Prior to World War II, ECM had full-time missionaries in Hungary, but currently have none. Our principal contact is through churches that were at one time connected with ECM and pastors who wish to retain links. ECM is working toward a full-time presence in the country again, but no definite plans have been formulated yet. Summer teams however, continue each year.

A testimony from Mike Gardener from Leeds, England, who went to Hungary to participate in English teaching in Tatabanya:

Application accepted! Joy! After three years of frustration, not being able to go for various reasons, at last it is now possible.

How do I prepare? What do I take? Or leave behind? As for the travelling itself, I am thankfully with someone who has gone before. But our baggage goes astray, together will all the teaching resources (not to mention clothes), only to be reunited with us two days later, on the very day that the teaching is due to start.

Thrown in at the deep end, it is sink or swim. I know no Hungarian but am to teach English to about a dozen Hungarians, of varying ages (16 ? 40+) who want to brush up on their skills. And Hungarians are unused to sharing openly in a teaching environment, so how do I handle this, Lord? Get them into small groups as much as possible and coax them out.

The programme involves pure English teaching in the mornings, and mild evangelism via the English medium in the afternoons involving singing, games and a talk. How will they respond? They thrive on the warmth and love clearly seen in the team, and find themselves opening up and not being offended by the Christian in put. Most return each day and on the last day share in a church service, followed by a buffet meal together. New relationships are forged for the small local church and lives are touched by the gospel. This is reward in itself.

Just one week, but a week never to be forgotten. Will I go back? Yes, please! But next time hopefully for a longer stint.