Spring break was awesome

Spring break was amazing!! Thank you for all your prayers as we traveled
For my Spring break, I had an amazing opportunity to go to Italy with 4 other wonderful girls! We wanted to make this trip cheap, beneficial, fun, and glorifying to the Lord! Before we left, we prayed for opportunities to witness to everyone we met! ONE of the coolest things happened to us, when we were leaving!! On our plane trip over, i started to talk with two guys sitting behind me! They were from Italy, and were apart of a band who played in Budapest! We got talking and I told them about the bible school! They jokingly asked me to share a bible story with them! Which weas an awesome opening! I was excited! By this point almost half the plane was watching me and listening! I had shared about why we have Easter! What a PERFECT timing right!! Told them all about Christ and what he did on earth and his love! How he died and rose again from the dead, and how we can put our faith in Him! The other girls joined in as they asked many questions! There was one guy that was asking some tough questions, but I was so thankful for this bible school! everything that I have learned here, even just the past several classes we just took, i was able to back up my faith with scripture!! one of the guys said... "wow, u guys are a lot younger than I, and you can recite scripture by page!" it was so awesome and encouraging!! When we got to our Hostel in Rome, we had one other girl stay with us! She joined us in our devotionals in the morning and we had an opportunity to hang out with her a lot! we met several people at our hostel from all over the world, and had good conversations about God and our testimony! There was one guy that worked there! We called him Uncle Charley! He told us of free things we could see and do in Rome, and told us that he always wanted report when we got back! haha it was so funny! I think the coolest thing that I saw in Rome was when two other girls and I walked up 500 stairs to the top of the Vatican! It was so beautiful! You could see everything! It was so worth it! It was really cool to see the Catacombs where the many Christians were buried when they were persecuted! We saw the Colosseum! It was so amazing how all of this history that we were seeing... wasn't just history. It was REAL! and what struck me the MOST was that the names of the leaders, the times and dates.. ALOT of those are in the BIBLE!! In almost everything that we've seen, had the picture of Christ in it! It just reminds me how Christ is EVERYWHERE!! and the sad part is... He's right there, RIGHT next to you! and many people don't ever see HIM! How could someone when they are at judgment day say "I never knew you, or saw who u were. no one told me about you!" Yet He has always been there infront of their face!
>> On Saturday, we headed to a missionaries family (Tim and Marcia Monaham) They were absolutely so sweet! This was my most FAVORITE part of the trip! They picked us up at the train station in Napoli, about two hours away from Rome and they were so kind to us! When we got to their home, we each had a bed and a little chocolate egg on it for Easter! =-) really made me feel like home! They were such a sweet couple! We went to their church for Easter and had a chance to get to know a lot of people! Several people from the church came over for an Easter dinner, and we also went to a Military families house that night... I guess it pays off to be a pastor ;) you are popular! haha
>> Monday morning we went to a woman's bible study at their church! Fannie and I had a chance to share our testimony and about the school here! Afterward we pulled weeds for three hours! it was a good feeling to be doing something for them! Marcia brought us into Napoli and to a church where Paul the Apostle stayed for 7 days! we saw many beautiful sites and ruins! it reminded me of how nothing on this earth will last forever! We had a chance to see the Mediterranean sea! Even got to swim in it! =D burrr lol... Italy is beautiful! I loved all the laundry hanging outside of peoples houses and windows! felt like i was in a downy commercial! haha. I really enjoyed staying with this family! It felt like I've known them forever! I would really love to work with them again someday!
We arrived back home Wednesday night at midnight! Than on FRIDAY and all weekend I went to DANUBE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH retreat. I worked with the Kid's from sunday school! We did a weekend bible course with them! It was so much fun! The theme was "going on a safari!" It was so cute! we had a blast working and hanging out with the kids all weekend! It was also so good to get to know a lot of the people from the church! I would be glad to share more with you!! e-mail me amandajoy143@yahoo.com

PRAYER REQUEST!!
* My mom is coming to my school for graduation May 13th!! She'll be able to stay till June! pray that she will make it safely!
* Please pray for my friend Georgia Cristian, she is thinking about coming to WOL next year. however her little brother needs some treatments and she may have an opportunity to get some treatments for him in Budapest! So pray that this is possible!
* Pray that I can stay focused on my school work and give fullest these last 6 weeks!! woowhoo! I want to learn all I can and GROW more!

SpRiNg BrEaK! <3

WOW soo much has been going on! i am completly busy trying to cetch up on school work and finish things! THANKS to all of you who have been praying for me! I was sick for a week several weeks ago, and went to the doctor two weeks ago. My results back are well. Nothing serious like allergy. I am feeling alot better and most likely it is a culture bug or bactieria. I will get more results on Tuesday!
I have had a really busy past two weeks! We had a class on the book of ACTS! It was a difficult class and LOTS of memorizing. i think i could tell you what happens in ever single chapter by memory! It is so interesting how the book of acts is set up and how much is in it! I learned alot. We also started a class on "Christian Family" about roles in marriage and how to live as a Christian family! The girls in my room this week led girls devotional's on Tuesday night! We decided to do a skit! A reminder before our "spring break." We had three points!
1.) TO PUT GOD FIRST 2.) TO PUT OTHERS FIRST and 3.) OURSELVES!
We had a really good time and it was fun making up skits! It is really important though! To always put God first in our day! It is so important to have a personal relationship with our amazing creator! He wants us to know him!! He wants us to be close with him!! US!? wow it is just soo awesome to think! We need to remember to do out devotionals in the morning and pray! We also need to remember to think of others! not just on our break but through out our lives! It is just a great testimony! even when you want to do what YOU want to do, instead take time to help someone in need! and finally, it is good to rest. When you are on a break, on a weekend, it is good to take time to relax. =-) this was just our devotional and reminder to all the girls and we had bible verses!

MY MINISTRIES!!

Sunday School! -
This week went so well! We had such a great time with the kids, and even had time to play some fun games with them! Please keep praying for Eli, the little boy that is sick in the hospital! also for the children to listen and obey!
OPEN AIR - I had an amazing last minute oppertunity to go with the Open Air team on Friday!! It was so awesome! Every second I get a chance I like to go with them! My friend Kristina helped walked around with me and helped translate when we talked with people! We had a chance to talk with 6 girls about Christ and what His precious gift is! There was one girl named Timi, I shared my testimony with her and walked through the scriptures. We got to know here, and she seemed interested, but still wasn't totalyl understanding. What was so cool about her, was that her and her friend just started readign throught the bible just for fun! And NOW God brought us to her to explain it! How awesome is that! Also we talked with two young ladies named Vivian and Sammantha, and they went to a Christian church and were Christians, but they said they had a hard time believing because of so many "Christian's" that take God's gift for granted. and they use it in a wrong way. Saying things like "Yea well I can do (this) and Christ forgives me already." The girls opened up to us and told us about their dad that says he's a christian but ruins their lives! They told us how much we encouraged them and reminded them about God! It was so amazing! one of the girls were almost in tears and they wanted to keep in contact with us! Please pray for them!
ITALY ~ So I had a GREAT oppertunity to go to Italy for Spring break!! I am going with 4 other girls and we will be staying in Rome for 5 days and praying that God will use us in amazing ways to witness to people! Also we are going to Naples Italy for 4 days with a missionary family who is providing us to stay! We will be sharing out testimonies for Easter Sunday and will be helping in small groups and other ways! So please pray for Tim and his wife that missionaries we are staying with and also that God will keep us safe!!
When I get back, I will be helping at Danube International church. The same church that I am a Sunday School teacher at, and serve at their "weekend retreat!"

