Canada trip

We are back from Canada! What a great trip we had!

We took off last Friday, in the morning. It wouldn`t be our family if the car didn`t give us some trouble last minute. The gas pipe started dripping. Scott quick patched it up, it wasn`t really serious.
Our ride was pretty smooth. We got the the border, the lady was curiously checking out my Hungarian passport. It is probably not something that she sees every day.
When we got over to Canada, we decided to take a half hour break in Sarnia and let Benjamin run around  a little bit in Walmart.

                                        
 Then we drove to Woodbridge, Ontario, which is basically on the outskirt of Toronto.
We stayed with the Pusok family. Daniel, Adina, Salome and Deborah. What a nice family, they fed us and hosted us all weekend.
We had a nice Hungarian dinner on Friday night. Next day, Pastor Daniel took us sightseeing in Toronto.
It was really great, we walked on the streets, saw the skyscrapers, went up to the CN Tower, ate hotdog from the street vendor.... it was all really great.

With Pastor Pusok and his family

Benjamin with the two little girls, Salome and Debike

Nice Hungarian style breakfast

at the CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

with a Canadian moose

Benjamin has no fear looking down

Coming to the city

Walking in Toronto

At the CN Tower

Great view from the tower

Say "kimchi"

Waiting for our hotdogs

Yumm it was good

Benjamin devouring his hotdog

On Saturday night we had a Marrieds get together at somebody`s house. It was so nice to meet Hungarians finally and speak in Hungarian. They asked us to share our story, how we met with Scott and how the Lord worked in our marriage. It was good to share and to hear others share too. 

Food. Always. 

Marrieds. 

Next day, Sunday we spent the day in church. We  were guests at the First Hungarian Baptist Church of Toronto. We had a morning service at 11. Scott and I both shared our testimonies and how the Lord led us to missions. 

After the service we had lunch. Everybody brought their own lunch and sat together as a family. We sat and ate with the Pastors family. But we got invited to several tables, and because I initially thought that we would all eat together, I willingly said yes to all the invitations. Then I had to explain why I changed my mind. :)

After lunch we had the afternoon service at 3PM. The service was very typical Hungarian. Usually many people participates with sings, testimonies, poems, music, choir and other things. Like a program. 

Then we had the message from the Scripture. Scott was teaching and Pastor Pusok interpreted. Most people speak both Hungarian and English in the church but there are a few people who just arrived to Canada recently and their English is not great yet. 

We also talked about New Tribes Mission and about tribal missions in general. I think it was a great challenge to many of them as they came up to us afterwards to thank us for coming and sharing about our ministry. 

I also met several people whom I actually met in the past. What a small world!! 

For example: 20 years ago we had a girl, Ibolya, from Transylvania spend 2 weeks with our family back in Hungary through an exchange program in our churches. Her family then came to visit us, then we went to visit them in their tiny little village in Romania. 

It turns out her 2 sisters moved to Canada and they were members of the church. And we actually remembered each other!! Out of all places we meet again in Canada after 20 years! :) That was amazing! 

Thank you God for preparing that reunion! What a joy!!!

I also met a Hungarian girl there, whose grandfather was a pastor and he baptized my mom back in 1969!

Or another lady, who turned out to be the daughter of our former pastor in the church where I grew up, and he actually dedicated me in the church when I was born. Pretty cool, eh?

with Pastor Pusok and his family

us

Sharing my testimony 

Scott teaching with an interpreter at the afternoon service

Hanging out with people

 at the church

lunch

youth group singing 

waiting for our food

On Monday morning Adina (Pastor`s wife) took us to the Hungarian shop. It is in Toronto, not very far from their house. I was absolutely thrilled to be there and shop for some goodies from Hungary. 

Among other things I got elder syrup, rosehip tea, different paprika products (would be hard to explain to an American :), black cherry soda, candies, soup noodles and smoked sausage.

salamis and sausages

horseradish paste and garlic paste

Then Scott graciously agreed to take me to IKEA. IKEA is only my favourite shop on Earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next stop: DURHAM, Ontario. We visited the Canadian New Tribes Missionary Training Center and a lot of friends. We stayed at a guest room which was very nice and comfortable. Jeremy and Melody Penner fed us while we were there. Great friends! :)

on Tuesday night Scott spoke at Chapel. It was a great encouragement about God`s faithfulness! 

Scott speaking at Chapel

Scott chatting with the guys

Our trip was still not over. Now we were heading to Guelph, Ontario, where we met up our good friend, Barney Cserepka and his family. We had a great meal together (Thanks Barney for the amazing LecsoGulyasChili!!! :) 

Ruben, Benjamin and I

Jessie, Scott and I

The man himself. Barney. Son of a blessed Hungarian missionary couple who served in Bolivia.

