OK. I have been able to at least finalize the pictures from our Quebec trip on my flickr account. I plan to do this with all of our trip pictures from the summer, and will announce the completion of those on here. So, keep an eye out. Hopefully they will be done by the end of the week.

Anyway, you can see the completed Quebec trip album by following the link below. I have successfully been able to narrow them down to 300! haha! So, enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/sets/72157621758374851/

Hello from Quebec!

We have had a very full day, but an awesome one!! We began with camp where we again had almost 40 kids. God has been so faithful in keeping away the rain, and again our day was filled with great weather! As I shared today during the devotion time, about 6 parents gathered around to hear, as well, which was a huge blessing. Please pray for tomorrow, as I will share the Gospel with the kids, and then Ron will have the same opportunity after camp with the kids and their parents at a cookout. Big day, to say the least.

After camp, we enjoyed an afternoon at Arbraska, which is the high ropes course here in Rawdon. It was incredible, and the ones who participated really had a great time! We did the Tarzan jump, the long zipline, and then the extreme course.

We are really tired after a long week, and really appreciate your prayers tomorrow as we close out the week. I only added a couple new pictures, as not many were taken today. But, you will see some from the day, if you want to follow the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/

I will try to have another update tomorrow night before our departure, as I have finally found a couple of places in the village where I can get internet access.

Hello from Canada! We are having an awesome week here. God has really blessed us with the weather so far this week. It was suppose to really rain today, which even almost caused Ron and I to move camp indoors to a gym this morning. But, we decided to just see what happens, and the result was sunshine before the end of camp…and NO rain! So, we have had a great day.

We were able to do some ministry the past couple of days during the afternoon, as well. One Monday and Tuesday, we spent the afternoon painting for the city of Rawdon, touching up some fencing around some of their places in town. This is a big deal, because after the jobs are complete, the mayor will give credit to Ron’s church for the job in the paper, bringing some more notoriety to his congregation.

Today we went to a couple of intersections in town and gave away free bottled water. It really is amazing to watch people respond to grace! The bottles each had a label on them with the church information, Ron’s number and Scripture. In just under 2 hours, we gave away 2,008 bottles of water!! Needless to say, we are tired! It has been a long week already, but an amazing week.
Ron also took us around Rawdon today to tell our team a little more about the big 3 churches here in Rawdon. Some of you will remember me telling about them last year. For those who didn’t get to hear that, I will write a blog a little later just on that topic. Just pray for the people in Rawdon. So many have been in bondage for so long by empty, dark religion.

So, that is a quick update, but hopefully it will tell you about our last couple of days. If you will follow the link, I have posted a little over couple of days. If you will follow the link, I have posted a little over 30 more pictures for you to see. Thanks for the continued prayers!! Pray for the weather tomorrow, as we are expecting rain again.

Link for pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/

Well, we had an interesting morning in Raleigh today, to say the least. You may have heard about the young man who police in Raleigh are presently searching for after he shot 3 people earlier this morning. Well, that guy's car is where we intersect with that story...see, his car was found parked just in front of the community center where we were to have Kids Club this afternoon at Raleigh North. Needless to say, Kids Club was cancelled. The police who were there informed us of the situation and we quickly returned to the church.

Please join us in praying for that entire situation as the day comes to an end. Please pray that the guy would be caught so that we can return to Raleigh North tomorrow and have one more opportunity to share the Gospel with the children there.

Cedar Point Kids Club tonight is uneffected, and we will have club as planned. There will probably not be another update until tomorrow night's final update from Raleigh. Thanks for the prayers!

We had a great day today here in Raleigh! But, it started off with some sad news. Scott informed us that some kids had broken into the community center at Raleigh North (which is where we have our afternoon kids club) and had messed up the area. Some trash had been strewn around and the sidewalk chalk had been stolen and used to write some obscene messages on walls / doors / sidewalks. So, we started our time there helping the crew clean up the mess. It was a great opportunity to show the community our love as we cleaned up the mess. Then, it was finally time for Kids Club!

We had about the same number today, which was good, but the kids were a little more rowdy, which made it more of a challenge. Our students really showed off their creativity today, which was a great thing to see! Ben led the kids in learning hand motions that helped them learn 1 Peter 5:7..."Cast your burdens onto Jesus; He cares for you." Kimmi and Annie then led the students in presenting a skit illustrating the story of Jesus calming the storm. Our central truth was that Jesus is in control of all things and we can trust Him with everything.

Tonight, instead of a Kids Club at Cedar Point, we had a community-wide block party. We really had a blast!! The turn out was pretty good, and a lot of people heard the message of the Gospel. Again, our students responded well and really did a good job interacting with all of the people there.

Tomorrow we have our two kids clubs again, and the schedule will return to normal. Thanks for the prayers, and you can see our pictures from today here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/?saved=1.

Well, today was a great first day here in Raleigh. The students did such an incredible job today, especially for the first day! Working to confirm the key term of flexibility that is a mission trip to Raleigh, our plans changed for the week slightly in the way of the sites that we will be serving while here. As planned, we will continue to have a Kids Club in the community of Raleigh North from 12:30 to 2:30 each afternoon. However, instead of having a club in Walnut Terrace from 6:30 to 8:30 each evening, we will be serving in Cedar Pointe, instead.