I wil update you on everything when I get home!!

GOD BLESS!! <3 Amanda Joy

Faithfullness! <3

"A quiet morning with our loving God puts the events of the upcoming day into proper perspective" - Janette Oke

"For great is His love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."
- Psalm 117:2

WOW sorry it has been a while since my last post! I have been going crazy finishing work and classes! I just ending my 2nd quarter this week! OHH Praise the Lord!! It was hard work, but I had some amazing classes! For TWO weeks we had Dr. Jimmy Deyoung! He taught on Prophecy in the bible! Daniel and Ezekiel! Wow that was such an exciting class! As Dr. Deyoung was explaining the events that will happen before the return of the Lord, he explained how even TODAY these events are being played out! EVERY prophecy has taken place, now all we are waiting for is the rapture! which could happen Any day! It's exciting to hear Jimmy Deyoung! I'll put a little SPOTLIGHT of what he was saying is happening today. (Dr. Deyoung has lived in Jerusalem and started a church there, he is a reporter and has met with ALOT of important people in his life, and even today!)
Well as you see the Crisis all around the world! The money Crisis! The ONE world currency. Many more interesting ideas as well... However i encourage you to take a look at his website! www.prophecytoday.com
Biblical Preaching class I had to preach a ten minute sermon to all the girls! I really enjoyed this class alot! We had to take two verses. One from Old and one from the New Test. We had to do three outlines and lots of work on the passage before we could preach it! I ended up preaching on Deuteronomy 6:1-9. It is one of my favorite passages!! How we should love the Lord with all of our heart, with all of our soul and with all of our strength! and to impress this on your children! <3
I absolutely loved preaching to all the ladies! It's so much fun! I wish I could just present this with each and everyone of you now, but you'll have to find me when I get home!! I still have one more 15 minute sermon to preach later this year!
This past week we had a class on the cook of 1 Corinthians with Dr. Tom Constable! This man has written several commentaries of the bible!! He was a very nice man and so was his wife! She talked with all the girls for a devotional one night! She was very inspiring!
We have also been taking a class on DEMONS!! It is very interesting! I thought I was going to be so scared in this class, but it's not at all! Just makes you think alot!

PeRsOnAlLy ~ I learned alot this past month! When Mrs. Constable was talking with us, she reminded me how awesome the Lord is, and how I've trusted in Him!
When I came here the first year to bible school. I really had no idea what the Lord had prepared for me! I had no idea how much this school would change my life! I remember how much faith it took me to just leave and come over here by myself to a foreign land! But God proved to be faithful and has done AMAZING things!! I wouldn't have made the relationships here and the relationship I have now grown with the Lord if it wasn't for my step of faith in the beginning! Seeing how the Lord has blessed me so much the past TWO years, I am now NOT afraid to move forward! I know that after i leave here and go home, the Lord will continue to work in my life and do amazing things! To have to same faith, and know that the Lord will help me through!! Trust me there have been many times here where the Lord has brought me through trials that have been hard. However, my Lord has always brought me through them!!

Sunday school
Sunday school has been going really great!! I absolutely LOVE these kids! They are so adorable! they call me "Miss Amanda" and I feel like i know each and everyone of them personally! Today as we were doing kids worship one of my kids Zach came ran up to me yelling my name! He gave me a huge hug and told me that he loved me!! It was soooo cute! There is one child in my room that I would ask you to pray for! His name is Eli. He is a very precious kid and very smart. He is in the hospital right now and has been for a couple of weeks, he had an infection that has become serious and has made him very ill. It could be effecting his brain and heart. He just had surgery this week, and he is not doing so well! ='(
So please please pray for him! this is a picture of him in the cute lamb hat!

PrAyErS!!
On March 13th, our school was broken into, and alot of things were stolen. Mostly just sound and musical instruments! However we use all of these things for different ministries! So please pray that the Lord will provide for these needs and may replace what was lost!
Today is Hungary's Independence Day! As we were coming back from Budapest, we say lots of cops and swat teams all over the place! There were riots and lots of things taking place. We made sure to come back early and not be caught up in anything, so we were safe. However later tonight is when alot of danger happens, so please pray for peace in Hungary and safety!!
Also pray for me and my health! I have had this silly cold for a month now and it seems not to want to leave me!! BLAH rainy season! Also pray that the LAST three months that I have here, the Lord will really be working in me!!

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!
If you are encouraged and would like to help support me and the ministry that I'm doing here, please e-mail me at amandajoy143@yahoo.com and I can get you more information!!

In Christ Alone
Amanda Joy

Nagy Mama & Much More!!

"Everyone has a unique role to fill in the world and is important in some respect. Everyone, including and perhaps especially you, is indispensable." - Nathaniel Hathorne

S.M.I.L.E - Sending. Many. Illuminous. Laughs. Everywhere.

While traveling into Budapest bright and early on Sunday mornings to Sunday School, we always tend to stop at McDonald's to get a hot cup of coffee! Three weeks ago as we walked through the door, I noticed an elderly lady working there. I gave her a smile and a wave and went along my business. As we grabbed a sit, this same lady passed by and I gave her a smile once again, and she ended up coming up to me! She gave me a HUG! =0 Wow this was a shock for me... since in Hungarian culture, people are not fond of giving hugs to strangers. As she was speaking with me, I grabbed a couple of words, but she definitely thought I was Hungarian. She was very sweet and was calling me like one of her grandchildren. She told us to call her "Nagy Mama" which means grandma in Hungarian. Before leaving I gave her a track that had the gospel in it. This last week a couple of us missed the train and to get out of the rain we waited in the same McDonald's. Nagy Mama was there and she was so happy! She talked with me about her family, life, and she gave us chocolates and balloons! We decided to make Nagy Mama a Valentines Day card and give it to her the next week! She absolutely loved it and hopefully we made an impact in her life! I just thought this was a cool story and wanted to share it with you. ** Just a smile can make someones day, sharing the love of the father in you can be something so simple. And well worth giving out! So take the time to give a cheerful smile to someone everyday! (ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS)**
Well well, I have had a pretty busy couple of weeks! Last week there was a conference held here for the "Winter Camp." There was alot of youth from the summer camps! I was asked to share at one of the seminars. I shared the difference of American culture in dating and the Hungarian culture. The conference was about Love. and how precious our heart is to the Lord. We need to rely on the Love of the Father because He will be the only one to satisfy us completely!
The Lord has been teaching me alot the past couple weeks! One of them is "Taking responsibility for my own Actions and reactions." Let me share this story with you. Monday our religions class went to Budapest together to see the Jewish Synagogue! Which is the second largest in the World! It was really amazing to see. We were there most of the day and came back late. Mondays are the days where I can rest and get all the homework that I need done. When we came back I was feeling sick, and not wanting to do my work. I even found out I had to lead girls devo's that night in my room! I had no time! My attitude was not the best, yet I still proceeded to make something of the devos. We are going through a book together called "Lies that Women believe" and yup surly as I opened the book this topic came up like a bullet. It hit me like a rock! so many times I blame my attitude on people or things. I can act this way because I don't "feel good" or this "person" is giving me a bad attitude and so I can be this way. BUT NO!! that is such a wrong Idea! It is a CHOICE! We can choose the way we are going to act. This is something that we all struggle with. It's hard sometimes to have a good attitude when everything around you seems to crash. But the beauty is that we can ask for help, and God will strengthen us. In the moment we feel discouraged we can have hope that God will help us if we just call on Him! And we always have the ability to choose our actions!
Another lesson to be learned...
God see it all. He sees our sin. He sees our wounds and the ways we have mishandled our hearts. He sees our lack of trust in him and our longing to trust him more. He is well-acquainted with our fallen nature. And amid all our messiness God says to us. "you are lovely. Do not hide your face from me. Come to me. I love you. Let me heal you." There is hope. Whether or not you feel it. It is there as surely as the sunrise. There is hope. There is healing. There is Life. For you. For me. For all of us. To have a life that Jesus invites us into and wants us to have requires something of us every single day and in many moments throughout each day. We have to choose him. Return our hearts to Him. We have to answer His invitation.
-- So... REST is good. and my body definitely needed it. I caught the flew this week and was put away from others in my own room so others don't get sick. I spent all Friday in this room. I had lots of time to think, to pray, and to read. I spent alot of time talking with the Lord and renewing my heart. I read a book called "Your Captivating Heart" by Stasi Eldredge. It's very encouraging and motivating.
PRAYERS!! ~
* Thank you so much for your prayers for my ministry! Sunday school has been going alot better the past two weeks! We had some trouble with one of the children as some of you know. We think there may be some problems at his home, but things are getting better now! Please keep praying for me as I teach them God's word! I will give you a couple names to pray for. Gary, Zach, and Sammi.
* Pray for Nagy Mama! and that I will have more opportunities to share God's love with others.
* Pray for God to heal me and others to feel better as the flu is going around.
* Pray that I will give my all in my classes and learn alot!!
* That i will be an encourager and an influence to the girls in my room and people on campus. =) =)
Last note...
Remember ladies... Jesus is our Prince. He rides along on his white horse and wants to rescue us and swept us off our feet. He loves us with all He has. He gives us many comforts like Sunrises, the sound of the oceans waves, the sweet kiss of the breeze against your cheeks. He Loves you, and he thinks that you are WORTH it. You are desirable, and perfectly made. He thinks you are beautiful and wants you to know it!!
"My Lover spoke and said to me,
'Arise, my darling,
My beautiful one, and come with me!"

