22January2012
Posted by darrel under: Budapest 2012.
Greetings from Budapest,
We are thankful for God’s strength for last week. The girls had a wonderful time during their special emphasis week and learned a lot about God. Arianna’s team won their game! Darrel safely took our friend to the Ukraine border and was able to take care of some business in Debrecen. We have had some cold windy weather! I am so thankful for the sunshine which is rare this time of year!
Please continue to pray:
Healing for all of us as we are dealing with some sort of sinus cold. Strength to persevere.
Wisdom in the area of spiritual warfare! We have experienced some attacks lately and we need God’s wisdom.
We would not miss the opportunities that God gives us to share about Him.
Hungarians greatly value their privacy. Residential neighborhoods are lined with row upon row of steel/wood fences, guard dogs, heavy locks and sturdy gates. Entrance into a person’s yard is by invitation only. They tend to guard their private lives just as much or more than their private property. Pray that this barrier can be overcome so that they can hear the good news of Jesus Christ. ( Taken from “A Heart for Hungary” Pray Guide)
The University Students in Debrecen as they finish exams and start a new semester, that they would desire more than just hearing about God but would want to have a personal relationship with Him.
Thanks,
Kimberly Hathcock
6November2011
Posted by darrel under: Budapest 2011.
Fall is here. I am glad, and am enjoying the cooler weather. Kimberly would say that it is cold! Regardless, the change in seasons is always welcomed.
As we travelled to Debrecen recently, we drove eastern Hungary and saw the many changing colors of leaves. Even at our home, leaves have fallen to the ground, and the girls have raked leaves only to have the ground covered again in just a days time. Thankfully, just about all the leaves are down, so one more time with the rake is needed.
Halloween is not celebrated in Hungary as in the US. 
Even so, there were some decorations available at the local Tesco and Auchan stores, including masks. And along with those few decorations are the numerous candles that are available for November 1. That would be All Hallows Day, and the cemeteries were filled with candles set out in remembrance of loved ones. It was late on November 1st, and darkness had already settled as we walked into the local cemetery. People were still coming to light the candles on this special day. The sight was one that was both beautiful and eerie at the same moment. Each candle lit to remember someone.
Today was also a day of remembrance. On the first Sunday of each month, we usually celebrate the Lord’s Supper at our local church. And we did so today. I paused to remember all that our Lord has done for me, for my family, and for the world. He has sacrificed that we may live, and though I lit no candle, I remember that He is the light of the world, our hope, and deserves our worship each and every moment of our lives.
Have a blessed day in Him!
15August2011
Posted by darrel under: Budapest 2011.
We have been in our new home for about two months now. We continue to look for items to make our house a home, and have yet to receive our things from Ukraine. That is in the works! Actually, our home is in the city of Diosd, which is just outside the southwestern edge of Budapest. We can be downtown Budapest in about 20 minutes (longer if we take public transportation). Kimberly and I are taking language classes 
now, and we meet in just about the very center of Budapest. I am amazed as we travel past monuments that are dedicated to events 1000 years ago, and cross the Danube on bridges that are monuments themselves. The architecture is beautiful, the city pleasant, and the people friendly, or at least that is may experience thus far. Then again, we can still only speak a little Hungarian, and therefore I am not really sure what is often said. I do remember a recent experience when a lady ran into me with her shopping cart. It was a moment when I heard her clearly speak Hungarian to me. I smiled as I realized that she had said, “excuse me.” It was an expression that conveyed that it was an accident, and that she was sorrowful. As I realized this, I thought of how I may have interpreted her words had I not understood. I would have thought that she said, “get out of the way,” or “move it.” It is imperative that we understand one another when seeking to live in the same culture. The body language that is set forth can say much in terms of one’s attitude, and the manner in which one stands, or moves as he/she speaks can convey much more than the words themselves. Our language teacher told us that when making a toast (though I don’t see this happening) it is extremely important to look into the eyes of the one whom you are toasting. Don’t look at your glass, the floor, or other people. Simply look in to the eyes of the one before you, and let that person be the focus of your attention. Often, however, it is easier to make assumptions about others than to really seek understanding. Yes, we are studying Hungarian because we want to communicate the Gospel of Christ in a way that is meaningful to those who live in this country. Will we make mistakes? I am sure we will, and even have. And I have learned that even when we do make mistakes, my actions also communicate more than my words. And that which we desire most, is that in the midst of who we are, those around us will see Christ.
