I know he's a part of the family, too.  

Take a look at the Speak Out website and video HERE.  FYI: When we were in Hungary in 2012, we were privileged to drive the awesome van that's featured in the video.  

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."  John 14:1-3 

 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:9-10

Hello Again

Hello out there in cyber-land.  Anybody still out there????  I just realized that I haven't posted a blog on either of my sites since we returned from Hungary on August 1. We've been a bit extremely busy since we returned.  Phil went back to work and was immediately sent out of town for two weeks.  My mom had knee replacement surgery only days after we landed back on American soil, and we've been staying with her while she recovers.  AND, my dear Mamaw went to be with Jesus just a few days after my mother's surgery.  AND the kids and I have been easing our way into life as a home schooling family.  Life has been crazy lately, but God is still on His throne, and He is doing all things well, and we are all just fine. 

How are you?

Some of you may not know, but I did not return to my former place of employment this school year.  That's a LONG STORY that everyone who is involved already knows about.  I'll just leave it at this: 

God has been up to something in our family. 

He has been moving and turning hearts and stirring up desires that I never would have imagined a few years ago.  After much prayer, Phil and I decided that I would not return to full time work this year so we can be free to pursue some other ministries that God has laid on our hearts.  We are still seeking Him and waiting for Him to continue to direct our steps, and we are trusting that He Who began a work in us will be faithful to bring it to completion. 

Just last week, Phil and Drew had the opportunity to make a mad dash to Louisana to assist in offering relief to victims of Hurricane Issac.  That was a ministry opportunity that we hadn't planned to pursue, but the need arose, and God made a way for my guys to go and extend grace.  I'm naturally prone to selfishness and self-absorption, but I married a man who was born to serve others.  He's one who will, as the old expression goes, give you the shirt off his own back.  Bless him, he'll even give you the shirt off one of our backs if it will fit you better.  He's just awesome like that, and he's showing our kids how to live like that, too.  (He doesn't know I'm writing about this, and when he reads this, he's gonna feel weird. It's my blog, though, and I can be grateful if I want.  Right?) 

Anywho......  I just wanted to give a quick update to offer an explanation for my absence---just in case my two regular readers were wondering what was going on (Hi Becky & Aunt Martha!).  Feel free to leave comments on here.  I'd love to know who reads this, and I'd like to know what you've been up to as well. 

If my internet connection permits, I'm actually going to post another entry today that will be entirely about my dear Mamaw.  I found some pictures of her that I'd like to share with my Garrard family.  Of course, all of you who are not Garrards by birth or marriage are more than welcome to take a look as well.

See y'all in the next post:)

Click here to read about my Mamaw.

Meet Gabi

In many parts of America, growing up in a Christian home is not an unusual thing. 

In fact, in certain parts of the Southern U.S., you can throw a biscuit and hit a Christian.  Or maybe a church-goer.  Y’all know what I mean.

Not many people can claim to have grown up in a Christian home in Hungary, so to meet a Hungarian who came to know Jesus as a child while being raised by Christian parents, well now, that’s a rare thing.   And for that Hungarian to be not a second generation Christian but rather a third generation Christian, well, that’s downright amazing.  And fascinating.  Let me introduce you to Gabi.

We had the privilege of eating lunch with Gabi last week, and we asked all the usual questions.  “Where are you from?” and “What work do you do?” and “Have you visited the U.S.?”  

This is his story:  Gabi lives in Budapest and works for Campus Crusade for Christ.  He and a team of Hungarian Christians spend their lives evangelizing and discipling students on a university campus.  They hold Bible studies, sponsor activities, and have prayer with people.  They also conduct surveys among students, and if students have spiritual needs or questions, the team gets their contact information and schedules meetings to speak with the students individually.  The group Phil worked with during the fall gathered the names of more than 500 students who provided their contact information and indicated that they would like to speak with someone about spiritual concerns.  Gabi says they have the “good” problem of having more students to contact than they have staff who can make follow-up calls. 

When students accept Christ as their Savior, Gabi and his teammates begin the work of discipling them:  teaching them about the Bible, showing them how to share their new faith with others, etc.  Some of our staff here at Speak Out are actually students that Gabi has led to the Lord.  Other believers financially support Gabi and the team so that this work can continue.  Just a few weeks ago, Gabi and his wife were in the U.S. to meet some of their supporters and to share about the work God is doing among Hungarian students. 

