July 2010
Johnsons
Family Ministry Update
round our home church, my Mom, Sammie Johnson,
A has come to be known as the “Miracle Lady.” Diag-
nosed with Stage 4 liver cancer derived from an ovarian
tumor, Mom was told that she had between 4 and 12
months to live. The prospects were very bleak. Surgery and
chemotherapy, she was advised, might extend her life mini-
mally, but decrease the quality of her remaining days dras-
tically. The diagnosis was shocking and as dire as one
could imagine.
Hundreds of people
began praying for
Mom. She herself
embarked on a mis-
sion to give honor
and praise to God
for what He was do-
ing in her life. She
told the Lord, “God,
if this is what you want to do in my life, if this is your will for
my life, then I’m going to praise you for it.” August 13th will
mark the one-year anniversary of Mom’s diagnosis. Since
that time, Mom has shown no symptoms of the cancer still
present in her body. She’s lived to see her 70th birthday
and to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with 140
friends on June 11th. During a recent routine blood screen-
ing as part of the follow-up to her kidney cancer surgery 6
years ago, the doctor was shocked to she that her readings
were practically normal. So he ordered additional and
highly sensitive tests on her liver. That also showed that her
counts were within the normal range. Needless to say,
we’re ecstatic and filled with gratitude that God has chosen
to extend Mom’s life. We prayed for a miracle and God has
shown His miraculous power once again. I’m ashamed that
I seem a bit surprised. Oh, me of little faith! You can watch
Mom’s testimony in her own words on our blog:
johnsonfamilyhungary.blogspot.com.
uring these same months, however, we’ve been en-
D gaged in another struggle related to Debbie’s health.
Since gall bladder surgery nearly 6 years ago, Debbie has
Field Address USA Address
Tóth Ilona utca 4. 621 Autumn Drive
2049 Diósd, HUNGARY Harrisburg, NC 28075
+36 23 370-018 704.455.4563 home
chrisjohnson@abwe.cc 704.453.1770 mobile
johnsonfamilyhungary.blogspot.com
the
Hungary
had chronic abdominal pain. That pain has increased
through the years and become nearly debilitating. Recently
we found a gastro specialist in Charleston, SC who per-
forms a unique surgery related to these issues. Just last
week, Debbie underwent her third laparoscopic surgery in
the last 4 months. It will be several weeks before we know
if the surgery was indeed successful. Thanks for praying
with us that Deb will finally get some relief from the chronic
pain she’s been living with for these years. I would love
nothing more than to take a healthy wife back to Budapest!
Financial Update
ortunately, our medical insurance pays practically
F 100% of surgeries and hospital stays allowing Debbie
to get excellent care during this period of time. Still, we’ve
been left with huge out-of-pocket expenses because our
Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage does not include office
visits, prescriptions, well-care, vision nor dental. Brianna
and I have also had our share of doctor’s visits. The bills
are still coming in, but to date, we have been charged
$5000 in non-covered expenses in the last 10 months
since we’ve been in the US.
Many of you have encouraged us time and again over these
last 19 years with your prayers and financial gifts. If you are
able to make a special donation of any amount to our min-
istry at this time, it would not only be a great encourage-
ment to us, it will literally make it possible for us to return to
Hungary on August 17th as we so desire. We have 3 areas
of financial need for your prayer and consideration:
We MUST raise this
Monthly Support $250/mth before we can return!
Non-covered Need in the next 60
$5000
Medical Expenses days.
2006-2010
$15,900 Need by January 2011
Support Shortfall
The weak US Dollar and high inflation rates in recent years
have combined to become a powerful “one-two punch” on
our financial health. Today, $1 can only purchase 50 cents
Financial Support Address
ABWE Finance Department
P.O. Box 8585
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585
Account # 11064
www.abwe.org/give
 worth of the same goods and services as it did in 2000.
We simply have not been able to raise new support fast
enough to keep pace with these rapidly-changing economic
factors. Since 2006, we’ve had a shortfall of at least
$15,900. Donations to our ministry account have been
about $4000 per year short of our actual expenses. We
desperately need to erase this red ink as soon as possible.
Please use the enclosed slip with your gift and designate
which area of financial need you wish to help us with at this
time.

What’s $1 Worth in Hungary?

Currently, Debbie and I lead a small team of ABWE mission-

Ministry Update
ncredibly, God has permitted each of us to invest in His
Iroles,
Harvest and to play equally important, though different
according to each of our gifts and calling. As we part-
ner together in this way, sinners find grace, lives are
changed, families are restored and churches are estab-
lished.
Less than 1% of Hungarians can be considered “born-again
believers.” The spiritual climate in Hungary as in the rest of
Europe is characterized by skepticism and apathy, but the
seed of the Gospel still finds root in this barren soil. Along
with our other ABWE missionary colleagues, we’ve been
directly involved in partnering with Hungarians to establish
8 brand new churches. All but one of those is located in
greater Budapest and of those, one is an English-speaking
church targeting the large international expatriate commu-
nity in Budapest. The map shows the locations of that fel-
lowship and the other 6 new churches we as a mission have
been directly involved in planting since 1992. We’ve also
helped strengthen 2 existing Baptist churches (indicated by
the larger circles) who have “birthed” daughter church
plants.
aries (Kevin & Joy Phillips and Ruth Rust). Right now, we
are focusing our efforts among the new church plants and
one 75-year-old Baptist church located in the white circle
on the map. The pastors and leaders of these congrega-
tions have come together in an informal fellowship of en-
couragement, accountability and partnership in reaching
the suburbs of southwest Budapest with the Gospel. For
the past 3 years, these fellowships have organized a joint
worship service in November. This year nearly 400 people
gathered in a local community center. When you realize
that 4 of these 6 churches weren’t even in existence 10
years ago, it’s a joy to see what God has been pleased to do
in bringing men, women, teenagers and children to Himself
and into His Body and then granting us the privilege to par-
ticipate in the process.
hank you for “holding the rope” for us all these years.
T Once again, we’re ready to descend into the spiritual
darkness found in Europe. More than ever, we need the
assurance of your firm grip on the rope through your prayers
and financial support. Please let us hear from you soon!
Thanks so much!
Ministry Objective
To partner with Hungarians to facilitate a movement of
relevant, rapidly-reproducing New Testament churches
within the borders of Hungary and beyond.

ABWE Hungary Team Diósd Church Plant 2007 Fellowship of Pastors Joint Worship Service