January 2008

Dear Prayer Partners,

The beginning of the year is a good time for us to look back at God’s blessing in our lives during 2007 and to look ahead to 2008.  We are especially grateful to you for supporting our ministry with prayer and financial gifts. 

During this past year we made a transition in our ministry which necessitated our move to the city of Nove Zamky.  We now work directly with a church planter who desires to start a church for the Hungarian speaking people in this area.  Although the work is progressing slowly, we are challenged and encouraged by the zeal and vision of those involved in the church plant.  Our family is working mainly with outreach by teaching English classes and helping with weekly teen activities.  We enjoyed hosting a Christmas party at our house for all those involved in the English classes, the majority of whom are unbelievers.  We also had a time of fellowship here in our home on New Year’s Eve for all those involved in the church.  We thank the Lord for giving us a house that we can use for ministry.

For over two years, our team has dreamed, prayed, and planned for a way to offer theological education and practical ministry training to any believer who desires to grow spiritually and develop skills for ministry.  This fall our team held two sessions of Vzdelavanie na Ceste (Training on the Way).  Jerry taught “Introduction to Biblical Counseling” in Lucenec and in Poprad.  We continue to receive good comments and are preparing for the next session.

On the personal side, we are thankful our family is back together after Susan’s time in South Carolina.  Susan’s mother is still recovering from the harsh effects of the radiation treatments and will have tests within the next few weeks that will show how successful the treatments were.  Allison was recently accepted at two universities.  Now all she has to do is decide which one she will go to and keep filling out those scholarship and financial aid applications.

We ask you to join us in prayer concerning the following:

1. Pray that we will be faithful to share God’s message of hope with those around us.
2. Pray for personal encouragement and financial support for our national partners, Pal and Zuzka.  They are expecting their second child this summer.  Pray for Pal as he leads the church plant.
3. Pray for our English classes as they resume in mid January.  We will also begin weekly adult classes in the nearby village of Nesvady next week, working with the church there.  Pray that relationships made will lead to opportunities for the gospel.
4. Pray for the next session of VnC which will be February 2^nd - 3^rd.  This time Jerry will teach in Bratislava. 
5. Pray for peace and comfort for Susan’s family as her mother has tests to determine if the cancer was stopped.
6. Pray for Allison to be sensitive to God’s leading as she chooses a college.

Thanks again for your support of our ministry.  Please let us know how we can pray for you.  You may email Jerry at jerryhamann@gmail.com or Susan at susaninsk@gmail.com.

Jerry, Susan, Allison, and Anna Hamann