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Family Ministry Update

Around our home church, my Mom, Sammie Johnson,has come to be known as the Miracle Lady. Diag-

nosed with Stage 4 liver cancer derived from an ovariantumor, Mom was told that she had between 4 and 12months to live. The prospects were very bleak. Surgery andchemotherapy, she was advised, might extend her life mini-mally, but decrease the quality of her remaining days dras-tically. The diagnosis was shocking and as dire as onecould imagine.

Hundreds of peoplebegan praying for

Mom. She herself embarked on a mis-sion to give honor and praise to Godfor what He was do-ing in her life. Shetold the Lord, God,if this is what you want to do in my life, if this is your will for my life, then Im going to praise you for it. August 13th willmark the one-year anniversary of Moms diagnosis. Sincethat time, Mom has shown no symptoms of the cancer still

present in her body . Shes lived to see her 70th birthday and to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with 140friends on June 11th. During a recent routine blood screen-ing as part of the follow-up to her kidney cancer surgery 6years ago, the doctor was shocked to she that her readingswere practically normal. So he ordered additional andhighly sensitive tests on her liver. That also showed that her counts were within the normal range. Needless to say,were ecstatic and filled with gratitude that God has chosento extend Moms life. We prayed for a miracle and God hasshown His miraculous power once again. Im ashamed that I seem a bit surprised. Oh, me of little faith! You can watchMoms testimony in her own words on our blog:

johnsonfamilyhungary.blogspot.com.

D uring these same months, however, weve been en-gaged in another struggle related to Debbies health.Since gall bladder surgery nearly 6 years ago, Debbie has

had chronic abdominal pain. That pain has increasedthrough the years and become nearly debilitating. Recently we found a gastro specialist in Charleston, SC who per-forms a unique surgery related to these issues. Just last week, Debbie underwent her third laparoscopic surgery inthe last 4 months. It will be several weeks before we know if the surgery was indeed successful. Thanks for praying with us that Deb will finally get some relief from the chronicpain shes been living with for these years. I would lovenothing more than to take a healthy wife back to Budapest!

Financial Update

F ortunately, our medical insurance pays practically

100% of surgeries and hospital stays allowing Debbieto get excellent care during this period of time. Still, wevebeen left with huge out-of-pocket expenses because our Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage does not include office visits, prescriptions, well-care, vision nor dental. Briannaand I have also had our share of doctors visits. The billsare still coming in, but to date, we have been charged$5000 in non-covered expenses in the last 10 monthssince weve been in the US.

Many of you have encouraged us time and again over theselast 19 years with your prayers and financial gifts. If you areable to make a special donation of any amount to our min-istry at this time, it would not only be a great encourage-ment to us, it will literally make it possible for us to return toHungary on August 17th as we so desire. We have 3 areasof financial need for your prayer and consideration:

The weak US Dollar and high inflation rates in recent yearshave combined to become a powerful one-two punch onour financial health. Today, $1 can only purchase 50 cents

HungaryJohnsons the

July 2010

Field Address Tth Ilona utca 4.

2049 Disd, HUNGARY +36 23 370-018

chrisjohnson@abwe.cc johnsonfamilyhungary.blogspot.com

USA Address621 Autumn Drive

Harrisburg, NC 28075704.455.4563 home

704.453.1770 mobile

Financial Support AddressABWE Finance Department

P.O. Box 8585Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585

Account # 11064www.abwe.org/give

Monthly Support $250/mth We MUST raise thisbefore we can return!

Non-coveredMedical Expenses $5000

Need in the next 60days.

2006-2010Support Shortfall $15,900 Need by January 2011

8/9/2019 Johnsons Hungary Update July 2010

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worth of the same goods and services as it did in 2000.We simply have not been able to raise new support fast enough to keep pace with these rapidly-changing economicfactors. Since 2006, weve had a shortfall of at least $15,900. Donations to our ministry account have beenabout $4000 per year short of our actual expenses. Wedesperately need to erase this red ink as soon as possible.Please use the enclosed slip with your gift and designate

which area of financial need you wish to help us with at thistime.

Ministry Update

Incredibly, God has permitted each of us to invest in HisHarvest and to play equally important, though different roles, according to each of our gifts and calling. As we part-ner together in this way, sinners find grace, lives arechanged, families are restored and churches are estab-lished.

Less than 1% of Hungarians can be considered born-again

believers. The spiritual climate in Hungary as in the rest of Europe is characterized by skepticism and apathy, but theseed of the Gospel still finds root in this barren soil. Along with our other ABWE missionary colleagues,weve beendirectly involved in partnering with Hungarians to establish8 brand new churches . All but one of those is located ingreater Budapest and of those, one is an English-speaking church targeting the large international expatriate commu-nity in Budapest. The map shows the locations of that fel-lowship and the other 6 new churches we as a mission havebeen directly involved in planting since 1992. Weve alsohelped strengthen 2 existing Baptist churches (indicated by the larger circles) who have birthed daughter churchplants.

Currently, Debbie and I lead a small team of ABWE missionaries (Kevin & Joy Phillips and Ruth Rust). Right now, weare focusing our efforts among the new church plants andone 75-year-old Baptist church located in the white circleon the map. The pastors and leaders of these congrega-tions have come together in an informal fellowship of en-couragement, accountability and partnership in reaching the suburbs of southwest Budapest with the Gospel. For the past 3 years, these fellowships have organized a joint worship service in November. This year nearly 400 peoplegathered in a local community center. When you realizethat 4 of these 6 churches werent even in existence 10years ago, its a joy to see what God has been pleased to doin bringing men, women, teenagers and children to Himself and into His Body and then granting us the privilege to par-ticipate in the process.

T hank you for holding the rope for us all these years.Once again, were ready to descend into the spiritualdarkness found in Europe. More than ever, we need theassurance of your firm grip on the rope through your prayersand financial support. Please let us hear from you soon! Thanks so much!

ABWE Hungary Team Disd Church Plant 2007 Fellowship of Pastors Joint Worship Service

Ministry Objective To partner with Hungarians to facilitate a movement of relevant, rapidly-reproducing New Testament churches

within the borders of Hungary and beyond.

Whats $1 Worth in Hungary?