Coffeehouse

Matt and I had the great pleasure of having breakfast with Steve and Barbara Johnson on their terrace in the summer sunshine. It was so awesome to sit and talk and go over with them what has transpired since we left Hungary two summers ago. Alot- alot has happened. As we sat down Barbara said "Ok, start from the beginning, I want details!" It's incredible how validating it is to be asked to share your story. From someone you know will be interested and sympathetic. People who will understand- if anyone will- our seemingly inexplicable draw to return to Budapest again and again.

A little background: Steve and Barbara Johnson are missionaries who have, along with their children, lived in Budapest for about 16years. They were a part of the team that began the YWAM coffeehouse ministry we came to serve in and their love for this country had a profound effect on us. Serving with them three years ago moved us to return- now for the third time. We don't take lightly the role their dedication to Hungary has played in inspiring us to serve here.

The "coffeehouse" is a Friday night event that happens in a building in the "fashion district" of Budapest, steps from the Deak Square I mentioned in my last post. By a miracle, YWAM (youth with a mission- the missions agency that Steve and Barbara are a part of) was able to buy a part of this building and begin renovating it serve as a coffeehouse/ ministry center. A place where Hungarians and international travelers can come and have coffee, see live music, hang out in a safe environment. Bring their spiritual questions, or not. A place where seekers, travelers, students- anyone- can experience Christian hospitality in a non threatening environment. Why is this important?

It is important on so many levels. First, in this city, many are hoping for the "EU" dream of prosperity that they may be willing to do almost anything to get it. Exploitation - of young people, women, Gypsy's- is a sad reality. It's a dog eat dog world- in short- everyone is looking out for number one. Even the church - the established church- is quite cozy with this model. They can exist comfortably in their niche, and little is asked of them. The established "high" church is not, or does not appear to be, " "a friend to sinner's", outcasts, refugees, etc.

The YWAM coffeehouse, or Rezkigyo (The Bronze Serpent) is such a place. It's uncanny who you will meet there on a Friday night. A Kurdish refugee from Iran, who began his time in Budapest at one of the refugee camps established outside the city, confessed that he comes to coffeehouse because of how "nice" everyone is to him. A novel experience in a city that doesn't necessary welcome the new throngs of Muslims who are making it their home. On another note, Matt and I had dinner with the son of a Turkish Imam the other evening. A polite, kind young man wrapping up his studies in Germany. He was shocked and pleased that I knew why he chose juice over beer. Another, young Hungarian boy, who is not a "Christian" has been volunteering in the coffeehouse. Skipping the prayer meetings, but being moved by the love he is being shown by these Christ followers. There are alot of stories like this. But what I am realizing is that in a mission culture quite immersed in "conversions" Rezkigyo is offering a safe, loving place for people to come and experience the love of God, sometimes for the first time. No demands are made on them, no sermons given. And even still lives are being redeemed and changed and "won" for the kingdom.

It's taken me a long time to realize this about the coffeehouse. Even though the building, the construction is not "finished" it is of little consequence. What happens at that building on Friday nights- in and around Friday nights- is a profound movement of the Holy Spirit. I have a suspicion that God allowed the "building project" to carry on because it gives us humans something to do- in a way. He doesn't need the coffeehouse to be finished. All He cares about is that we are loving his children into his Kingdom. A heavenly Kingdom that certainly needs no building, coffeehouse or otherwise, to be realized.

I think we, the American church, need to get serious about re-thinking long term missions. We need to be better about loving our missionaries in the field, caring for and really even just caring about their emotional and spiritual needs. The hardest mission work to do is the long term, total immersion work that forfeits ones allegience to home country and language. To truly love a people enough to live among them and FOR them, trusting that God has the whole scenario in His hands. That He is allowing us to be a part of larger patchwork quilt, one that we may only be able to glimpse a corner of. Just to do life, day by day, loving people where they are, trusting that sharing life and truth is enough.