The fact is, it’s not easy to get a Canadian sized stroller into a Hungarian sized shop! That’s why I was wearing Sam in a baby backpack that day, 3 years ago, when we met Erika and her son Edu (left) in our corner grocery store. Erika approached me, pushing her son through the narrow aisles in a smaller, but still too-big-for-the-shop stroller, and hesitantly asked me about the backpack. It seemed like such an unimportant little encounter, but as is often God’s way, turned out to be a divine appointment! He had placed just the person He was preparing right in the middle of my path, and since that apparently wasn’t obvious enough for me, even prompted her to approach me and start what would be a very good friendship. That day we exchanged phone numbers and started meeting for weekly walks in the park. We have watched our boys grow up together, shared stories, birthdays and tears, asked each other for advice, and God has given me many opportunities to share my testimony of His goodness. Last year, shortly after I learned I was pregnant, Erika confided in me that she was pregnant too! It turned out that God had given us both babies, quite unexpectedly, and they were due on the exact same day! Apparently He has still more in mind for our friendship! This past September at the tender age of 3 our boys started ‘óvoda’ (Hungarian kindergarten) together. They are in the same class, and Erika has been such a blessing to me in helping me to understand all the ins and outs of Hungarian kindergarten, that I can’t imagine how I would have done it without her! During the past 3 years Erika began to attend her old church again regularly. Her marriage, which had been in serious danger, although still far from perfect, has recovered greatly. Most recently I talked with her about the ‘Mama-Baba Club’ that some of the OMS ladies feel God stirring us to begin, and her immediate enthusiasm surprised me! Since her baby was born, she has not been able to go to church. Her husband will not go with her, and does not want to keep both of the boys at home so that she can go. She told me excitedly about how much she has been ‘missing it’, and how much she would love to have a chance to talk about God and pray together! 
Erika is just one of several moms that God has brought to us, hungry for more of Him. Please pray for us as we make plans to start a Mama-Baba Club at the end of January. We have no experience with this kind of ministry, and yet God’s leading seems clear. I would so appreciate it if you would pray with us for God’s wisdom in how to best spend our time together, and how to logistically accommodate the moms and babies, while at the same time being able to have a short discussion, and prayer time. Pray also that the ladies leading the group would be united in heart and mind, and that our witness would be one that is pleasing to God. Thank you so much for sharing our burden and being part of this ministry through your prayers! I am excited to see what God will do!
