Scripture Union Newsletter 2018 Winter

WINTER 2018

Szentírás Szövetség Scripture Union Hungary

Dear Praying Friends, As I mentioned in our previous newsletter 2018 was a year of changes for Scripture Union Hungary, and this meant a lot of hardship especially for someone who does not handle them well, like me. :) What has happened in the last 6 months? Well, I had to realize that this new role came with a lot of extra responsibilities and challenges, especially that in the end I had to organize the camps as well. It was a good thing that we found an aid for the camp organizing (Adam), but it became clear from the very start that he would probably only stay until the end of summer (he does not like office work). For me it was harder to pick up the new responsibilities (at least for the summer) and “arrive” in a sense to my new position because from the outside it seemed nothing really changed. Reality only hit after the camps were finished and I had a chance to relax Tamás Daxner SU Hungary and look around. Now it is up to me to move things forward! I was not prepared for National Director this.

Still, it is good to know that I can shape a bit the future of SU Hungary, and that Erzsebet didn’t go “too far” (her new office is in the same building one floor above), as she works as field development director for Scripture Union Europe. I hope I can count on her advices in the future as well.

As for the future with the board we have decided that instead of finding someone for organizing camps, the new person will be responsible for publishing and marketing and I will stick to the camps and leading. My hope and prayer is that this new system will work for us. We have many challenges ahead (the publishing of Life- Explored, our 25 year anniversary, summer camps, just to mention a few). Our prayer and hope that God will strengthen me in this position and led us forward.

At this point I would also like to thank you for all your support. If you donated I am sorry that we did not send you any response but SU England&Wales does not share with us any information about those who support us through them. We think this is an overreaction to the new GDPR laws and we hope it will change in the future. Meanwhile we ask you for your understanding.

In the name of our team and myself I wish you all a very blessed Christmas!

With love and blessings, Tamas Daxner SUMMER CAMPS IN 2019

We had a great summer season this year. 312 kids came and participate in our 11 summer camps.

Most of the them were 8-12 years old but in some cases we had some younger ones as well. English is still one of the main reasons of their coming and we could reach many unchurched kids this way.

In this year we decided to rewrite a program we used in 2009 - Groundbreakers. We changed the teaching, the craft was completely new and we wrote a new drama play. By the end I think it was easier to count what we have kept from the original. :) It was a joy to make these changes as we knew these helped the kids to better understand God’s love and plan for their lives.

Summer camps in Hungary Charlotte Quant This summer I had the opportunity to join Scripture Union for two weeks in Hungary. I spent my first week in Szada, where we received an amazing welcome from the pastor and his family. I quickly got to know the rest of the team and it soon felt as if we had known each other for years. The children at the camp were equally as enthusiastic as the leaders and arrived eager to test the leaders on the memory verses. I enjoyed getting to know the children through the team games and English sessions.

I spent my second week at the camp at Pócsmegyer. Again, the team was really supportive and we had fun planning and preparing each day’s activities. I discovered that it is a lot harder to fill a water balloon than it looks! It was great to have the opportunity to serve on another camp and get to visit another part of Hungary. I felt equally as welcome in Pócsmegyer, with the pastor and local families giving us lots of lovely meals. The children were lively and I enjoyed getting to know them during games of football in free time. I felt that God was really working in the camp when the children who had been chatting all day became quiet and engaged when leaders gave their testimony.

Being a leader on the camps was an amazing experience and I loved getting to know the rest of the team. This was my first time in Hungary and it was such a rewarding experience.

Helena Ndindi The English camps for children led by Scripture Union Hungary came highly recommended by a friend who had participated in them. Having volunteered as an English-speaker in non-Christian English camps, I anticipated being in an environment where the gospel of Jesus Christ was at the center of our interaction with the children. From the get-go all the volunteers related well with each other, which I believe was the evidence of the love of Christ uniting us all regardless of ethnic background or denomination. We all shared the same goal of demonstrating the love of God to the children.

A fun atmosphere was created where the children, volunteers and local helpers could engage in different enjoyable activities, with the water games being the most enjoyed activity by all. Each day a volunteer had the opportunity to share their testimony of how they came to know Jesus Christ, and the children were able to see God at work in each of our personal lives, and were hopefully encouraged to know that God cares for them personally and that they are valued by Him. As a first time volunteer at the SU Hungary English camps, I would recommend volunteering to any follower of Jesus Christ who enjoys working with children and is keen on pointing young minds and hearts in the right direction.

A few responses from kids: This was my second time in this camp. I like to come every summer as I can do craft, sing, play group games and hear Bible stories. - Attila, 10 y. old.

Why was the English camp good? There are many reasons. We could get to know the English language in a playful way, but most importantly we learned about God from the Bible stories and get to know the leaders and the way they got to know God. Dénes - 13 y. old.

It was my second time in an SU camp and I enjoyed very much. I gathered a lot of new experiences, and I have learnt English songs and memory verses. I made new friendships too. It was great to be with others from different countries who does not speak Hungarian but love Jesus. I am glad that I could be there. Reka – 11 y. old BE A PART OF OUR MISSION - APPLY TO BE A CAMP LEADER! NOW WITH EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT! Apply until the end of January 2019 and receive 10% Early Bird Discount! Be a part of our mission towards Hungarian children! We are looking for people for any weeks between: 29 June - 27 July!

We are excited to let you know that the fundraising for our next publishing project: LIFE-EXPLORED is more than half way to reach it’s goal!

Publishing this material is essential. We have seen how greatly God can use Christianity Explored in the Hungarian churches but we also received responses that it could be a little bit too much too fast.

