Earlier in September, I was in Hungary to teach a class on communications and writing prayer letters to a group of new recruits joining OM teams in Albania, Kosovo, Romania and Bosnia. It's always good to be reminded myself of the need to communicate with those "back home" who love, support and pray for me on this adventure to which the Lord has called me. So, here goes...

Getting "Hitched" in Hungary
On that same trip to Hungary, I needed to get the bi-annual car inspection of my Hungarian-registered Opel Astra. There weren't any "technical" reasons for the car not to pass, but only aesthetic reasons. You see, this summer I had our team mechanic remove the hitch on my car because I kept hitting things when backing up.
However, my original car papers indicated that a tow bar is on the car, so since it wasn't any longer, I had to get new car papers to indicate that it's beem removed. (I couldn't have Edwin put the tow bar back on because the car passed without the hitch! ARGH!)

I couldn't get the new car papers while I was in Hungary, so one of the Hungarian men from the OM team offered to take care of it for me.
He only had to wait all day at the "foreign drivers" office in Budapest to get them, but it did happen and I am eternally grateful for my Hungarian brother's help.

A Slower Travel Schedule
In my last newsletter, I mentioned my involvement in OM's Europe-wide communications effort. I am spending a lot of time on this work, which primarily means sitting at my computer and writing stories, answering e-mails, etc. The Europe communications group is responsible for producing a brochure and website, as well as putting together a Europe Presentation Team that will travel to Australia next April/May. I am involved in different aspects of all of these things, but am working with a team throughout Europe, so I am not carrying the burden alone.

Because of this work, as well as the other "hats" I wear for OM Central Europe (communications, recruiting, financial development), I have had fewer ministry trips this summer and early fall. It's been good to not travel as much, but I also miss interacting with the teams and people in Eastern Europe. My next two trips in November are for meetings -- Financial Development and OM Europe leaders. I am hopeful to work out a trip to Kosovo sometime before the weather gets bad and will likely visit the Hungary and Czech teams in late 2004.

I did spend two weeks in August in Holland representing the Central Europe teams at OM's new recruits conference. We had two Ukrainians, an Albanian and a Czech join OM this year to serve in different parts of the world, as well as two families and six singles joining OM's teams in Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Romania. I attended the conference to represent all of them and I really, really enjoyed that work! It was exciting to hear how the Lord brought each of them to serve in missions and especially exciting to see the four ladies that came from Eastern Europe countries to be missionaries outside their homelands! This is what worldwide, global mission is all about!
It's a privilege to be a small part of the picture and their lives.

A Restful Time in Croatia
Following the Holland conference, I took a mini-vacation by myself to Dubrovnik, Croatia. I have wanted to go there since coming to Europe and the Lord provided the opportunity, thanks to the generosity of some dear friends! At first, I was bummed to go alone, but as it turned out, I really needed the time alone and away to re-group, re- focus and be re-energized for my work and ministry in Central and Eastern Europe. I rented a room in a private home and had a terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea -- a great place for quiet time with the Lord, to read my Bible and just relax! I also got time at the beach to totally veg-out, which was great, despite the cloudy weather. If you ever have a chance to go to Dubrovnik..do it!

I've Moved...Again
I know, I know...you can't keep up with me between my travels and moves. My mom's response: "Becky, you and your moving!" For a lot of reasons, I moved back to Stockerau where the team is located and am living by myself once again. I loved living in Vienna (who wouldn't?) and having a roommate, but this moves means shorter commute, less money and more privacy. My new address is: Grunnergasse 2, 2000 Stockerau, Austria, 43-2266-72353 (home); 43-676-712-6311 (mobile).
E-mail address has stayed the same!!! (Does that count?)

Autumn has definitely come to Austria as the temperatures have dropped. The heat's on and warmer clothes are now hanging in the closet. Even as the seasons change, I rest in the fact that God doesn't change. He is consistent and constant; loving and forgiving; gracious and merciful; and offers true peace and freedom. I pray that you'll experience these things through God this Fall.

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5

Thanks for joining and participating with me on this journey...

Love,
Becky/Rebecca/Aunt Becky/BeckyB or as my family says...The Mish!

Prayer Points for Fall
1. I'm trying to get a story published outside OM. It's the one
about the Jorgensens, the grandparents of Cassie Bernall, the young girl killed at Columbine High School. Pray that I can find a "home"
for the story in the United States. (Praise for recent stories being published in OM magazines and Faith for Life, a Christian publication in Northern Ireland.)
2. Please pray for the new Leadership Group with the GE Team, my team
in Austria. The LG is Robert, Edwin, Simon and Steve.
3. Pray that the Lord would raise up more people to join OM
throughout Europe and especially in Central and Eastern Europe. :-).
4. Pray for someone to take on the Financial Development role for
Central Europe and thus, alleviate me of this responsibility and allow me to concentrate more on communications and recruiting.

P.S. Best wishes and much love to Mark and Abby Keelin, my nephew and "new" niece, who were married in August in Kentucky.