Lunch at the Jacksons in Budapest

Often we are asked, "What is your house like in Budapest?" and "What is your home life like with 5 kids living overseas?" In the quick video below you get a quick glimpse that our home life is pretty chaotic and probably normal. We wish next time you could join us in person but till then...

"I get by with a lil help from my friends"

Although no longer ruled by Lenin, Eastern Europe is still wandering in a spiritual twilight.

Recently good friends have come along side us in our ministry here in Hungary. Here is how...

Bringing in the Hungarian Harvest Project

20 volunteers from the States came to Budapest for "Bringing to the Hungarian Harvest Project" (BHHP). These volunteers come along side our Hungarian ministries to help reach college students and high schoolers. They handed out several thousand SSKs (Student Survival Kits) which provide creative ways for students to respond to the gospel. They also spoke in English classes and did initiative evangelism in dorms and on campuses throughout Budapest.

We thank God for these laborers who come along side our Budapest ministry. “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few,” (Matthew 9:37) is one of the mantras of our ministry, because it is so true – both as God’s Word and as we experience that reality here in Eastern Europe. There are many opportunities for you through out the year to travel to Hungary and Eastern Europe and come along side us in the harvest field here. If God is tugging you in this direction, please let us know. We would love to try to make it happen for you.

Budapest high school students gather to hear a talk done by our Campus Crusade staff on God’s view of sex.

The photo above is of the group from Atlanta who participated in BHHP and who came to our house for dinner. Hours after this photo was taken, the group got on a plane back to Atlanta. Ashley (seated far left) was pulled off the plane as it connected through Amsterdam because of severe abdominal pain. Hours later she was operated on in Amsterdam and had a cyst removed from her abdomen. EB almost flew to Amsterdam to be with Ashley through her ordeal. But some USA WYAM friends in Amsterdam sat with Ashley until Ashley’s father arrived from the States. Ashley is home now and expecting a full recovery.

Brent (in photo above, far left, standing next to EB) had planned on spending the week with us after BHHP. It would give Brent a chance to lay low awhile. Unfortunately Brent had to leave after just one day. Brent received word that his grandfather died. Brent went home and preached the funeral.

God’s plan are frequently not what we expect. But He is sovereign as we learn to trust Him.

Fall Retreat for International Christian School of Budapest

Kyle Gillespie (pictured above) led me to Christ back in 1982 when I was just a punk and a recent high school grad. He blew away negative Christian stereotypes that I had and was able to get into my world. Kyle connected with me through music like Led Zeppelin, Jim Morrison and Pink Floyd as well as my favorite video games. Through that connection he introduce me to Jesus. Today Kyle and I are still good friends. Last week he traveled here to Budapest to be the speaker at our kids’ school's fall retreat. The student body ranged from loud confident American missionary kids to quiet shy Asian kids not confident in either themselves or this Christian religion that is so much a part of their school. Like Kyle did for me over 26 years ago, Kyle entered their world, used their stories, music and movies to proclaimed Christ to these kids.

To view some photos from the retreat, check them out the photo album on my facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=163351&l=97ab9&id=545260313

Kyle, EB and me (the photographer) along with a lil help from two good Hungarian friends (Andras and Timi) toured Budapest after the retreat was over.

Kyle's submission for the next Bruce Springsteen album cover.

Your partnership with EB and me allows us to come alongside our Eastern European missionaries so that BHHP and stories of life-change are possible. We get by with A LOT of help from our friends! Thank you! And may the Lord grant you grace and His favor in all you do. And may He draw you closer to Himself.

ICSB drama outreach

“I have no greater joy than to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

Our daughter Liz, a senior at the Intl Christian School of Budapest, taught other students at her school the drama outreach that she did on her summer missions project in Mexico City. They all decided to do it here in Budapest. So this past Friday 1/3 of the high school traveled to a popular tourist shopping area (Vaci street) and performed the drama. EB and I went along as chaperones. We were so proud of all those kids! Most of these students initiated and shared Christ with people who were watching.

Ben's caribou kill

In late August a friend took Ben and me caribou hunting in Canada. It was our first time involved in big game hunting. Here is a video of Ben's trophy kill for the week.

Please know that this video is graphic and may not be for everyone.