This is where LE could come in. As the latest member of the Christianity Explored family, LE is specifically aimed for people who do not have any knowledge about the Bible or Christianity, who God is and what Christianity is all about.

We will begin the translation process in January 2019 for the book and the handbook. We may publish a DVD (or pendrive) containing the videos with Hungarian dubbing or we will make them available only electronically. It will depend on the funds we can gather.

The basic production cost is (including the DVD) 1.400.000 HUF (~4100 GBP) Funds gathered so far: ~750.000 HUF (~2150 GBP) If you would like to support us please send your donation to: Szentiras Szovetseg Alapitvany, IBAN: HU58 1174 2001 2005 8328 0000 0000 SWIFT: OTPVHUHB

Christianity Explored in Fasor Reformed Church When I was asked to write a short feedback about the 10 week course I was a bit uncertain how to do it. It is really hard to explain all those feelings, thoughts, impressions that led to my decision. I am still having so many thoughts swirling in my head right now! Still, I give it a go.

The first few meetings felt like the first days at school: we all were a little bit anxious and a little bit curious at the same time. Altogether it was a pleasant experience. It did not take long however to feel at home. We got ourselves over this first bit quickly as we had a group filled with people of big character. :) The most memorable for me was the overall atmosphere which has become more and more attractive as time passed. I was filled with deep emotions that were hard for me to identify. It wasn’t good or bad but deeply moving. Like I was approaching something meaningful. It had a peak at the 5th meeting after which I was fully committed and after the 9th I made my decision that I want to follow Christ.

I am grateful to the Almighty for the grace that allowed me to be a part of this course, to get to know great people with living faith who led this events with passion, great patience and a wonderful sense of humour.

Réka Nagy

Christianity Explored in Pestszentlőrinc-Szemeretelep Reformed Church This year we were asked with my husband to help leading small groups in the next CE course. Since we had fond memories about the time when we were participants we said yes.

In our group we had older people but it was wonderful to experience how God bridged the age differences. They accepted us from the start and we had great conversations. I am very grateful to Him that everyone in our group reads the Scripture and diligently make their homework. Often they arrive with questions about the current passage. They are very open towards and interested in God’s word.

There was a lady who stated at the beginning that she cannot commit to all 10 events yet she is here every time! She shared with me one Sunday that she needs something else as she does not receive answers to her questions. Right after that week’s course she came to me and said: „Unbelievable! We have just discussed a topic I was struggling to understand! This talk was just for me!

Please pray that these people would not stop at knowledge but make a personal decision to follow Christ!

Melinda, groupleader

Recent news Adam Misley helped organizing our camps in 2018. We are very grateful for his enthusiastic and devoted work. Here is his farewell: ”From the very beginning I liked how seriously they take if you have living faith or not…

Organizing the camps for Scripture Union Hungary was my first job where I was payed for using my God-given talents, especially organizing. Though we both knew with Tamas that our relationship might be temporary I believe we both understood that God orchestrated it.

I had various tasks including office work, logistics, etc, but what I enjoyed the most were the camps! They trully made my summer! As I felt comfortable more and more I made many new friends and gained a lot of experience.

As the camps came to an end I had the feeling that the Lord wants me to go to the countryside and work among poor and roma children. I believe he led me to Szendrő, to aid the mission of the Reformed church there (T: one of the churches where we did camp this summer).

I would like to say thank you to all SU Hungary workers and volunteers, say my fairwell, and wish you all a very blessed Christmas!”

Publishing A long road came to an end when we finnaly finished the translation and editing of the summer school material for the Big Bible Challenge: the New-Testament stories. Each lesson contains helpful tips, games, craft, memory verse teachings, etc. We already made it available on our website for a symbolic price. Our hope and prayer that it would be a good tool to those who use BBC with children.

Training for child workers On the 22nd of September we held another training for children’s workers. Our speaker was Terry Williams from SU Global. He trained and worked as a teacher in primary and secondary schools before joining the staff team of Scripture Union Queensland, where he has worked for 34 years as a specialist in ministry with children and families.

Our theme for the day was „Mission among kids – kids in the mission?”, and the main topic was how to turn kids and young people into devoted disciples of Christ. Terry really made the circa 40 participants from various churches rethink their strategies in their kids and youth ministry. His unorthodox style served the topic really well and we all enjoyed his fresh game ideas that served as breaks during lessons. It was a memorable day and many thanked us afterwards for the program. We hope we will have a chance to serve with him again in the future!

FAITHBOOK?

Give thanks for...

Some of our key volunteers sug-  For all the childen and young people who came to the camp. May God continue to work in their gested that next year we should write hearts. our own summer camp programme again and the theme should be: social media! Well,  key volunteers, Moira Goddard (UK), Kirk and Sara Lederhaas and Gabor and Ildiko Keleti (HU) that is quite unusual. We started to gather together for all their help in organizing the camps every month from October to brainstorm. The team is eager and enthusiastic but we need guidance from  For the enthusiasm of the Hungarian team God how to proceed. Please pray about it! preparing the next year’s camp material If you can support us in this please get in touch with SU Please pray…

England&Wales or visit our English Website:  For a new team member, that we will find the right suhungary.net person for this job.

Szentírás Szövetség - Scripture Union Hungary Office: Tel/Fax: e-mail:

1091 Budapest, Kálvin tér 8.

0036-1216-5115 http://szentirasszovetseg.net/ iroda@szentirasszovetseg.net

 Publications: that we would be able to raise all the funds we need to publish Life-Explored videos.  For guidance what our next publishing projest should be?