"This is the day that the Lord has made..."

April 1st.
April’s Fool Day?  Not for me!
“This is the day….” That started a new chapter in my life.
“This is the day…” That closed a ”22 year long” chapter of my life.
“This is the day that the Lord has made to rejoice and be glad in it” and proclaim His Glory.

April 1st, 2016
This day is just an other average spring day in Budapest: the Sun is bright, the grass is green, the flowers are pretty and people are happy.
This is the day that started a new chapter in my life.
I got employed! I have an official employment. I have a regular income from this day. This job is a real joy to me. This job is a meaningful job.
 “Oh, why is it such a big deal?” – Someone might say.

Let me tell you why:
My story started in May, 1994. We had a beautiful spring day just like today. I was going home from school where I was a teacher in a small village. I liked living there. Suddenly a question hit me hard:  “Is this my life for the rest of my coming years? Morning classes, afternoon preparations, house chores, raising my kids, day in, day out, and then the day comes when I’ll be buried in the local village cemetery ? Is that all? Is this my life all about?”
I had a very restless, bad inner feeling. I did not know Jesus at that time. I had everything though.  A nice house, nice kids, a hardworking husband and a regular job. Something was still missing. I did not know what it is that is still missing! I blamed myself for not being content with all that I had.

Out of this restlessness I started to switch from one school to the next in every two year. My colleagues were happy with my job, they loved and respected me yet I could not get rid of that bad feeling. I was desperately looking for meaning and purpose in my life, but it seemed to be in vain.
A very intense search started: Who am I? What am I supposed to do?  Am I a teacher, indeed? Where should I be?
I reached the age of 50 and I was still wrestling identity questions! That was very strange.
Meanwhile our children grew up and followed their calls, my husband left me for a vanishing love affair of a young girl, so I was left alone forced to change. I moved to Budapest.

The day came when the message hit me: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted”.
At the darkest point of my life I started to seek God.
After an intense searching period of three years I accepted Jesus into my life as my Savior.
I lost my own family and I found my new family in the Lord.
The Church became my newly found family.


Slowly I started  to understand my new identity. I AM THE BELOVED CHILD OF GOD! 
I lost everything that, until that time, I had considered important, but found what I had been looking for for over twenty years - my identity! My old unrest was gone and with joy I began seeking for the work that God intended for me.

That search took four years. I could find only temporary jobs -giving home care, cleaning, ironing, caring for children. Everyone was happy with my work, but I took these jobs only because I needed the money and had no other alternative. I was sure that the Lord had other plans for me. I knew that He wanted to shape me through these difficulties, into the servant He wanted me to become, in His time.

During that time I volunteered in the Free Methodist Church Budapest and with other Christian foundations and organizations. Working as a volunteer for free is still a foreign concept in Hungary. I was viewed as a mad person by many. Working for free when I do not have any income! Unheard of! I was happy to serve The Kingdom of God and He took care of me.  He surely did.

I know in complete confidence that the Lord prepared a job for me where I could best serve Him.
I received a full time job on April 1st, 2016.
I became the coordinator of the Set Free Movement in Hungary and the leader for the Life Skills Program with the Free Methodist World Mission in Hungary called Bread of Life Foundation. I am happy to be the ministerial candidate for Free Methodist Church in Budapest, too.

Praise The Lord! He has shown His faithful love to me!

I am very thankful to all those people who has been supported me in prayer and gave donations to make possible for me to be a full-time servant of The Lord who showed me His call for my life.

He gave me this work and His blessings are upon it!

'Commit your way to the Lord, He will act'

Just one year ago I came back from a foreign land being a missionary to be missionary in my country.
But for a while I couldn't find my place, the area where God wants me the most to serve Him and fulfill His will for me.
So 2015 was the year of being still before the Lord and waiting patiently for Him.
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act." (Psalms 37:5)

I was eager to serve Him, did not cease to pray and ask Him to show me my place of the ministry. Where does He want to see me? What is His will for me?
My heart was overwhelmed by gratitude because of His guidance, provision, love, mercy, forgiveness, my desire was to hear His voice and follow His path.

While I was working as a volunteer at several different Christian events and serve Him in many different ways I constantly asked His response to my questions.
In my previous letter I reported my ministries in the first part of the year. From August I continued these volunteer works.