No promises on the next post, though I think about something to write almost daily! Send us a note, and have a blessed, God loves you, day.
6June2011
Posted by darrel under: Uncategorized.
It is a warm…some would say hot…Sunday afternoon in Springfield, Missouri. We had a great lunch with friends, and are resting for the most part. Yesterday was spent moving a piano, pump organ, victrola/records, and a few other things into storage for the next three years or so. All this thanks to a group of men from South Gate Baptist Church.
After moving these things, Kimberly, the girls and I continued the process of packing. This involves going through things and deciding what we want to take with us. It sounds fairly easy, yet has proven to be rather slow. We will take back 10 checked luggage pieces, each to be not more than 50 pounds. That translates to weighing each piece several times just to make sure we are within the limits. I suppose that I need the work out!
Our date for departure is scheduled for June 10, leaving from Springfield on an 11 a.m. flight. Pray for us as we continue to pack and prepare for the flight to Budapest, Hungary.
10May2011
Posted by darrel under: Uncategorized.
Our time back in the States has been one of many pursuits. The girls have continued with home school, and are even now working to complete this year’s classes. Kimberly is diligent in helping them stay on task, and in keeping us moving toward our next transition. In the midst of it all, we have traveled thousands of miles visiting churches and family. It has been a delight to share our story, and the Story of His Love, with those whom we have met.
You may not have heard that our family is joining a team to focus on University students, and on church planting in Hungary. Our part will be to develop student ministry in Eastern Hungary, and to pray for/ and work toward church starts in places that have no evangelical gatherings. We were surprised to discover how few in Hungary are evangelical believers. Pray that His Kingdom will grow as we seek to serve Him in this new place. We will first be in Budapest, the capital of Hungary with a population of more that 1.7 million people. There, we will study language, have the girls in school, and develop strategies for ministry among this people. Our plans are to travel as often as possible to Debrecen, Hungary, where we will make our home following the time in Budapest. Debrecen is the second largest city of Hungary with a population of 200,000 plus. It is a beautiful city located in the Great Hungarian Plain near the borders of Romania and Ukraine.
As our time ended in Ukraine, we knew, and had known, that we would serve in another place. Our prayers had been that God would place us in an area where there was great need for evangelism, and few to share this Good News. We prayed long, and often it seemed that God refused to answer, yet He is Faithful! Even as we considered what to do with our belonging, God simply said to get rid of stuff. What a joy and what freedom came as we sold and gave away most of our stuff before returning to the States. Then, just a couple of weeks before leaving Kiev, we were invited to visit Debrecen, Hungary. There we met with Gary and Carolyn Miller, whom we had know for a long time, and so begun what we believe to be God’s revealing to us a new place of ministry. We are excited to join the Miller’s and work with them to accomplish that work which God has begun through them. The Miller’s are the only imb missionaries in Eastern Hungary and the evangelicals in that area are less that .5%. Their wisdom and leadership will mean a lot to us as we make Debrecen, Eastern Hungary, and the surrounding countries a new place of ministry in sharing Hope many. Perhaps you will join us in this task? As you pray, ask God to reveal if you are to join us for a short time of a week, or even months, in seeing His Kingdom grow in the lives of Hungarians.
Thank you for all your prayers, your notes of encouragement, and your love of us. We are eternally grateful for all that God provides.
