Spreading Christmas Hope and Cheer in J-Town

On Sunday, November 7, the Go Team had the privilege of spending some time with the kids in J-Town. Our focus during this time was to discuss our global mission work in Bulgaria. J-Town leaders started by reminding students of the difference between local and global missions and we showed them on the large wall map where Bulgaria is. It was a great opportunity to also explain that we have two missionaries living and working in Bulgaria who were called from our very own congregation - David and Jill Sweet. We’re looking forward to David and Jill popping in soon to say “hi” to the kids and introduce themselves while they spend some time stateside over the next few weeks.

When speaking with the kids, we focused on the work being done at the St. John’s home. We explained that this housing will be a safe place for vulnerable and at-risk Bulgarian girls; a place where they will learn skills, be treated as a family and know the love of Jesus. We talked about ways we can support this ministry, with the biggest being to pray for the St. John’s home, the girls who will live there, the house parents who will support those living there and the missionaries who are helping to keep it running.

We also introduced two hands-on ways to show support: the first being through J-Town “purchases” of items to support Bulgaria (notebooks which will be used at the home) and the second through the Christmas cards we were able to make together that Sunday morning. The kids decorated a Christmas tree on the front of the card with various craft items and signed their first name to the back. With help from David and Jill, we were able to print the verse from Isaiah 9:6 in both English and Bulgarian inside the card. In all, our kids will be sending about 30-40 Christmas cards to children in Bulgaria to spread Christmas hope and cheer! Praise God!

On the first Sunday in J-Town that notebooks were made available for “purchase”, two children used their J-Town money to support the Bulgarian mission. We have so much to be thankful for and look forward to seeing how God continues to use our ministries to do His work locally and globally.

 

FREEDOM WALK 

Our partners in Hungary participated in the Freedom Walk on Oct 16th. The walk took place in Pecs, Hungary with 25 volunteers. The silent walk helped bring awareness to modern day slavery. Informal pamphlets were handed out during the sunny, autumn filled day. Knowledge is a powerful tool- the more people know, the more awareness and  prevention can take place.

Picture of the volunteers with the Set Free Movement Chapter on Freedom Walk in Pecs.

Gerry McNamara (L), Katie Winckles (C) and Larry Winckles (R) snap a quick selfie during the walk. Gerry is a Free Methodist Leader in Hungary and works along side the Winckles.

JFM had a team to travel to Hungary this October to participate in the walk, but COVID restrictions kept the two teams from physically uniting.  Praying for a 2022 collaboration!

Group photo of the Freedom Walk 2021

Walking downtown in the market area in Pecs

The walks were sponsored and organized by a larger organization A21 who collaborates with the Set Free Movement.

FREEDOM WALK FOR 2022 is tentatively scheduled for Oct 15, 2022

The country of Hungary has an estimated of 36,000 people in modern day slavery. The best tool in prevention is education! Engagement and activities in the foster care facilities across the country are the primary places that the Set Free Team visits. The Hungary team has ventured into a women's prison this year and hopes to do more activities as authorization allows.   The engagements are Gospel focused to bring hope, love and self worth to the children. 

Zsuzsa Mecseri McNamara is the Set Free Coordinator in Hungary and works along side Katie and Larry Winckles and Pastor Peter Toth. Please continue to pray as the Set Free Team continues to raise awareness, works on prevention and collaborates with like minded organizations and individuals in Budapest, Gyor and Pecs. 

Stay even more connected with the Set Free Movement in Hungary- ample ways to learn more!