November 2005

Dear All,

The month of October was characterized by beautiful weather; cool and clear plus the signs of fall. The trees have been gradually changing into striking hues of yellow, orange, red and ultimately into brown. We are experiencing the type of autumn that we remember from our pre-California days. This month has also been characterized by a ministry of language. We have found that there is a greater interest in the American educational system and learning English, as Hungary moves into the European Union. Consequently we are able to help others in ministry because we are native English speakers. Bob has particularly been called on in this capacity because he speaks both languages fluently. We continue to watch God present ministry opportunities at just the rate we can handle them.

Bob and I are now in our sixth week of teaching the “English Language Seminar for Church and Religious Language”. We have discussed the differences between the US and Hungary in terms of religious education, church structure and youth programs. We spent several weeks hearing the students share their faith journeys. One thing that struck us about many of their testimonies was the significant role that grandparents played in their faith development. Their grandmothers took them to church, taught them to pray and told them about God’s love for them. While their parents were embroiled in the atheistic communist system, the grandparents’ faiths lived on. The Christian message in Hungary seems to have skipped a generation. This observation has obvious implications for youth ministry and youth missions.

Bob made an unexpected trip to the US as the interpreter for Nagy János; a Reformed Hungarian pastor and old friend. János was invited to a mission conference at Knox Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Knox has been supporting his ministry and mission work for the past 13 years. Knox is the church of Bob’s parents and Bob introduced Knox to János these many years ago. Since János speaks no English, Knox agreed to pay for both of their flights over. This was János’s first trip to the US. He had several opportunities to speak to the congregation about his ministry to lepers and low income Hungarians living in bordering countries around Hungary. These communities were cut off from Hungary during the redrawing of borders after WWI.

János also took our family to Transylvania, Romania. This region has a particularly large population of Hungarians since it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire up until the Treaty of Trianon at the end of World War I. A significant mission task for current Christians in Hungary today involves visiting and supporting their ethnic brothers in this part of Romania. We went to the Székelyföld area of Transylvania where August’s heavy rains had caused severe flooding in certain valleys. For our family bringing material aid to these people was an active response to the tragedy in the US in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. (See the attached Romania Report and pictures if you are interested)

The girls continue to amaze us in their ability to adjust to the school and their continued efforts at Hungarian. We will begin to have them stay home one day a week to do home schooling for their US studies. Erica says, “It is fun, but hard. I actually have friends at school, but it is hard that I cannot speak the language.” Emily says, “I have had a tough time here because learning Hungarian isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. However, the kids have been very nice at school.” They think the fall is really beautiful and the food is the best, but they also look forward to coming home.

Blessing to you all,

The Ause Family