For the past few months, our home church in Budapest has been walking through the book of Philippians, and recently we landed near the end of the letter, in chapter four, verses ten through twenty. It’s a passage about how unique the Philippian church was. They didn’t just send Paul off with well wishes, they partnered with him, specifically through financial giving, again and again.
As we read through it, we couldn’t help but think of our own home church, Kilcona, and how they’ve done exactly that for us since the very beginning. This year marks twenty years for us in overseas missions, and that kind of partnership has been there from day one.
We had the chance to share a little about this at our home church this past Sunday, along with some updates on what we’ve been up to this past year. If you’d like to watch, we’d love for you to take a look at what’s been stirring in our hearts from this passage.
This summer is a special one for our family. We don’t usually come home for the summer after our year of home assignment, but with our kids reaching working age, it felt important to give them a chance to do something they can’t really do overseas: work, earn some money, and start saving for college and beyond.
Finding jobs from overseas isn’t easy. A foreign phone number on a resume doesn’t exactly inspire employers to call back. So we’re incredibly grateful for the people who’ve helped open doors for our kids this summer.
One family from our church has a cabin a couple hours from Winnipeg, near Kenora, and they’re connected to a restaurant there. Last year they offered to have Cassie stay with them for the summer and help her get a serving job, even arranging transportation. It was a big opportunity, since Cassie only had a little café experience and this is a nicer restaurant than she’d normally have a shot at. But because the family vouched for her, and their own sons work there too, the restaurant took a chance on her. After four training shifts, she served her first table yesterday and earned her first tips. She’s loving it, and I think she’s also enjoying the independence of being a bit more on her own since graduating high school this past June.
Jay is working full time for a friend of ours whose husband owns a landscaping company. He’s been hired on for general labor, lawn mowing, laying sod, filling bags with gravel, and hopefully learning to drive a bobcat before the summer’s out. It’s good, hard work, and a great way for him to learn flexibility and pick up new skills. He’s also getting his learner’s permit this summer and practicing his driving in the evenings.
Kai is only fourteen, so his summer looks a little different, just enough work without too much. He’s helping a neighbor two doors down who’s recovering from surgery, mowing her lawn, trimming hedges, and weeding her garden. He could easily work full time at this point, but he’s chosen to keep it to about two hours a day. He’s also walking a friend’s dog once a week and picking up the occasional lawn job. A nice balance of earning and still having time to be fourteen.
All three kids will also get to go to camp this summer. Kai has a volleyball camp and a basketball camp on his calendar. Jay is headed to a basketball camp in Minnesota, a more serious one, since he’s hoping to play in college and wants to sharpen his game this year. And Cassie is off to a camp in Alberta for third-culture kids transitioning from high school into college life. Our church sponsored her for it, which has been such a gift.
And every day, Kai and I have been taking advantage of Planet Fitness’s free membership, getting our workouts in together, which has become a nice little routine of its own this summer.
It’s been a summer so far of hard work, new independence, and a lot of growing up for our kids, and we feel so thankful for the community that’s made it all possible.
Meet Cassie from Canada, who attended ICSB for 4 years in this Senior Spotlight.
What have you been involved in at ICSB?
Yearbook! NHS, musical (cast and crew)
Share about a teacher(s) and how they have impacted you positively.
Mrs. Cooper was the first teacher at ICSB whom I got to know and really love spending time with. When I was a new student, the school was a strange, unfamiliar place where I didn’t know anyone. In the yearbook, Mrs. Cooper welcomed us with open arms and much love, which was exactly what I needed at that time. Ever since then, the yearbook has been my highlight of every day, not just because of the work (though that is fun), but because of the cooperative, friendship-based atmosphere Mrs. Cooper brings to the room.
Mrs. Márton is another teacher who has brought lots of fun into my life. As one of my class sponsors, she has been a familiar face to me since Day One. She is always ready to laugh and ask questions about each student she interacts with. I love spending time in her classroom, drawing on the board, just chatting, or talking over deeper topics. (She also introduced me to Brussels sprouts, which may be the best thing she ever did.)
I’ll always remember my freshman year English class, where Mrs. Culbertson ruled the house. Sadly, that was the only year-long class I’ve had with her, but even so, she has impacted me greatly. Always ready for a discussion or debate, Mrs. Culbertson fosters a place of learning wherever she goes. Every chat in OAF, bible class discussion, or group talk in bible study is filled with a love that she has for each of her students. She makes each student feel special, not only because she treats them that way, but because she truly sees how unique and precious each one of her students is.