Also, there are strict laws that govern the caribou hunts. For example, we were only allowed 2 kills all week and the edible meat is harvested. Even with hunting, most caribou never see a human; disease and predators kill far more caribou than humans do.

That said, enjoy the video!

The Bulletin Board

The Wall Street Journal in an article titled, "Dollar's Rally is No Cause for Comfort," on August 12, 2008, confirmed what those of us in the field already know.

WSJ: "...Despite its recent strength, the dollar remains in a deep trench, down 37% against major trading partners in the past six years or so. Climbing out of that dip could take years."

That stat, along with inflation at the local level in Europe, means that it is twice as expensive to now live in Europe as compared to just 6 years ago when we moved to Budapest. Imagine living in an economy where your money is worth only 1/2 of what it was 6 years ago! Most of our close American friends with Campus Crusade in Europe have had to make emergency support raising trips back to the States. In addition, Campus Crusade will loose many of our most valuable national staff because of the dollar's drop.

The good news: Our Hungarian staff, although they still have financial needs, have the healthiest financial support collectively as a country team, among all of our countries across Eastern Europe. Also, of the 20 Polish staff EB and I have worked with, 19 of them are much better off financially than before I began working with them. Our model for helping Eastern European national laborers works, it is just needs to be implemented on a much bigger scale than we are able across our part of the world.

A GREAT book! "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller. This apologetics book is written from a pastor/philosopher's perspective and is the best I have read since Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" series. Many of the postmodern philosophers I studied in my seminary class are quoted by Timothy Keller in this book. Also Timothy Keller draws from popular movies and music to defend his points. He has some great chapters on forgiveness, how the doctrine of forgiveness is unique and how it gives evidence for the truth claims of Christianity. When this book comes out in paperback, I will buy a bunch to give away evangelistically. Here is a website for the book...

http://www.thereasonforgod.com/

The Saddleback Debate: I think the real story to come out of the Obama/McCain debate (is dialogue a better word?) with Rick Warren isn't who won or which candidate said what. (Although I thought Obama did a great job of articulating the gospel and McCain was refreshingly honest about the failure of his first marriage.) I think the real story is that this was a great example of the evangelical church leading the way and being a change agent, salt and light, in the political arena. The format was new, creative and done with excellence. And it wasn't the atheists or a fringe group that put on this debate; it was the evangelical church! I think Rick Warren was respectful to both candidates while asking pointed questions without compromising the Christian worldview.

Whereas in so many areas Christians lag behind the non-Christian world in quality and creativity, this debate allowed us to have an impact on the national stage without providing fodder that reinforces negative Christian stereotypes. I loved what Rick Warren said to begin the dialogue: (something like), "We believe in the separation of church and state but not the separation of faith from politics." Whereas the American Christian church has its problems and short-sightedness, what took place at Saddleback would not happen anywhere else in the world in terms of the evangelical church exerting a relevant and respectful influence on a country's political process.

Below are some pictures from a recent family reunion in Colorado we attended on my side (the Jackson side). One day Ben and I hiked up Colorado’s 2^nd highest mountain, Mt. Massive, just outside of Leadville.

This picture is of my mom (seated middle on the couch) and all of her granddaughters.

Montenegro: a Land Thirsty for the Gospel

We joined our Serbian ministry for an English language camp located on the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea. As we taught English and built relationships with the students, it set the stage for some great gospel conversations. This is one strategy of many as we trust God for movements of multiplying disciples across Serbia, Montenegro and the Balkan Peninsula.

(From left) Erol, our ministry’s Serbian director, Goran, Alexander, both medical students in Serbia and Brook Redd, former college roommate of mine and now a surgeon in Minnesota.

A group of Serbian students who attended our camp. Which one is the American?

During the morning sessions of the language camp, EB conducted a childcare for the children associated with the camp.

Brook and Kristin Redd

Alyssa Redd and our Rebekah

Savannah, Kayla Redd and EB

A bayside café where we had some great talks with Serbian students about life, growing up in Serbia and faith in God.

Beautiful Montenegro but with only 150 believers.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Something Silly Something Sad

This is my imitation of two cats fighting



On June 11th a tornado ripped through Chapman, KS. A few days later we drove through the city and shot this video.