The Lord is inviting you, you have the invitation... all you have to say is YES.

<3 Missions Inspires <3

Here are just some quotes that have been inspiring me lately! <3

"Love is the root of missions; sacrifice is the fruit of missions" -- Roderick Davis

"If you take missions out of the Bible, you won't have anything left but the covers" -- Nina Gunter

"Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible." -- C.T. Studd

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God" -- William Carey

"The Great Commission1 is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed" -- Hudson Taylor

The past couple weeks,we had a class over Missions!!!Now we are just starting a class on World Religions, about how we can share our faith with other religions, while getting to know what they believe!
I wrote a paper about a famous missionary to Africa. Her name was Mary Slessor! Her story is filled with passion and desire for the Lord! She did some amazing things in her life! I really encourage you if your looking for a good book, to read about her or any missionary stories! She has inspired me in so many ways!
My heart burns with the desire to understand the word and to express it to others in action! I pray that I can persuade others to do the same as well!
We have also started up this week doing "Prayer Groups" We do this every Wednesday. The group I chose to be in was the 10/40 Window group! This is the area of the world where there is the most unreached people. This group excites me alot, because I love to learn and hear about whats going on in other cultures and how we can pray for them! During this time, one person will present a country and what the major issues are. We will try and get hold of missionaries that are actually working there, and pray for them and their ministry. Now the 10/40 window is one of the dangerous parts of the world for Christians. There is much persecution going on! So each week I will let you know what country we are praying for and a tid bit of information going on around in the spiritual world!

This past weekend I brought 5 girls with me to the christian coffee house ministry on Friday night! it was a huge success and made out to be a great night! I was able to share with them the ministries I have put myself in, and to meet Eva a girl I've been discipline. We stayed the night at my friend Eva's house! It was so awesome how she let all of us stay there, even though it was very tight. We had a chance to pray all together before going to bed.
I pray that a couple of the girls I brought will want to evangelize on Friday nights at t coffee house more!
Eva's friends have been asking me to come back to their school in Mondays and teach English! It is a little difficult for me sometimes, with my work ministry, and school work... but please pray that I will have the time and energy to go there! I absolutely love going there, and think that it is a great opportunity to reach out to her high school friends. Her faith teacher even said that they might have a class trip to our school at Word of Life! How awesome would that be!! Please pray for them and that God will work through me when I see them!

SuMmEr - FuTuRe PlAnS aNd IdEaS!

After graduating in May. I plan on flying back to good ole Michigan! I will be doing my 8 weeks of ministry. Planning on at least 6 weeks at camp Ao-wa-kiya. There are several of friends I might help at their church or other ministries I am looking into, like, Woman At Risk. I would love to start an evangelism group, where we would put our faith into action! Teach youth how to share their testimony and street evangelism, or there is so much need in Grand Rapids, like reach to the urban, homeless, youth, and much more. My plans so far are to take communication classes at CC or some other ones of interest. I am applying for a couple bible school's to finish a degree, and praying about biblical counseling or teaching in missions!

PRAYERS!!!
* My ministry and that God would continue to work in my heart and the hearts of the people I will come encounter with!
* For my tuition. I am short on 4 months, and need about 1,000$ or more to still pay for. If you are encouraged at all by the ministry i am doing here, i would please ask for your support in even 10 dollars a month! You can send it to my home address or get special bank envelopes that goes right to my tuition fund account!!
* Please pray for my health, as many people here are getting sick.
* Pray that emotionally and physically I can continue to strive each day with a good heart and high spirit!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and seeing whats happening in my life!!
Peace&Love in Christ alone!!
<3 amanda joy

Menedék Alopitvany

Missions Conference
(Nahum 1:7) " The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."
This weekend we had a missions conference with a missions organization called Menedék. It means "House of refuge". This ministry's focus is to help homeless people start their lives over again with Jesus Christ. They have done many amazing things. They started in 1984. During this time Communism was the reigningng force. Communisms view on mothers was that they were fit and able bodies for the work force, so that was what they did. The children no longer had a family to go home to after school, Communism was their parents. So the children quit going home and began sleeping on the streets and making gangs of clubs comprising all the other kids that did not want to go to their empty homes. This is when the church decided that they needed to do something about this. The saw the need and started a "tea club" than it just shot out from there. Later they began a home for boys, they started taking in children, and finding homes outside of Budapest for the boys who were stuck in gangs. They soon made a home for girls, and started feeding the homeless on the street. The Lord had provided for them in many ways to start this ministry, and has even provided a place to start the first christian elementary school. (very small) they began a music school, and have housed over 40 families at one time. Each having to take in 5 extra children to take care of.
In Budapest alone, there are over 1,500 homeless people. Wow this was a very sad conference, but made me realize how Great out God is! It did not shock me however the many stories and testimonies we heard, because I have seen alot on the streets of Budapest. The Lord has done so much throughout this ministry! It is so encouraging and awesome that the Lord is working in these peoples lives.
Matthew 25:40 "The king will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me!"
How do we deal with those we are suffering? Who are sick or do not have a place to stay? This gives us insight of the Lord's heart. May we help those in need, let us love others as Christ loves them. See others as Christ sees them!