What’s your favorite thing or memory about ICSB?
I have many amazing memories at ICSB, some happy, some sad, and some… interesting. But the thing I love most about this school is how the teachers and students interact. Here, students really do want to be friends with their teachers, and both parties actively cultivate friendships in a healthy way.
Share a favorite book you read while you were a student at ICSB? And why did you like it?
One of my favorite books I’ve read at ICSB is “Skyward” (it’s the first in a series of four) by Brandon Sanderson. I don’t often prefer sci-fi media but the way that Skyward talks through friendship, trust, commitment, and trust is a dynamic and engaging reminder about some of the most important values we can have.
What has been the highlight of your senior year?
There have been many good moments, but I’ll forever be grateful for getting the chance to chat with Cami, Kayleigh, and Lydia in Outdoor Aerobic Fitness. The class might not be as much of a break as I wanted, but it’s worth it to learn about and talk to some of my favorite people at this school.
What are some of the ways you’ve grown since you first came to ICSB?
Since my family fled Ukraine to Hungary due to the second invasion, I have learned a lot by coming here. One of the most impactful things I’ve learned is that no matter the situation, God is in control. He put you here on Earth, right where you are, for a reason, and He will provide for you in every moment. “Good or bad, it’s the Plan of God.”
Will you be attending college next year?
No
What are your future plans?
Discipleship Training School with YWAM in Europe before attending Calvin University in 2027.
We often tell our kids we’re on their team. Every choice we make is considering them. These are the gifts we’re working to give them — not wrapped in paper, but built into their lives.
Gift 01
The ability to create music
Music is a language of its own. We want our kids to know how to make it — not just listen to it.
Gift 02
A strong work ethic and ambition
We want them to show up, to try hard, and to care about doing things well — whatever they put their hands to.
Gift 03
The ability to communicate in more than one language
Language opens doors — to people, cultures, and places. Exposure to more than one is a gift that keeps giving.
Gift 04
Wisdom in using financial resources
Not just how to earn money, but how to steward it well — with generosity, patience, and good judgment.
Gift 05
A sense of adventure and love for beautiful places
We want them to get outside, explore, and develop a real sense of wonder for the world God made.
Gift 06
A desire to love God and love others
Above everything else on this list, this is what we want their lives to be shaped by.
Gift 07
The ability to think well
Discerning truth from deception — especially in news, media, and the arts. We want them to be thoughtful, not just informed.
Gift 08
Self-discipline in screens, food, and sleep
The basics matter more than we often admit. We’re trying to help them build healthy rhythms that will serve them for life.
Gift 09
Strong family roots and ties
We want them to know where they come from and to feel deeply connected — to us, to each other, and to the story they’re part of.
Gift 10
The opportunity to study what they love
We want to provide for them the opportunity to learn something they would love to do for a vocation that has meaning and blesses the world they live in, this often includes college and we want them prepared for that.
Gift 11
A love for God’s Word
Not just knowing it’s important, but actually wanting to read it. We hope it becomes something they reach for daily, on their own.
Gift 12
Independence and basic life skills
Cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening, building — and more. We want them to be capable, confident people who can take care of themselves and others.
This list isn’t exhaustive — but it reflects what we hope to pass on. We are on our kids’ team, every single day.
Every family has a rhythm — those little rituals and recurring moments that, when you look back, end up defining your life together more than almost anything else. Here’s a peek at ours, season by season.
🌱 Spring
Spring starts indoors for us — we plant seeds inside first and watch them sprout on the windowsill before eventually moving them outside to the garden. It’s a slow, hopeful kind of tradition. Spring is also when most of the kids’ birthdays fall, so it’s a season full of celebrations, birthday parties, and a lot of cake.
☀️ Summer
Summer is full. We do the Rollkuchen, slice into watermelon, and follow the Winnipeg Bombers (even from overseas). And camping at Blue Lake and Five Cabins is one of those anchoring summer traditions we come back to year after year.
🍂 Fall
First day of school photos — every year, no exceptions. Then Thanksgiving, which we love to share with Canadians (or really anyone who needs a table if there are no Canadians nearby). Pumpkin pie is non-negotiable. And when the mood strikes, we’ve been known to make a batch of homemade applesauce.
