Conversation class

Today was interesting in my 11th grade bilingual class. I asked them what is up in the Hungarian news and they told me about the latest "incident" in the city of Vesprem, which is about 3 hours away. Mind you, this is from my students, so it's not official, but still kinda disturbing news.

Apparently, members of the Romanian men's handball team had gone out to celebrate one of their members' wives' just having had a baby boy. They were at a local restaurant in Vesprem, Hungary, when a group of gypsy men began causing a bit of a problem. The waitress tried to get this group to leave when they turned on her and began beating her. These handball players began to intervene on the woman's behalf and in doing so suffered tremendously. One of the Romanian men was killed and another man lost his kidney in the brawl.

Let me explain...for decades there have been tensions in this country between different ethnic groups, much like we have also experience in the U.S. down through our history. The challenges are great (as they are in any country) and are now compounded by economic stresses (as they are in every country!). Needless to say, the above incident has ignited tremendous anger, threats which appear to be very frightening, and rumors that Hungary could be headed for civil war are apparently bubbling up.

Why do I share this on my blog? To ask those out there who are believers in Jesus Christ to pray for this nation. Pray for God to break in and change people's hearts because I do not believe that political changes will change people's hearts...only the God of the universe can change people's hearts. There is much fear, anger, frustration, misunderstanding, and lying going on....note none of these are even close to fruits of the Holy Spirit, but instead reek of enemy tactics to undermine this nation and its people. I pray the forgiveness of God will invade people's hearts that they might first come to know Jesus as their personal savior and Lord and second, the forgiveness that only He can give them for others. Indeed, it will take a miracle...just as it takes a miracle in each person's life for that person to turn to the Lord!

Father have mercy, first on me, and then beyond to all those around me, in Jesus' name, amen!