Be sure to check Meredith's blog out for a new puppy video and pictures of the first bath!
http://www.meredithbrannon.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Purity and Abstinence
Andris (one of the speakers) and Me 
Mara and Jay-Fellow Team MembersThis past Friday, I was involved in an abstinence outreach night put on by Fek, the Hungarian student ministry I get to work with. As you can see from the title, this night was totally devoted to the topic of saving sex for marriage. This is a VERY unusual message in the Hungary. I think some people came just because they thought we were a little crazy :) Several students, including myself, shared our view on this topic and one newly married Hungarian couple on our team shared, too. The students listened and paid attention the whole evening. I was quite suprised and delighted. When it was my turn, I shared a poem I had written about my promise ring....it went something like this:
With this ring, I make a promise.
I’m waiting just for you.
Purity and anticipation linger in the que.
Even if you’re not here now, this can still be true
With this ring, I say, all I want is you.
I’ve felt the inner longing and wishing just to be,
A girl who gets affection for all the world to see.
And even though I want you now,
Delaying brings true joy somehow.
With this ring, I set myself apart for you.
Though some might call me crazy
Or say my head is full of daises.
In my heart I know, that someday they will see
That waiting was the key that brought you here to me
With this ring, I take my stand.
And while I watch the world go by,
I see misery in people’s eyes.
Society does look back and wish
They’d preserved their bodies as a savory dish.
With this ring, I choose to wait
I’m waiting just for you.
Purity and anticipation linger in the que.
Even if you’re not here now, this can still be true
With this ring, I say, all I want is you.
I’ve felt the inner longing and wishing just to be,
A girl who gets affection for all the world to see.
And even though I want you now,
Delaying brings true joy somehow.
With this ring, I set myself apart for you.
Though some might call me crazy
Or say my head is full of daises.
In my heart I know, that someday they will see
That waiting was the key that brought you here to me
With this ring, I take my stand.
And while I watch the world go by,
I see misery in people’s eyes.
Society does look back and wish
They’d preserved their bodies as a savory dish.
With this ring, I choose to wait
By Olivia
Please pray for open hearts in the youth of Hungary.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The English Language
The Two English Teachers At The SchoolHungarian is a very difficult language that few expatriates gain fluency in. Our Hungarian is pretty low-level but we do seem to get by with the everyday things of life. But what we have found many times is that English is the language that helps us the most. So many people in Hungary and in Europe have at least some English. So, we are able to communicate. Thank you, God, for allowing us to be native English speakers!
Being a native English speaker has opened doors for us and allowed us opportunities to serve Christ. We are amazed that Hungarians, who many times already speak another language (like German), want to know English, too. We feel ashamed sometimes that we speak only English and most Europeans speak two or three languages or even more. But, for whatever reason, they want to speak with and learn from a native English speaker, if possible. Even "Alabama English"! They don't mind that drawl, at all, ya'll.
Yesterday, I (Shay) was invited to an elementary school to help in the English classes for the day. What a terrific experience and privilege to be exposed to a village school like this and to meet the hard-working teachers. The kids were so sweet and were interested in listening to me. This school was a German-language school which means that children in this school begin learning German in the first grade. They begin learning English in the fourth grade. So, when the 8th graders leave for high school, they have been exposed to 2 other languages besides Hungarian.
One little girl, Gaby, especially tugged on my heart. Gaby is an orphan and she is 12 years old. Gaby's English was really good and she even gave me a sweet note when the class was over. I could have taken her home with me! But I will pray for her and pray that she will be exposed to the gospel despite her living in an orphanage.
Be thankful for your English! It truly is a gift from God and can be used by Him.
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Being a native English speaker has opened doors for us and allowed us opportunities to serve Christ. We are amazed that Hungarians, who many times already speak another language (like German), want to know English, too. We feel ashamed sometimes that we speak only English and most Europeans speak two or three languages or even more. But, for whatever reason, they want to speak with and learn from a native English speaker, if possible. Even "Alabama English"! They don't mind that drawl, at all, ya'll.
