Hitchman News August 2025

Hitchman News
August 2025 ... A Big Step Forward!

We’re excited to share that we’ve finally received permission to use The Old House (Paraszt Haz) for its full purpose in ministry! This has been a long time coming, and while there were quite a few hoops to jump through (including the need to lower the living room floor), we did it! While this has caused some extra work to be put on the list, this marks a significant breakthrough. We’re so thankful for this step forward and all it means for future ministry possibilities. Next steps will involve reinstating the living room floor, with the proper insulation layers, and then that brings us to the final step, adding a bed and sofa.

You can see from the first photo below that this recent work looks like a big step backwards, however, now having the correct permissions means that the building can be used for its intended purpose. Hopefully, we will soon get this room looking more like it was before. Once completed this property will be available for rest, recouperation and ministry for those in Christian ministry including events such as missionary debriefing.

Ministry Update

One of our favourite parts of ministry lately has been working with couples, helping them prepare for their marriage. It’s such a privilege to walk alongside them during this formative time and invest in building strong foundations that they can build their life together upon. Of course, we’ve also been working with couples who need healing and restoration in their relationships. Please keep praying for breakthrough for those we are ministering to.

We also recently attended a graduation ceremony for one of the international students. It is amazing how quickly the last 3 years have passed. These moments are always bittersweet - so many of our students are reaching the end of their season here in Hungary and making plans for what’s next. We’re praying for wisdom as they step into the next chapter of their lives. Over the years of their study we have encouraged them to invite the Lord into their planning, to allow the Lord to illuminate their path and guide their steps. Our prayer is that they will continue to do this, wherever the next chapter takes them. We are also praying for those staying behind: that they would be strengthened, encouraged and feel a deep sense of Christian community, especially as we prepare to welcome the new student intake. Some of the new intakes are awaiting visa notifications, please pray they will be granted them.

Family News

On the home front, we’re really enjoying this new season as grandparents, and the Maeve moments made possible because of the internet. At the same time, we’re grateful that Lainey’s Dad and Mum have carers beside them as Dad faces ongoing health struggles. Your prayers for strength for them both are very much appreciated. We’re also looking forward to a very special milestone: celebrating Lainey’s parents’ 60th wedding anniversary this month! What a legacy of love and faithfulness. We’re incredibly thankful that we will be able to fly back to mark this occasion together as a family.

Please Pray For:

Praise God for the breakthrough with the Old House
Pray for the new flooring project in the living room to go smoothly and affordably.
Please pray for the couples about to embark on their marriage journey and for those who need healing and restoration. We’d appreciate prayer for wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit as we journey with them.
Pray for the students - those leaving, those staying and those arriving & for visas to be granted
Continued strength for Dad and Mum, and that we’ll have a blessed time together in August, celebrating their anniversary

We deeply appreciate all the love and support that you have given us in this last year. We know that we would not be able to do what we have been called to do without your partnership.