When I asked Gabi how he became a Christian, he told us that he was raised in a Christian home and came to Christ as a child.  Then he shared this story.

Some of you may know that Hungary was a Communist nation until 1990.  Madarasz Lajos, Gabi's grandfather, was a preacher in Hungary during this time when Christianity was illegal.  He held “underground” or secret church meetings during the 1960’s for people who wanted to know about having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.  Not all churches had to meet in secret, though.  The ones that were approved by the government were mainly places to gather and talk about political issues. Some of the priests in the state-approved churches actually served as spies for the government by reporting any person or activity that seemed to be “Christian.” 

Besides leading an underground congregation of believers, Lajos was also a teacher of math and Physics.  Somehow, his employer discovered his secret Christian work and forced him to make a choice.  Lajos was given three days to decide to keep his job or to continue pastoring the Hungarian believers.  Gabi said, “He told them, ‘I don’t need three days to decide.  I will tell you now.’”  Lajos had a wife and seven children to support, but he chose to faithfully proclaim God’s word, even though it ruined his career. 

God was faithful, though.  All seven children thrived and all seven became believers.  Later, forty-six grandchildren were added to the family, and all forty-six became believers as well.  Gabi and his work with CCC are just some of the fruits that have come from the devotion and courage of that brave Hungarian pastor.  Only heaven knows exactly how many lives were rescued and redeemed in spite of the restraints of Communism.

I, like Gabi, am the product of a Christian home, and I am also a third generation Christian.  I thank God for my Christian heritage, and the work of Christ in our family is just as amazing.  But the courage of that one man to willingly face persecution in a Communist country…. his story both challenges and convicts me.  I’ve never been forced to choose between my relationship with God and my employment, or between feeding my family and sharing my faith.  How easy it is to serve God in America, yet how many faith-sharing opportunities have I ignored?

God, make us mindful and grateful for every opportunity to make Your glory known.  Thank you for heroes of the faith who motivate us and challenge us.

Thanks for meeting our new friend.  Will you pray for him, his wife, and their ministry team as they faithfully spread the Good News of Jesus Christ?

By the way, if you haven't seen it, I'm trying post pictures of Speak Out on our family blog.  Check it out:  www.davisfamilyinhungary.blogspot.com

Morning Worship

So apparently the Lord wanted us to be in Hungary because we are here.  We have been extremely busy since our plane landed, and we are learning SO MUCH.  It's wonderfully exhausting.  I would like to put my own stuff here on my own blog and then post family-related stuff on our other blog, but I'm not sure how much time I am going to have.... If you are reading this, thank you.  I appreciate your wanting to spend some time reading about this crazy Hungarian adventure that the Lord has us on.  If you're the praying kind, please remember us before the Throne.  We are praying for you as well and are so grateful for the encouragement and support that so many of you have shown.  We love you all. 

So, here are some pictures and videos of this morning's worship service.  Each morning during our orientation week, a group of Hungarian students lead us in worship.  Sometimes we sing in English, sometimes in Hungarian, and sometimes in both languages at once.  I've never attended a multi-cultural worship gathering before.  O MY WORD.  It's just a little bit of heaven on earth, y'all--people from several nations worshiping God in their own languages.....it's absolutely beautiful.  If you have the time, check out the video clips.  I think they are all less than two minutes each.  I wish you could hear it in person.

**Ok, so the videos will have to wait til I have a better internet connection.  Check back later if you like.

The One about What I Found in the Mail Box

I found all of that in my mail box last week.

The letter in the package says this:

 "Congratulations, you have been CHOSEN for the team going to Keszthely, Hungary [Speak Out] (June 28- August 1).  It is so exciting that God has called you to this project!  You have made yourself available for God to send you to Hungary.  Will you be faithful to Him and trust Him to prepare your heart, mind, and the details of this project?"

I don't have much to say about this right now.  Some of you have been asking if we'd heard if our applications were approved, so, yes, they have.  Will you be praying for us?  This is a little  LOT overwhelming.  Thanks.

