The Church in Hungary
 This coming up month, we are planning another meeting of the churches in Hungary.  It will be in Miskolc this time.  It is looking to be a really good meeting.  The theme for the day is, The Practical Ministry in the Church.  It looks to be a good topic and a topic that will help to encourage all the Christians to work every day for the Lord. 
 Another thing that is going on within the churches on this side of Hungary is the plan of a summer campaign to new city in Hungary.   We are planning to conduct this campaign ourselves.  People in the U.S. have conducted and organized most other campaigns.  However, this one will be planned and organized by the Christians here.  We are all very excited about the possibilities. 
 One quick note, the Debrecen church's home page is up and running.  I mentioned a few months ago that Nandor was working on a home page.  Now it is on the Internet for everyone to see.  It can be found from the Church of Christ home page.  The address is: 
 http://www.Church-of-Christ.org/
Also you can reach our home page directly at this address: 
 http://Krisztus-Gyulekezete.org/
Either way you can see our home page and see some history of the church here in Debrecen, Hungary. 

Culture Corner
 This month, I want to touch on a cultural thing here that is really different from that of the U.S.  I want to talk about the greetings given to one another.  Some examples are shaking hands, hugging, and kissing. 
 Three summers ago, I came to Hungary for the first time.  When I arrived, the greeting was one thing that was really different for me.  In Hungary, the standard greeting for people you know or brothers and sisters in Christ is a kiss on the cheeks or next to both cheeks.  This was a new experience for me and is a little different for people that have not been out of the States.  The only time that I had seen someone being kissed on the cheek like this was on television. 

 Actually not everyone greets each other with a kiss.  Most men shake hands.  I did say ‘most,' because some men do greet each other with the kiss.  However, the hand shake is the usual greeting between males.  On the other hand, most females greet each other with the kiss. 

 Usually from what I see the younger people do not greet the older people with the kiss on the cheeks.  This is not the rule but it is what is usually practiced.  But they greet them with the words ‘I kiss you.' or ‘I kiss your hand.'  This is a formal greeting used mainly for those older than you or those that you are giving respect or honor. 

 In Hungary, there are two words for the English word, ‘kiss.'  One is the kiss that we have been talking about, the kiss on the cheek or next to the cheek, or just a little kiss such that we would call a peck.  This word is ‘puszi.'  The other word is for most other kisses is ‘csok.'  This second word is what is used for the formal greetings. 

 Recently, I was talking to one of the Christian guys about the greetings in the U.S. and how they relate to Hungary.  We were talking about how many people in the United States hug.  Also we were talking about how the Hungarian people feel about hugs.  In Hungary, very few people hug each other.  The hug is considered a sign of closeness.  Hungarians when given a hug have about the same feeling inside that Americans do when they are kissed on their cheeks.  They feel that their comfort zone has been invaded and they are looking for a way out.  What a difference in culture. 

 After being at Harding for four years, I have heard a lot about how you need hugs.  Many studies say that you need many hugs a day.  Then I came here and I get none.  Getting a hug deficiency is possible.  However, substituting the feeling that you are supposed to get from a hug for the feeling from a kiss is possible too.  The kiss can give the same feeling that the hug gives.  So you just have to learn to substitute the correct cultural version of the touch that we all need, whether it is with a hug or a kiss. 
 After being here three summers and then for seven months, I am getting used to the substitute.  I still get my occasional hug from the other missionaries but the kisses work just the same for me now.  Plus it does not surprise me anymore for people just to walk up and give me a kiss when they arrive, which was a little strange at first. 

Prayer Request
The churches in Hungary, for growth and maturity: 
  Budapest 
  Debrecen 
  Miskolc 
  Szolnok 

The upcoming meeting in Miskolc.

The English Bible schools this summer, especially the new school in Nyiregyhaza.  We pray that God will prepare us and the cities for bringing of the Good News to them.