Budapest

Hey friends,

We're winding down to our final few days in Hungary before our term returns to the mother land of North America. It has been an amazing experience doing evangelism here and being able to worship God in public.

The evangelism ministry was led by three older men who I'm just compelled to tell you about. Terry from Nottingham England (like Robin Hood!) had tattoos all over his body and a testimony that would blow your mind; he sang old hymns and played the banjo (he is also a hired clown haha!). Sam from Alabama who used to be a womanizing, muscle car driving blues guitarist who also had a mind-blowing testimony; he played the blues songs and rewrote them towards hope in Christ. The last guy we worked with was Hungarian who didn't speak a spit of english and used to be a general in the Hungarian army! whaaat!? (The first time I shook his hand I thought he was going to crush it) These men inspired me soooo much and just showed me that God can redeem any life. They serve the Lord faithfully in this ministry and do it with joy.. ahhh they challenge me, I wish you could meet them.

At least 2-3 times a week we would head out with these crazy old men and set up a sound system in the middle of a metro station and just share the love of Christ through music, handing out tracks, sharing testimonies and preaching. I was able to teach the story of the Prodigals Son with a Hungarian translator on many occasions and just share about how we were created to be in relationship with our creator and that no matter what they've done Jesus is the only one who can bring freedom to their past and give them a hope and a future. Because we didn't speak Hungarian we weren't able have many quality conversations but I think just being a presence of hope and joy in a hopeless area was enough for God to work in their hearts. Many homeless people and prostitutes would just stand there and listen for hours while we would sing and speak of God's love for them, it was incredible to see their faces change from miserable to a smile. Although we didn't see firsthand, the Hungarian contacts we worked with were able to lead many to the Lord in these times.

I'm so blessed to have worked with the ministries here. Budapest is by no means an easy mission field. The more I see the world the more I am reminded of the call of Jesus for the lost. People need a hope, thats all I want to say.

Know that your life isn't small.

Blessed to be a blessing

Jeremy

Hungary

Yo Nappot from Budapest Hungary!

Our team has been here for just over a week now and are really enjoying our time here in Hungary. Like most European countries Hungary has an extensive history that shows itself through the immaculate architecture in buildings and the ripple effect that communism has left making people very orderly and reserved. It is considered rude to talk loud in public places especially on bus' or trains and very uncommon to see people smile. Because of their past failures in war and revolution it has produced in them a very fatalistic mentality that believes life is hard and that joy is an illusion. Most people here typically hate 'Hollywood happy ending movies' and would rather watch movies and read books where people die in the end.

This is their reality.

I had somewhat of a heated discussion with a Hungarian man during a time of evangelism who was intent on convincing me that God is a terrorist and takes pleasure in bringing judgement to us. He insisted that if I were truly a Christian that I shouldn't be playing music but should be providing for the poor . Generally I try to stray away from arguing with people who know they're right but I tried to explain that providing for the poor (without minimizing the importance of caring for the poor!) is only a temporary solution and that what people really need is the gospel message of hope and peace. Jesus didn't come to correct the peoples' physical problems but offered them something beyond their circumstances. After listening to this man rant and rage I was able to challenge him with one thing; I told him to genuinely ask God to show himself to him because I am convinced that when we open ourselves up to God he is more than willing to make himself known to us. I am praying for this man and for more of these type of experiences to share the TRUTH of who God is. Twice a week we've been setting up a sound system in the middle of the metro station and have been playing music, sharing testimonies and a short message. Tomorrow I will be sharing the story of the Prodigals son, portraying the beauty of salvation and forgiveness.

Please partner with me in prayer that God would be softening the hearts of the Hungarians.

