Changes, and more changes

from Budapest, Hungary . . .

Change is inevitable.  We see this each time we return to a city and hotel where we’ve stayed before, this time in Budapest for the past 15 years.  We’ve seen the name and ownership of this hotel change, General Managers come and go, and hotel staff members start our in entry level positions and move up to places of leadership.  This visit here is no exception: three young men who began as waiters and bellmen, have been promoted several levels up in leadership within the hotel.  Over the years, as we’ve gotten to know these young men, we have observed their leadership qualities and thankfully, so have their superiors.

Much like the leadership development we see in this hotel, we observe the lives of many younger Christian leaders with whom we’ve ministered these past 16 years. 

Change:  We’ve seen leaders begin haltingly and develop into more confident and able leaders. 
We’ve also seen leaders be mishandled by their superiors and leave ministries in defeat and discouragement.  This has happened recently with one of the young leaders with whom we were to minister on this trip.  Now it is our opportunity and desire to encourage and this leader and his wife, and see what we can do to offer love and support for them.

More Change:  In the meantime, a long-time friend has recently relocated here with a new mission and we look forward to seeing and having fellowship with her. At the same time, a young couple with whom we have ministered here in Budapest and western Romania for 15 years, has now relocated to the US.

Changes – life’s ebbs and flows are ever with us.  We constantly must flex with these tides of change!  And be open to change and what God will do in our lives and through us!

A special personal prayer request for you: 
Last week a group of missionaries were injured in a small plane crash in Southern Sudan in the village of Doro.  Thanksfully, none are hurt seriously, but are sidelined with broken bones and other results of the crash.  Check this story out at Sim.org or at the following blog:  "Congdons In Doro" (Dr. R Congdon and his wife, Nancy.  Rob is currently the medical director for this and other projects in Sudan.) Http://rnkijabe.blogspot.com/2006/11/congdon-news.html    We are particularly interested in this ministry because two of Carol’s aunts and uncles (both doctors)  have served there as medical missionaries in past years. One of these, Carol's aunt and uncle, Dr. Bob and Claire Grieve, are buried in Doro, Sudan.

Blessings,  and thanks for reading and for your prayers for us as we travel and minister.

Carol