Ilona has been serving as a global mission worker in Romania since 1993 and Csaba since 1998. They both currently serve in the DIAKONIA, the Hungarian Reformed Church’s social action ministry in Transylvania (in north west Romania), which was founded in 2001.
Csaba is the coordinator of children’s and family ministry for socially disadvantaged children in seven villages in his home county of Salaj. His work involves administration, supporting and resourcing staff to enable them to minister to marginalised families through educational programmes and family support. Csaba works closely alongside local Reformed congregations and local councils in each village to bring the good news to needy families and help those living in poverty.
Ilona works as educator and family worker with a Roma community in the village of Méra. Her day to day work involves teaching in the afterschool programme, as well as adult literacy, family support, Bible teaching, women’s fellowship and evangelism.
For the past 18 years, Csaba and Ilona’s summer months have been spent organising and leading Bible camps, holiday bible clubs, evangelistic youth events and programmes, often partnered by teams from the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.
Prior to working in the Diakonia Csaba was the general secretary of the Hungarian Reformed Church’s youth board, and Ilona ministered at Aksza Centre for street children in the city of Cluj. Ilona grew up in Sloan Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn and Csaba in the Hungarian Reformed Church in his hometown of Zalau. Csaba and Ilona have two daughters in their late teens.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Csaba and Ilona have continued to serve in Romania and have adapted their work and witness to comply with local restrictions. Their work when restricted has included socially distanced visiting, online meetings and supporting children with home schooling by providing lap tops to some children who did not have one.
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the work of God through the Diakonia over the past 18 years, bringing help and dignity to needy communities across Transylvania through education, healthcare, community development and Bible teaching.
- Praise God for those Roma who have come to faith in Christ. Pray that they will grow in faith and be faithful witnesses to God’s power and grace, and that God’s kingdom would continue to spread among the Roma.
- Pray for Csaba and Ilona and the staff of the Diakonia, for teachers, social workers, educators who minister to the Roma communities daily. Ask God to bless their special skills and give them hearts of compassion and opportunities to share their faith in a clear and sensitive way.
- Pray too for the Veres family.
Csaba and Ilona have recorded two film clips (a short 3 minute clip and longer 15 minute clip) which can be downloaded and used in church services, prayer meetings or events to raise awareness and prayer for what God is doing across the world, as we seek to go deep and wide in global mission involvement.
(For previous Digital Dispatches video clips click here)
Latest Report
April 2024
Matthew 6, 13
...For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
In March we attended the national gypsy mission conference in Budapest with a group of 18 from Bodaszőlő. It was a great day of teaching on ’yours is the power’ and a challenge to submit to the power of God in our daily lives.
As we continue to build relationships with those from our mother church in Hajdúböszörmény, the church plant team and the folks in Bodaszőlő, we are thankful for caring team members. We are starting to feel at home in Bodaszőlő and are so thankful for our partners in the gypsy mission team who are encouraging and supportive.
In March church gathered in our rented property for Bible study on two occasions and twice for Sunday worship, with new people coming along and great opportunities for building friendships. As we look towards Easter, we plan extra services and an Easter messy church afternoon for children on Palm Sunday. Pray that God's living and active word would touch hearts.
In March our women’s group has been challenged by three Marys in the Easter story. On the second occasion, after bible study, the final hour was spent making pasta for needy families in the village. We give thanks especially for Marika who meets with Ilona to pray and plan the women’s group each week.
At the end of March we began hosting a course run by the National gypsy mission called ‘Together for the community’, looking at community development as an aspect of mission. We give thanks for the time of team building and the developing of our team focus.
Our team desire to show the love of Jesus in Bodaszőlő by organizing programs to help the community. One such program is our Silver Surfers internet club. In April with the help of the youth group from the Kalvin Square Reformed church in Hajduboszormeny we will hold individual personalized internet classes for elderly who request help with using the internet. Some have signed up to get familiar with email, or for online shopping, others to learn how to use messenger to contact their grandchildren. Pray this would be a good opportunity to connect and also pray with and for those who attend.
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for new friendships formed and building of relationships in Bodaszőlő with both the team and families and individuals.
- Give thanks for the Bodaszőlő group who attended the annual National Gypsy mission reunion in Budapest and the ‘together for the community’ course. Give thanks for an encouraging time of worship, prayer and celebration of what God is doing in Roma communities.
- Give thanks for the women attending the women’s group, pray the group would continue to be built up in the Word and find new ways to serve the community.
- Pray that God would prepare the hearts of those we meet in door-to-door visitation and family visits for deep conversations and an openness for the gospel.
To download a printable PDF of this bulletin or for a previous bulletin visit the Mission Reports listing at the top or the Global Mission monthly bulletin archive.