Andris and Angie Bartos
Quarterly Newsletter

serving in Tóalmás, Hungary
with Word of Life Fellowship

Issue 11, Christmas 2005

Praise and Prayer

1. Praise the Lord for giving Angie a smooth pregnancy so far.
2. Pray that we can reach a fair settlement with the insurance company after the break-in on the castle property. Pray for wisdom as we handle all the remaining details.
3. Praise the Lord for a great summer staff get-together. Pray for these young people as they strive to stand firm for God in their homes and schools.
4. Praise the Lord for the great opportunities that Christmas has given us to reach out to the community. Pray that the message proclaimed would change lives for eternity.
5. Praise the Lord for a great year!

How to support the ministry

1. Through prayer: An effective ministry is dependant upon fervent prayer! If you would like to receive our quarterly updates by mail and/or email, either click here to sign up or contact us by email.
2. Through finances: Financial support can be sent to the Mission Board address in the footer below made payable to Word of Life Fellowship and including "Bartos Support" in the memo section. Online donations can be made by visiting www.wol.org/giving. Under "Optional Information" please specify your donation to "Bartos Support".

Warm Christmas Greetings!!

After a few beautiful days of snowfall in mid-November, sitting around the fireplace in our new home was truly sensational! The snow has since melted, leaving us hoping for a white Christmas. But whether white or not, we look forward to a special time of celebrating our Saviors birth.

Pregnancy has been good to Angie. December is her fifth month and she has yet to experience any morning sickness. Her strongest symptoms have been exhaustion and hunger… both easily remedied. Last month we stood in awe as we watched our little baby sucking his thumb and listened to his little heartbeat. Afterward we marveled at God's amazing creation. How is it possible that anyone could see such a sight and believe that it could have all happened without a brilliant designer?… it would take more faith than we can fathom.

right: The Word of Life Hungary staff team.

Those who receive our e-mail updates know that one night in September Word of Life Hungary experienced a massive break-in. The thieves broke into two offices on the castle property, as well as into our maintenance building and another tool storage room. Virtually all of our hand and power tools were taken, as well as several laptops and computer equipment… we figured a loss of over $20,000. We still do not know what kind of insurance settlement we can expect. Once again we are reminded that we are in the crossfire of a spiritual battle, but we know that we are on the Victor's side. We thank all of you who have been praying for this situation, and ask you to continue to pray as we try to recover from this financial blow.

In the midst of these battles, though, we experience great blessings in the ministry. In late November we spent a great day with the summer helpers and counselors. Each winter we organize a get-together for all those who served in the camp. It was a great day to reunite and to encourage these terrific young people. Our field director, Al Konya, gave an encouraging message and everyone enjoyed pizza for lunch. Many of these young people are the only believers in their family. Please pray for them as they strive to stand firm for God in their homes and schools.

Christmas has given us several great opportunities to reach out to the community. We had our annual staff Christmas Banquet, at which the mayor and his wife, the town doctor, and several other families from Tóalmás and the surrounding villages heard a clear presentation of the gospel, in addition to a beautiful mini-Christmas Concert. We also organized a Christmas Concert in the Culture House for the town to enjoy. Lajos Madarász gave a great message, and members of the staff families performed beautifully. We also had a wonderful opportunity to present a Christmas production at the public school in the neighboring village. It involved games, skits, puppets, and Andris had a half-hour to give a message on the true meaning of Christmas. The Tóalmás kindergarden also invited our staff to give a Christmas presentation to the children. We praise the Lord for these great opportunities, and pray that as our community reflects on Christmas, that Christ would shine through and hearts would be open to accept his Gift of grace and eternal life!

As Christmas draws near and we recollect all the blessings we've experienced recently, we are filled with thanksgiving. We thank you for your love, friendship and faithfulness to us over the years. This Christmas season and all year through, may you relish in the love of the One who came to this earth, wrapped himself in our wounded flesh, and saved us with His precious blood.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14