Ben and Caleb did an exceptional job leading songs by playing guitar today. Scott told me that it had been some time since the children experienced instrument-led songs, so they really seemed to enjoy it. Jackie and Maggie helped out on the vocals, and did a great job as well. Jeremy led the Bible verse, and did a really good job of explaining what it means to love others as we would want to be loved. Sarah-Marie then taught the kids the story of the Good Samaritan, which helped them to understand that Jesus has commanded us to love everyone, even our enemies.

Everyone else helped out with games and sitting / participating with the kids during the club. All-in-all a great first day of club! We had around 35 kids at Raleigh North, with 45 showing up for the Cedar Pointe club.

Tomorrow we will have a slight change of plans, too, as we will have a block party at Cedar Pointe, instead of Kids Club. Please be in prayer for that, as we will have the opportunity to meet and talk to parents and other adults who show up for food at the party. Thanks for the prayers, and I will continue to try to add updates each night at about this time.

Pictures from the day can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/?saved=1.

Well, we are off again!! We have already made stops in our Judea and to the ends of the earth this summer; now it's time for a return to Judea...our state, and more specifically, Raleigh. This time the high schoolers will be going with an agenda that includes running 2 Kids Clubs each day, and a block party on Thursday night. During the week, our students will have the opportunity to share Jesus with over 100 children. So, please pray for us as we head out this morning. The names of those who will be going are:

Just a very quick note about the day and then a link to new pictures, as it is just past midnight here in Budapest!

After an afternoon at the market, our team had the opportunity to go to one of my favorite places

on earth tonight...the Citadella. The Citadella is located at the top of Gellert Hill, but if you have ever climbed it, you would swear that it should be called Gellert Mountain! At least Mount Gellert...oh well. The view of all of Budapest from atop the hill is one that literally takes your breath away. Once again, pictures can simply not do it any justice, although I have added some for you to see.

Tomorrow is an early day...as well as a long day. One of Jerry's friends has set up a private tour of the Parliament here in Budapest, which has us all quite excited! So, hopefully I will have another update tomorrow with more pictures.

New pictures can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/lzs2kt.

It's late and I have to get in the bed...big day tomorrow as we travel to Budapest and begin to explore the city! We have officially spent our last day in Szarvas. We have had a wonderful time getting to know the students and hate to have to say goodbye. Please continue to pray that the Gospel message that they have heard will take root and hearts will be changed. Pray that the students, as well as the parents, will be drawn to the Szarvas church where they can continue to hear the Scriptures revealed and taught.

After English class and lunch today, we all went to the riverside for the entire afternoon. While there, the local TV network showed up and interviewed some of the kids, Zsolti and me. Pray that many would watch that, as well as our church service from Sunday as they will all be aired in the coming days.

We did have a great last day here. The time at the river was a lot of fun. We had a traditional Hungarian stew for supper, which was delicious. The students had worked on a small production of David and Goliath, which they performed for us and the parents. They did a great job!! I took a video of it and plan on posting it in the near future.

After all that excitement, it was off for one last visit to our beloved ice cream shop. Catherine had 5 scoops of her favorite rasberry, which she declares "has her taken!" Charity cracked us all up as she asked the woman for a scoop of all 12 flavors!! Not sure how a bowl with flavors such as banana, peach, rasberry, chocolate, lemon, etc...could taste very good, but she seemed to enjoy it till the very end! Actually, her bowl is the picture at the top of this post, along with a picture of the ice cream shop. For those of you who have visited Szarvas on previous visits, you will understand!

Anyway, our time here in Szarvas is done. We meet Zsolti at 8am in the morning to head to Budapest. Thank you for your prayers as we ministered to the students over the past days. We appreciate your continued prayers as we head home on Thursday!

New pictures are posted here: http://tinyurl.com/lzs2kt.

We had a very busy day today here in Szarvas! After English camp and some lunch, our team had the opportunity to go and visit a historical site about an hour away. It really reminded some of us of some of the historical sites in Williamsburg, VA, complete with trails that led to different buildings and replicas of old Hungary.

First, we went inside a museum that housed a 360 degree panoramic picture that kind of told the history of Hungary's beginnings. It was pretty amazing. The picture was painted in 1894. After being really damaged during World War II, it was restored and placed back on display in 1994, commemorating its 100 year anniversary. What made the picture even more amazing was the setting that had been built underneath it that came all the way to the platform we stood on in viewing it. The landscaping was done so well that it was really hard to figure out where the painting ended and the landscape began. It was really an incredible site. The only down side was that we were forbidden to take any pictures of it! So, sorry about that. I wish we could have!

Also in that building were several show rooms that displayed different aspects of Hungary's early culture...from tools to jewelry, clothing to buildings. Also, on the top floor, we were able to visit a wax museum that housed statues of mostly Hungarian kings throughout history, as well as some other notable characters.