The Best Albums of My Favorite Musicians

(in no particular order)

Films for Radio by Over the Rhine: I have followed this band for over 15 years; I am always attracted to artists who are open about their spiritual journey. Linford Detweiler, the creative force of Over the Rhine, says, “Spiritually, I’ve been a little bit all over the map. I’ve certainly abandoned my childhood faith, and then have struggled to come back to a place that makes sense to me. (Still) I personally can’t rule out the idea of a benevolent, supreme creator: an artist, a conflicted, creative force. Every time I see the night sky, flung full of stars, something awakens in me.” They have never had a top 40 hit but have a dedicated following, including Steve Beard of the website www.thunderstruck.org. Karin, Lindford’s wife, sings lead and her voice is as pure as Allison Krauss’, even though at times Karin’s voice slips into almost a yodel.

Best of the Rest by Over the Rhine: Till We All Have Faces, particularly the tracks, “Fly Dance” and “If I am Drowning.”

Blister Soul by the Vigilantes of Love: My sentimental favorite all time band. They are from my favorite city I have ever lived in: Athens, Georgia. When these guys were good, they were phenomenal! Blister Soul captures them at their zenith! In the early 90s they kept my faith in music alive with their raw sound and honest lyrics when contemporary Christian music was so melbatoast. Regrettably, when Bill Mallonnee decided to change bands, religions and his wife, I think the quality of his music tanked, in spite of Paste Music’s best efforts to promote him. I don’t even listen to his new stuff anymore.

Best of the Rest by Vigilantes of Love: Welcome to Struggleville

How to Dismantle an Atom Bomb: by U2. Bono’s influence on the world cannot be denied. When most mega rock stars use their fame selfishly, Bono at least attempts to use his fame toward the glory of God, reaching audiences that would not give most evangelicals even a hearing. Says Bono, “I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge... I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.” With the exception of a few bad albums like Zooropa and Achtung Baby where they experimented with Euro Techno, {say it isn’t so, Bono!} Bono and “the boys play rock and roll” unlike few others ever have! Age only makes these guys better. And Atom Bomb is proof! Listen to the tracks “All Because of You” and “Love and Peace or Else” at full volume.

Best of the Rest by U2: All That You Can’t Leave Behind. The track “Elevation” is my favorite U2 song. However don’t overlook Boy (1980) and October (1981). They are still singing tracks from these early relatively unknown albums in their live concerts.

Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot: Man, these guys have talent! Their lyrics are creative and genuine. They are young, still in their 20s. Therefore they should be making music for many more years; unless pride gets in the way, which has “dismantled” plenty of great bands, even so called “Christian” bands.

Best of the rest by Switchfoot: Nothing is Sound. Real close but not quite as good as Beautiful Letdown, even though Nothing’s title track is Switchfoot at its best.

Hotel California by the Eagles: I remember the day in 1976 on KY102 out of Kansas City when this title track was first played. I immediately asked my mom to drive me out to “Peaches” so I could buy the vinyl LP. Little did I know that 32 years later I would still be jamming to those guitar rifts. How can you measure a classic? Here is one way: My children have tracks from this album on their ipods!

Best of the rest by the Eagles: Lets try something similar. Since we are already back in the 70s, I recommend Bob Seger’s Night Moves. I’m still “waiting on the thunder” after 30 years!

Christmas by Mannheim Steamroller: For our family it isn’t Christmas until the Mannheim Steamroller starts rolling through our speakers. My children don’t know Christmas without this album; I believe it is the best Christmas music out there, period. Chip Davis, Mannheim’s creator, calls his music “18^th Century classical rock.” It is hard to believe this is from the same guy who gave us the 1975 Redneck anthem, “Convoy.”

Best of the Rest by Mannheim Steamroller: Fresh Aire Christmas, of course!

The Wind by Warren Zevon: When a man knows he is dying, you listen intently to what he has to say. Warren Zevon had inoperable lung cancer when he appeared on the David Letterman show. He was prompted by David to say something about life that his fight with cancer has revealed to him. Mr. Zevon answered, “Enjoy every sandwich.” Cute but totally missed the opportunity to give glory to his Creator. He did go out with a bang and his final album was fantastic. On one track, “Disorder in the House,” he receives some incredible guitar help from Bruce Springsteen.