The One About Pocket Lint and Prayer

A few minutes ago, we submitted our applications to Campus Crusade for Christ.  We applied to serve as staff members at a Christian camp in Hungary.  

And now we wait.

And wait.

And wait some more....

We should know by March 28 if we are approved.

Here are some images I borrowed from the ministry's website:

To say I'm intimidated by this possibility for ministry is an understatement.

Phil still insists that he feels the Lord wants us to serve together as a family in Hungary.... if THIS is the year God wants us to go, then HE will make it possible.  This is totally a giant leap of faith for me.  I've been praying a particular Bible verse for a while, and I'm wondering if this Hungarian ministry opportunity is a way that God is answering this prayer....

God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us--Selah.  That Your name may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.  Psalm 67:1-2

I first began to pay attention to this verse while I was reading the book Radical by David Platt.  [READ IT!!! It may mess you up, but it's a good mess!]  It is SO convicting, and I don't have the time or brain power to put its entire message into words--READ IT, PLEASE. 

Anyway, the main thought from the book that has stayed with me is Psalm 67:1-2.  I've been asking the Lord to please be gracious to our family and bless us, and let His face shine on us--not so that we may live the easy life and pursue the American Dream--not so that we may enjoy even more comfort and satisfaction--not so that we can HAVE MORE STUFF--but so that we may use what He gives us to make His name and His plan of salvation known--here where we live and anywhere else as He leads.

Is He leading us to spend the summer in Hungary?  We will see.

I asked our friend Neal (who has ministered on MOST of the continents) how he knows if God is leading him to join different mission endeavors.  Neal told us that God usually speaks to him in his quiet time and in prayer, and that He directs the surrounding circumstances to come together (or not).  We are asking God to do this for us.

God has definitely been doing some amazing things in the spiritual life of our family, that's for sure.  If this opportunity is God's plan for us for THIS summer, He can make it happen.  God knows I'm a great big chicken and that this type of ministry scares me, but He can equip me to do this if He's calling me to it.  God also knows that we don't have the $20,000+ that will be required to cover our travel and living expenses, but that kind of money is merely pocket change to Him--actually, it's probably more like pocket lint to Him.  At this point in the process, we are trusting God to orchestrate circumstances and to speak clearly to let us know what He wants for us. 

Will you pray with us? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=at9mkof5BoI

How do you know when God is directing you to make certain decisions or to pursue certain opportunities?  I'd love to hear your comments.

Hungary 2011 (and possibly 2012?)

So, I'm still trying to figure out what to do or say on this blog.  I'll definitely get back to my review of my SSMT verses (I only have 4 days until I have to recite them). For now, though, I just noticed the "insert photo" option on my New Post page, so I thought I'd try it out.

These are some pictures of Phil in action while on his first international mission trip to Budapest, Hungary. He came home fired up and ready to return.  Keep scrolling down and I'll say more about that...

 Hungarian college students who went on a scavenger hunt with Phil

Folks from the group that attended high school English classes

The Iron Curtain

Playing chess between classes

Can you find the American?

Praying with Hungarian students

so beautiful

These shots came from one of the other men on the trip.

 Downtown

Crossing the Danube, I think... I'd ask Phil, but he's sleeping (as I should be).

These are just a few of the many pictures from his 2011 trip.  As I mentioned above, he came home fired up and ready to return; this time, he wants us all to go.  All four of us.  To Hungary.  In July.  All of July.  Yep, the whole month.  I'm trying not to hyperventilate. 

He really feels like God wants us to return together to work at a CCC English camp located outside of Budapest.  I watched some of the camp's promotional videos and cried.  I'm scared.  I'm willing to go, but I'm scared.  There's also the issue of raising money to go.  We're talking MUCHO DINERO, mi amigos.  MUCHO.  I'm not kidding. A-LOTO  CASH-O.

We are praying about this and taking baby steps in that direction.  If this is what God wants us to do this summer, He can and will make it possible.  Please pray, y'all.  Pray that God will let us know loudly and clearly what He wants us to do.  If He says "Stay," we'll stay and watch for another opportunity.  If He says "Go," we will go (with knees knocking and hearts pounding).

(And yes, there will be some hyperventilation.)