Can't Stop Smiling

Somehow I just can't stop smiling. Yesterday afternoon's "open house" was a feast of friendship. We lost count of the number of friends and relatives who showed up. What a lot of hugs and smiles and shared memories and expressions of love and prayer support. We can never forget the rich treasure of those hours. There was of course the sad fact that we couldn't spend the hour or more we longed to spend with each person. But oh, it was special.

Many times one or another would say, "Just think what it'll be like in heaven, where we'll have as much time as we'd like for this kind of fellowship." Yes, just imagine!

Then last evening we were at the board meeting of the small mission led by our dear friends Geza and Ildiko Kovacs in Budapest, Hungary. We're amazed at the way God is using them and their grown children to plant a contemporary church among those wonderful people. We were visiting there in spring 1990, rolling in on the train just in time to see the Russian tanks rolling out! Then a few years later we were there and saw the very early beginnings of this church (meeting in a living room). Now they've purchased property and are trusting God to be able to begin construction early in 2007. But they're not focused only on themselves. They already support evangelists who are out in other parts of Hungary doing the same thing. And Ildiko has a shepherding ministry with pastors' wives all over the country; in addition, she organizes women's conferences in many places. The latest drew about 6,000 women. After so many decades of Communist repression, the work of the Kovacs is precisely what the nation needs. In fact, the name of the organization that met last night is "Serving A Nation."

We'll soon be on the road again heading back to Indiana, where we'll enjoy the visit of friends tomorrow and time with family for the rest of the week.

The sweet time yesterday was invigorating, and we're feeling no fatigue.

Whether or not you live where Thanksgiving Day is celebrated, I hope you have a thankful heart.
Love,
Carol