Best of the Rest by Warren Zevon: Since I mentioned Springsteen, I’ll recommend his “Born to Run.” But I have vowed to never spend another dollar on Bruce because of how belittles my politics and worldview. But if you still have this album, I encourage you to blow off the dust and give it another spin.

A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Band: Rich Mullins, who gave us such classics as “Awesome God” and “Step by Step” was a breath of fresh air back when contemporary Christian music was just terrible. I believe this was his best album ever and I wish he wore his seatbelt so we could probably still be enjoying more music from Rich.

Best of the Rest by Rich: This is the World As Best As I Can Remember It, Volume 1.

O Brother Where Art Thou (soundtrack): After I moved to Europe I started listening to Bluegrass, Country and Gospel because it reminded so much of what is great about America. Watching the movie helped expand my musical horizons. The movie was great, the sound track was better! As one critic said, “There is something missing in one’s childhood if he grows up not knowing the words to 'Big Rock Candy Mountain.’” Even if Allison Krauss isn’t a Christian I will continue to be a fan of hers, in spite of the unsolicited advice given me by an employee at an Atlanta Christian bookstore.

Best of the Rest of the Soundtracks: Cold Mountain. Enjoy the music but skip the movie.

A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash’s life is a testimony to the grace of God. His recent biographical movie, Walk the Line, made me a big fan of his music. Unlike Warren Zevon, before Johnny died he got right with God and sang about the glories of his Creator and Redeemer. As one critic put it, “The Man in Black” wrote music that revolved around the themes of prison, trains, death and faith. Another critic beautifully noted that while entire bands revolve around music about death, Johnny Cash sang about grief. If the track “On the Evening Train” on this album doesn’t make you cry, you ain’t alive.

Best of the Rest by Johnny Cash: The Man Comes Around. But watch Walk the Line before you download this album.

Highway Companion by Tom Petty: His face has deep lines and he can’t hit the high notes he once did on songs like Woman in Love and Refugee. But the man from Gainesville is still crankin’ it out. He inadvertently wrote some spiritually insightful lyrics into the track “Saving Grace” that I use whenever I give my testimony of how I came to faith in Christ.

Best of the rest by Tom Petty: I haven’t heard it yet but I need to purchase and download Tom’s latest with Mudcrutch.

Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Look, I know these guys’ lifestyle is inconsistent with most of what I believe. And honestly, I keep ‘em at arms length because of it. But there is a creativity, a sense of humor and an energy that draws me to this album. A great combination of the funk that made RHCP famous with some great guitar rifts and classic rock sound.

Best of the rest by Red Hot Chili Peppers: I am waiting to see if their next album is a continuation of the cleaner act they displayed with Stadium Arcadium.

Live Wire by Third Day: A lot of their fans were disappointed in this album, so I am told. However, Live Wire made me a fan of Third Day. Has anyone else been able to bring the Southern Rock genre to Christian music? If they have, they haven’t done it like these guys have. There is also a Biblical depth to these guys’ music that I appreciate. Keep going Mac! I’m listening!

Best of the rest by Third Day: Their accompanying concert DVD of Live Wire is the best live concert footage I have seen; I think it is even better than U2’s Vertigo Tour.

Eastern European Celebration Dinner May 20th in Atlanta.

Sergey & Ellina Lesnik of our campus ministry in Kiev, Ukraine, tell a story of a life changed for Jesus Christ while Gabi and Madarasz of Hungary are seated next to them waiting for their turn.

Even though storms in the area kept some from making the event, the ballroom was thunderous and electric.

The ballroom at the downtown Atlanta church on May 20th was packed. Expectation was high and conversation hummed as a concert pianist filled the air with a backdrop of praise music. After a greasy dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and sweet tea, my co-emcee Brent Harrison proclaimed, “Welcome to the Eastern European Celebration Dinner! From the country of Albania, lets welcome…” Then the name of each Albanian staff present was announced (and probably butchered by the Southern USA accent) as the Albanians came striding into the ballroom and onto the stage, proudly waving their flag and waving to the audience as if they were athletes entering the Olympic stadium.

Then the Hungarians were announced and they paraded in with their flag. Then the Poles, Romanians, Ukrainians and Czechs until the stage was full with 35 national European missionaries and their flags. The audience was on its feet welcoming the Eastern Europeans to Atlanta! Thus the evening was launched for May 20^th’s Eastern European Celebration Dinner in Atlanta!

