I have been here one year on the July 3.  I almost cannot believe it has been this long.  The work continues to go well and is increases even more as the campaign approaches.  Last year, at this time, I was preparing to come over and to teach during  the campaign.  Now, this year, I am getting everything on this side ready for the campaigners to come.  The jobs are little different from each other. Nevertheless, they are both just as exciting.

The Church in Hungary

 This month has had many things happen during it, regarding the church in Debrecen.  The month started with a baptism, June 6.  This was an exciting thing for all of us here in Debrecen.  Her name is Tünde Boros, and she is a friend of one of Christians.  She has been coming to our meetings for a few months and then on that Friday night she decided to get baptized. It was a great thing to start the month.  Another thing about her is that she does not speak any English.  This is good, because the church is becoming more Hungarian and less American.  If you would like to write her, I have included her address below, you can write her in Hungarian, German, or English, if it is in English someone will translate it for her.

 Another thing that has happened with the church is that one of the Christians’ (Trixi)  mother died.  Her mother had been sick for a long time.  Right now, Trixi is doing well.  She is nineteen years old and is living alone, because her parent’s were divorced.  Soon, her grandmother plans to move in with her.  Her father has also been sick.  So remember her in your prayers.

 Also, June has been a busy month for the Szolnok and Miskolc churches as well.  Both cities presently have their campaigns going on.  The work in both cities is going well.  Soon the campaign here in Debrecen will get underway.  It will start on July 11. We will have eleven campaigners coming this year.  We are looking forward to the work that will be going on here.  We are also looking forward to the work that will be taking place in August in the new city of Nyíregyháza.

Culture Corner

 This month, in the Culture Corner, I want to tell you about Debrecen.  For twelve months, I have lived here and I have not told about the city itself.  So this month, let me tell you about this city I live in called Debrecen. Debrecen is the second biggest city in Hungary, Budapest being the biggest, with more than 230,000 people.  It is on the eastern side of Hungary.  It is also on the eastern edge of the great plain of Hungary. The city goes back in history to the 13th century, but Debrecen is most famous for its role in the Reformation.  Debrecen is known as the “Calvinist Rome.”  One reason for this is that the largest Reformed (Calvinist) Church is here.  Also, in Debrecen are a Reformed College and several other Reformed churches.

 The large church and college are special to Hungarians because it housed the Parliament back in 1848-1849.   Hungary revolted against the Hapsburg Empire.  Lajos Kossuth made Debrecen the capital of Hungary.  They declared independence in the large church.  The college chapel is where the parliament met. On the north side of Debrecen, there is a big forest area.  The forest area is the vacation spot for many Hungarians.  In the forest, there are medicinal bathes and swimming pools that attract many.  Also, in the forest is a zoo, an amusement park, and a camping area.

 Debrecen is also a town that is big for its educational facilities.   Because of the Reformed College, Debrecen became known for its education early.  Now, besides the Reformed College, there are many other higher education facilities.  The most famous is the Lajos Kossuth University.  However, there are also an agriculture university, a medical university, an atomic research institute, and a teacher’s college.

 Also, in Debrecen, there are several museums.  The Déri Museum is the most famous.  It contains many artifacts from all over the world, with special emphasis on Hungarian artifacts.  Also housed here are three huge paintings of the passion of Jesus, by the famous Hungarian painter, Mihály Munkácsy. As with most cities in Europe, Debrecen has many old buildings.  In Debrecen many different styles of design are seen throughout town.  There are many old churches and synagogues that show different architecture based upon religion. Debrecen has much design from its many years.

 Along with having old structures, many new buildings are up and coming.  Right now, many buildings are being worked on to give a new face to the city.  Three new shopping centers are coming within in the next year, to join our current one.  We have two McDonald’s and three Chinese restaurants. They are making Debrecen into the big city on the east side of Hungary.  They are revamping and expanding our airport to make it an international airport.  This is because there is not an airport anywhere around us.  It is five hours to the Budapest’s airport and ten hours to the Bucharest in Romania.

 The city of Debrecen is a cultural and economic center for Hungary.  It is a beautiful place to live and work.  I hope that this gives you an idea of what my city looks like.  Maybe one day you can come and visit Debrecen.  Then you can see how well I described it.

Quick Note
 During this next month, I will not have my computer from July 13 until August 6.  So you cannot reach me at the below E-mail during this time.  If you need to get in contact with me during the above time please contact me through my parent’s E-mail.  It is “110514.2160@compuserve.com”. Sorry for the inconvenience but I have to have my computer fixed.

Prayer Requests

The churches in Hungary (Debrecen, Miskolc, Budapest, and Szolnok)

The campaigns in Hungary

Tünde’s baptism and new life.
 Tünde Boros
 4030 Debrecen
 Gyulai u. 9
 HUNGARY, EUROPE

Trixi and her family in the death of her mother.
 Trixi Corvin
 4026 Debrecen
 Bethlen u. 39.4.24.
 HUNGARY, EUROPE