CEE Story From The Mission Field
Grateful Hearts
September 16, 2003
Here in CEE, we are grateful for support we receive from our church family in the States. Through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering we are able to live and work on the front lines of the battle for souls that rages around us everyday. Over the next few months we will be sharing some personal letters from our missionaries that are but a feeble attempt to express our gratefulness and appreciation for our Southern Baptist Partners who keep us on the field and working to bring in the Harvest. Thank you—all of you who give. Your gifts are "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Phil 4:18)
Dear Family,
This is a very personal and intimate message for us to share. We have served alongside you as our partners in the harvest for three years now in Budapest, Hungary, and in that time, not once have we been in want. The Lord has provided for us through you in ways that others only dream. A few small examples:
When my wife gave birth to our first child on the field, you were there. You paid for us to stay in the hospital the extra days necessary and walk out with our 4-day old daughter without signing one paper, owing one cent or having one concern. When we were unable to reach the location of certain pockets of our people, you were there. You provided us with a vehicle to reach them in a safe and consistent fashion. When we prayer-walked our city, you provided us with hand maps and city travel passes. When we struggled to communicate Truth in an understandable way to our people, you provided us with a private tutor, thus allowing us to communicate on a true heart level. When we found that our stateside partners knew very little about our people, you provided us with the funds necessary to produce videos and brochures to effectively communicate their spiritual needs. When we sought to live in the most strategic locations possible, you provided our team with three separate furnished apartments in the inner city. When we reached out to students in the village, you provided us with Hungarian-language New Testaments. When the river flooded and destroyed hundreds of homes, you provided disinfectant, Jesus videos, Bibles and two-weeks of food supplies to more than 250 men, women and children in desperate need - opening the door for us to share Truth with more than 50 families.
A simple "thank you" does not seem adequate - for it is your faithfulness that makes it possible for my people to hear the Gospel.
Love,
Mark, Kristie & Hannah Aderholt
Serving in Budapest, Hungary