It's finally Springtime in Europe, which is a welcomed relief!
However, last night I was in Vienna and wearing my heavy winter coat, gloves and a hat and was still cold, so the cold weather isn't gone yet.

In my last update, I shared a story that I had written about a hearing clinic in Albania and it has received much attention and publication. Thank you for those that prayed! The story has generated support and interest for the hearing clinic from different parts of the world and that is exciting. If you receive InDeed, OM USA's publication, you'll find a couple of stories that I wrote about our teams in Bosnia and Albania.

Passover Dinner Guests?
I was walking back to my apartment on a recent cool, crisp evening after making a visit to the bank to withdraw Euros, which is still "thumping" the US dollar. As I edged closer to my apartment, I realized there was a group of about 15 people -- from children to grandparents -- standing in front of my apartment building door.
They were all dressed very nicely and as I got closer, I could hear them speaking English, but with a bit of an accent. I asked if they needed help and as soon as one of the older women responded, I knew they were from the US...more specifically, I guessed, New York City.
Sure enough, this New York Jewish family was on vacation in Europe and were trying to find the apartment for their Passover dinner engagement.

I asked my new friends what address they were looking for and before they answered, one of the men asked me what apartment I lived in.
When I said "number 8," he responded, "that's the one we're looking for," which I thought was curious since I hadn't remembered inviting
15 Jewish people over for dinner! (The best I could come up with on such short notice was peanut butter sandwiches!) Come to find out, they were looking for Libby Gruzman, the sister of their rabbi in New York who had invited them for a Passover dinner. The older grandfather of the group asked me, "do you know any orthodox jews in this building." I didn't, I responded. "Do you know what they look like?" he said, and then went on to explain that they'd be wearing a prayer cap, etc. Then the ladies started bombarding me with
questions: what was I doing here in Europe? did I think they were at the wrong place? could I recommend a good restaurant? where do they get a taxi back to their hotel? etc., etc.

There was little I could help them with as the men were frantically trying to find Libby Gruzman, so I invited the women, children and grandparents to come inside and get out of the cold. They just entered the apartment foyer and we chatted for a few minutes and then one of the men yelled "we found her." One of the women kept saying, "Thank gawd we found you, Rebecca," in a very typical New York accent, which made me laugh because I didn't do anything to help them really. We said our "shaloms" and parted and I went up to my apartment with a smile on my face and thanked God for that wonderful surprise meeting!!

Recent/Upcoming Travels
I have been to Hungary on two different trips in March/early April, having just returned from the second trip on April 6. There are a lot of exciting things happening with the OM Hungary ministry and I'm happy to be a part of that again. I will be writing and producing English newsletters for the team this year, as well as producing their Hungarian newsletter. Oddly enough, they haven't asked me to write the Hungarian stories, which I'm not taking personally!!!

The team's newest ministry is one on wheels. They have converted an old circus trailer into a mobile ministry vehicle, complete with Christian literature, as well as offering a variety of ministry activities. The team will be travelling to Hungarian villages and towns to help the local churches there with teaching, Bible study, children's programs, literature distribution and developing friendships. The aim of Operation Village Mission (OVM) is to help support and strengthen Hungarian churches/fellowships in a variety of unique and creative ways. Each visit that the OVM team makes will be as varied as the towns and villages. Hungarian churches are very open and wanting this type of help from OM, so this is an exciting opportunity.

The beginning stages of the OVM ministry started when I was still on the OM Hungary team, so it was very exciting for me to go with the team this past weekend on their first outreach. My role, of course, was to take pictures and write a story, which hopefully will be on the OM web site for you to read.

Later this month (18-22 April), I will be visiting with the Czech Republic team to help them in a variety of communications, recruiting and financial development ways. I always look forward to spending time with my Czech brothers and sisters.

I am very excited about my upcoming trip to Ukraine (May 8-16). I will be travelling with the grandparents of Cassie Bernall, the 17- year-old girl killed during Columbine High School shootings in April 1999. The Jorgensons, Cassie's grandparents, travel throughout the US and Europe to talk with high school-age students about guns and violence in the schools and share Cassie's story. Many of you may remember that Cassie was killed at Columbine when asked by one of the killers if she believed in God. When she answered "yes," she was shot dead. Her life and death have touched many people and I think it's a great privilege to be able to travel with her grandparents and write a story about their ministry. The OM connection is that we have translated into Ukrainian and produced "She Said Yes," the book that Cassie's mother wrote. This book has had great influence and impact in the lives of young Ukrainians, so this trip will be a great blessing to me, I'm sure.

As we approach Easter this weekend, my prayer for you and me is that we experience the life of Christ every day in our own lives...not just on Easter Sunday, but on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... It is privilege to walk this road with the Lord and to see Him work in my life and in many, many lives in this part of the world. You are a big part of that through your prayers, support, friendship and encouragement! May the Lord bless you abundantly in return!!

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

With much love,
Becky/Rebecca/BeckyB/B/Aunt Becky/Favorite #4 Daughter

"Jesus said, 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33

Prayer Points:
1. For safety and good health in my upcoming travels. I will drive
to the Czech Republic and fly to Ukraine, but will be travelling by van throughout the country during my time there.
2. Please pray for the ministry of OM Hungary's OVM -- for additional
personnel to join the team; for good relationships with church leaders; and for effective ministry to churches throughout Hungary.
3. Pray that the communications I produce for the OM teams in
Hungary, Czech and Ukraine will be creative, effective and have impact for the teams.
4. Pray that I would be wise and disciplined in my work time,
especially with so many trips and many stories to produce following these trips.

If you're still reading this...thanks :-)!!! That's all for now, I promise.