December rings in the Christmas season here in Hungary, too, but in some different ways.

In churches at home, we light the advent candles each Sunday. Here in eastern Hungary, every family has their own advent wreath. In the schools, even the classes have their own wreaths! I attended the advent ceremony at the upper elementary Téglás. Pastor Csaba from the local Baptist congregation and the church praise band led the ceremony and blessing for the coming of Jesus.

Santa Claus is quite different! Miklós (Nicholas) comes on December 6, filling the boots of good children with candy and small toys. In the schools, Miklós visits each classroom, and the students recite poems and receive candy. Oddly enough, pretty girls in devil costumes accompany him, giving switches to the bad students! Doesn’t seem like a deterrent to bad behavior, does it? Santa and his elves are then put away for the year, because Little Baby Jesus and the angels bring presents on the 25th.

While I was enjoying these activities in the schools, your missionary Larry was hard at work in Serbia. He has gone every other week since September, first working with the refugees then serving a local Baptist congregation. At the request of pastor, Zoltán Nyúl, Larry spent the last two visits chopping firewood for his needy members. He bought the church a new chainsaw and set out to hurt his helpers with his fast pace! He had the joy of delivering loads of firewood, being welcomed into modest homes, receiving hugs, kisses and much Serbian gratitude. One elderly woman he served retired from a nursing home yet still cares for disabled in her community. Margit watched Larry like a hawk, to be sure he cut as she directed! He said she reminded him of his mom, and he had a great time working for her. Please pray for our sister Margit as she continues to serve, as many of you do, as long as she is able.

One family invited Larry to a pig butchering! Again he had a wonderful time, joining the community to work hard to produce their own delicious food. From oink to sausage, Larry helped and answered questions about life in America (You’ve never butchered a pig? You don’t have a garden?? How do you live?) AND many religious questions. Please pray for these who opened their home, shared their tradition and are seeking answers. Pray also for the economic situation in Serbia; our brothers live with 50% youth unemployment, and many folks lost their pensions as factories shut down.

Larry looks forward to continue his work with the Serbian church. Unfortunately, the work with the refugees is slowing. Larger agencies like the UN and Red Cross have taken over the operation of the camps, making it harder for the small private and religious groups to help. The refugee crisis is still a reality; please pray God continues to give us the grace to witness to these migrants who come from places where missionaries are not welcome. For such a time as this the church has a beautiful opportunity.

Perhaps the most exciting thing for us right now is the anticipation of going home for Christmas. We are incredibly grateful to our partners, Hungarian Baptist Aid, who made this trip possible, and we are so thankful for our American partners—YOU—who help us continue serving.  We begin our journey home December 16. Please pray for our witness to our fellow travelers who are seeking the baby in the manger.