Because His love is better then life

Jer

The Nazarite Vow - Dedication

Hey friends,

I'm coming up to my final two days in Spain until we fly over to Budapest Hungary where we'll be spending the remainder of our outreach phase. Spain has been a very different experience for me compared to previous mission trips I've been on but God has been using our team in many ways while we've been here. I knew before coming here that Christianity has become a thing of the past; most people had no idea what the meaning of Christmas even was. There is only one church in the entire city of Palamos (the area we've been living/focusing on) which only had four members so because of this we haven't had as much opportunity to lead worship in churches and teach but have been taking more of a pioneering approach to this ministry; praying, doing public worship concerts, opening the boat up to the public and building relationships trying to break the ground and create fertile soil for following missions work. We were able to travel one weekend to a church in another city and did a seminar on 'Worship' and lead worship for their church so that was great. A highlight for me was meeting two french men I was able to communicate with (Because I speak french!) and so I invited them on the boat where they ended up spending most of the day and late into the night just talking, eating and laughing. It was great having them exposed to the atmosphere of prayer and worship that was going on the boat during their visit. They continued to ask me "something is different about you people" and God just gave me so many open doors just to speak into their life. Just today three spanish guys came on the boat all high and drunk, I was able to grab another spanish speaker from the boat to translate for me and I got to pray for them and tell them about Jesus. I can tell you countless stories of just how God has been using us to draw people in and offer them a taste of his goodness. The boat has been a great tool for this! I know that if people just get a taste of Jesus they will be want more. We've just been creating opportunities where people can just get a live example of the love, peace and joy of Christ.

In my own personal bible studies God has led me this amazing part of the book of Numbers (Numbers 6) that talks about the Nazarite Vow. The thing about the Nazarite (the word Nazarite means dedication) is that this was someone who already had the responsibility of adhering to the strenuous practices of the law and the sacrificial system but wanted to go deeper with God in a special way. As an outer expression of their commitment as a Nazarite they were not to consume any product of the vine (wine, raisins, prunes..), they could not cut their hair and they couldn't be around dead bodies (the idolatrous Canaanite religions at that time had ceremonies with dead bodies). The main idea of all of this was to represent his self-denial and be a physical sign of his commitment to God. A couple of things I drew from this was that God does not want our dedication to him to be a secret but that He wants the world to recognize who we are. The other thing I learnt was that we can go as deep in our relationship with Him as we want. I think God has put the ball in our court and will meet us at whatever depth we are willing to go with him. Sometimes I find myself comparing with other Christians who are more or less dedicated to God; "As long as I am more spiritual then him'... but the reality is that people are not the standard, God's word is the standard. We've only begun to taste and see that the Lord is good yet so many of us decide at a certain point in our faith to just coast and stop growing in the Lord. There is soooo much more to explore and experience with God. Three years ago before I started to seriously pursue a life of faith I was a completely different person and I know this next year I will have continued to grow because I have just put myself in situations where God could grow me. I am so thankful that there is more! The Nazarite forces me to the question: Does the world see me as one whose life is dedicated to Christ? Is there ongoing growth in my walk with the Lord? Let me exhort us today to re-dedicate our lives to Him at the beginning of this year. God will meet you wherever you're at if you're teachable and open to the growth spurts along the way.

Know today that you can go as deep as you want with God. My prayer is that we the church would become New Testament Nazarites who are hungry for more of God.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Thanks for your continued prayers and I will let your know what is happening when we get to Hungary.

Much love and prayers

There is more!

Jer

Availability

Hey friends!

Living on a boat these last few weeks has been an awesome experience. This particular Next Wave boat that I've been living on is an ice breaker weighing at 190,000kilo’s. This means that unlike most boats that are made mostly out of wood the frame and base of this boat is composed of cast iron enabling it to travel through ice fields. Because of the weight of this boat it makes for a lot of back and forth motion in the dock which has taken some adjusting but we're all starting to get used to it. The heart of the Next Wave is to raise up, train, disciple, and release the ‘next wave’ of missionaries throughout the Mediterranian port cities of Europe.

Most of our time here in Spain has been spent docked in the harbor so we’ve only actually been out 12 miles at sea twice to empty the blackwater tank (pooptank!). It’s been fun to help the crew in the engine room, landing the boat, tying ropes and swabbing the deck. I feel like a true sailor! We’ve been living here with two other YWAM teams who are from Milan, Italy and another team from Harpendon England. Personally I have been inspired by these teams, each person here has a story to tell and a different perspective to bring. It is a privilege to be here serving the Lord with them in Spain.