Yesterday, I (Shay) was invited to an elementary school to help in the English classes for the day. What a terrific experience and privilege to be exposed to a village school like this and to meet the hard-working teachers. The kids were so sweet and were interested in listening to me. This school was a German-language school which means that children in this school begin learning German in the first grade. They begin learning English in the fourth grade. So, when the 8th graders leave for high school, they have been exposed to 2 other languages besides Hungarian.
One little girl, Gaby, especially tugged on my heart. Gaby is an orphan and she is 12 years old. Gaby's English was really good and she even gave me a sweet note when the class was over. I could have taken her home with me! But I will pray for her and pray that she will be exposed to the gospel despite her living in an orphanage.
Be thankful for your English! It truly is a gift from God and can be used by Him.
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Great Trip to Serbia
Curt and Shay in Ruma with Igor
At the Bible School in Opovo/Ronnie Stevens teaching
Shay with Jarko and ElenaThis past week, Shay got to visit Serbia for the first time. Curt has been so many times! And Olivia has been once. But Shay and Meredith had never been able to work things out to go. So now, we need to get Meredith to Serbia for a visit!
It was a very full 3 days of driving, visiting, meeting people for the first time, and listening to Pastor Ronnie do 2 of his sessions on Matthew at the Bible School. What a great trip! We were so encouraged to see how God is working in Novi Sad, Erdevik, Belgrade, and Opovo. It's a slow process in Eastern Europe to spread the gospel and for people to respond. But there are diligent believers in Serbia that are staying the course and working tirelessly for the sake of the gospel. What a privilege to come along side them in the work of the harvest.
Thank you for praying for our safety as we went to Serbia and for the girls back in Budapest. They did very well and didn't seem too sad that we were gone for a few days!
If you want more information about the work in Serbia, email us and we can give you more details. Most of all, please pray for the people of Serbia to respond to the gospel and pray for Serbian Christians that are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Prayer Points
Just a few prayer requests that we have for the next couple of weeks. Thank you for praying!
*Curt and Shay are leaving tomorrow (Oct 3) for Serbia for 3 days. The plans are to see Jarko and Elena, Igor and Anita in Ruma, and maybe swing into Erdevik to see the believers there. Also, we plan to stay one night at the Bible School in Opovo and listen in on Ronnie Stevens' Matthew study. He will be teaching all this week and next on the book of Matthew. Please pray for travel safety, that we will be an encouragement to the believers in Serbia, and that the girls will be safe here in Budapest while we are gone.
*Pray for Olivia as she begins leading a Discipleship group for 9th grade girls next week. She and her friend, Lauren, are co-leaders and will be training and teaching on evangelism. Meredith will be a part of that group, too.
*Pray for Orsi, a Hungarian girl that Shay meets regularly with to help her with her English. Orsi needs a relationship with Jesus Christ.
*Pray for Meredith as she takes care of all our pets! At this point, we have 7 pets! The puppies are growing and doing well. Pray for homes for all 4 puppies when they're old enough. (about 6 or 7 more weeks)
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
*Curt and Shay are leaving tomorrow (Oct 3) for Serbia for 3 days. The plans are to see Jarko and Elena, Igor and Anita in Ruma, and maybe swing into Erdevik to see the believers there. Also, we plan to stay one night at the Bible School in Opovo and listen in on Ronnie Stevens' Matthew study. He will be teaching all this week and next on the book of Matthew. Please pray for travel safety, that we will be an encouragement to the believers in Serbia, and that the girls will be safe here in Budapest while we are gone.
*Pray for Olivia as she begins leading a Discipleship group for 9th grade girls next week. She and her friend, Lauren, are co-leaders and will be training and teaching on evangelism. Meredith will be a part of that group, too.
*Pray for Orsi, a Hungarian girl that Shay meets regularly with to help her with her English. Orsi needs a relationship with Jesus Christ.
*Pray for Meredith as she takes care of all our pets! At this point, we have 7 pets! The puppies are growing and doing well. Pray for homes for all 4 puppies when they're old enough. (about 6 or 7 more weeks)
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
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