           
                                                       Serving the 2nd Global Leadership Summit in Budapest

Introduction of the mission of  Jews for Jesus

Helping the work of Jews for Jesus at the international, interdenominational evangelical event at the lake Balaton, called Balaton NET.
Organized by the Hungarian Evangelical Alliance this program is a gem of all Christians family programs in Hungary.



But this Summer brought changing to the life of Hungary, Europe and it designated my way.


Thousands and thousands of asylum seekers and immigrants entered Europe, Hungary.

The governments could not give right answer based on biblical foundation the problem, the Christianity is not strong enough neither in Hungary nor in Europe.
Walls are build on the borders and in the hearts, the level of hatred is increasing to the sky.










The largest group of refugees (more than 3000) are gathered at the main railway station in Budapest (in August)










Meanwhile more and more residents of the the poor, post communist countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania) try to seek better life in West European countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland). Many of them especially the girls, women become victims of the human traffickers and sexual slaves.
Another form of human trafficking has developed parallel with the immigration-refugee wave - people smuggling, with promise of passage to Germany.
In one horrific case, 71 people died in a sealed, refrigerated meat truck while being transported from Budapest with hopes of finding asylum in Germany.

According to the 2014 Global Slavery Index (www.globalslaveryindex.org) countries in Central Europe and the Balkans are highly susceptible to human trafficking, both as countries of origin and as transit countries.

Hungary ranks 3rd  in the estimated number living in modern slavery.







Trafficking in Persons Report - July 2015 (www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt)
'Hungary is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Vulnerable groups include Hungarians in extreme poverty, Roma, and homeless men. Women  and children, particularly Roma, are subject to sex trafficking within the country and abroad, mostly in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Hungarian women lured into sham marriages to third-country nationals within Europe and reportedly subjected to forced prostitution. Hungarian men and women are subjected to forced labor domestically and abroad.'(p.181.)

There are a number of non-governmental organizations working against human trafficking in Hungary, such as the Salvation Army, Baptist Aid, and the Anonymous Ways Foundation. Some work in rescue, others in rehabilitation, others in prevention, while still others attempt to influence public policy. No one organization is able to fully address the needs. The government of Hungary has begun to take steps in addressing this issue on a national level, but more work is needed.

In May my church organized a seminar with Rev.Kevin Austin, the director of the Set Free Movement. Many people who attended the seminar expressed a desire to continue and perhaps build on the connections that were made that day.

Since May I has served as the coordinator of the Hungarian Set Free Movement as a volunteer. My work has included building relationships with other like-minded organizations and hosting bi-weekly times of intercessory prayer for those who are the victims of human trafficking and for those who are working in the areas of prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation.

Since May I attended to different seminars, forums learning more about this topic, getting to know as many like-minded organizations, people as possible.

Even the Hungarian Ministry of Interior arranged a conference on the occasion of the 9th EU Anti-Trafficking Day. The purpose of the conference was to raise awareness on the phenomenon of trafficking in human beings.

In the break with the representatives of Salvation Army, Anthropolis Assosiation, Child Protection Services













The Baptist Aid organized a 3 days seminar - Trafficked and Exploited Minors between Vulnerability and Illegality.

God is calling me 'to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and opening of the prison to those who are bound.' 

God has guided me 4 years ago to the Free Methodist Church.
This church was founded on values that embrace the worth of all people.
This church is founded on holistic freedom principles and as God's people we live into the freedom Jesus has brought and seek to set others free physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

The Free Methodist Church gave me opportunity to teach/preach on Sunday mornings, although I am a women. But each of us were created by God with the same value and the church promotes equality of women in all places.

God's desire all people will be truly free

Our responsibility to bring good news to the people. We went to evangelize to our neighborhood.

Jesus is the Good News and this good news is that God loves us and is working in our world to bring healing and hope. Works of justice are not a separate issue from this good news, but are an integral part of God's work.

Ending modern day slavery is not just about human trafficking - it is about all of the justice issues.
Our responsibility to create new futures, to give meaning and significance to every person by God's help.

In November was a great honor for me attending the Free Methodist Church Leaders Conference in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia.