The Lord has really been working in my heart the past couple of days, and I'v seen many things in my heart that I need to change. I have many battles that I need to fight, and sins that have unveiled. I'm learning that each day we are fighting these battles. The question is... how are you going to do it? We can never do it alone, and how many times is our perseverance and striving pleasing to the Lord?
Pray for me as the Lord is teaching me new things, and that I can personally apply them to my life!

This week we are going through the book of John! Today we had three hours of this class, and only got through the first chapter!! Wow! and it was so good! I have already learned so much! I can't wait to see what else will happen!

PRAYERS!
Please keep praying for my tuition. I have four more months to pay for!! Yeaah!
Please pray for my ministry. My Sunday school kids that they behave well, and that Chaz and I will be effective and that God will work through us! Also pray for this weekend! I am bringing 6 girls from school with me to the coffee house to show them the ministry that is going on there!! Pray that the Lord will keep us safe as we travel!

John 1:29 - "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

1st week back

" The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation." - D.L Moody


This past week we had a class over Ephesians with Pastor Phil Moser! I enjoyed this class so much! We learned about how our spiritual lives should not be unchanged. What our purpose is, and our opportunities in unity, ministry, change, communication, our walk, relationships, and our battle.

~ The points that encouraged me the most in this course was how God has redeemed us. From all our sin. Jesus said that He has set us free!! 2:15 "by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations." We shouldn't hold onto our past "If Only's..." or our Futures "what if's!" I tend to do that alot. When we do think of those things, it is hard for us to disciple others, because we are too focused on ourselves. Another huge point that I enjoyed was how Ephesians shows our purpose, the reason God made us! It is absolutely beautiful!
Ephesians 3:10-22 " His intent was that now, through the church. the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
God created us so that we can experience and see His Great power and love, being like Christ. Wow it's so amazing to think that everything God has done and done through us and in us is for His own glory.
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do!"
I wish I could write to you everything that encouraged me in this book, however I can't write you the whole book. So I just encourage YOU to read it for yourself!! I love how it teaches us also how to live our life worthy of our calling!

We have been taking a class on Evolution!! Wow when we first came into the class,
I felt like it was almost impossible to evangelize to someone who believed in evolution. Well NOT anymore! I am writing a paper on this topic and I can't wait to share it with all of you!! If you ever have any questions on this topic or are confused pleased ask!! It's just soooo incredible once you HEAR the whole story and see the HUGE picture of this topic. Did you know that almost every single scientist today believes that Darwinism is not correct, and as hard as they have try to understand the creation of this world and the most intimate detail, once they get closer and closer to figure something out. They get more and more amazed with how much detail and knowledge is in a single cell!! More and more scientist are coming to the idea that an inteligent designer must exist. Ahh ok I will leave the rest for my paper! but i will make sure to past it on here next week!! I have to go finish writing it first!! That was just a little preview!

In my room we are starting a study on "every women's battles." We have only gotten through the first chapter, but already it has made an impact on me. I'm excited to see more of the "lies" us women believe.

This week we are also having a course on "time management" and what we are planning for our future... It seems all common sense. It has truly made me sit down and think about what I want to see accomplished in my life, and where I want to be in 5 years. I have plenty of goals and I am willing to share them with you!! If not, hopefully you will SEE them when i get home!! =D


**Prayer**
I am praying for more support! I need to pay for 4 more months of bible school. So far the Lord has provided for my stay, and it has been very beneficial!
I ask if you would like to support me, please consider even just 10 dollars a month. Please keep me in your prayers!
Pray as well for my health and to trust in Him!

Love in Christ.

This past week i have been reading the book of 1 John. It focuses on warnings against false teachers, God's love, and how to love others. This week while reading through this scripture and having several thoughts pass through my mind. My eyes always lead me to the perfect Love and sacrifice of Christ. It reminds me of how beautiful God's love is and the gift that he freely gave to us. How important it is to feed our spirit with righteous things and to continue our walk with Christ everyday so that we will not be ashamed on the day of judgment. That we can stand with confidence knowing Christ has taken our place. As Christians we have the love of God in us. So we should share this love with others and with our brothers in Christ.
(4:16) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
I notice that it is so easy for us to try and rely on other things or people for that Love. Only in Christ can we find that perfect love.
(4:18) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
This week I have been realizing how much I do fear. When I do fear I notice that my heart isn't right with God, and I am not fully trusting in Him. I can find my self struggling in areas that I try to fix on my own. That's when life seems to be unclear, but when I hand them to the Lord. He suddenly unveils my eyes to see the perfect picture! There is no reason to fear because the Lord Holds EVERYTHING in his hands. When I act as a child without fear my life becomes more clear. The Lord has done so much already in my life! and i see the blessings that He gives when you just trust and rely on Him!
(5:14-15) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.

CLEANING DAY/TRASH STORY!
While I was staying at my Friend Eva's flat, we decided to have a little cleaning day to finally get rid of things that needed to leave! It was funny! we had piles of shoe boxes and trash stacked high. John was taking the trash down three flights of stairs to the huge trash bin. The second time he came up, he grabbed me to come with him! I was a bit confused but he told me that I had to see something... We brought a "track" with us. (a track is a booklet that has the gospel in it in Hungarian. We use these when we go out street evangelising!) So he brought me down to the huge trash bin for all the flats. I noticed a family digging through the trash. The mom pulled out half a lemon and gave it to her son to eat. He ate the whole thing! my heart sank to my stomach. I mean we see so many homeless people on the street here in Budapest, and as I have been living here for a month, I really experienced the pain. We approached them, and her son seemed almost frightened, knowing that what he was doing prolly wasn't right. John spoke to her, and shared with her the gospel and how we wanted to help them. How we are praying for them! The lady understood us and was so thankful!! She rejoiced and said that she believed in God! She also told us how she had another son upstairs. We helped them out and went back to Evi's flat.
This break had made me realize to be content. It opened my eyes to see that the MOST important thing in our lives should be the ones we LOVE. We shouldn't think about the "things" we have. Who cares? things are just things... I'm sure you could live without having a car or warm water for a day. Reminds me of (1John.2:17)I realized how blessed I am, growing up without having these kind of experiences of having less than we should. I am even more thankful that I have now, and have seen the reality of what most of how the World lives. There is no reason to expect to have the things you have. Shouldn't we focus on People more than ourselves? What happened to the Care of the World? It breaks my heart to realize how selfish I have been. I took me a long time to get to this point of being content. I pray that I can continue to say this.