❄️ Winter
Hockey season means following the Winnipeg Jets. Come Christmas, the house smells like cinnamon buns — we make them every year. And New Year’s Eve? Fondue and a murder mystery envelope. It’s become one of those traditions that everyone looks forward to more than they probably admit.
🔄 All year long
Reading before bed. Reading the Bible at dinner — we did this more faithfully when the kids were younger, but it still shows up. Weekend adventures: hiking, biking, exploring wherever the road takes us. Weekend breakfasts like waffles, and an open-door policy for brunch. We love having people over. And every birthday, we sign each other’s birthday books — a small thing that adds up to something really meaningful over the years.
Cassie, first and foremost, I want you to know how deeply loved and valued you are. Your worth has never been based on what you can do, how much you can carry, or how well you can adapt. You are loved simply because you are you. My prayer is that you would always stay grounded in your identity as a child of God, secure in his love, and adaptable for what comes next, trusting that he will go before you.
Character.
Cassie, during your time at ICSB, I’ve watched you become someone who steps up with quiet strength, steady courage, and a generous heart. You came to this place as a freshman during a very difficult time, and even in a completely new environment, you brought a certain peace — humor, some might call it sarcasm — and openness. I still remember that first year, asking if you could check yearbook spreads for me so we could get the book to the printer. We were in crunch mode, and photos needed to be fixed and replaced. You jumped right in, no questions asked, navigating programs and pictures like you had been doing it for years. That small moment says so much about you. You are capable, dependable, and willing to serve even when everything around you is unfamiliar.
You are indeed a skillfully and finely tuned Swiss army knife — versatile, resourceful, adaptable, and quietly prepared. Able to meet many needs without drawing attention to yourself. Basically, you’re the secret weapon of any space you enter. Need a pair of scissors? I got you. Toothpick? Got it. Team photos? Easy. Faith that moves mountains? Done.
That is one of the beautiful things about you. You’re not adaptable because you are unsure of who you are. You’re adaptable because you are becoming more and more grounded in your identity in Christ. You adjust, learn, and step into new things because there is a steadiness in your character that runs deep. You also have a rare ability to look at any situation with wisdom, assess what is needed, and work hard so that others can thrive, not just you. You notice people. You make space for them. You bring strength without needing attention. You have shown a beautiful blend of steadiness and flexibility that will serve you well as you look to the future.
Challenge.
One of the clearest examples of this kind of purposeful adaptability comes from the Apostle Paul, who willingly shifted his approach depending on who he was with — not to lose himself, but to meet people exactly where they were. He remained rooted in who God called him to be while staying open to what each moment or person required. I see that same kind of strength growing in you. As you take your next steps, my challenge to you is this: hold tightly to who you are in Christ, especially when life feels uncertain, or when you are asked to step into unfamiliar territory. God has already shown you that he can use your calm presence, your thoughtful mind, your willing spirit in meaningful ways. Keep offering those gifts to him.
And, Cassie, please know this: I will always be here for you. I will be here to listen without judgment, to cheer you on, to remind you of who you are, and to encourage you whenever you need it.
God’s Blessing.
My prayer to you comes from 1 Corinthians 9:22-23: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
Cassie, I pray that God uses the person he uniquely created you to be to open doors for his kingdom. I pray that he keeps reminding you who you are and whose you are. May he give you the grace to stay anchored in him when plans change — not because you have to figure everything out, but because you trust the one who is already leading you. May he give you courage for new beginnings, wisdom for each decision, peace through every transition, and confidence that he is already present in every place he calls you to go.
Some of the words I associate with you are friendly, fun, confident, and determined.
I remember watching you confidently stride across the stage in one of the opening scenes in Aladdin as a sixth grader in your princely costume. Even though almost all of the other main characters were eighth graders, that didn’t stop you from fully realizing your character on stage. You’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd, and that’s one of the things I admire about you.
While some students come to the last period of the day tired and complaining, you have a friendly smile and a cheerful hello when you come into class, and your positivity is like a breath of fresh air.
In band, I watched you tackle tenor saxophone as a sixth grader — not an easy feat for an eleven year old — and then come back from a year in Canada with determination to regain lost ground and play catch up with your class. Though you were nervous at first about playing the saxophone again, your hard work paid off, and you quickly caught up.