The main topic of the conference was multiplying groups, making disciples, raising up national leaders, developing leaders. How we can be effective in the process of the community church planting? What kind of issues has to face the church recently?

I had opportunity to get to know the European church leaders and great missionaries working to end the human trafficking and recovering the victims, preventing the potential victims.

This year the Lord has opened door before me showing me the area of my ministry - being assistant pastor in my church and coordinator of the Hungarian Set Free Movement.

I am sure if we live out Jesus's mission statement, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will bring hope and healing to our lives, to our communities, to our countries.

I am trusting the Lord to continue providing for my needs.

Please, pray for me and ask the Lord to continue infusing me with His love, joy, peace, hope and grace, showing me the next step in my ministry.

On Fire for God - Lord, I'd like to serve you

Dear Friends,

I have been away 1,5 years from my country studying the Word and serving the Lord in many different ways in different countries.
During this time the life has changed a lot in Hungary.
When I arrived in last December I had to face the difficulties in my life: I needed regular income, a meaningful job, a new accommodation and the most important, I was looking for my ministry.
The situation was not easy but I always felt God's provision. The Father prepared the way before me I just had to trust in Him and wait for His timing.
After many problems and half a year my accommodation situation was solved (temporarily) It's still not a final solution but I saved time, almost a year.
Praise the Lord!!!

But finding a meaningful job was an impossible task. I did not find qualified job just black work for very low salary. I'm thankful that I was able to reject these opportunities and in every places reflect the character of God. I am not participate in these cheating, lying, although I really need money for the life, especially pay for the rent. But The Father always provided me through people and I could pay for my every expense.
Praise the Lord!!





Living an unemployed life I have lot of spare time. I use this time working as a volunteer in many different organizations. First of all in my church. My heart is full of thankfulness that I get chance to teach, preach in my church being the part of the church leadership team. I became also the local ministerial candidate in my congregation.
Praise the Lord!

                     The church leadership

Overview of the Sermon on the Mount












I worked together with the American team from Spring Arbor on our cellar project. With the Hungarian volunteers we worked 300 hours building a new room to our common place.
Praise the Lord!







                     With the American team













 

Cutting potatoes for the lunch







After this project we organized the first Set Free Movement Seminar in Hungary. Our guest speaker Rev.Kevin Austin the director of the Set Free Movement spoke about the human traffic and the modern slavery which is the 15 milliard $ business nowadays. There are more slaves in our world today than at any other time in history. Real slaves held by violence. Unable to walk away. Forced to do things they don't want to do. The slavery, the human traffic is not the problem, is the result of the problem. The real problem is the broken relationships, living without love. We as Christians have to end modern slavery, create new futures, be agent of hope and healing.

Unfortunately Hungary has the 3rd position of the human traffic in the Middle- Europe and we have not united yet our forces, the separated organizations. Many people who attended the seminar expressed a desire to continue and perhaps build on the connections that were made that day. I am coordinating our efforts to build these connections, and will be trying to connect with representatives from each organization personally.
Praise the Lord!

Meeting with Rev. Kevin Austin, and the leader of the House of Light (temporarily home for the abused mothers and their children), the agent of Salvation Army, and my pastor

In the beginning of June we had an other American team from Spring Arbor University. 

The students were interested in the cross cultural situation. 

I had a short presentation about Hungarian life during the communist time trying to explain them how we lived as non-Christians in the Soviet years. Why are we a very pessimistic nation, although we are incredible gifted, talented. Why is really difficult to work as a missionary in a post-communist country?

My heart desire is working on the Kingdom of Heaven, bringing revival to my country. Teaching the Word, making disciples, being salt and light, living according to the biblical principals, showing the character of God in every part of my life, reflecting the love of Christ to others.

"...to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, opening of the prison to those who are bound..." (Isaiah 61:1)

I'm eager to evangelize, this is my gift from God.
I take part in every month on the National Breakfast Prayer. The Christian businessmen, church leaders, politicians, serving brothers praying together, thinking together.
In June took place the 4th National Evangelistic Day - The Lord is looking for fruits.

The final message of this day was "Our country developmental program has to be on the Christian foundation." (Imre Somody economist)

Praise the Lord for this great day!

