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Jim and Brenda Puhr | Pf. 89 Budapest, 1780 Hungary | Tel. 011-36-30-984-1990 | Christian Missions International PO Box 51531 | Jacksonville | FL | 32240
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Christian Missions International
Jim & Brenda Puhr Missionaries to Eastern Europe
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Jim and Brenda Puhr | Pf. 89 Budapest, 1780 Hungary | Tel. 011-36-30-984-1990 | Christian Missions International PO Box 51531 | Jacksonville | FL | 32240
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May 1, 2011
Dear Special Friends,
“The Power of Perseverance in Faith” is a title of a message I give often. I have given this message all over Eastern Europe, in churches large and small.
It’s one of my favorite messages to give as we have lived it all areas of our lives and ministry. It essentially speaks about trusting in God through all circumstances and challenges. Through family issues, health and financial issues and all the ministry challenges we have faced throughout the years.
Our society, whether in America or here in Eastern Europe is so fast paced it seems. Whether it’s going through the McDonald’s drive Thru (yes they have them here), or believing to get out of debt or looking for more ministry results. We want everything faster and faster. So much of this has transferred itself in to the church also. We want it right away or if we don’t see it right away we wonder if it is “God’s Will?
Whether I minister in a village in Slovakia, or a large church in Sofia, Bulgaria, people are facing the same issues and challenges. It’s wonderful to see the faith of the people build as the Word goes forth. Whenever we minister we always try to make a connection with the people by telling “our own real life stories” of challenges we have faced whether it’s in our own family or with finances or health issues. I always want them to see that we face some of the same challenges even as missionaries. It’s part of life.
We are now in our 29th year as serving as missionaries. We are always amazed at God’s timing and how faithful HE is in every situation. So many, many times we have seen tremendous answers to prayer in so many ways that have come after years of standing and persevering in faith.
When we first felt the Lord leading us to begin helping national leaders here in Eastern Europe we faced some tremendous financial challenges right away. Everything seemed to go wrong. But we knew what we felt God had put in our hearts. We could have quit right away and questioned whether we were on the right track. We stayed faithful and for the last 10 years we have seen over 160 churches started in this part of the world.
Perseverance. We don’t always like it. We want it right away. But perseverance brings great fruit. So many of our partners have stood with us for many, many years. Thank You!
SPECIAL FAMILY NEWS . . . We are so excited that our son Nathan is getting married today, on May 1. Nathan met a wonderful girl last year at his church in Orlando. Lori came to Budapest for Christmas and we love her. So we are here in Orlando for a week for the wedding. We are so happy for them.
In Awe of Gods Faithfulness,
Jim and Brenda
PS. We are so excited about the rest of the year here in Eastern Europe. It seems just about every month from now through December at least one new church will be started. You are a vital part of seeing this happen. Thank You.
April 1, 2011
Dear Special Friends,
How is it raising your kids on the mission field? This is a question that we are often asked. We never hesitate to talk about the different advantages and challenges we face raising our children as “missionary kids.” We are well aware that raising children on the mission field or in America or Canada or wherever can be a challenge.
Having lived in Costa Rica, Florida, Russia and now here in Budapest for the last 14 years, our kids have probably faced more transition than most kids.
Here are some things missionary kids have to deal with:
* Not really knowing where they are from. Their parents are from one country, they grow up in another country.
* They continually have to leave friends.
* They have to learn new cultures.
* They change schools.
* They have to learn new languages.
* They sometimes feel they miss out on things in America.
* They miss going to Taco Bell, Subway, Chili’s, Starbucks , Olive Garden and Walmart.
* The list could go on and on . . .
But probably the most challenging for all our children has been and still is for our girls, is having to leave close friends or seeing close friends move away. This was especially true for our boys, Nathan and Ryan. They said say goodbyes to friends in Costa Rica, Florida, and Russia, when we left those countries. It was hard for them. It got old. They let us know they didn’t like it. It was a challenge for us, it was much more of a challenge for them!
By the grace of God, our children never had bitterness or gave us “too hard of a time” when we moved. We knew they were going through things, therefore we prayed, asked for God’s Grace, and gave extra attention to our children.
Now if you ask our boys about growing up on the mission field they will have nothing but positive things to say. Our girls love growing up as “missionary kids.” Not all missionary families have this same experience with their kids. Each child is so different and sees things differently. Sometimes we don’t even know what we did right. We do know that there are many, many people praying for us.
Our kids have had the opportunity to travel and see other parts of the world, meet people from other cultures, they have been with us as we ministered and they have also had opportunities to minister. They have been blessed to have many wonderful experiences as “missionary kids.” We don’t think they would trade them for anything!
Now Nathan and Ryan, who live in Orlando, love to talk to their friends about growing up around the world. Every year they love to come back to Budapest for Christmas. Audrianna and Alexandra are still with us here in Budapest and love living and going to school here. Thank you for standing with us not only with the ministry but also with our family.
In Awe of His Faithfulness,
Jim and Brenda
April 1, 2011
Dear Special Friends Around the World
SPECIAL FAMILY NEWS . . . We are so excited that our son Nathan is getting married on May 1. Nathan met a wonderful girl last year at his church in Orlando. Lori came to Budapest for Christmas and we love her. So we will be making a quick trip back to America for the wedding in Orlando.
Ministry Update . . . As you look at the nations listed on the right of this page, I want you to know that they each represent nations where we minister. In almost all of these countries we have worked with key leaders to help start churches.
I think of Albania where I have been five times in the last few months. This past weekend I was able to minister in two of the churches that we have helped to start and saw firsthand the amazing lives of the people in them.
It is so humbling to see the families, the children and the singles and the teenagers everywhere. Both churches in are reaching their communities.
Few people may have ever heard of Albania, this nation of 3.2 million people, yet we love to go to the places that few have heard of.
Albania is so interesting as it is about 76% Muslim, yet we are able to make an impact on this nation, having started several churches there. Even in the next few months we will see TWO more churches started in Albanian towns.
If you were with me this past weekend, you would have seen these churches in buildings with signs in front written Albanian saying “Kisha Shqiptare I Kristere”, which means “Albanian Christian Church.” On Sunday morning it was wonderful to see the people coming into the church. Seeing all the kids run to friends, parents greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, fathers shaking hands, it was wonderful.
But what struck me most was feeling the spirit of the new churches and sensing the Spirit of God in the lives and families. The ministry was wonderful, as I always love to minister in these churches. As I left, my last impression was thankfulness that we had been able to sow into these new churches to help them get started.
It is always quite humbling to see the impact that just $4,000 that we give can make upon make upon a city.
In Awe of God’s Faithfulness,
Jim and Brenda
P.S. We would also ask you to prayerfully consider giving a special offering this year. Anything you do will be so appreciated during this special season.
PSS. If you would like to receive this letter through the mail please send us an email at JimPuhr@cmiworld.org and we will be glad to send it to you. If you would like to receive our special letter by email each month please complete the form on the right (scroll to the top) and type your email address in the “Join List” area.
In this month’s special letter to you we want to do something just a little different. This is a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS letter. Often we are asked these questions or questions similar to them regarding living and serving here as missionaries in Budapest, Hungary.
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