. .

Sarah McWilliams and Bruno Balogh

Missionaries to Hungary

International Messengers

. . . . June 25th, 2002 . . . .

Dear Friends!

Praises! Praises! & Prayer Requests

First of all, Praise God because I got my visa! Praise God because I am on an earlier flight back to Hungary so I can get settled and re-acquainted with my fiancé. I am sitting in a room filled with papers, bags, and many things needing to be packed. I am amazed at how quickly this time has passed, and I sit in anticipation of what is ahead. I am also watching and trying to depend on Christ for what seems to be an impossible summer. I am writing this, really praying that God would provide those to pray for me, and the ministry this summer.

Travel & Camps

Tomorrow morning I will get on a plane, and arrive in Budapest Thursday evening. Friday morning, at 9:45 Bruno and I are going to the embassy to do two things; get his visa (PRAY!!!) and to get some documentation saying that I am free to marry. Then, we'll travel down to Kaposvár, and get ready to attend a month of camps. This is where you come in. I am pleading with you to pray for me daily. The first camp, Lengyeltoti is the July 9-18th. Pray for me to be able to build the needed relationships, but also to rest. Pray that God would just be my strength, and that I will be filled with His joy. The second camp begins the next day as we travel to Serbia on the 19th, with training and then the Serbia English camp starts July 22nd-31st. Pray that God would protect the staff for sickness, and that he would change camper's hearts. I expect both camps to be demanding, but I feel the second will be more so. It is a beginner's camp, and so more Hungarian will be used and spoken, AND many of us will be very tired during that camp. Also, Bruno and I are going to be teaching together. Pray for unity in teaching, focus on the work, and for a real time of encouragement, and that we will be a witness to those we are teaching. What an awesome opportunity to serve this summer, and I pray that God would put me (and Bruno), and this ministry on your heart.

Time at Home...

My time at home has been good. God provided me a temporary job for almost my entire stay (this was amazing the way the economy is in Everett - jobs are hard to find with Boeing layoffs), and it allowed me to earn some extra money for my time at home. God used it to provide payment for some travel and also some wedding costs. One thing God confirmed is that I could not just "work" without having the ministry of being involved with people. In the office I worked, I saw only a few people, and was often alone. Although the structure was nice, I realized I need to serve in ministry.

Also during this time I have been able to get organized for my wedding here in the U.S., and then I have more news! Bruno and I are also going to Montana for more training. This is another praise, because God is giving us time to adjust to married life before heading back to full time ministry together. I believe this time will also allow me to gain a "T.E.S.L" (teaching English as a second language) certificate (this course is about $700, please pray God would provide funds too). This training will allow me to be more capable, and prepare me to teach English as a second language. I will be able to go into the schools, building relationships with students, as a much needed "native speaker." I am anticipating tutoring gypsy kids, as well as campers and following our return to Hungary on January 4, 2003, I hope to begin tutoring one on one, and to start teaching in a local high school in September 2003.

[06/28/02 Update: Praise the Lord, Bruno has been granted a six month visa to visit the United States - enabling him to attend the wedding celebration in Everett, a brief honeymoon in Western Wa., and then Mountainside Ministry Training Center in Libby in the Fall!! This was a real answer to prayer!!]

Wedding Plans....

I am hearing many wedding bells: the dates? August 28th? (depending on courthouse), August 30th in Toalmás Hungary (with family and friends, many who don't know Christ will come- pray that hearts will be changed at hearing the Gospel )- and September 7th in Everett, WA. Please pray for Bruno and I to grow closer together, and to depend on Christ as we prepare for marriage. We need to make room for ministry, but keep each other also in close consideration. If you want to find out more about my three (yes, three!) upcoming weddings - visit my Three Weddings page. (This picture is of the doorway into the Gold Room of Andrassy Kastely (castle) where we will have our wedding in Toalmás.)

Our plans in His hands

Our long range ministry goals are to live and minister in Kaposvár, Hungary, working with IM's camp programs, establishing a good follow-up program, including coffee houses and monthly gatherings, to continue work in Iharosbereny and with children's ministry near Kaposvár with the gypsy kids: and work alongside and build up the local Methodist church. We will continue to encourage the Baptist church and the Patchwork ministry as well. Our biggest goal is to build relationships that will spread the love of Christ and to give them the opportunity to know Christ, and disciple those who believe. Our ministry as it unfolds is very much in God's hands.

But in order to pursue those long range goals, we have some more immediate steps to take. We have to prepare for this with both training this fall at IM's Mountainside Ministry Training Center in Libby, Montana, and by raising support for both it, and our continued ministry in Hungary following our return in January, 2003.

I am going to be honest, and share another prayer concern that has been a burden on me. Bruno and I, since we are getting married need to change our support level. I have already been running behind, and we need to raise an additional $1100 a month on top of that for our training, but this need could carry through when we are moving to Hungary. I don't know how God will provide, but I am waiting to see God moving a miracle to show a confirmation of our work and ministry. Please consider joining us, or increasing your support of our ministry by giving support through International Messengers.

In the past couple days, God has been teaching me many things. First of all, that He must be my strength... and that I am to be seeking His kingdom. Second of all, I was reminded of the passion that I had for the lost. In a sermon I heard on Sunday, the pastor talked about the concern that Paul had for others. This worry and concern is not to be self-centered, but on Christ and others, in His work. I was reminded of my dependence of God and His Word, as I am out of the field, and even at home. In His providence, this year, I will have spent more months in the U.S.A. than in Hungary. But, I know that God will bring us to Hungary in His time, and that after Bruno and I can finally "settle" into our lives of service. I say this loosely, because only God knows where we will be, and His plans for us.

Update on Car:

Bruno and I have decided to purchase the VW Vento from I.M to clarify who has responsibility for the car. We have agreed with I.M. on a price and were moving forward with the purchase, but meanwhile, the car has broken down and seems to be taking its own time in finding parts to fix it. Money is tight on Bruno's end, and we are unable to get the needed parts. We need wisdom in whether to continue trying to get the car fixed and through emissions, or to let it sit until January when things are less stressful. But, if this is the case, we need wisdom in how to transport people and stuff to and from the camps this summer. Please pray for God's hand to work wonders in how this will work. We are seeking Him, and desiring His best. I know that all things pass through God's hands, and we are giving this car to Him. But, pray for wisdom for us.

Know that I appreciate you, and that I am praying that God will bless your lives as you read this, and as you pray for His work. Praise God for all He has done!

Serving in Love & Loving Jesus more, Sarah A. McWilliams

P. S. My Dad has moved his webpage to his own domain now - so my online prayer letters' URL addresses have changed to: http://www.eldrbarry.net/im/sarah_im.htm. Please update your bookmarks!

Sarah's Address: Ka'posva'r, Pázmány Péter u. 50- Hungary, EUROPE
Bruno's Address: 7400 Kaposvar, Nyar u.13, Hungary Europe
Sarah's Phone: [011] 36-82-526-237 - Cell Phone: 36-20-354-4829
Bruno's Phone: [011] 36-82-315-392

---- Click for My Support Page ---- my Hungarian Links ----
My previous Prayer Letters:January or February or March or May Letters -- My Three Weddings

Fellow missionary to Romania Chrissy Graham's Page and some Romanian links
Or for the International Messengers Home Page.

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