I work as a volunteer with Jews for Jesus, which is a Messianic Jewish evangelical organization focusing on the conversion of the Jewish people to Christianity.
In this Summer they had their 4th great evangelistic campaign on the streets of Budapest.

90 missionaries from all around the world (including the 34 Hungarians) were permanently on the streets for 2 weeks from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm sharing the Gospel, giving many different hand outs: Who is that Man?

I  was also on the streets in different times, collected many interesting experiences. Many people were apathetic, tired, angry, didn't care about Good News. Some of them pretty dismissive even offensive but some were curious, opened just confused and some of them really thirsty for the Living Water.

Before outreach at the base: ready for bringing hope to the hopeless

This time was a tiring but encouraging one for me. Working in an awesome team with fantastic people for a great purpose was an incredible blessing for me. I was learning a lot theoretical and practical things at the same time.
It was also a joyful time for me getting to know interesting people, making new friends, spending memorable time together, having good conversations etc.
Each of us had an uniform T-shirt with writing: Jews for Jesus (...and friends)

Who is that Man? He was born in Israel 2000 years ago. He is living today as well and coming back soon.
People could read this writing (and many others) on the side of the trams, at the metro stations.

With my new friends: Michelle from Orlando and Brigitte from Switzerland

                                                                               
The team is full of passion before our first street evangelism (for me was the very first one, my friends are already trained missionaries)










The tired but blessed team after the street evangelism (in an other day and place)





My heart is overwhelmed by gratitude!
I could be the part of this great event!
I could be a worker in the harvest!
I could be a vessel of Hope!
I could be a servant of the Lord!

God called me to be missionary in my country, to be the part of the Hungarian revival!
I am eager to work for the Kingdom of God in Hungary!

Would you like to involve to my ministry?
How can you do that?

Would you be willing to represent me to your circle of friends, to your sphere of influence, to your home group or to your Bible study?
Would you pray for my financial situation?

If you feel led to come alongside me financially, here are some details about how to proceed:

Bank information

Send your tax-deductible contribution to:
Free Methodist World Missions -770 N.High School Rd - Indianapolis, IN 46214
Toll- Free - (800) 342-5531 Local - (317) 244-3660

Identify your contribution as being for the "Europe Area Education Network."
All funds that come into this account will be forwarded to Hungary for my support.

Or give online at: https://give.fmcusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=1328
Or on Paypal to ildikokober@gmail.com
Or I send you my bank account number in a personal letter if you need.

Every gift no matter how small or large adds up and helps a lot!

Thank you so much praying about and considering this request! 
I am trusting the Lord to supply my needs, and He has been so faithful at every point!

EVERY GLORY IS FOR GOD!

From the mission field into the Hungarian reality

Dear Friends,

As you may know I have spent the last 1.5 years out of Hungary. In June 2013 I had the opportunity to attend a Discipline Training School in Transylvania. Right after that I started my studies at the School of Biblical Studies in Switzerland (http://www.sbs-switzerland.ch). During this time I began teaching from the Bible in the mission field, in one of the poorest countries in the world, Madagascar.

I posted some moments of this time of my life in my blog: GROW IN THE LORD (www.growinthelord.blogspot.hu).

The past 18-months-period meant for me a season of being established in God's Word and in His truth; the season that has an enormous impact on the rest of my life.

During this time I felt stronger and stronger day by day that my personal mission field is Hungary.

Especially when I was teaching the Bible, giving encouragement to the youth in Madagascar for transforming their nation with the Power of the Holy Spirit -  I felt firmly that also Hungary needs this transformation badly.

Now I am back to Hungary finished my studies and after 1.5 years of absence I have to face the Hungarian reality: corruption and spiritual darkness have increased further. I can see everywhere mendacity, swindle, encompassment by the law, disappointed, burned out people, distrustfulness, alienation. I can see broken families with no hope, no future vision, no smile. It seems, sin defiled every segments of their lives. People don't know God, don't trust one another, don't love one another. Many of the Christians don't know the Bible.

Our country is so beautiful. Budapest is one of the most gorgeous capitals in Europe.

We, Hungarians are really talented, gifted, hard worker people.

Why do we live in spiritual mess?

Why is Hungary the country of the lost values?

We can't wait for prosperity until we exile God from Hungary!

We can't wait for God's blessing until He cannot sit on the throne of our own lives!