I only wish we didn't run out of time as we explored the outside of the museum. We saw old replicas of Hungarian huts, windmills and other buildings. It was a really neat experience. Thanks to Jerry and Marjorie, who suggested that we go there today after they had been some years back.

Tonight, the main judge in Szarvas, who attends Zsolti's church, allowed us to have near-exclusive use of the indoor community pool and spa. I think we all feel really relaxed tonight! It really did make us feel good after so much walking in the past several days!

Tomorrow I will preach at Condros church at 9:30am. Then, our whole team will attend Szarvas church at 3pm, where I will preach again. I appreciate your prayers as we share in both services!

You can follow the following link to see our pictures from today's trip to see historic Hungary: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/?saved=1.

I will have another update for you tomorrow or Monday!

It has been a very full couple of days for our team!!

Yesterday, after English camp, the students went swimming while our team took the opportunity to explore a little bit of the city...and some ice cream! What a beautiful place Szarvas is. While walking past the ice cream shop, we stumbled upon an incredible old brick church. We returned to the dorm for Hungarian Goulash and bed.

Today, instead of English camp, we broke up into teams with the students for a scavenger hunt throughout the city. I think it's pretty safe to say that there is not much of Szarvas that we have not seen!! It was a long walk. It took most teams a little over 3 hours to complete. It was a lot of fun. Most of the clues for the students were in English, and we were only able to help them in certain situations. This evening our team went to a local restaurant for supper. Of course the biggest challenge was ordering...but, the menu happened to be in Hungarian, French, and English! We all ahd great meals. After supper we returned to the ice cream shop for dessert. That was my dessert tonight...the picture at the top. It was incredible!

Funny story from the day: Just after leaving the ice cream shop, we were walking in front of the movie theatre. I was taking some pictures of the movie posters in Hungarian when I heard this very loud thud. When I looked up, all I saw was a big pigeon falling toward me...and he wasn't flapping his wings! He ended up landing on my shoulder and falling down my arm!! It scared the junk out of me!!! The girls filled with compassion for the bird as it gasped for air. In the end the contact with the window was too much, as we watched him take his last breaths. Unbelievable.

New pictures can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/?saved=1

Thanks for your continued prayers! I look forward to giving another update soon!

We have made it safe and sound here in Szarvas...now complete with Hannah...but sadly without her luggage. We are hoping that it will turn up any time now.

We have had 2 great days of English camp now, having 30+ each day! We have also enjoyed getting to know the children and visiting with our Hungarian friends.

We will be meeting with Zsolti's home group here at our dorm tonight at 7pm. We will sing songs, fellowship, and Zsolti has asked me to give a devotion. Tomorrow, after camp, we will go horseback riding with the children.

Thanks for your prayers, and I look forward to updating this blog each day to let you know what is going on here in Hungary! After realizing how difficult it is to format pictures in this blog, I have decided to just provide a link to pictures each time I update. So, please follow the link below to see some initial pictures from the past 2 days. Thanks so much for the prayers!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28007240@N08/?saved=1

Please be in prayer for our student ministry Hungary mission team as we travel and minister over the next 12 days. The members of the team are...

Jason Engle
Jerry Clayton
Marjorie Clayton
Catherine Wilson
Caitlin Rauscher
Hannah Reynolds
Sarah-Marie Rosin
Charity Sharpe



Please pray especially for Hannah tonight and tomorrow as there is a chance she will not be able to join us on the trip. We will be asking for special favor from the airline tomorrow at the airport because of the circumstance.



We will be leading English language camps for 5 days in Szarvas, which is the town in which Zsolti leaves and ministers. I (Jason) will hve the opportunity to preach both at Zsolti's house church in Szarvas, as well as in the church he pastors in Condros on Sunday, the 28th. Like last time, there is a good chance that the Szarvas service will be televised and broadcasted to the whole city. Please pray that people will watch and that the gospel would be presented clearly.



As with the Raleigh trip last week, I will be providing updates about our trip, complete with pictures, as much as possible. So, please keep checking back. I will be adding this entry to my personal blog, as well, so if you want to see the updates keep checking back at http://www.westwoodmomentum.blogspot.com/.



Thanks in advance for the prayers!!

We have had a great last full day here in Raleigh. Spent some time with some more kids, passed out some more flyers, and then had a good time eating and fellowshipping together. Thanks so much for your prayers as we have been working this week. We have had no serious injuries and have completed so many tasks. Our students have been a joy to work with this week. It has been so much fun watching them relate and minister to the children all week long. God has already answered a prayer in that many of the students have voiced great joy in loving on the children this week. Please pray that this would result in lasting change in their lives.

Tomorrow we will canvas one last community, then we will be heading back home. Here are some pictures from the day...

Just a quick note to let you know what our day has in store for us today. First, this morning, we will do some canvassing at a community called Bradford North. After lunch, we will have a Kids Club out at a community called Walnut Terrace. Because of the busy schedule here at the church tonight, we will then have a good time together by going out to eat and then some putt-putt!

More updates with pictures coming later today!