RSS Feed

‘Monthly Updates’ Category

  1. September Update: “Delight yourself in the Lord…” Psalm 37:4

    September 30, 2011 by Administrator

    Dear Family and Friends:

    Jesus Loves Me!

    This summer was packed with various ministry outreaches in Germany, Hungary, and Romania.  All along the way we got to make many new friends and have a lot of fun as we partnered with a number of teams and shared the Gospel through English Camps, Vacation Bible Schools, and other outreaches.  As we served with other missionary families and their kids, the Lord rejuvenated our family and reignited our calling to serve Him in family ministry.

    In the month of July our family traveled to Bucharest, Romania.  We had an amazing time serving with an after-school foundation program.  We got to share the Gospel in a powerful way to over 70 street kids in Romania through a week-long Vacation Bible School.  It was a wonderful adventure as the team traveled with the kids from Bucharest all the way over to the shores of the Black Sea in Constanta with fun activities and treasures throughout the journey.

    While our family was traveling to Bucharest, we were stopped on the road due to construction work.  Along the side of the road were some Romanian Nationals selling berries and various trinkets.  One lady in particular would not leave our window.  Since we didn’t have any Romanian currency with us yet, we knew we couldn’t give her what she wanted.  But we did have something that we could give to her that was far more valuable, a Gospel tract in Romanian.  So we handed it to her and began to pray over her in English.  After we prayed, the lady walked away with the tract, smiled, and kept saying in Romanian, “Thank you!”

    Treasure Cove, VBS Romania
    Pirates looking for the treasure
    VBS buddies!

    The last week of July we traveled south to Baja, Hungary.  We joined a team from California, and our family assisted with the English Clubs and Vacation Bible School.  We were also extremely honored to be able to serve in an evening concert with the Bill Drake Band from Operation Mobilization (OM).  Michael and several others used their artistic talents to transform a blank canvas into a stunning work of art.  The painting of the canvas was completed in front of the stage while the Gospel message was being shared through the music and dance.  By the end of the week, at least 26 of the kids accepted the Lord during the English Camps and Vacation Bible School, and many others came forward to receive Christ at the concert!  A youth group is now being held in Baja each Friday evening to continue to help these new believers to grow and stay strong in the Lord.

    Michael worshiping through art
    Decorating Bible bags with memory scripture
    VBS Worship

    We also celebrated two milestone birthdays this summer!  Megan turned sweet-16 and a week-and-a-half later, Michael turned from a youth to a teenager (13).  We were blessed to enjoy these special milestone events as a family.  Michael also participated in the Esztergom Kayaking Club. Every morning with his team-mates he would train on the Danube River.  He also participated and trained for several Kayaking races.

    Sweet 16!
    Happy 13th Birthday Michael
    Michael kayaking in a race

    The first week of August we drove to Weimar, Germany, where the kids attended their first Missionary Youth Conference.  They spent the entire week camping and enjoying the fellowship of other missionary youth from around Europe.  The daily activities included various games, worship, and a study of the life of Isaac.  Although the weather was cold and rainy during most of the week, and Michael was sick during four of the days, it was truly a blessing for them to be with the other missionary youth as they encouraged each other through their personal testimonies and missionary ventures.

    Camping buddies
    Germany Youth Conference

    The summer closed with an exciting new chapter being opened for our family.  We packed up everything in the home that we had been using for ministry for the past 6 years and traveled south to Vajta, Hungary.  Our family is now participating in the Missions Training Program (MTP) at the Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe (CCBCE) campus for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters.  We are currently living in family housing on campus, attend daily morning devotions with the student body, and also attend various Bible classes throughout the week.  Our main focus is our weekly Tuesday, Missions Leadership Class (MLC).  During this time of re-tooling, we look forward to re-equipping and renewing our spiritual lives as we seek the Lord and the next steps in our missionary journey.  As part of the MTP, our family will be participating in a 10-day outreach to Csantavir, Serbia where we will be given the opportunity to learn and experience different aspects of ministry to further equip us as we continue to serve in the mission field.

    View of Hungary, the bridge leading to Slovakia

    First short-term mission trip 2004- The Sharks

    2006 Missionary send off

    Kids' Club - Impacting Lives 2011

    Our hearts’ desire has been rooted in children’s ministry for over 20 years and God has truly been faithful in giving our family this desire through numerous opportunities here in Hungary and the surrounding nations.  Our family wishes to thank you for your partnership with us over the years!  Your continued prayers, encouraging emails and letters, care packages, and financial support have been a tremendous blessing and encouragement to our family.  We pray that the Lord will grant each of you the desires of your heart too (Psalm 37:4).

