Summer Workers 2007 - Hope For Eastern Hungary

Summer 2007

Preparation Letter to Interns | Letters from an Intern | Volunteer Teams | Your Prayers

- The Interns -

This summer's interns are busy working in strategic towns across eastern Hungary, prayerwalking and reaching out through friendship evangelism. Please join us in praying for them and for the people they are coming into contact with every day. Pray specifically that the Lord will arrange "divine appointments" with people whose hearts He has prepared to hear the Gospel.

Jalaine Polk

Jalaine Polk photo My name is Jalaine Polk and I am a junior at the University of Louisville.I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in sociology. I am passionate about social justice issues that deal with poverty, oppression, etc. and I therefore plan to obtain a Masters in Social Work once I graduate from my undergraduate program. I was born and raised in Somerset, Kentucky by an amazing family. I love to travel and read and spend time getting to know those around me. I am very excited about this summer because I know this is where God wants me to serve. I know it is going to be a growing experience for me and my faith and I am looking forward to serving, loving, and sharing about our awesome God with the people of Hungary. My grandpa is Hungarian, so this country holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to arrive!

Jennifer Hoover

I am from the capital city of Topeka, Kansas. I am the oldest of three and I enjoy spending time with my family very much. I am just finishing my last semester at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. I will graduate with a Bachelor's of Music Degree in Church Music. While I feel called to minister through music, I also feel called abroad. I am excited to go where the Lord leads and serve in Hungary this summer.

Jessi Harre

I’m a sophomore at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, majoring in Interior Architecture, with a minor in Religious Studies. I am involved with Baptist Campus Ministries and am a member of the cheerleading team for U of L. I am from a small town in Illinois that is right across the river from St. Louis, Missouri. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has been doing with the people of Hungary and I am very excited to be a part of that this summer.

Stephen Cowden

I am finishing my third of five years at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, where I am double majoring in Music Education and Church Music. I enjoy playing music, teaching others to play music, leading worship, and serving people around me. Working in Hungary last summer was incredible; I still keep in touch with my Hungarian friends, and I am thrilled that God is allowing me to return this year.

- Volunteers -

Volunteers play a major role in the ministry here in eastern Hungary, and are an important part of our team. We praise the Lord for each one who comes to serve, giving of their time and talents to reach out to the lost and to encourage the local believers. We also appreciate those of you back home who support them through your prayers and giving. Thank you for making it possible for them to come and help in the work!

Spandex for Jesus - Crossgate Cycling Team

Crossgate Team A bicycling team from Arkansas, led by Crossgate Missions Coordinator Ronnie Ritter, will be joining us July 30 through August 12. This project involves riding as a tour group into different towns in eastern Hungary where there is little or no evangelical witness. The group will visit local attractions and meet the people to open up opportunities for sharing the gospel. The goal is to discover where God is at work and find creative ways to share the good news of Jesus Christ, as well as praying about opportunities for future work.

Chris and Dennisa Reade

We are volunteer mission workers from Arkansas. Dennisa and I have been married for 27 years. We have 3 children, 1 daughter and 2 sons, all which are grown. The oldest is 25 and the youngest 22, and we also have one grandson who is 19 months old. We own an automotive repair shop in the town in which we live. Dennisa is a stay-at-home Nana; she takes care of our grandson 3 to 4 days a week and keeps the home. I have recently accepted the call to be the bi-vocational pastor of a Baptist Church in central Arkansas. We enjoy serving the Lord together. We belong to Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief--we are part the recovery team that cuts trees off of houses--and we belong to ABBA (Arkansas Baptist Bikers.) Our hobbies are riding our motorcycle, water skiing, and hiking. We love being outdoors in God's creation. We enjoy ministering to people, showing them the love of the Lord Jesus, and seeing people come into the Kingdom. We spent June and July of '06 in Hungary and fell in love with the Hungarian people. We enjoyed building relationships, sharing our lives with them, and learning about their culture. We look forward to what God has in store this coming July as we again return to Hungary to share God’s love and the message of salvation.

As creation itself reveals and declares the Glory of God, it is our prayer that our very lives reflect the awesome glory of our most wonderful Creator. As we serve Him, may He receive the glory for our service!

The Kentucky Gals

After the departure of interns Jennifer and Stephen on July 22, the summer work continued with the help of additional volunteers. Interns Jessi and Jalaine were joined on July 21 by Jalaine's friend, Tyra Fleener, and Jalaine's mother, Sheryl Polk. The four "Kentucky Gals" assisted Chris and Dennisa Reade during the week of July 23 with an outreach English camp being held in Hajdúszoboszló. The camp was sponsored by the Hajdúszoboszló Baptist Church.

Forty-five children from the ages of four to fifteen attended, divided into three different classes according to language ability. Lessons in English were taught using Bible stories, songs, and games, with crafts and activities included every afternoon. Many of the children who participated were from unchurched families, so it was a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ.

Your prayers are an important part of the work

Our summer outreach program, "Connecting for Friendship," brings us into contact with people of all walks of life across eastern Hungary. May the Lord use these opportunities to introduce many of them to our best friend, Jesus.

Please pray for the team members:

that their relationship with the Lord will be strengthened in spite of physical and spiritual challenges
for strength and health
for safety on the roads and in the cities
for encouragement and team unity
for spiritual sensitivity and the ability to communicate with those they meet

Please pray for the people that they come into contact with:

that "divine appointments" will not be hindered
that the Lord will touch hearts and change lives