Oma and Papa Stienstra

So many of us have asked what my parents are doing in Hungary and why they are there...so here is the scoop!

Mom retired in June from her teaching job, and was now available to take a longer trip to Hungary with Dad. They decided to come for the semester. The ESL teacher was going on home assignment and Mom thought she could help out for the semester by covering her classes 4 days week. Dad, was of course excited to go for a longer trip, due to his love for Hungary and all that it entails! Dad wasn't exactly sure what he would do for the semester, but something with KEGY, the EFCA church plant and helping out at ICSB. Of course he would also have to manage his business via the internet while gone. Lastly, let's not forget the their grand kids. They were excited to be by them for a season....

Of course this WHOLE time we were planning on being in Hungary TOGETHER for the semester. Well, we all know that in late July, God confirmed through prayer and leadership, that we needed to stay in the states for this next year. I will never forget sitting in my parents family room, talking with Mom and Dad about how crazy it was that this WHOLE time we thought we would actually be Hungary...our territory...together....and now we were not.

Mom and Dad were faithful to their call and commitments to Hungary and ICSB...and I AM SO GRATEFUL for their witness. Wow...God is using them in AWESOME ways in Hungary, and I am so proud of them. Of course I miss them..we all do, but they are serving exactly where God wanted them.



Dad had NO IDEA that he would be teaching middle school Bible for the semester. Teaching is a new world for him, but he is doing great! Mom has been great encouraging him, which I might add she has ALWAYS been an awesome cheerleader for her husband, and I am thankful for her example to me for that. Mom is doing awesome teaching ESL, and the kids love her too! In fact Mom and Dad took a quick trip to Germany to see my Mom's family and when she returned to her classroom, there was a note written on her chalkboard, "We love you Mrs. Stienstra!"

Yes, I would say that they are very loved.

Mom is also reaching out to the community teaching a local ESL course to our Hungarian neighbors. Rock on, Mom! And Dad is helping out with this class too!

They were even recruited to chaperone the 6th grade Service project and Lock-In! Wow! Can you believe the energy and strength the Lord has given them for all of these new tasks?!?!?

Really, had we been in Hungary this semester, we would have been a distraction for how God is using them in awesome ways. There time in Hungary is quickly coming to a close. They will be back a couple days before Christmas. We are excited that we will get to be with them for the second semester before we head back to Hungary.