    May the Lord continue to bless you and may He shine His face upon you,

    With all our love,


    Sam, Michelle, Megan, and Michael

    Category Monthly Updates | Tags: | No Comments

  2. August Update: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jerm. 33:3

    August 15, 2011 by Administrator

    Thank you so much for praying for our family as we were in the process of transitioning in ministry since March.  As we reported, during this time, the Lord opened the door for us to volunteer with the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Budapest base.  The Lord blessed our relationships with the YWAM staff very quickly, which resulted in a special unity bond and we are blessed to come along side of them and serve and will continue as the Lord directs.  Just within the past few weeks, the Leadership of Calvary Chapel Hungary presented our sending church, Calvary Chapel of Fredericksburg with yet another transition opportunity.  Through much prayer, and seeking council, the leadership of Calvary Chapel has opened the opportunity for our family to attend the upcoming fall and spring semesters in Vajta, Hungary as Bible College students in the Missions Training Program.  We will be responsible to cover all tuition and outreach costs through our current missions support.

    As we walk in obedience in this reassignment, please join us in prayer for smooth transitions for our family. During ministry transitions it is our goal to seek the Lord and wait upon Him for a new fresh perspective with clear direction.

    We wish to extend our deepest thanks for your partnering together with us through this missionary journey the Lord has called each of us.  We look forward to what the Lord has in store for our family during the upcoming fall months.  Many of you have asked us how you can help us during this ministry reassignment.  We are in need of financial help to offset the monthly tuition and outreach fees.  Would you please prayerfully consider making a charitable donation to help offset the cost of the Missions Training Program.  This would be a tremendous blessing to us as we continue in expanding the mission work the Lord started in Hungary.  This ministry would not be possible without the prayers and financial support of individuals like you.  If you would like to sign up now to become a new monthly ministry partner or would like to increase your support, please click the “Donate” button located on the page or find the information needed to mail a check. We will keep you updated through our weekly prayer requests which are posted on www.sgwm.com.  If you are not already signed up to receive them, and would like to, please go to our blog site at www.sgwm.com/mccartney and to the right of the page fill in the requested information.  It will be processed by the SGWM staff, and you will soon be receiving those updates automatically.

    As we step out in faith, we pray our lives will always remain a reflection of great and unsearchable things we did not know because we called upon the Lord.

    With our love and deepest appreciation,

    Sam, Michelle, Megan and Michael

    Category Monthly Updates | Tags: | No Comments

  3. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” July Updates

    July 7, 2011 by Administrator

    Summer greetings from Esztergom, Hungary!  Thank you so much for your encouraging emails, phone calls, and letters during our ministry transition! Thank you for praying that the established ministry of Kids’ Club would flourish under the leadership of the nationals.   It has been remarkable to see the work of the Lord continuing in the hearts’ of these kids.

    During the month of June, our family began volunteering with the YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Budapest team at the refugee camp located about 30 minutes outside of Budapest.  It has been moving to witness with each visit that lives are being effective because of personal relationships that are being established.  The last time we visited the camp, as soon as the kids saw the van passing through the security gates, they eagerly greeted us with huge smiles and excited voices, “We have been waiting for you…we missed you!”  It certainly puts into perspective that the short time spent with these families is already making an impact.  During our visits, we have an opportunity to meet new families and listen to their stories, play various games with the kids which include drawing on the sidewalk, playing soccer, baseball, and also games with using a parachute.  Just before our departure, we enjoy sharing homemade cookies, drinks, and banjo or guitar entertainment with the families.

    During the second week of June Sam drove the team of eight from Calvary Chapel Vac, Hungary to Bristisa, Romania for a week long outreach.  During the eight hour drive, the team drove to the eastern part of Romania through beautiful farmlands.  It was common to see men and women working in the fields using horses to pull their wagons full of hand gathered hay loaded with pitch forks.  It brought back memories for Sam from when he was younger and used to work the hay fields in a similar fashion.   Once the team arrived in Bristisa, they got acquainted with the ministry house and were better able to access the work they would need to accomplish during their stay.  The teams were divided among several rooms, and slept on the floor in their sleeping bags.   During the week the team repainted the kitchen, and completely replaced the water damaged floor.  In addition, Sam was also able to replace several electrical outlets.   The team held a two day Vacation Bible School for the local church. Many kids from the local foster home and community joined in playing games, listened to acted out Bible stories, and enjoyed getting their faces painted with thrilling designs.   The entire team returned to Hungary forever changed for sharing the love of Christ, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15.

    We look forward to what the Lord has in store for our family during the summer month ministry opportunities.  Many of you have asked us how you can help us during this ministry transition.  First, we ask you to continue to pray that our family continues to use our feet to bring the Good News to so many who need to know Jesus!  Secondly, we are half way through 2011, would you please prayerfully consider making a charitable donation to the Missions work going on in Hungary.  This would be a tremendous blessing to us as we are in need of additional funds to help offset the weekly increase in traveling back and forth to Budapest until the Lord provides the direction of our relocation.  This ministry would not be possible without the prayers and financial support of individuals like you.  If you would like to sign up now to become a new monthly ministry partner or would like to increase your support, please click the “Donate” button located on the page or find the information needed to mail a check.

    We give God praise for all your prayers and support that have made it possible for us to serve here in Hungary.  Your faithfulness continues to impact many lives for His Kingdom!

    May the Lord continue to richly bless you!

    The McCartney Family

    Category Monthly Updates | Tags: | No Comments

Older Entries
Newer Entries