Hypocrite?
I had the privilege to stay with one of my best Hungarian friends from school over the break! We had several good conversations together and one of them was about being a hypocrite. I believe that everyone is!! It's hard to tell the truth sometimes, even when u don't realize it. I noticed that I need to start a change myself. Sometimes I just tell people what "they want to hear." And it's not what is truly on my heart. I need to start looking deeper and let my character express itself. And when i don't have an answer for someone, I should be honest and say i don't have the answer now. Being a hypocrite is... its like being a sinner. before being a christian you don't know that your a sinner. so why change. but once you are.. you start to change. but that doesn't make u a sinless person. you still will sin. once you realize that you are not totally honest. that you are a hypocrite. I believe that you can make some major changes in your thinking. and what you do and say. but that doesn't mean you wont still make mistakes even if they are smaller.
BUT their IS HOPE!! when we realize these kind of things. we can share it with others and put our focus on Christ, making ourselves more and more like him IN LOVE!! ♥

LOTS OF LEARNING AND GROWING!! Please keep me in your prayers as school is starting this week! My goals for this new year is to keep Christ as my first focus! so i can be mentally fit for my ministries! Pray for me as I disciple Evi, and others at school. That I can trust the Lord with my future plans and my needs for tuition to be payed would be met. My personal goals of being more neat and organized. Also putting the Most important things first. =)

Köszönöm!!!
Amanda Joy

"Appreciate the goodness of God. Count your blessings. Learn not to take....pleasures for granted."
J.I. Packer

A different Christmas <3

This Christmas is a very different Christmas of course. No running around with the family, going to see a movie at the theater on Christmas Eve. Laughing the whole ride home and being excited for all those snack and sparking wine. Playing Mexican Train till late at night and the next morning waking up to the smell Cinnamon rolls and jumping on the boys. =) nope. this Christmas was very much the opposite. It was still joyful however!
Eva her sister Reka and I arrived in their home town "Bonyhad" on Christmas Eve. We decorated the Christmas tree with those Hungarian favorite chocolate candies with the jelly in the middle... ya not my favorite but their OK! =P . Eva is allot of fun! She just turned 18 and is a senior in high school! She is a beautiful girl with a heart for the Lord! She decided that she wants to attend bible school next year even! Her dad even said he would pay for her first year! which is amazing since her dad is not a Christa in and it's very rare for parents to do that here. Praise the Lord! Well I wouldn't say that her family is Christain, her brother Mate is very strong in his faith and had brought up Eva since she was 12. They aren't sure if their brother Tomi, sister Reka, and Dad are saved, or even their grandma. So we wanted to make sure we were a good influence on them while we were there!
We had a HUGE lunch/Dinner with of course soup to start us off! with u now like the whole duck or pork in there with the bones. =) haha
Than! Eva, John, Mate and I prepared a skit for her family!! about baby Jesus in the bible! We dressed up! they loved it! we sang a couple of songs and than opened presents! It was all together a very good night!
They celebrate Christmas here as a three say holiday! So on Christmas day, they went out to see cousins and relatives! we played games and talked. It was actually very hard for me allot of the times, because i am not well in the Language and can mostly understand whats going on, but very hard to get in a conversation. So allot of the times i felt a little lonely when John wasn't there. But I did learn ALLOT of Hungarian!! =P
One night i spent almost two hours talking with her brother Tomi about why I was in Hungarian and about the Bible school! He said that He needed a change in his life, and he's thinking about going to bible school too!! It was cool talking with him and I pray that the Lord is working in his life! I also had a chance to talk with her cousin Patrica!! She told me that she believed in God and prayed to Him allot, but had allot of sin in her life. I asked her what the most important thing was in the bible... She didn't know so I explained to her the perfect gift of Christ. How He died on the Cross to forgive our sins and rising from the grave, and by believing in that He is the only way to heaven, we can be saved. We don't have to go to a Priest to have our sins forgiven, God wants a personal relationship with us. So we can just come to Him with our problems! I shared with her my testimony and How coming to bible school has really changed my life. Her mom walked in at one point of our conversation and she told her mom " Mom, please! I am learning about God! go away!" wow just about broke my heart! This girl really wanted to know the Lord more, and by the way her family life was. It looked like she didn't get it much! She said she wants to hang out with us in Budapest sometime! I told her i would get her a quiet time diary book! I felt like the Lord was using me there, maybe in ways I don't even know!

Each day we are fighting a battle. We are in a warfare of sin. How are we preparing ourselves in this life? Are we starving ourselves each day from our food and water? We will be weak and fall on the Battle field. Each day that we forget to feed ourselves, we are putting ourselves in dangerous situations and soon lose site and our strength! We need to be continually in the Word each day!
1 John 2:28 - "Continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming."
How are we living our lives? what are we feeding ourselves?
Galatians 6:8 - For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life."
What is growing? Your flesh or your desires for the Lord? We all know what satisfies us completely! That is only Christ!
I am Learning to be joyful with whats in front of me. What ever circumstances i am in. Even though Christmas wasn't the "same" this year. I have to look at it from a different angel and say "Wow what an amazing experience I had!"

Keep me in your prayers!! and If you would like to give me something for Christmas! Please send me tuition money for School!!! Thank you so much for all your prayers and your love this Christmas!!
God Bless!!
amanda joy

Budapest!! <3

This week was beautiful! and very very busy!
There was a strike here is Budapest on the trains and some busses! even the airport!! It was a hard time to travel or get around. They were having a strick becuase its Christmas time and the workers wanted more money. The money in Hungary right now is so bad. It is worse that America. I came into Budapest Thursday from the school on Bus and it took me over 2 hours because everything was so packed with people. I stayed the night at Evi's house and than went to her High school with her Friday. I was told that I would only have twenty minutes in their Faith Class to talk about my school. Well Praise the Lord. I ended up taking the whole hour! The teacher never stopped me! I was able to share my testimony with all the students and my life now at Bible school!! They had questions for me and it went so well!! Allot of them would like to come and visit the school this year!! =D Praise the Lord!!
It's been allot of fun getting to know Evi's friends at school! I feel like I am a huge influence on them or I hope! =)

The Coffee house Friday night was packed! It was a special Christmas event where several of my friends were playing and singing Christmas carols! I ended having to help Mate and Evi work because there just wasn't enough people working! But i really love it and enjoy helping out!! It was so great to see how many people were bringing their unsaved friends! there were some deep conversations going on that night! it was exciting!

Saturday morning I went to an orphanage with ICSB "International Christian school" with the High school students, and youth group from Danube International church. They had prepared Christmas presents for each of the kids there! It was so cool to see the look on their faces!! They were all so happy to see us there! We sang several Christmas songs to them and presented the REAL most important gift of the gospel to them. Afterwards we had a couple hours to just talk and hang out with the kids. I had a chance to talk with four 15 to 18 year old. It was tough because they didn't know any English. So our conversations were short and not too deep. They were fun kids though. There are so many kids here in Budapest without parents or a family. Makes me realize how thankful I am for my Christian family i grew up in.

Saturday night was Evi's high school Christmas Party! Wow let me tell you this was way different than ones in the states would be. It was actually very sad. Evi and I went but only stayed for a little bit. Most of the kids 15-18 were drinking and doing drugs. we just came to hang out with her girlfriends which were very happy to see us! I was very heart broken to see what I saw. Made me see how so many people are caught up into what the World has to offer. IT is such a sad life to live. They are throwing their lives away... for what? nothing. it is not satisfying to them. They walk around with no hope. I just pray that Evi and I can be a light to them.

Philippians 2:13-16 had encouraged me allot
- For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, Children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that i did not run or labor for nothing.

Isaiah 60:1-3
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

Sunday!! <3
Sunday School went amazing! We shared with the kids the story behind the candy cane! It's about how it relates to Christ dying on the cross for our sins! It's a very cool story, but i'll let you look it up! The bible story went well, we had hardly any kids this week however because most of the families went home to see families for Christmas. Afterwards John and I were invited over to one of my Sunday school kids house for Lunch! They were having a pancake party! and had invited several other families from the church! It was sooo cool! They were real American pancakes and they had allot of American food there! It was soo Delicious! We spent most of the day their and very much enjoyed the conversations and kids!! They gave us a little present before we left!! get this... Rootbeer!! and Mountain Dew!! and Doctor Pepper!! woowhoo cool stuff.. and way.. moving on..

