Dear Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,

Things are happening in eastern Hungary! Thank you so much for the extra prayers and support for us over the past couple of very busy months. We want you to know that we appreciate each one of the encouraging emails, cards, packages, etc., even if we haven't had time to personally reply to all of you yet. Also a big thank you to those of you who support missions around the world through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. That, along with Southern Baptist Cooperative Program funds, make it possible for us to live and minister here in Hungary.

Praise the Lord, special gifts from two different churches provided plenty of Bibles for the Scripture distribution project at the Christmas booth during the month of December. About 800 were given away! Because we were able to purchase more Bibles than we had originally estimated, we will have enough left to allow us to plan a similar project in another town near here. It's so wonderful that we'll have Bibles on hand to use over the coming months, especially since 2008 is the Year of the Bible in Hungary and many people are showing new interest. See more photos of this winter's projects.

In addition to giving away Bibles at the Christmas booth, Visual Bible Book of Matthew DVD's were distributed to people who signed up to join a small group to discuss the DVD content (a word-for-word dramatization from the Bible). We have trained leaders, and fifteen small groups are beginning to meet all over the Debrecen area. Please pray that the Lord will guide the conversations to His glory and that hearts will be turned to Him.

A student volunteer team from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas was here from December 28 through January 6. They did an outreach project to university students by hosting a week long coffee house in one of the international dorms here over the holiday/exam time. In addition to sharing fun times and coffee, there was the opportunity for some deep conversations and for the student volunteers to give testimony cards to those who were interested. Eastern Hungary Journeyman Holly McMickle has also been busy doing student outreach on a one-to-one basis, and has already begun a small-group Bible study with several of her new friends. Visit Holly's blog.

We have been asked to share a special prayer request with you all. An organizer of the 2005 Linda Dillow women's conference in Hungary said that they are praying and trying to re-connect with the ladies who participated. They want to form a network that will pray for the men and husbands of Hungary, and hope to hold a men's conference. They realize that men must be reached in order for families and marriages to be strengthened. Please join them in praying for the husbands and fathers of Hungary.

Please pray regarding two short-term mission teams that will be coming over Spring Break. One will be coming the week before Easter, the other will arrive the day the first one leaves and will be here over the holiday. Please ask for wisdom in planning and that the Lord will use these teams to His glory.

Summer plans are coming along. We again hope to have several bicycle teams travel through-out eastern Hungary meeting new people and sharing the Good News of Jesus. These groups keep pushing the boundaries of ministry out even further. It is our hope that we can continue increasing the effectiveness of these teams as each year we build upon previous successes and learn from our mistakes. Want to take part? Write Gary for more information.

Before summer kicks off we will again lift up the entire region before the throne during our 31 days of prayer for eastern Hungary in May. We are already working on getting the prayer calendar together and would like to get 50 more prayer partners to join with us this year. That will raise the total to 700 people and groups standing with us in prayer. If you know someone who might like be a partner with us in prayer please tell them about our ministry and pass along our contact information. We greatly appreciate your help in this. It is one way that you can participate in the work here.

Thank you again for praying for us and the people of Hungary.

God bless,

Carolyn for the Eastern Hungary Team

IMB Eastern Hungary Team