English in Erd, Hungary

For the past six years, the Erd Baptist Church has held a summer English course, enabling those of diverse English skills to learn and to socialise with other students. Furthermore, students attend chapel once or twice a week, during which they hear testimonies of the love and faithfulness of God in their teachers’ lives. This year, OM Hungary partnered with the congregation and its pastor, Zsolt Forizs, to organise and teach the classes. Eight students from Bethany School of Missions and OM short-termer, Kristi Hellmer, volunteering with OM for the summer, taught the two-week course.

Bethany volunteer Jeff shared his story at the first chapel, touching more than one life. He explained his difficulty in adjusting to his parents’ marital situation, and that he felt helpless in fixing his family’s struggles. One of his students approached him the following day with an illustration of similar hardships that she and her husband have endured, she being a believer and he not. She explained that his perspective shed light on how her daughter, who assisted her in making the timeline, has felt during the process of their reconciliation. In the drawing, she exemplifies “Jesus’ wonderful help” and the instance of redemption that came after she called out to him.

An unexpected guest was also moved by Jeff’s testimony, and by the overall attitude of each of the teachers: the school’s security guard. This man was exposed to every chapel meeting, was able to hear and observe interactions between teachers and students, and he expressed to long-term OM’er Rebecca Lingenhoel, who organised the course, that he was continually in awe of the group’s behavior and kind words. When Jeff spoke, he said, he couldn’t believe that a man could be so open and vulnerable with a group of near strangers.

The pastor behind this entire evangelical scheme has a heart of gold. Zsolt Forizs came to every day of classes, both morning and evening sessions, helping to translate in the beginner’s course. Ruth Rust, American Baptist World Evangelism, has been in charge of the course for the past six years, and shared that the church’s outreach strategy consists of three rings: this summer English course, an English course at the church during the regular school year, and a seeker’s Bible study led by Zsolt. Through this primary ring, Zsolt said, people are exposed to the gospel and know where to go when problems arise in their lives. Continuous availability beyond the summer allows the church to reach people within every ring of influence.

An estimated thirty percent of the students returned from previous years of camp, said Ruth. Vivien Kemenczi was a second-year student in Corey and Emily’s advanced class. She could not pick a favourite aspect of the course, but enjoyed getting to know her teachers and fellow students. She is from Budaors, about twenty minutes away, and dreams of being a dance teacher. The advanced class was presented a journal question at the start of each session, providing opportunities for Corey and Emily to share some of their lives in interactions with small groups. Emily prayed for wisdom in guiding the deeper conversations, and heard of various cultural impacts on the lives of individual Hungarians.

Deobat Toreki was a third-year returnee to class, having become a believer in February! Zsolt shared that his process of salvation began three years ago, when he and his father first came to the English summer course. His father had a “macho” image and usually made others laugh more than pay attention in class. The second year, Deobat returned without his father and then continued on into the September course at the church. He decided to check out Zsolt’s Bible study and through that, has chosen to believe in Jesus. Last week, he attended the Word of Life camp, learning more about Jesus through music, activities and group meetings.

The week ended with an exuberant party, where the teachers provided refreshments and dance lessons. All participants said their goodbyes while making lasting memories with one another. Students danced and sang into the night: square- and line-dancing followed by electric guitar/accordion renditions of Abba, Queen and traditional Hungarian songs.