Hungary Journal 2005

Well things have finally settled down since our return from Hungary on August 7th. So this is a final note to share thoughts about the trip, and to add some e-mails we have received and more pictures.

This is to glorify God's work, which He so graciously allowed us to participate in, and to encourage you regarding how He answered your prayers and blessed your financial support. The focus of our team devotion this year was John 15 which teaches about 'abiding in the vine (Jesus)'. We were encouraged by John 15:8 which begins with "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Both weeks of camp were great, but were different. The first week we were full of adrenelin and seemed to move at an accelerated pace. The second week we were comfortable with our responsibilities and slowed down some to reflect and to savor things more.

God's Spirit was at work in both weeks. There were about 20 kids that publically professed saving faith in Jesus in each week and about the same number dedicating their lives to a closer walk with God. And we don't even know how many others were moved closer to a significant life decision.

The campfire testimonies were genuine and powerful. Even the rain couldn't stop the campfire as WOL created a virtual one on the big screen in the chapel, ..... and the kids loved it.

The real point is not the numbers, but that hearts are being made new. Lives which otherwise would have been wasted are being reconciled to our heavenly Father. Can't you feel His joy, especially if you are a parent?

Here are some excerpts from e-mails sent by the kids to the Castleview and College Park teams:

"Although the summer is almost over, and I've got back into the swing of things, I often think about you and the team, and I'm glad that you were our teachers on the last week in the camp. I think we had a real great time together and I hope you feel the same. It was awesome to have met you and your children and spent some time together. Next year I intend to stay for a month in the WOL camp, and hopefully we meet again. I'd like to thank you for the "Purpose-Driven Life." This book is amazing! It's the best book I've ever read on the subject, it helps me understand what my life is about and build my own personal relationship with God. I'm working hard on it. May the Lord bless You & your family, protect You, and fill You with joy! :) Your friend & brother in Christ"

"Maybe Temi told you my decesion with God, so that's why I'm so happy now! I try to live in a better way but It's not easy! Fortunately Peter and me are together (we are living 5 minutes far from each other). Oh..I wish you were here with us to play basketball and talking and... just to be together! I miss you very much! Good luck for your job, i'll pray for you and for those people who come out from prison! They really need it! Look after yourself.... Thank you very much! "

"thnk you for encoruging me trough your words What I see trough this big help is a bible verse which is Mt 5:16 I think you know that verse. You just applied that in your life and in my life too. My life changed totally during these passed 2 years and You can see the point of this verse: " I praise our Heavenly Father" It was worthy Tom. I can tell that your favorit book is Matthew. Keep it on this way in your life. I have some prayer requests: 1. the guys in my hometown.10 guys or something. 2. I will have to make good and big decidions I will write about them later." As you can see there is need to pray for these kids and that others will come along to disciple them. Pray for Word of Life, and for a network of Bible teaching local churches and other ministries to get further established in Hungary.

Thank you again for supporting us. Maybe next year you can join us in the adventure!?

Hey Dad, Mom, Family and Friends!! Hope you guys are doing good, sorry for not writing sooner but I just never got around to it, what with Basketball and Soccer and swimming and sleeping, I just never did it. The first week at WOL was a blast, on Sunday and Saturday I was still a little tired but towards the end of the week I had more energy. The schedule for the daysw is pretty crazy, breakfast at 8 devo's at 9 basketball at 10:15 lunch 12:30 afterward (but I'm usually playing soccer or footsie as they call it) Basketball again 3:45 dinner at 6 and Meeting at 7:15 and then lights out at 11 although we usually stay up till 12 or 12:30. On Wednesday we have the kids vs. counselors Soccer match we won 5 3 I had 1 assit no goals but I played Stopper and earned the reputation as "The American Soccer Player" Europeans are amazing at Soccer. On Thursday we had the Basketball Game we lost in overtime 39 46 but we'll get them this week. Friday we had Campfire and that was amazing I have never seen so many people re-commit and commit there lives to Christ, many of my friends from basketball were saved. There were testimonies that were amazing one kid got saved that had come into the camp a member of the wicca. It has all been amazing and I wish I could tell you more, but my 20 minutes are up 200 (1$)forints for 20 minutes. (Szeretlek) I love you all and will be praying for you!!

Jordan T. Kempson

Hello everyone! What a neat week we just finished here at WOL Hungary! David and I taught an English class -- only girls in that particular level -- wonderful people. We ended the week sharing contact information with them. They each shared their information with others in the class, too, which shows that they bonded and want to continue the relationships started. What a blessing!

Currently, as I'm typing this, a new set of campers are registering, English tests are being administered, and levels are being chosen for our upcoming week. Tomorrow a.m., we'll meet our new students and begin our week together. Please pray that friendships will be made and that Christ will be glorified through each of our classes and other times together with these campers.

Enetrice Myers, Melvin Harris, and David Crawshaw left this a.m. to return to Indy. Please pray for their safe arrival home. It was so hard to say "goodbye" to them. It's neat to get to know each other a bit better on these trips and to see God using each of the members of the group in the areas they've chosen to teach.

Justin and Jordan Kempson (basketball); Nick Durm, Andrew and Lauren Unkefer (baseball); and, David, Teresa & Sarah Kate Unkefer (English) remain to teach this week. Thanks for your prayers.