December 2002

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ:

Aldas Bekeseeg! As you may remember, this is an official greeting of the Reformed Church of Hungary meaning of "blessing and peace."

We are happy to share with you about our mission work with the Roma. Like last summer, we had a summer camp for the Roma children and the youth at Dorcas campground in Hosszupalyi from July 28 to 31. This year's camp was full of joy and happiness as we shared the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with new friends from Korea, Germany, and the United States.

Seven Korean college students brought many gifts for the Roma, including toothbrushes and toothpaste for the purpose of providing dental care education. Ironically, these students also brought candies and marshmallows. Once again we experienced the Kingdom of God among us as we shared toasted marshmallows around the campfire at night. It reminds us Romans 14:17. We think that you could imagine the teasing and laughter on the burning marshmallows and dirty lips with the sticky white marshmallows.

Education on dental care was provided on the day after the marshmallow feast. Over 60 Roma children enjoyed brushing their own teeth with their own toothbrushes and squeezing their own tooth paste. Can you imagine how happy we were? Stephen was busy taking photos. It was not only just cleaning our teeth, but also another experience of the Kingdom of God in the love of Jesus Christ.

We'd like to share with you the most exciting news.

The ground-breaking ceremony and worship service for the first church building for the Roma was held on November 8 on the site in Hosszupalyi. The church building will provide a place for all the Roma villagers not only for the purpose of worship but also for other activities and cultural events.

During the worship service for the ground-breaking, we were moved by the Roma children's singing, led by the Roma pastor, Joszef Csonka, who played the guitar.

We, gypies, were born as wanderers.
We did not have any place to stay.
Yet, Jesus has called us and is providing us
God's place to stay.
Oh, Jesus, we love you, we love you.
Oh, Jesus, come and stay with us.

This will be the first church building for the Roma among Reformed Church in Hungary. Bishop Gusztav provided a sermon on the mustard seed (Luke 13:18-19) during the service. He also provided a fancy lunch after the service for the participants, including the Roma. We all experienced the Kingdom of God during the worship service and the meal time as we were together with the Roma, Hungarians, Americans, and Koreans.

We express our thanks for your constant prayers and support for the ministry of the Roma.

God's blessing and peace be with you.

In Jesus' Love

Stephen and Kaeja

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 86