I pray for you as you move on to upper school, that you will continue to have the courage and determination to do hard things, and that you will stand up for Christ even when others around you aren’t doing so.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
A personal reflection from two people who see the hunger up close — and believe the Word is exactly what this continent needs.
We live here. We walk these streets, sit in these cafés, and have these conversations. And what we feel most days is a mixture of grief and hope that is hard to hold at the same time. Grief, because we can see what has been lost. Hope, because we can also see what is still possible — and we believe with everything in us that the Bible is at the center of it.
That is why we are here. Not as tourists to European Christianity, not as people observing from the outside, but as missionaries called to bring the Word of God to a continent that built so much of its civilization on it — and has quietly walked away from it. Every day we feel the weight of that calling, and every day we are more convinced it is the right one.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”— Romans 12:2
What we see around us are not just political or economic crises — though those are real enough. What we see is a spiritual crisis. People are searching for a framework to live by and coming up empty. And when the Church goes quiet, that emptiness does not stay. It fills — with consumerism that ties worth to possessions, with an individualism that strips away any sense of duty to one another, with outrage that looks like justice but has no love or real answers in it, with loneliness that gets sold to people as freedom. We see these things every week. They are not abstractions to us.
And that is exactly why teaching the Bible here feels so urgent. When we open the Scriptures with someone and watch something come alive in them — a sense of dignity, of direction, of being known and loved by a God who makes actual moral demands on us — we know this is our role in helping answer the challenge.
Maddy did her DTS in Lausanne a few years ago, then she went for some additional training with YWAM in a Bible school called the Discipleship Bible School. Since then, she has been serving at YWAM Lausanne in this same program and loving it! We also love it! Having other YWAMers in our family, here in Europe, is so much fun as every once in awhile, our paths cross!
That is what Kai told us today when he got home from school. 41 more days. I don’t know if that is specific school days left, but it is really hard to imagine that the end of this school year is coming up so fast, because it is the first time we will graduate one of our kids. Cassie’s class will have parties, celebrations, and even a class trip, all the while, her parents will celebrate with her, and mourn a little too!
All throughout the two days of winter classic, Kai was a part of the Pep band. He plays Tenor Sax which is a larger saxophone than most. It adds depth to any band and it takes a lot of strength to play (both physically and lung power!) We were so proud of him and really enjoyed the pep band all weekend – it really wouldn’t be the same kind of weekend without the band!
Jay made the varsity team this year. This is a pretty big deal since he is only a sophomore (grade 10) but an even bigger deal is all the playing time he got at Winter Classic. This is a tournament that our school hosts every year and invites schools from Austria, Croatia, Turkey, Albania and a few other countries. It is a really fun time with lots of external things like dance teams, pep band, American candy, food trucks, social events and more! But of course the basketball is the highlight, and our girls team took 2nd place and our boys team took 1st! These parents are so proud!
In this past year alone I have taught many books/topics: Church history and heresies, Introduction to the Prophets and Amos, Gospel of Matthew, Revelation. Every time I receive lots of feedback: “Are you recording the teachings”, “I wish I could do the SBS”, “I would love to hear more about those books!” BUT I have heard nothing about Numbers. No feedback, no excitement…
Why? Let’s start with the title.
Genesis
Hebrew word which means “in the beginning.” This is simply the first word of the book. The Greek translation bears the title Genesis, “beginning,” which in this case is almost an exact translation of the Hebrew word and is also a good description of the actual contents of the book. English transliterated the word: Genesis.
Exodus
Hebrew words it begins with: “and these are the names.” Or sometimes: “Names.” This Hebrew title, however, gives no idea of the contents of the book. While the book begins by naming the sons of Jacob who went down into Egypt, this is purely introductory. In the Greek translation a descriptive title was substituted, consisting of the Greek word Exodos, which means “going out.” This title is an excellent description of the contents of the book, and is clearly an improvement over the Hebrew designation. English- Transliterated
Leviticus
Hebrew Bible, the title of the third book consists of its first word, “and he called.” This gives practically no idea of its contents. )In the Greek translation the word Leuitikon was substituted, indicating that the book contains directions for the activities of the Levitical priests and their Levitical assistants. English- Transliterated
Numbers: We will skip and come back to it
Deuteronomy
Hebrew is titled by its first two words “and these are the words.” This is very similar to the title of Exodus, “and these are the names,” or of Leviticus, “and he called.” The Greek version has substituted the title Deuteronomion, which means “Second Law.” Moses is repeating the law, so it means 2nd law. Thus, the Greek title aptly describes the contents of the book, and is very appropriate. English- Transliterated, but there are no English speakers that would understand it means second law.