I will be going to Bonhayd for Christmas with Evi and her family on Tuesday. Today... and we will be spending a week there!! It is a very small but cute village! I'm not too sure what will happen! but i will let you know!
Please keep praying for me and my time here!!

If you would like to do anything for me for Christmas all I ask is for your support for me to stay here at bible school. =) I am still low on cash to pay for my school tuition. If you feel it on your heart to give please send a letter to my parents or you can send it to my tuition fund!

köszönöm Isten Aldás

Amanda Joy Gilbert

What I'v been up to!!

Well so much to say!!
I just finished classes on Thursday! I had my final exam over Genesis Friday morning. It went very well by the way. Then... all the girls in my room and I had to clean. It took us about 4 hours but it had to be done. Leighann and I went to the Rézkigyó cafe house. I think she really liked it. It is such a great atmosphere where allot of the Christians that go there bring their unsaved friends. Allot of my friends there that I know. Are With ESI it think.. It's a christian organization for anyone to go places around the world to teach English to students. and it is your mission to lead students to Christ! it's really cool. so they always bring their students. Afterwards, several of us hung out. We were all bubbly and bouncy and a girl came up to me and asked me why i was so happy. I told her that I don't drink for one,and that I had Christ in my life. She was so interested to meet a young person like me that was different! I got her number and hopefully will be meeting her this coming Friday at the coffee shop!! Saturday.. I spontaneously was asked to go to Vienna with a group of people! haha. that was a trip! so much fun being with an awesome group of ChRiStIaNs! <3 Sunday.. had Sunday school with the children they were so adorable! next week we will have a Christmas party and talk about the BEST gift!! After church went to a coffee house with several friends and met a girl studying abroad from America! SHe will be meeting us at the coffee house on Friday also!!
Monday I went to Evi's high school once more and visited with many of her friends! I asked her "faith teacher" if i could take time in his class to talk about my school, and show our promo video and share my testimony with them! so he is giving me 20 minutes this Friday!! =) I am so excited! I Pray that I can be a huge influence on these students! pray that God will give me the words to speak! Also... Evi and I are planning a Pj party for several of her girl friends on Jan 3rd! lots of girls have heard of it.. haha so now there are like 15 that want to come.. and I'm not sure if Evi's flat will work. so pray that God will provide a place for us to hang out and the girls hearts will be opened to hear and understand what I will share with them!!
Saturday i will be going to an orphanage with the Danube Church youth group! =)
woowhoO! Than ChRiStMaS with Evi's family!! <3 can't wait!
Today was such an amazing day!! I had time to relax!! something i haven't done in a long time! praise the Lord! I went for a run today.. it is so nice out here still. no snow yet!! =) i love it. I'm just thanking the Lord for all that He is doing in my life right now! And Soo thankful for the relationships He's brought!!
MiSsIn AlL oF yOu At HoMe tHo!!! Sending LOVe <3
Amanda joy

Excitment for the BREAK~!! =)

Hey everyone!!
Christmas is coming up so fast! I can't believe that it's already December! Actually it doesn't even feel like Decemeber here. We had a small cold front come through which gave us enough snow to make the boys put a HUGE snowman infront of our room which eventually crashed and fell into our entryway all over our things... but besides that. Yesterday i was wearing shortsleves! it was so nice! Also the castle is decorated for Christmas and our room looks great! =P
ALL those praying for my ministry at Danube international church THANK you soo much!
This week was simply amazing! The children listened so well and they were soo cute! They really understood the lesson and the bible story! We did the lesson over Lot and Abram, and how he let Lot chose first. We have a choice to Obey God or not. It should be so simple, yet it is so hard. The young 4 and 5 year old boys in the room decided to serve the ladies the snacks and be like little gentelmen. It was so cute even though it kinda turned into a little flood on its own. haha. NOah's ark was a couple weeks ago. I have such a joy working with kids!! also I will be ministering there over the break since i will be here over Christmas! so please pray for me in that area and that everything will run smoothly. Keep praying for a couple of those boys in our room!
**ChRiStMaS bReAk**
John and I were asked to give our testimonies at a school in Esztergom. We will share a song with them in english to the younger classes and hopfully show our new Word of Life Pro-mo video to the high shcoolers if we get a chance. We are also planing on making an apperience at my friend Evi's high school in Budapest. She asked if we would come to her faith class and share our testimonies and promo video.
Pray that we will be able to do that. Also that God would give me oppertunities to witness to many people while i am staying here in Budapest, or traveling. Please pray for the 19th of this month. Evi and I thought of a great idea to have a "sleep over party" with several of her friends and girls from school. We will be playing fun games and other stuff to show them how much fun it can be without DrInKiNg. since it is a HUGE event here. We would like to share the gospel with all the girls later at night,and my testimony with them! Please pray that their hearts would be open to hear and that the night would just go well!

ClAsSeS tHiS wEeK ** wHaT iV bEeN lEaRnInG!!
So this past weekend I had the chance to read through alot of scripture! I read through both 1 and 2 Samual and some of Isaiah. I am just amazed with how much more I really desire to understand what I am reading. We have two weeks now of the book of Genesis. and two weeks of creationism!! Which is very awesome!! It's so crazy, did you know even the "greatest" evolutionist believe in a "higher power" even though they can't admit in God. These are very good verses. That go along with what i'm learning!
Romans 1:20-23

PERSONALLY!
I've had a revolation with the Lord. After having a hard and struggeling time trusting and relaying on the LORD, I realized how POWERFUL the Holy Spirit. I realized his presence and that there is no reason to fear about anything. God is always with us. We are never alone!!
Ephesians 4:30 - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Hebrews 13:5 - "Never will I leave you; never will i forsake you!"

WOW what awesome verses! i challenge you to realize you are in the presence of the MOST Holy God right now. and come to HIm with any of your problems, He will Comfort you!

Peace&Love in Christ alone
Amanda Joy

Thanks you Jesus...

