Random Thought...

I sat there in the hair dresser's chair with the thought running through my head, "What was I THINKING?!" I was taking hair cutting advice from my husband, the man who lets people take shears to his head? One of the challenges of living cross-culturally is our average life activities - grocery buying, car servicing, copy making, and for me - hair cuts. Since we relocated to the other side of town I've been through 4 beauticians - complicated stories as to why they each didn't work out. It is stressful and I know my women friends are all nodding their heads in agreement. We women are fiercely possessive about our hair dressers! Ralph had recently visited Babi and highly recommended her.

So there I sat as "Babi" threw the cape on me and prepared to hack away. Luckily for me Babi was a kind, talkative, and very experienced beautician and she took it as a challenge to not only style my hair and "knock 20 years off my age" (her words not mine!) but she also was determined to learn as much as possible about me and why we live in Hungary. Despite my miserable Hungarian, I think Babi enjoyed our conversation. And I think she did a great job on my hair. Thankful to the Lord for small answers to prayers.

Now, I'm on a roll and off to see if I can find a nice clerk at the pharmacy....

Gandhi Ensemble to tour USA!

The Gandhi Roma High School Ensemble under the direction of Glen Adkins, assisted by Clista Adkins, will tour the USA this summer. This very talented group sing traditional Roma (Gypsy) music as well as Hungarian and American. Make plans to attend one of the concerts listed below - load up the church bus, invite your friends - all concerts are free! See you there!

June 23, 6:45pm, CBF Commissioning Service, Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

June 24, 9:00pm, CBF General Assembly, Resource Fair, Charlotte Convention Center, Hall B, Charlotte, NC

June 27, 8:45am, 11:00am, 6:30pm, First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC

June 28, 7:00pm, First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC

June 29, 7:00pm, Fort Trial Baptist Church, Bassett, VA

June 30, 6:15pm, University Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA

July 4, 9:40am, 11:00am First Baptist Church, Augusta, GA

July 6, Time TBA, Northminster Baptist Church, Jackson, MS

July 7, 6:00pm, First Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA

July 8, 8:00pm, Montego Plaza, Dallas, TX

July 9, The Hartford Insurance, Frisco TX; Hotchkiss Insurance, Carrollton, TX

July 11, 8:15am, 10:30am, 5:00pm, First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL

July 12, 4:30pm Hymn Society for the United States and Canada Conference, Sanford University, Birmingham, AL (Conference registrants only)

Health Clinic or "Tammy, You stick the Mayor!"

Our friend, Zita Csuhai, is a doctor and greatly concerned with the health issues facing our Roma colleagues. Zita has organized a health committee to meet some of these needs and we recently held a medical clinic in the village of Szatmarcseke. The local Roma church members played a huge role by inviting the villagers, being support staff for the day, and doing whatever needed.

I am a nurse by profession but unfortunately my Hungarian is not adequate enough to ask, "What's your concern today?" Well, I can ask the question but the problem comes when they start to answer it! So I was assigned to the blood pressure and blood sugar table. Now I could handle that with my language skills. After getting their tests, the patients went to see the health nurse for tips on living a healthy life style and then on to see the doctors. We also had New Testaments available and the local pastors were present to talk to the clients about the Great Physician who heals and offers comfort.

It was an encouraging day for all of us. As the day drew to a close, our last patient was the mayor of the little town. I was amused that the help scattered or became very "busy" with other things. They left it to the foreigner among them to prick his finger for blood. I didn't mind and he got a kick out of it. I tried to be gentle and I guess I was because he invited us back in the future.

Memorial Day

Today is the day in the US when we remember the men and women who gave their lives and those that continue to give of themselves in serving our country in the armed services. I have long heard the saying, "Freedom isn't free." I came to understand the true meaning of this through the life of US Marine Lance Corporal Andrew Russoli, 1984-2005. Andrew was the son of our friends from Greensboro, NC, Sally White Sipes and Roland Russoli. He was a childhood friend of Amy's. Andrew's life motto was 'Strength and Honor'. Today I remember Andrew... Strength & Honor...

Pocsaj Celebrates

Their first meeting place after they outgrew their living rooms was a room at the local police station. The local villagers thought this was a hoot because stereotypically Roma (Gypsies) and jail go hand in hand. This group was different though. They were meeting to worship the God that loves and cares for them because they ARE Roma. From this location they moved to an abandoned movie theater and from there they relocated to their very own place of refuge, a house renovated into a church. This journey is only a portion of what the Pocsaj Roma Baptist Church celebrated this past weekend.

It has been a history of highs and lows but one to be celebrated nevertheless. They remembered the outdoor baptism, not a big deal until you realize it was in December and there was snow on the ground. Fondly they recalled the birth of triplets to a faithful couple struggling with infertility and seeing those three babies dedicated to the Lord. There were remarks of various revivals, worship leaders, volunteers from Hungary and from the USA, and so many other wonderful memories. The congregation gave thanks to God for leading them this far and asked his blessing on their future. Join us in praying for the Pocsaj Roma Baptist Church and for God's leading...

25 Years Together...

May 25th was a very hot, humid day in southeast Missouri in 1985. Northside Baptist Church, a split from the First Baptist Church in Bernie, MO, population 1500, was overflowing with friends and family. My dad decided to cut off the air-conditioning just before the ceremony began because the drafts were making the candles smoke and I had fulfilled my wedding dream of lots and lots of candles. Smokey candles just would not do! The sanctuary instantly heated up to sweltering and the good folks inside began to fan themselves with old bulletins and hymnal covers. After being escorted down the aisle by my dad, I eagerly grabbed Ralph's hand and prepared to say, "I Do" only to have to stifle the giggles as everyone in the wedding party stared at the huge drop of sweat on the end of the pastor's nose. Each of us were gently shaking our heads, hoping he would too, our shoulders shook, we were afraid to look each other for fear of laughing out loud. Pastor Bob waxed on about the institution of marriage while all I, and I later found out everyone else on the platform, could think was "DROP! DROP!"

That was the scene 25 years ago today that started us out on this wonderful adventure of marriage. It's been a roller coaster of adventure with 2 fantastic children, homemaking in Thomasville, Greensboro, Derecske, and Budapest, supportive family, great friends, excellent colleagues, and a loving God. Happy Anniversary to us and we're looking forward to the next 25 or more!

End of English Club or How to Spend a Relaxing Saturday

Last fall I was searching for a ministry opportunity and was invited to help with the English Club of the Kelenfold Evangelical Church. I became the conversation facilitator for a group of intermediate English learners. I occasionally led the devotion time and often brought a cake for dessert. (Much to Ralph's dismay they were always eaten - no leftovers for the hubby) My group consisted of Hungarians in various walks of life but all eager to improve their English. We had a good time each week discussing various subjects, reading out loud, and defining vocabulary words. They were an eager group and also helped me learn new Hungarian words.

To celebrate the end of class (it runs only during the school calendar) the whole club consisting of beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners attended a picnic on Frank Hill. The garden plot was owned by one of the students and we had authentic goulash cooked the old-fashioned way over an open fire. The views of the city were beautiful and the weather was sunny. It was relaxing to sit and enjoy the company. I'm already looking forward to this fall.