Summary
In three of these four instances, The Greek improves the title, letting us know the contents more clearly. While in the case of Genesis, the two are substantially identical. In all four cases, our English Bibles use a simple transliteration of the Greek word. Surely it would have been better if these titles had been translated into English instead of being merely transliterated from the Greek.
So now Numbers:
Numbers
Hebrew Bible, it is not its first word, but its fourth, that is used as a title which means “in the wilderness”This word forms an admirable description of the contents of the book. The Greek translators gave it a descriptive title, which instead of fitting excellently, as in the case of the other four books, is not at all well selected. It is Arithmos. It is a mathematical term.
In English, instead of transliterating the Greek title, we have in this ONE instance translated it. So first a bad choice of the title in Greek, now made worse in English: Numbers. This makes it seem like a dry list of statistics. If a few chapters were taken out, there would be less numbers remaining than in many another book of the Bible.
I was chatting with a friend who said he didn’t like the book of Numbers. After a little discussion we realized he actually meant Chronicles. So again, the title doesn’t help one to remember the content/message of the book.
It is actually sad, because Numbers is one of my favorite books of the Pentateuch and really shows so many important timeless truths!
Theology – What do we learn about God? That He is faithful to his promise to dwell with man. He desires to make his face shine upon mankind. That He is Holy and Perfect, and makes a way where there seems to be no way. That He is just and does what is right. He is merciful and slow to anger.
We see that the death and resurrection of Jesus is absolutely crucial for us to be able to be in God’s presence.
Describes the temptations and the challenges we have as believers as we await the promised land.
Describes the age of tension and helps us see how to finish the Christian life well.
It also shows that rebellion against God’s ways does not lead to the place where God dwells with his people.
This may be the most relevant book in the Torah for us as believers today! Such a great book, it is too bad more believers don’t take the time to study it deeply. If you would like a good commentary to read on this book, I highly recommend L. Michael Morales and his commentary
It is hard to believe that Ben and I ran our first Titus Project in Europe 16 years ago. And yet, we still get to see the fruit of some of the early seasons. Ben and I were invited to teach in the School of Biblical Studies in Sweden. I was teaching Ezra and I got down on my knees and begged the students that when they graduated, to take an extra 3 months and learn how to teach the Bible. There was a girl named Seraina from Switzerland in that classroom and she took the challenge. If you watch this little video we filmed today, you can find out her story of what happened from that time.
The participants we are training now are really excited to go and give what they have learned away in the nations. We will send out 3 teams with 4-5 people on each one. They will each go to two countries: Netherlands/Taiwan, Albania/Italy, and Indonesia/Philippines. They have a few more weeks of training yet, but here are a few photos
We also have time to have fun and go for walks in the forest. And the family is still doing well at home. Playing games, going to school, playing basketball! Tomorrow I go home, but Titus goes on for the next few months.
Thank you for all your prayers and support of our work!
We had a great Christmas break including our friends Vovka and Yulia from Ukraine visiting, an Agatha Christie play that Cassie and I went to see, the annual skating on Boxing day, Jay playing in the alumni games at school and fondue on New Years Eve. And yet, in the midst of it all, thinking about how that the light that came into the world so many years ago, is the same light that is needed today – not only in Ukraine where it is physically dark, but in the hearts of many, including ours. Lord Jesus shine your light bright into every corner of our world. Your kingdom come!
What a great week teaching with my niece Isabel and it has been so much fun having Cassie here too! Thank you to YWAM King’s Lodge for letting us all come, join your Christmas parties, and teach the amazing Gospel of Matthew. Don’t worry, the boys at home are doing great. Look at that pizza that Jay made from scratch!
Nadja is a young, beautiful woman of the Lord who desires to see Germans discipled in God’s word. I taught in her pioneering School of Biblical Studies and asked her to share with me a tiny bit of her motivation for running this school.
I wanted to send a message of encouragement—Kai is doing a fabulous job in ELA and Bible. He is such a deep thinker and enthusiastic participant in every activity and discussion. He is currently leading his group’s project in Bible, showing his natural ability to organize and delegate. I am really enjoying getting to know him!
Teaching Adventures 