CEE Story From The Mission Field
Students Reaching Students in Hungary
September 14, 2004
The local college campus in Gyor, Hungary, found itself the center of an outreach project the first week in September. Seven German students and one American Journeyman came to Gyor to assist in student outreach among university students.
Julie, the Journeyman, co-led the team with Anja who teaches the German Bible study group ‘Connection’ in their hometown of Jena. Some of the Germans returned from last year’s trip and some made the trek here for the first time to help missionaries Larry and Melinda Ewing and Stacy Cogdill.
Each morning, the Germans set up contact tables in the common rooms of the dorms to pass out Bibles, party invitations, tracts and written testimonies. The invitations made students aware of an event held each night for four nights. The Germans hosted a German Party at the home of the Ewing’s on Monday night where German food graced the table. All afternoon they cooked and baked to place a spread of sausages and cakes out for attendees.
Tuesday night’s event offered an English Bible study to all students interested. The Bible study began with singing and prayer followed by a study in the Word and discussion time. Wednesday night’s singing and testimonies were held in the TV room in a dorm and Thursday night the party moved to Stacy’s flat for a movie night with more German snacks.
As the German students distributed Bibles, they also held many conversations with students roaming the campus. Tuesday afternoon, German student, Julianna and Journeyman Stacy approached a young man sitting on a bench alone. After speaking with him about the Christian faith, he received an invitation to attend that night’s English Bible study. That evening, this young man, Vilmos, walked through the door of the English Bible study, an event that would forever change his life.
Larry led a Bible study on the 6th chapter of Hebrews. Afterwards, Stacy asked Vilmos if she could share with him what the Bible says about Christ. He gave his approval and Stacy turned the witnessing over to Nauszika, a new Hungarian believer. Nauszika boldly spoke and gave her testimony, Stacy’s testimony and a complete gospel presentation. In reply, Vilmos said that God had been speaking to his heart for years and had shown him many signs.
Earlier Vilmos had forgotten his suit, which is required for the opening ceremonies on campus, and sat outside on a bench waiting for the ceremonies to end. When a missionary approached him about the Bible study group, he knew that God was drawing him and he chose to accept God’s invitation that Tuesday night. The following night Vilmos stood up before a crowd of twenty-five people and shared his testimony. There was much rejoicing over the salvation of Vilmos and even more that a new Hungarian believer led Him to the Lord!
Appointments to walk around town, have tea, or play volleyball were also made by the German students with the Hungarian students. During free time in the afternoons, the Germans had opportunities to share the gospel and their testimonies with the Hungarains God placed before them. It is the prayer of the Ewing’s and Stacy that these appointments gave some Hungarian students a taste for Jesus and Bible study. Hopefully, these students will become part of a cell group in Gyor.
The German students have been a wonderful blessing to the student ministry in Gyor through their efficiency and hard work. The Ewing’s and Stacy give thanks to the Lord for their hard work, their terrific attitude, and helping to accomplish so much more in one week than three people could ever dream of doing!
Over 500 Bibles now sit in college dorm rooms. Over 500 students received a tract that tells them the way to salvation. During the week, about fifty new students attended events, which perhaps brought them one step closer to knowing Christ as Savior and Lord!