Monday, November 19, 2007

Casting the Nets on Thanksgiving

"Fishers of Men" It is an interesting analogy. There is perhaps a time to cast the net wide and a time to cast the net deep. God has answered our prayers to go deeper this year as we have truly come to know some of the children in the Miskolc orphanage -- along with all their sufferings and fears. Russell's weekly Bible study there continues to draw a small crowd and college students from a local church have begun to assist him in ministering to the kids. The net is being thrown deep.

But this week things will be shaken up a little in Miskolc. On Thursday a group of 42 people from military chapels in Germany will invest their Thanksgiving in these children -- not just the handful who come to Bible study, but all 40 plus kids at the children's home. And for this week, the net will be thrown wide once again.

Who would have thought a Hungarian orphanage would come to make Thanksgiving their own tradition? But after 10 consecutive years of celebrating the feast alongside American friends, there's no doubt Turkey and pumpkin pie along with prayers of Thanksgiving are not just for Americans anymore.

So this year, and we invite you to participate with us -- in your prayers. When you gather with your friends and family around a steamy Turkey and you bow your heads to pray, remember these faces and ask God to use this American holiday to touch and change the lives of hurting Hungarian kids.

(Special Thanks to MacKenzie Rollins who took these photos)