We left Guelph at around 8PM. After about 30 seconds on the road Benjamin announced that he needed to go potty. Okay, Scott pulled in the first gas station only to realize that the gas pipe was dripping again. He got under the car and patched it up again. We prayed that God would take us home safely. 

And He did! Praise Him!!! There was no more troubles all the way home. 

I have to mention a couple of funny stories here. 

We got to the border, we were soooo tired... it was after midnight. Scott accidentally pulled in to the lane reserved for trucks. So we had to pull off the road, get out of the car, go inside and wait while they processed our paperwork for about half an hour. 

When we were released, we could finally cross the border. Back in the United States again! :)

We needed gas so we pulled in to a gas station. We also got some fries and chocolate shake at McD so we could stay awake. As we were just about to get back on the highway, a police car shows up behind us and puts on his siren. Of course we pull over, it is 1:30 in the morning WHAT NOW? The officer comes over and asks Scott if he had anything to drink tonight because he was driving a little wavy on the road. Scott hesitantly raised his chocolate shake. The officer just smiled and told us to drive more intentionally. 

It was funny, because years ago his dad was ALSO pulled over once by the police when he was drinking a chocolate shake in the car and swerved a little.  

We got home after 3AM totally exhausted. 

Thank you all who prayed for this trip!!! God truly blessed our time in Canada. It was an encouragement for us and hopefully for many more. 

Continue

Snowy days

Snow has finally arrived in Michigan. But as I hear it's not gonna last too long. Anyway we had fun in it while it lasted. ;)

Continue

Busy January!

EN ROUTE TO INDONESIA  (TRIBAL CHURCH PLANTING)

NEW TRIBES MISSION

JANUARY 2, 2012

BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!

 

GOD BLESSED US WITH A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY!  

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR HAVING BEEN ABLE TO STAY AT A NICE HOUSE CLOSE TO OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND CHURCH. WE HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED EVERY DAY. 

NOW IT`S JANUARY AND TIME TO GET BUSY AGAIN IN ANOTHER WAY. 

WE HAVE 3 CHURCHES AND A SMALL GROUP TO SPEAK TO THIS MONTH. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS GREAT MINISTRY THAT WE ARE PREPARING FOR. 

I AM ESPECIALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR VISIT TO TORONTO, CANADAAT THE END OF THIS MONTH. 

WE ARE GOING TO SPEAK AT A HUNGARIAN BAPTIST CHURCH THERE. 

I CAN`T WAIT TO SEE OTHER HUNGARIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND FINALLY SPEAK IN 

HUNGARIAN. (EDINA)

ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING ABOUT THE NEEDS IN INDONESIA WITH THEM. 

THIS IS A VERY NICE LITTLE CHURCH, I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THEIR SUNDAY SERVICES ONLINE. 

THE PASTOR KINDLY INVITED US TO COME FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND AND SPEND TIME WITH HIS FAMILY AND DO SOME SIGHTSEEING IN TORONTO ETC. WE ARE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT!!!

ANOTHER GOD-THING:

ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE MADE FRIENDS WITH A GENTLEMAN ON FACEBOOK. HE IS ALSO HUNGARIAN BUT LIVES IN CANADA. HIS PARENTS WERE JOHN AND MARGARET CSEREPKA, PIONEER HUNGARIAN MISSIONARIES IN TRANSYLVANIA, CANADA, AND THEN IN BOLIVIA. WE JUST FOUND OUT THAT HIS DAD, JOHN CSEREPKA WAS ACTUALLY THE MAN WHO FOUNDED THAT FIRST HUNGARIAN BAPTIST CHURCH IN TORONTO. 

SO HE IS GOING TO BE THERE TO MEET US. HE HAS BEEN SO ENCOURAGING TO US AND IT IS AN HONOR TO MEET THE SON OF JOHN AND MARGARET CSEREPKA, WHO MADE SUCH A HUGE IMPACT IN MANY PEOPLE`S LIVES. 

 Please pray:
* for opportunities to share about our ministry
* for daily spiritual growth in our personal and family life
* for our funds to come in 

(we are at 20 % of our recommended monthly support. We are grateful for the faithful people that are already supporting us! Yet we still have a long way to go! )
* our planned departure date is June 2012.
* Scott is looking for a job 3-4 days a week

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!

WE KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL 

IN OUR LIVES AND THAT HIS TIMING IS PERFECT!

WE TRUST HIM AND WAIT ON HIM.  

