Roy and Lainey Hitchman

Hitchman News
March 2026... Good news from the Parasztház (farmhouse).

A house in need of restoration... to become a place of restoration.

Many of you have followed us on the journey of the restoration of the Parasztház, with all its ups and downs. We have been celebrating the wonderful news that we finally have the official permissions for the Parasztház to be used as accommodation. Although we already thought this was complete, we encountered a bit of a detour with a land survey and jump through the hoop of getting the land surveyed and resubmitting the application. It’s been a bit of a trek through the paperwork and bureaucracy, but having that final stamp of approval feels like a significant green light for the ministry ahead. While we had been able to use it for student ministry before, we can now utilise it fully for its intended purpose!

We’ve always been conscious that this has never been a simple renovation project, but a prayerful preparation of a place of restoration. A space where couples can step away from the noise, gain perspective, and see their marriages restored. A place of retreat, debrief and rest.

The Parasztház - a place of restoration

As we have worked through the restoration process, God has taught us a lot about his heart for restoration.

Restoration = Healing: אֲרוּכָה (ʾărûkâ)

This type of healing doesn’t just refer to a structure; it can also refer to the body or even an entire community. We are praying that God will use this place as a place of healing for those who come, and that it will also reach our local community. The word paints a picture of a wound being knit together or a breach closed. For many couples who come and have significant wounds and distance between them, it is wonderful to know that God’s plan isn’t simply to bring relief but wholeness.

Restoration = Return / turn back שׁוּב (Shub)

The Snug

Learning how to use cob and lime plaster reminded us that there are times when we need to remember ‘the old ways.’ Biblical principles provide the Godly wisdom necessary to restore the precious people God brings our way.

Restoration = repair and renewal חָדַשׁ (ḥāḏaš)

This word speaks of God’s power to restore something to its intended purpose or vigour; its meaning is broad, but it also encompasses the inner life of an individual. Our passion is to see those who are burnt out renewed, so they can fulfil God's purposes.

The Kitchen

Moving from Hebrew to Greek, another word for "restore" is ἀποκαθιστάνω (apokathistémi): to restore, to reestablish, to return to a former state.

As you can see from the photos of the kitchen and living room, we’ve tried to reinstate their usefulness. In fact, this word apokathistémi was associated with resetting a bone so it could heal and be useful. It’s wonderful that God’s plan is to bring us back to what He intended us to be, to a healthy, or God-ordained state, so we can accomplish everything He designed us to accomplish. This has been a frequent prayer, that God would restore those we work with to everything they were ever meant to be, so they are able to do what they were designed to do for the Lord.

The Living Room

In the living room is a beam with 1825 carved on it. A number of its 200 years were wasted. Joel 2:25 ESV I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten. Interestingly, the word for restore here isn’t shub (return), but it’s shalam. According to commentaries, ‘shub’ is more like ‘I was walking away from God, but I turned back’ while ‘shalam’ is more like ‘Now I am back, God is making me whole again and giving me back what I lost.’ God’s restoration is incredible!

The Bathroom

The Bedroom

Now for the final room… which we are praying will be a wonderful place of peace and rest. Not only in the sleep context!

2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration (katartizō), comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace."

Restoration: Katartizō (Greek: καταρτίζω)

This word means to restore in the sense of mending and repairing so that the individual is complete. We trust that this house of restoration will provide the space for people to heal completely and find that perfect rest that can only come from a relationship with Jesus.

To make this vision of complete rest a reality for our guests, we are looking to provide the final practical comforts for the house. Are you able to help us complete the renovation? Other than a few small tasks, the house is almost there. If you’d like to help us get over the finish line, we’re in need of the following for the bedroom

• A sturdy bed frame and mattress (for the main guest room)
• A duvet and pillows
• Bedding
• Bedside lockers

Although the rest of the house is now mostly furnished, we still need:

• Some rugs
• A toaster
• A coffee maker (that has the capacity for larger gatherings)
• An iron
• A hairdryer
• Tea towels
• An airer
• A tumble dryer

Please contact us if you are able to help us get across the finish line. Our email addresses are:

roy.hitchman@gmail.com
lainey.hitchman@gmail.com

A Note of Thanks

We are under no illusions, we know we did not get here on our own - we could not have done it without you! To those of you who spent weekends covered in plaster dust alongside us, those who waded through the technicalities of the paperwork, and everyone who has supported us so faithfully in prayer and finances—thank you. It has been a long road to get this parasztház from a building site to a place of potential, and we are incredibly grateful for the part you’ve played. We are quite literally standing on the foundation of your generosity and hard work. It feels very good to finally be on the home stretch.

With heartfelt blessings
Roy & Lainey

Please Pray For:

• A number of speaking engagements this month, and the travel that goes along with that.
• Elim Missions Academy residential week.
• A young man who gave his life to the Lord a few weeks ago (Roy is now walking alongside him on a discipleship journey).
• Lainey’s Mum’s recovery from a total knee replacement.
• For the finishing touches to the parasztház and for it to be used for God’s glory as a place of restoration.
• Please pray specifically for the couples who have already signed up to come.

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.

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