New Family, New Perpective
Sean Rogers
At the end of April this year, we decided to have ice cream. Theresa sat down on the couch ready to enjoy her peanut butter and chocolate bar of creamy goodness after a long day. Suddenly, suprised, she exclaimed, "Did I Just pee myself?" After rushing to the restroom, we realized: no, Theresa was not incontinent, her water had broken! A short bus ride (yes, yes I know we should have taken a taxi, but it was fine), and about 12 hours later, we had our lovely little girl:
Ella Cohen Rogers.
They say having kids will change your life... this is correct. As a friend of ours said about simply "living life" with a new baby: it was like learning a whole new language. For the first month Sleep? Showers? Eating dinner? What are those things?
However, as some time has passed we've been able to slowly learn how to function again. But all that being said, being new parents on a mission field has still been challenging and has been teaching us a lot about ourselves.
The past few months Theresa has been able to resume teaching handmade art classes in a women's center, she's been able to work on some merchandising for a conference our team put on here in Budapest, and has also been able to participate in a local outreach to female refugees from the middle east. Sean has spent a lot of his time working on the beginning stages of a new video for the ministry we are partnering with in Russia.
Theresa's embroidery class/Bible study time at the womens center.
We have just returned to Budapest from a big trip to the states. We were in southern California as well as a brief stint in the Smokey Mountains visiting supporters and building relationships. This trip was full and busy but we are grateful to be able to look back see that we've made some new/stronger connections and friendships. Much of our time was spent connecting with The Flipside church in southern California. This was truly a blessing.
Mexico mini-outreach with Flipside young adults group.
We were able to teach in their young adult group, and go on a mini outreach to Mexico with them. Flipside also partnered with us by making little gift packages to pass out to men and women involved in sexual exploitation here in Europe. We are excited to distribute the packages in the coming months.
Prayer time after speaking to young adult group.
young adult group making care packages
Now back in Budapest we are excited for the coming season. As a family we are excited to be doing more outreach together. Please be in prayer with us.
-Greater sense of community outside of our small team. We have yet to find a church in Budapest where we feel really "at home." pray that we are able to find a place in the coming season.
-Sean is looking to shift focus from media to sharpening himself in personal ministry skills such as counseling. During this season of diving into outreach and ministry skills development pray for Sean to find the right fit to develop deeper skills while still working in the ministry field in Budapest.
-Pray for Theresa's work at the women's center as she continues to develop deeper relationships with the women there.
-Please pray for us or partner with us as we are still seeking to expand our support team, so that we can be functioning in a sustainable way,long term, in the field.
ps. To our friends we missed this trip, we had a jam packed schedule, especially with a new child, and we weren't able to travel down to Florida, or even to connect with everyone we wanted to, even in the places we were able to visit. You are not forgotten, and we are sorry we missed you.Theresa is trying to write some letters so keep a lookout in your mailboxes.