Severe storms and bad traffic in the area kept the attendance to around 370 even though RSVPs for the night approached 500. The “ask” that night generated $27,000 in gifts and pledges, designated mostly for the Eastern European staff attending the dinner.

But that was just the beginning. That number has since climbed to $72,000 as post-event responses come in. However, the PRIMARY PURPOSE of the Celebration Dinner is to serve as a CATALYST for our national staff in their support raising efforts. Our Eastern European missionaries are fanning out across Atlanta into Sunday schools, Bible studies and other small groups. These next several weeks as our beloved national staff walk through those open doors will really determine the success of the evening. Please be in prayer for their support efforts.

EB’s warm smile greeted many that evening.

Also, the evening proved to be a great “commercial” for our ministry’s work across Eastern Europe. It was a call to Christians to become more involved in the work of the gospel through their praying, giving and even going. A wonderful group of volunteers, from Moscow, Budapest, Atlanta and even Kansas City, both Campus Crusade staff and non-Campus Crusade staff, caught the vision, embraced the need and invested a lot of effort and prayer on behalf of our national staff. Those volunteers are the real heroes of this effort.

Martin (left) and “Magic” (Maciek) of Poland enjoy the Braves game the evening after the Celebration Dinner. Many of our Eastern Europeans joined us at Turner Field and for most of them it was their first exposure to the game of baseball. They were more entertained by the between inning activities than by the game itself!

The church of Europe was once the cradle for our faith. Now she is somewhere between very sick and dying. Yet in spite of the low value of the US dollar and the American recession, the resources and tools exist within the American church to make a profound difference in Europe, as well as in other parts of the world. Likewise, we cannot reach Eastern Europe alone; we need the help of Christians everywhere. Our Celebration Dinner on May 20^th was such a call for help. Many in Atlanta responded to that call. Praise God!

Exalting in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2),

Matt

I should have just sat down…

There is plenty of religious imagery in Europe even though it is the only continent where the Christian church is not growing.

I should have just sat down and let EB give the rest of the message. After speaking for nearly an hour through a translator to college students in Brno, Czech Republic, I asked EB to come forward and share her story. EB did a fantastic job with the Czech students. My seminar was about the reliability of the Bible and I presented a lot of facts. In a country where the Bible is considered outdated and irrelevant, the facts are important. And I may have presented lots of head knowledge but what really made an impression with the students was when EB spoke of her heart knowledge.

EB instantly connected with the Czech students by speaking of her Czech roots. She spoke of her great-grandfather and his wife, Frank and Katrina Bizek, and how they homesteaded on the Kansas prairie after immigrating from Czech. Yet she also told how her father Paul Biays, who taught college literature, logic and philosophy, was also a pastor who taught his family, his church and even his college students about the trust-worthiness of Scripture.

EB also mentioned how since she was a young girl the Bible has guided her in her major life decisions and even today how we are raising our children to treasure and learn from the Bible. Maybe this doesn’t seem like much to an American Christian ear but to our post-Communist Czech audience, where today’s greatest religious influence is secularism, EB’s testimony had a profound impact.

After the lecture many great gospel conversations took place. I am continuing several of these conversations by email. The evangelical ministry that invited us to speak (http://www.kvz.cz/english/), received contact info from the students who attended and are following up those who expressed more interest in knowing Christ personally.

The next morning I shared from the Bible what the Lord had been teaching me lately with the staff of KVZ, the Czech evangelical ministry that hosted EB and me. Our hosts were wonderful and so appreciative. EB and I have bonded with the Czech Christians in that ministry!

Much of missions work is tedious, difficult and unexciting. Every once in a while though you break through the clouds and the warmth of the glory of God shines in your face. EB and I found our time in Brno, Czech Republic to be such a moment. On the train ride back to Budapest EB and I together thanked God for great opportunities like this one that He has given us during our years here in Eastern Europe!

You know you are a long way from home when the signs are in three languages, none of which are English!

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul rises majestically above the other buildings of Brno. Unfortunately, less than ½ of 1 percent of the Czech population is evangelical with atheism being the dominant worldview in this country.

Two more pictures from Brno that are quintessentially European…

"The Cabbage Market," an open air market in the center of Brno.

This is the cleaning lady's contribution to a photo I really like.