3November2010
Posted by darrel under: Kiev 2010.
Elections for many cities in Ukraine were held this past Sunday. Voting in Kiev (the capitol of Ukraine) did not take place, so we were spared much of the political drama that others have experienced. And now the elections in the United States have also been completed. Even in Ukraine, I heard more on the national and international news regarding the US elections than I heard regarding Ukraine.
Yesterday I helped a friend install a chimney for his home near Kiev. That was a first for me, and I did serve to help until completion. The chimney is one made of metal, and I am glad that Misha knew everything that needed to be done. When finished, we even built a fire in the fireplace…the chimney worked well. Pray for Misha. He is a believer, builds log furniture for a living, serves as a translator for many of our groups, and volunteers time in children’s ministry.
Today, I completed some shopping for groceries and household goods. I am aware that this task has gotten much easier over the years, and that the larger supermarkets make one trip shopping a reality for us! And every now and then, we find things that we don’t expect. Today was one such day. I had heard rumors that Oreo’s could be found here, and this proved true as I shopped at a 
store near our home. When I returned home and showed the girls, they were ecstatic! They were jumping up and down, giggling and I even heard one say, “this is just like Christmas!” Seriously, do you see anything in the photo to be that excited about? Now, if there had been Frito’s, I could well understand!
We continue to pray regarding our next place of service, and we continue to prepare for our time in the States. Part of that is the daily routine of deciding what things to give away, sell, or pack for a trip back. And in the midst of it all, our greatest desire is simply to hear from our Father, rest in His grace, and be filled by His presence. I pray that you to are finding these to be in your life. Come join us for Oreo’s!
1November2010
Posted by darrel under: Kiev 2010.
What a year we have had! Since the beginning of 2010, it seems change has been a constant part of our lives. We have had some wonderful times with volunteers, our team members, nationals, and in our own family. And there are times when we have said goodbye to those with whom we have served. This year alone, five of our team members have returned to the states having completed their work in Ukraine. Even in the past two weeks, three of our team members have returned. What are their plans? Seminary, grad school, work…and most importantly following the leading our our Lord.
Left: Chicken Shashlik for everyone! That was the dinner that we served as we said goodbye to some of our team members. We had a great group gathered for encouragement and fellowship!
We continue to find ourselves in the midst of change. Today marks 44 days from our scheduled departure from Ukraine. We have an early morning flight planned for December 16, and are excited about the time that we will have in the States. Already, our first month is mostly filled with family, church, travel, and other meetings. That, and continued homeshool, will keep us very busy. And yet we continue to seek Him in where our next place of assignment will be. Pray for us, that we always are ready to hear His voice.
Early last month, our family headed to Hungary for a few days. In the process, we drove through western Ukraine, and are always amazed at the beauty and history of this area. The largest town is L’viv, and is a beautiful city. And on the way, we passed by several castles.
One such castle where we stopped, had a restaurant. I had wanted to stop and eat here with my family, and had been at the castle before, so as we journeyed on, we made the stop. One would think that the cost would be high, however the meal for all of us was around $25! With a tip!
One of the teams that we worked with most recently was from North Carolina. Our team, and this volunteer team worked in the city of Zadachiv, Ukraine. I was amazed at the numbers of people from this small town that wanted to visit with us, talk with us, and listen as we shared the Good News 
of Christ. It was a time of harvest, and planting! We were able to visit in schools, share in the streets, and host an English club in the evenings. Pray for the people of Zadachiv to know Truth. Pray for Roman as he pastors a new church start in this town, and pray for the believers there to every shine brightly for His glory.
Above: Children gather for the English Club in Zadachiv, Ukraine.
2September2010
Posted by darrel under: Kiev 2010.