God has been speaking to me through his Word in Acts 8:26-40 where the Spirit of God told Philip to travel to the desert outside Jerusalem. Without understanding why Philip went in obedience and was led to an Ethiopian man who was reading the book of Isaiah. The story is almost comedic when the Spirit told Philip to confront this man in his chariot and ask him if he understood what he was reading. “Excuse me sir, do you understand what you’re reading?” Interestingly enough, the man had no idea that what he was reading in Isaiah was a prophecy of Jesus. Through this little interaction Philip was able to share the good news, disciple and baptize the Ethiopian in a puddle on the side of the road. What this simple story teaches me is the importance of being available to God even when it seems abnormal. I’ve been confronted with the question ‘Will you available and flexible enough to hear God’s voice and to obey when he speaks?’. I have had times in the past where God has used my simple obedience to effect the life of another person and it has been amazing. The story reminds me that God is soooo concerned about people, he cares and wanted this Ethiopian man to hear the story about Jesus. It would have been a huge privilege for Philip to be used in this way.

In terms of ministry we’ve been able to connect with a church here and serve them through leading worship and having worship seminars for their worship teams. We will continue to serve this church while doing evangelism in our area around the dock. We have permission to play music publicly so we will be putting on worship concerts with the hopes that our Spanish speaking contacts will be able to share the good news with them. It is our teams belief that if we do the possible God will do the impossible. Please be praying that our small acts of service will have eternal repercussions.

Hope your Christmas was great and bless you and your family in the New Year.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Learning to be available

-Jer

If you feel called to support me financially please know that your donations can be given to Laureen Allert (Laureen@telus.net) who is my financial manager. Thanks for your partnership!

Check out Next Wave online

www.marinereachministries.com

Spain

Hey everyone,

Made it safely to Spain and am living on a sailboat with 'Next Wave' ministries; a ministry that sails all around the Mediterranean Sea to train and build up young men and woman to become leaders and missionaries all around the world. We have been able to do some evangelism on the streets, lead worship in spanish (this was an interesting experience..) and play some Christmas carols at an old folks home. The Spanish people are very resistant to the gospel as they have already heard the message and have denied it. Please pray for seeds to be planted and hearts to be softened that they would be able to see the gift of Jesus in this season.

Merry Christmas and thanks again for your continued prayers!

Because He came

-Jer

To know God with Passion and to make him known with Power

Hey Friends

I just thought I would update you on my current status here in Lakeside Montana. This coming Wednesday I will be heading out with 8 of my team members on a plane to Barcelona Spain where we will begin the first portion of our outreach. During this Christmas season our team will be available to lead a Christmas concert, teaching weekly seminars on worship, teaching, preaching and leading worship. Originally the plan was that we would spend a week in Spain and then sail to France but our contacts have changed our schedule (this is so like YWAM to do...) and now we will be in Spain for the entire month. Please pray for a quick adjustment and flexibility to Spanish culture as we have been spending the last couple months preparing for ministry in France. We're just trusting that God has something planned that our limited minds cant see so we want to be excited! In a part of Europe that is so burnt out on religion it is our hope to bring a real life example of the existence of Christ through how we serve. We want our lives to communicate the passionate love of God, that he is crazy about them and has a plan for their lives.

After this time in Spain we will be flying to Budapest Hungary and will be working with the YWAM base who is setting up a coffee bar ministry in the middle of the city. In a country that has the highest suicide rate in the world as well as the highest level of pornography produced it will be our goal to engage with the Hungarians in this coffee bar and be a shining example of the hope, joy and purpose that God has for their lives.

Thanks again for your partnership in this upcoming pilgrimage to the nations of Europe. I think it's awesome to know that we are on the same team for the Kingdom of God. Because Jesus came everything has changed. We have hope for a hopeless world whether it be in Canada or Hungary. Know today that you are part of something so much bigger.

Merry Christmas and blessings to you and your family.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Revelling in Him who loves me without condition

-Jer

He Came to Serve

He Came to Serve

Inspired by Mark 10:42-45, Philippians 2:1-11

Verse 1:

God of glory

Creator of the heavens and earth

King over all kings

Lord above all Lords

Verse 2:

Beautiful Father

giver of every good and perfect gift

you gave us everything you have

and restored us back to you

Pre-Chorus:

Your love reached down so low

Chorus:

And you humbled yourself

a picture of a servant

you spent your all that we would have all

Jesus, name above all names

Jesus, name above all names

You came to serve

Because of Christ

-Jer