Dear Lord,
I am so thankful for your love. You are our mighty God. You created the most beautiful things in the heavens, the universe and the stars (Isaiah 40:35-36). All of creation is yours, and yet you still find favor in our sinful souls. I fall down on my knees, with my hands lifted high, knowing what He did for my life. I realize we are nothing; we were made from simple dust. And Lord, I'm thankful for your promise. That you cared for us so much you showed us by being among us. You gave us the MOST important gift of all! By sending Jesus to come to earth to be our ultimate sacrifice. He is the only one that can intervene for us at the Day of Judgment. Thank you that He paid for that price so we don't have to. I'm so thankful that you are so loving and caring. I see your hand guiding me through my life. My family is such a blessing for me! You've given me amazing parents that encourage me as I'm living for the Lord, and brothers that could be the BEST brothers a sister could have. I thank you Lord, for the people that pushed me to do better, and helped me along as I was at my weakest times. For the relationships that have helped me grow more spiritually. I am so thankful for the friendships that have brought me so much joy and happiness! I am also so thankful for a guy who really loves that Lord and wants to serve him.
I am thankful for this bible school that has taught me so much about you Lord and has opened my eyes to see your goodness and greatness. I'm thankful that you listen in the times that are hard and you answer my prayers. I'm thankful that I have had so many opportunities to serve you, and I pray for more!
There is so much to be thankful for my Jesus! You are so wonderful.
Amen.
This week I have had my eyes opened! I've read through the whole bible last year, but no matter how many times you read it… you will always find new revelation from it. Well we’ve been studying the book of Isaiah, with probably one of the best teachers we could have for this book. His name is Meno, he is from Israel and was originally a Jew. Until he met famous Jimmy Deyoung…but that’s another story...
This week God has opened my eyes to show me that He has FULLY showed himself to be Christ in the Old Testament, and his covenant is so clear. There are so many verses that I would love to share with you, but here are couple that have really encouraged me this week.
Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
12:4 – Give Thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
42:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
53:4-6 and 10 <3
59:16 – HE saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
So this class has been encouraging me to dig deeper in the bible and it’s so exciting!
My ministry every week at Danube International church as a Sunday school teacher has been going very well! It’s been really great thinking of creative ideas to teach the lesson and have a good time with the kids. I feel like we are getting to know them more and what their needs are! Keep praying for Chaz and I as we serve that Lord in this way. Also I will be teaching the children with John over Christmas break since I will not be coming home this year. So please keep me in your prayers and thoughts over Christmas because I will be missing you all dearly. However I pray that the Lord will give me many oppertunites to serve him here in Budapest and I stay with friends that have unsaved families.
**If you want to look more into my school or have questions please get in contact with my parents at gilbertrhu@msn.com or my school at Eletszava.org

I pray that you GIVE THANKS today for everything you have!! <3
Peace&Love inChrist alone
Amanda Joy

Personally... the Lord is teaching me how to Trust in Him. He has put me through a couple of trials with health problems and emotional struggles, but it all is to His glory! I believe God brings us through many storms in our life which we have to over come. Some are big and some are small... but in the end it can either make us have a stronger relationship with the Lord or make it worst... what are you going to choose? I pray that we will have the strength to persevere and pursue to live for Christ in this body! We can only get this strength from the Lord who is our ULTIMATEcomforter and peace!

One of my favorite classes is "Biblical Communications", which we had two weeks of this class! This class teaches us how to take a passage in scripture. For example Mark 2:1-12, and break it down. Like what is the main idea, (subject/complement)than learn how to make it an expository message of our own! and how to make a sermon! Putting in an illustration is what I love! I love making up illustrations for life in general! I have plenty! However when you can put an illustration that is understandable and relates to the scripture. It's so cool! and that illustration will most likely stay with you forever. I made mine making brownies, but i also have other illustrations dealing with life experiences where i related them to.... running, leaves, a cup, chocolate, cupcakes, a pot, shoe laces, and plenty more! but anyway i also got to share my testimony in front of class! I had to do it with a sort of outline. with the gospel in it, and within 5 min! =) he said i did good!

We also had a class on "We life of David." over 1 & 2 Samuel! It was a good class! allot to memorize though! I learned allot, and I learned so much in the heart. How God's people disobeyed and wanted to be like other nations and wanted a king. God let them have a king, but warned them that he wasn't going to be good. They only chose him for his good looks, not for his heart. Than we have David that is still not perfect but he has a heart for God! Well this was the same week as the elections in the states... and well all i can quote of him is this. "Good thing God is God, and we are not!" - God has everything in his control! Just stay faithful to him!

Right now we just took a class over Zechariah two couples from Michigan came!! there names were Phil and Lisa Bubar! They were so nice! and it was cool chatting with them about Home! =)It's so awesome how the book of Zechariah talks about the Messiah and to prepare for when he is coming! It also talked about when his SECOND coming is!! =D I love I've learned since last year and see it more now that the old testament is all about the heart... all God wants is TRULY out HEART! not to just "go to church, because that will please God" but go because you want to know HIM more!

We started a class on Roman Catholicism! wow it is so interesting right now! and actually very confusing! There is so much traditional beliefs to understand, and what their doctrine is all about. I never knew that all catholic churches have the same doctrine! It seems like they are all so different in ways. at least looking at the ones here! The look allot different for sure.

My MINISTRY!!! (Noah's Ark)
This week went sooo well!! it was all about obedience and the children were so cute! we talked about how God told Noah to build an Ark. And even though Noah couldn't understand why, and new that it would be tough work... he still did it because he wanted to OBEY God! =D the kids listened very well! we made a huge boat! (ark) out of two tables and a couple of sheets! had all the kids act like animals and find their partner to enter the ark!! We also made balloon animals and had another chance to give the gospel to the kids through a (balloon testimony)
SO Praise the Lord that the kids are listening and obeying! There are a couple of kids you can pray for though! we have a couple of kids with special needs. We also have several that can't speak English very well, so once in a while it's hard to get them to corporate with the rest of the kids!
Please pray also...
That the Lord will just give me the strength as I go through several trials... and that I am not alone. Thank you so much for your prayers and support as I'm here serving the Lord!
With Love&Peace in Christ alone
Amanda joy

Live for the Lord!

Hello!! Family, friends, and loved ones!!
The last week, We had one of my favorite guest speakers come in!! His name is Tim Good, and he is a missionary in Poland! He is a really fun smart guy and has a huge heart for serving the Lord! Plus the subject he taught on is an area where I have a desire to serve!! We learned about Bible Clubs, about youth groups, and how to make it most efficient. There are so many youth groups today that lose focus on the “MAIN IDEA” which is the message, fellowship, and discipleship. God has put in my heart a strong passion to work with the youth and I would love to disciple others! He gave us great ideas on how to lead a bible club! One thing I really loved was (MEMORIZING VERSES) ** How many people today really memorize verse?? Seriously, there are some amazingly fun ways to do it! And with games… doing competitions and bible quizzes! I really wished I had someone pushing me to study like that. He made it sound so much fun and exciting! Also how important it is to Love others!
Also last week we studied to book of Galatians! WOW let me tell you. This book is all about faith! Having faith in Christ alone, and letting the Holy Spirit guide you! It’s about Paul and him expressing his testimony to the Jews. There are several verses that I loved in this book!
• Those who believe are Abrahams Children. God knew that we would be justified by faith, and through Abraham All nations would be blessed! So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith…. (3:6-9)
• So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith (3:24)
• You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (3:26)
• The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (5:6)
This weekend we had Fall Break! I spent my time in Budapest. I went to the underground Christian Coffee house that YWAM runs, along with the Christian church (Danube) that I do Sunday school for! This, by the waaaay… went very well Sunday!! Praise the LORD! We did a fun skit, and had many helpers. The kids responded toward the message and listened. It excites me so much working with children! 
Please pray for my ministry! There are a couple of kids, which have some special needs and are sometimes hard to work with. Pray that God will give us the wisdom, and knowledge to work with them, and how to handle situations!
This week we are learning about (Church Planting) and for the next two weeks (Biblical Communications) which I will be presenting my testimony on Tuesday! So please pray for me!!
Other prayer Requests
1.) My tuition… may I always realize that I am in God’s will, and He will provide for me needs.
2.) That I keep up on the homework and stay focused. It is sometimes overwhelming the amount of work we have.
3.) To keep my fellowships with others an important!
THANK YOU!!!
GOD BLESS!! Peace&Love in Christ alone
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb. 10:22-24)