I have so many words to say that I often don’t know where to begin! It has been a good summer. The team had been blessed with projects across Ukraine. They have worked with youth in Odessa, taught English in Western Ukraine, worked with women in Kharkiv, etc. One of the highlights was time working with 38 participants in an International World Changers event in Kiev. We worked with other imb missionaries to share in the Chernobyl region, and across Kiev. Ministry included park evangelism, prayer walking, beach clean-up, digging a trench, setting up an out-house, painting, and a host of other projects. Even now, our team is preparing for teaching English and conducting evangelism with friends near L’viv in western Ukraine!
And as we continue thoughts toward His Kingdom, we are also faced with all things related to completing our term and going to the States for six months! That in itself is a process to behold. What makes it especially hard is that our team will end, and as we return from stateside an opportunity exists for us to serve in another location. Pray for us as we seek Him in finding a place where He will be most glorified, and where we can see His Kingdom grow. It is a joy to serve!
10July2010
Posted by darrel under: Kiev 2010.
I am often challenged to consider what it means for His “Kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven.” When I see people on the streets, in the markets, at the airport, or even as guests in our home, I long for each to know Him and His provision.
This week, we have a group of 38 coming to share Christ in Kiev through International World Changers. The group will be working with churches, church planters, missionaries, nationals, and others who have a desire for the world to know Him. We have projects scheduled for places just outside of Kiev, and even a trip to the Chernobyl zone where little hope may still be found. Each day is a time when we can share about Christ through sports, helping others, sharing words, and sharing life. Yet all of this is without any joy, except that God direct our steps, empower us by His Spirit, and that Jesus be glorified.
Left: Our team gathers with others to share about the upcoming week of ministry in and near Kiev.
Last night, June 9, we gathered to share in fellowship, and to share the vision that Christ be lifted up. We decided to do this at the time that we usually have scheduled for others to visit our home. It was Friday night, which usually means Pizza. As a result, we had others who are not believers come to our home, some for the first time. I was amazed at how people simply began to talk with one another, and how relationships began forming. We shared openly about church, our desire to see others know Christ, and about life. No one ran from the room screaming! And one person for whom we pray asked to be a part of our team in the coming week. She even wants to join us for worship on Sunday. It is God Who draws others to Himself!
Pray for us to be faithful in the tasks He gives, that we all clearly hear as His Spirit speaks, and that He will be glorified in all that we do.
3May2010
Posted by darrel under: Kiev 2010.
We are well into Spring here in Ukraine. And, it is a joy to finally be outside much more, have the sun shine much longer, and to join others in preparing gardens.
One of the opportunities that we have is to use a tiller to help in the soil preparation for gardens. That opportunity often extends to helping plant the gardens, at least helping to plant potatoes. So, for the past couple of weeks, Jim (a friend visiting from the States), and I have gone to several places working with nationals to till the soil. In the process, we are able to share stories of His love, and to be a witness in the communities where we work. One of the best experiences was in villages near Kalinovka, Ukraine, where a pastor invited us to come out and work.
The pastor also gathered some men to help in this project. Those men were from a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Center. Their lives had been changed from depending on cocaine, heroin and/or other drugs, to depending on God and His provision. Working alongside of these men, one would have never thought that their lives had once been filled with such things as abuse, hatred, murder, prison and more. I was challenged to consider again the new life that we are meant to have in Christ, and to consider His Redemption…the exchange of our old life for a new life. Indeed He does give life change to those who would choose to follow Him.
Five men take a rest from digging while in a village near Kalinovka, Ukraine. Along with the tiller, much work was done by hand using shovels. The pastor is seen standing on the top left.
Our friend works a tiller for the first time as he prepares a garden in Milkie, Ukraine. The gratitude expressed by him and his wife was humbling.
Sarah, one of our team members, works the tiller as we level land for church use in the village of Noviya Zaleciya, Ukraine
Jim works in the field. Here, near Kanlinovka, Ukraine, we worked to prepare the soil for an invalid who would not be able to do so on his own. Those who live near him came out to see what we were doing, and the pastor shared our Reasons why.