CHALLENGE:

ONE MOI MAN IN INDONESIA HAS THE WHOLE GENEALOGY IN THE BIBLE MEMORIZED, FROM ADAM THROUGH JESUS.

HOW MANY IN THAT LINE CAN YOU NAME?

PLEASE VISIT OUR BLOG FOR OUR TESTIMONIES, STORIES, PICTURES, INFO ON HOW TO JOIN OUR SENDING SUPPORT TEAM, ON NEW TRIBES MISSION, INDONESIA ETC. 

because of Him,

                     

                           SCOTT AND EDINA LOUGH

 

Continue

Tom and Scott are testing Tom`s new helicopter. Benjamin is more than excited!

Tom es Scott tesztelik Tom uj helikopteret. Benike nagyon odavan....

Benike with Cousin Aiden

Aiden uncsiteso

Scott az anyukajaval

Scott and his mom, Cleo

Not too good picture of us

Nem olyan jo kep rolunk

Benike chilling in his new chair, drinking out of his new cup and watching his new movie

Benike az uj szekeben iszik az uj poharabol es nezi az uj filmjet

Continue

Faith is seeing but needing to see is not faith.

God has said in His Word that He desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. And that faith comes by hearing the word so someone must be sent to speak the word. 


This is especially true for those who have no Bible in their language. Sometimes it appears overwhelming to us as we look at the road ahead and think of what the Lord must do if we are to be a part of taking the Gospel to those who have never had an opportunity to here of His salvation. The work of the spreading the gospel is God's work, but it is His work through the agency of His people and His word.  
Our part is to move forward in steps of faith. I was encouraged by the Lord with this devotional reading today. I thought I would share it with you praying that it may encourage you also. 


December 7
"You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley shall be filled with water, that you may drink, both you, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: He will deliver the Moabites also into your hand." (2 Kings 3:16-17). 


To human thinking it was simply impossible, but nothing is hard for God. 


Without a sound or sign, from sources invisible and apparently impossible, the floods came stealing in all night long; and when the morning dawned, those ditches were flooded with the crystal waters, and reflecting the rays of the morning sun from the red hills of Edom. 


Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is largely sensational, and they are not satisfied of its genuineness without manifestations, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God. 


The great victory of faith is to stand before some impassable Red Sea, and hear the Master say, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord," and "Go forward!" As we step out without any sign or sound -- not a wave-splash -- and wetting our very feet as we take the first step into the waters, still marching on we shall see the sea divide and the pathway open through the very midst of the waters. 


If we have seen the miraculous workings of God in some marvelous case of healing or some extraordinary providential deliverance, I am sure the thing that has impressed us most has been the quietness with which it was all done, the absence of everything spectacular and sensational, and the utter sense of nothingness which came to us as we stood in the presence of this mighty God and felt how easy it was for Him to do it all without the faintest effort on His part or the slightest help on ours. 


It is not the part of faith to question, but to obey. The ditches were made, and the water came pouring in from some supernatural source. What a lesson for our faith! 


Are you craving a spiritual blessing? Open the trenches, and God will fill them. And this, too, in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected ways. 


Oh, for that faith that can act by faith and not by sight, and expect God to work although we see no wind or rain.
 --- A. B. Simpson 
From Streams in the Desert by LB Colman

Continue

Benjamin`s Birthday Party

Benjamin turned 3 on November 20. 

We had the family over for some celebration. 

                                     

Opening presents from the Hungarian grandparents, Mita and Pita. 

Continue

Cool things in 1Thessalonians!

 I love to just read through an entire book of the Bible. There are always so many things God opens up my eyes for. Here is a few encouragements that stood out to me from reading 1Thessalonians this week. 

You are LOVED by God!
Become a MODEL to all believers!
Let`s not try to please men, but please God who tests our hearts!
Live lives WORTHY to God. 
The WORD OF GOD IS AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE.
Become imitators of God. 
It is God`s will that you should be sanctified. 
God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 
We will be WITH THE LORD FOREVER.Encourage each other with these words. 
You are sons of the light and sons of the day. 
We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
ENCOURAGE one another and BUILD EACH OTHER UP, just as in fact you are doing. 
Warn those who are idle.
Encourage the timid.
Help the weak. 
Be patient with everyone. 
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each othee and to everyone else. 
Be joyful always.
P r a y  c o n t i n u a l l y. 
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God`s will for you in Jesus Christ.
TEST EVERYTHING. HOLD ON TO THE GOOD. 
The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.


And what a promise to close with! God  pledges Himself to do this work in me. Wow!!!!!! :)

Continue