Hungary

Located in the heart of Europe, shares borders with seven neighboring countries. The nation's 93,000 square kilometers are marbled with 1,000 lakes and numerous rivers. There are slightly over 15 million Hungarians, but only two thirds populate the country The country's rich culture is seen in Baroque towns, rustic villages and in the picturesque capital city, Budapest.

Capital: Budapest

Budapest was originally three cities combined into one - Buda on the west side of the Danube River, Pest on the east side of the river, and Old Buda or North Buda made up the third city. 90% of the buildings of Budapest were destroyed along with its culture and economy during World War II.

Politics

Hungary lost 60% of its land area at the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, leaving large Hungarian minorities in surrounding lands of Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Austria.
During World War II the Russian army occupied the land, only leaving in 1991. The Russian Communists came to power in 1947. The Hungarian uprising of 1956 brought terrible revenge from the Russians. 80,000 were killed, wounded or deported, and 200,000 fled to the West. (This is when Frank fled the country with his family). Between 1948-1988, communism enforced strict controls on all Christians in addition to discrimination, intimidation, infiltration, plundering, and destroying much of what was left of this war torn country. In 1990 it was the first Communist bloc state to abandon Marxism and institute a multi-party democracy. Hungary regained its freedom, but even today communism continues to have a residual effect as many Hungarians maintain a skeptical view of faith in God. Conversely, communism's collapse has sparked a spiritual interest and greater responsiveness to the gospel. The door to the gospel and gospel literature is wide open at this time, the harvest is ripe, but unfortunately the workers are few.

Religion

In 1600, Hungary was 90% Protestant. Many reverted to Catholicism in the Counter Reformation and periods of discrimination that followed.

Today the Religion in Hungary is made up of the following:

Roman Catholic - 67.5%

Calvinist 20%

Lutheran 5%

Atheist & other 7.5%

Jewish - There are about 100,000 Jews living mostly in Budapest.

Evangelicals account for about 4.8% of the above totals

A recent trip to Hungary - Frank Sreter and Paul Meehan

February 25 – March 5, 2003. We flew out of Boston at 6:30PM on Swiss Air, a three hour layover in Zurich, and then on to Hungary, arriving around 3:00PM Hungarian time. (There is a six-hour difference in the time zones). Pal Bernhardt and Veronica Kiss who run the JoHir bookstore in Budapest picked us up at the airport. We were to stay at Pal’s home where their two teenage boys graciously gave up their bedrooms for our weeks stay.

That night, Frank and I received a gracious welcome from the saints at……………Bible Chapel.  We had opportunity to share with them the ministry of JoHir along with a message from the Scriptures. The message shared that night was from Nehemiah 8:1-8; Luke 24:27-32; and Acts 8:5-6. Highlights of the message: “They heard the Word of God as the Word of God. You called me Lord and you know me well. There is forgiveness even for me. Do our hearts burn within us when we hear the Word? How can they know except they hear?” We had opportunity to share the Word during the week at a local Free Evangelical Church and at Word of Life. Word of Life is about an hours ride out of Budapest. The main building of Word of Life Hungary is a Castle that was deserted by a wealthy Hungarian family who fled to Switzerland during World War II. After the War the castle and grounds was turned into a Communist Youth Camp. The 60 students and staff of Word of Life were entertained with Bible object lessons and then a serious and graphic gospel presentation detailing what Christ endured to pay the penalty for our sin. Many a tear was shed as all heard the Word of God. Throughout the week there were many other opportunities to share and encourage the saints with the Word of God.

Many meetings were held to discuss the translation and publication of books and tracts.

Christ said that He would return again to claim what belongs to Him. We believe that the time is short and night will soon be upon us. It is so very important that we are diligent in getting the Word of God to the Hungarian peoples. On our last day in Hungary, the door of the Book Store was defaced with paint by Islamic extremists. The word tells us, “For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) My brothers and sisters, the battle is raging, the time is at hand, and the victory belongs to our Lord. It is in Him that we must trust! May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in all that we do and say.   

Prayer

We covet your prayers for the JoHir ministry. Please pray for our missionary Frank Sreter. Frank is over 80 years old with some serious health concerns. Frank’s heart still burns with the need to provide gospel literature to the Hungarian peoples. Please pray for Veronika Kiss who manages the bookstore coordinating the translation work, the technical writing, the publication, and the distribution of all material.  Because most Hungarians are very poor we sell all books and pamphlets well below our costs. Please pray that the Lord will provide all of JoHir’s needs. Please pray for Maria Kisházy who does most of our translation work.  Maria is a wonderful saint who is self taught. She knows and speaks five languages! Her family used to be very wealthy. The communists took away everything and she was not allowed to attend school. Please pray for Paul Meehan and his desire to help carry on the ministry of JoHir.

Please pray that the door will remain open allowing the gospel of our Lord to go forth. Please pray for the harvest of souls in Hungary as the Lord leads. 

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringth good tidings, that published peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that published Salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” 

May the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you!

This page last updated on: 01/09/2008 08:05 PM
 

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Jó Hír (Good News)The Hungarian Literature Mission, Inc.

  email: johirgoodnews@hotmail.com; Web Page: www.johir.com

Jó Rész Iratmisszió Kft., H-1073 Budapest, Dob u. 74, Hungary; 011 361 344 4575