WAKE UP, HUNGARY!
TURN BACK TO GOD!

Our nation's crisis is not about money, it is about our disobedience!

Our nation has to confess its sins, repent, and ask God's forgiveness.

We need to humble ourselves before the Lord.

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

(Mt.23:12)

I have got a calling to be a worker in the field of the revival of Hungary!

I am sure it is the time for revival!

I want to take part in this process!

But since I arrived in Hungary I am struggling with finances and accommodation problems.

I cannot find an official job (I could work as a black employee but I don't want to participate in this cheating) and I need to move to a cheaper apartment.

I serve at my church and I am so thankful that I have several opportunities to teach/preach in my local congregation on Sundays.

But unfortunately I need money for the everyday life until I get an official employment.

I trust the Lord, He has provided me in incredible ways since  I accepted His guidance in my life.

He has provided me through you, dear readers and I greatly appreciate your prayers and support.

I kindly ask you to prayerfully take into consideration of keeping supporting me financially  until I get a legal job.

Should your support be one- time or regular monthly donation of a smaller or larger amount, it will be greatly appreciated by me.

Thank you so much for being part of my journey through prayer, conversations, your friendship and support.

Please let me know how I can be praying for and serving you and your family!

I wish you God’s abundant blessings,

lots of His joy,

His presence in the midst of your days.

Have a blessed Easter filled with the power of the resurrected Christ!

Love and grace to you all,

Ildikó

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bank information

Send your tax-deductible contribution to:

Free Methodist World Missions - 770 N. High School Rd - Indianapolis, IN 46214

Toll-Free – (800) 342-5531 Local – (317) 244-3660

Identify your contribution as being for the “Europe Area Education Network.”

All funds that come to this account will be forwarded to Hungary for my support.

Or give online at: https://give.fmcusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=1328

or on Paypal to ildikokober@gmail.com

or I send you my bank account number in a personal letter if you need.

Thank you so much praying about and considering this request! I am trusting the Lord to supply my needs, and He has been so faithful at every point!

Madagascar 8: Where my dream comes true

Arriving the last station of our trip getting from God's provision.

We were in a small island, Ile aux Nattes.
Our accommodation was a small and neat lodge located on the northern shore of the island. The lodge sits on the small canal which separates Ile aux Nattes and St Marie, and looks onto the opposite island which is just a pirogue trip away.

We lived in this en-suite bungalow (was built in a typical rustic Malagasy style with island materials) just 20 steps from the water of the canal










In the right corner of picture you can see a chair. I used to sit here every morning keeping my quiet time, praising God and rejoice at the all beauty created by the Lord.

Usual early morning picture: the natives bring merchandise to the island with their pirogues








As a result of Madagascar's long isolation from neighboring continents, the island is home to an abundance of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Approximately 90 % of all plant and animals species found in Madagascar are endemic, including the lemurs.

Madagascar is world-famous its lemurs - primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog. Lemurs have been characterized as "Madagascar's flagship mammal species"
We had two lemurs as pets.









This small monkey grew up in human surroundings, he is like a spoiled kid, jumps on the table, wants to eat from everyone's plate. But he is so adorable, not possible to be angry at him.







To walk around the island takes about 3 hours.

I took these pictures while I was walking around the island, but we explored the island by local lakana (pirogue) as well. This trip gave us a different view and experience of this beautiful island.

After boarding with our Malagasy friend

Making grilled fish

The view from the top of the hill.
Yo can see where the canal is,where  the opened ocean starts.
The water of the canal is warm and free of sharks.








The shallows around the island are ideal for snorkeling and the coral reef represents some of the most extensive and well developed reef ecosystems in the Indian Ocean.
I tried the snorkeling first time in my life, and after that I was eager to try the scuba diving as well.

 
                                        After draught with my young friends.

Exploring the bigger island, Saint Marie by scooter. First time in my life with scooter!
I really enjoined it!

Our beach was one of the 10 best swimming beaches in Africa, crystal clear warm shallow water, calm tide, soft, white sand, coconut trees.
This was always my dream: being a place, where at last I don't have to be cold, where the water is warm, palm trees and blue sky above me - meanwhile at home is winter....

                                                                     Is it not God's provision?!