September 8, 2003

Dear Friends:

Aldas Bekeseeg! Greetings from Budapest in the love of our Lord, Jesus. It is nice to send a letter of our ministry in Hungary under this cool and nice weather.

First of all, we’d like to share with you our joy and happiness on the news of the construction of the Roma Church building Husszupalyi in Hungary. The church building in Hosszupalyi for the Roma is still under construction. As you can see from the photos, the center part (sanctuary) was finished in May. The construction of the left wing (educational building) was started in the middle of August. Thanks to the approval and blessings of the municipal government and the Hungarian Reformed Church (HRC), the first Sunday worship service was held on July 27 in the newly constructed sanctuary. It was not an official dedication service of the church building, yet you can imagine how happy we were! It was made possible by God’s grace and through your prayers and support. We do not have to wander around looking for our Sunday worship place any more!

Secondly, we’d like to share with you our experiences of summer camps in Hungary, one in Bodaik Csillagpont campground with HRC’s college students and the other one in Hosszupalyi Dorcas campground with the Roma, especially with the Roma children and the youth. Seven Korean college students came from Korea and participated in those two camps with us.

There have been many small gatherings and summer camps for youth and college students in the years since the communism era ended. But this year’s summer camp was the HRC’s biggest one ever, with over 1,200 people gathered to sing hymns and gospel songs, to have worship services and Bible studies, and to participate in discussion classes on the different issues related to the social issues.

There were arts and crafts workshops and fun times as well. Most of all, the camps were quite inclusive, because people often marginalized, such as the “differently abled” (who some call “handicapped”) and the Roma, were invited and took leadership roles. The blind taught us how to dance, how to mold pottery and do crochet, and how to make baskets with sticks and grass. We learned and experienced oneness in a variety of ways, especially in God's love.

After four days of the Csillagpont camp, we headed for Hosszupalyi Dorcas campground, about 250 kilometers east of Budapest. We had a one-day vacation Bible school for the Roma children and about 50 children attended. Due to the strange hot weather, we could not have VBS in the new building; instead, we invited all the Roma children to the campground in the forest. We enjoyed singing hymns and other songs, worshiping God, swimming (it was not necessary to force the dirty Roma children to take a shower), eating, dancing, and exchanging laughter and small gifts.

Of course, after we enjoyed goulash for our lunch, there was a time to teach how to brush your teeth. Every child was given new toothbrush and toothpaste. We stayed for three days at the campground with eight Roma youth who are studying and are supported by your mission giving.

We thank for your constant prayers and support in the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. God’s blessing and peace be with you.

In Jesus’ Love

Stephen and Kaeja Cho

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 88