Praise the Lord!
He is so great!! And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and have been called according to his purpose!Romans 8:28
So this past week, I had another opportunity to witness to many teens at a Hungarian high school, by teaching English! Many of them were interested in hearing what I had to say, and I invited allot of them to the Christian Coffee house! I hope they all come! Last week of school was a little difficult, i was fighting a minor cold and had ALLOT of studying in my classes! Was still finishing Biblical Theology, and now a week of Bible Clubs! That was a fun class! The Lord was working in my heart allot last week, and made me realize how easy to be selfish and to lose focus of God. We are just humans... It reminds me of the Israelites in the desert. God does so many miracles and blessings for them and they rejoice! but soon they forget and turn away. It's so sad, but that's just the way we were made. God wants us to put Him in the FRONT focus of our mind every day, every moment, and each second of our day! We should think of all the great things God has done in our life, and Praise him! I also realized how Important Prayer is! I am so thankful that we have prayer! It is one of the most Intimate, personal relationships we can have with our creator our savior!
I was a little homesick this weekend, but I'm so thankful for the friendship (family) God placed here! They encourage me allot! and help keep my focus fully on the Lord! I also called my family on Saturday which was AWESOME!
A Praise and A Prayer ReQuEsT!!!
* I am struggling with paying for my tuition, and I've been praying that God would open hearts, and doors. *
* Sunday at the church I am a Sunday school teacher for (my ministry) I came down to talk to several friends and meet people in the church. Well a man came up to from the church and had a chance to talk with him for a while. He asked me if there were any needs that I had, or anyone from my school. And I told him the struggle for tuition, and several of the other students. * he said he'd let others at the church know too! =)
* I also have a friend in Budapest that is a film maker and asked for me my help in some short film clips. So pray that God will use me in this, and maybe for something greater!*

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY! <3
always... Peace&Love in Christ alone
Amanda joy

Beautiful Creator! <3

The leaves are brilliant and changing colors, I smell the fragrance of the air and the coolness crisp breeze to my cheek as I lift my arms up to the heavens, enjoying God's indescribable sunrise set across the horizon. My heart sinks and I feel my self overwhelmed with the power of God's magnificence. Drawling His wonderful creation around me I realize how AWESOME our God is. I imagine what great Love our Father in Heaven has! How amazing is the things He has done. Take a step back from the business and trafic of life and look to the eyes of the our Lord!

This week has been good. The weather has been great. I'v been so busy with studying and I have 6 hours of my service ministry, plus devotions and trying to work on my hungarian. I also decided to work on my leadership skills and join our social commity. So I'm trying to plan some things for our students to do together.
One of our directors lead our presidential chapel on tuesday and he listed our Missions statement here at school. He broke it down and talked about the meaning of our school and the importance of it. and here it is...

The evangelism and discipleship of the youth of Hungary and Central Europe through means consistent with the Bible, for the building up and stregthening of the Church of Jesus Christ - with excellence, with enthusiasm, with integrity, with a servant's heart.

My studies here are for the Goal of knowing God and putting it into practice. I am willing to serve Christ with my whole life.
Philipians 1:20-21
"I eagerly expect and hope that i will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, wheter by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Philipians 3:10
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Write now in my class I am writing an outline for 1 Timothy for my biblical theology class, and reading in my Charismatic Chaos book for class. It's difficult, but I'm definetly learning a LOT!
TOmorrow i am bringing a group into Budapest and showing them around. How to get around. Sunay I have Sunday School! we are teaching the kids about God's Creation!
Monday please pray for me, I am going to Eva's high school agian and I have a chance to teach English. Pray that I have good fellowship with the teens and God will give me oppertunities to share his word!

Keep me in your prayers! I thank God everytime I remember you

Peace&Love in Christ alone
amanda joy gilbert

Dare you to DREAM <3

This week we started classes out on Monday, since we had a "Youth Conference" this weekend that started Friday.
This week my classes were over "The Charismatic Movement" and "Biblical Theology"
They are both very wonderful classes! I am writing a paper now in Biblical Theology describing the difference between Systematic,biblical,and historical theology in the bible. Blah I don't like those kind of papers, but it's worth it! I really enjoy the Charismatic Movement class! wow it is so good too! This movement is and has been spreading greatly throughout our nation and the whole world. Many people don't even realize how it is creeping into their lives. I am learning how biblical it is not scriptural. and intently walking through the bible and it's context to understand what "speaking in tongues" and other "miracles" are all about. We are learning what miracles and speaking in tongues meant in the old test. Which was for people that didn't believe and was for judgment. It warns us also many times it tells us to stay away from false prophets that also did miracles but were not from God. The New test. Christ did miracles, but also for good, so people could see that He IS the son of God. Matthew 9:4-6
- Jesus says. “Which is easier: to say, ‘your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk?’ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority one earth to forgive sins…”
Today we DON'T have prophets any more, since Christ has already came. I believe the Lord does many signs and Providences, but in ways He can work through people. There is NO need for speaking in "tongues" anymore. there are people that can translate and the bible even says if you can't translate yourself what you are saying than you really shouldn't even do it. In Corinthians the reason why Paul wrote them, was to tell them of the WRONG things they were doing. Even at the end of Paul's life no one could speak in tongues anymore. But anyway I have allot more information in my notes. ALL IN ALL.. if you speak in tongues or not. DON'T let Ur focus, and faith be on what you see, or do... BUT on CHRIST alone. It is only by Him that you are saved, and have salvation. don't be caught up in what you see and here today. The bible teaches us about the "end times" when many will see great wonders and miracles but NOT from God. And many will fall away. STAND STRONG! =D
crazy stuff! I got allot more, I'd gladly rattle off. but for your sake i wont =P
THIS WEEKEND WAS AMAZING!!
We have many conferences through out the year! This year we had youth from Poland, Check Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, and Germany!
We had a VERY important and well known name be our speaker at this conference! Paul Bubar!! He was the one that Started the FIRST Word of Life in New york! and now there are THOUSANDS all around the world today! how awesome is that! He taught about having a DREAM. God has put a desire and dream inside of all of us. What is one this you would want to do for the Lord? Don't think that it is impossible. The Lord wants the Absolute best from you. He told us to "Dare to Dream BIG"
We also had several meetings about how important it is to reach out to to youth and starting small groups. It was really fun getting to know the guest that were here. Also the speaker encouraged me ALOT to keep going with the dream and desire God put in my life. He will take care of me and my needs.
This weekend Sunday school will finally start up, and our first lesson will be "In the Beginning" I am working with the 4 to 5 year old kids with my friend Chaz. Who absolutely loves children too! Pray that God will give us the wisdom and words to share Christ with these children!
The weather here has been great! can really feel the fall weather and the crisp air! LOVE IT! <3

Prayers ~
* My tuition for the next couple months.. still need several hundred dollars.
* There were riots in Budapest last weekend over political issues. praise God we didn't get caught in them, and pray for the many that have been injured.
* Pray that God will give me wisdom in my classes, to search the word deeper, and keep those desires in my heart.
* Pray that as we are in Budapest God will use us to speak to others, and also that I may have more opportunities to share Christ in Evi's High school by teaching English in several classes.
* Also time is very limited. pray that I will have time to get things done and still have time to get refreshed.

- And we know that in allot hings. God works for the good of those who LOVE Him
(Romans 8:28)

Thanks for your prayer and support!
Peace&love in Christ alone

Amanda Joy Gilbert
NOTE
** If you'd like to support me financially, please get ahold of my parents that have bank envelopes to keep the money safe. There number is (616)785-8241. Or e-mail them at Gilbertrhu@msn.com **