About 10 1/2 years ago, when we first arrived in Hungary, Larry began getting his hair cut at a nearby men's hairdresser's shop. There he met a young woman hairdresser named Beáta. For the next two or three years Larry, Andrew and Peter went to Beáta to get their hair cut. As is true of most hairdressers, Beáta was quite talkative. Larry learned about her life, her dreams, and her quest for finding purpose in her life. She also asked about our work here in Hungary, and Larry in turn shared about our work in church planting.
Things changed, and Beáta disappeared from the hairdresser's shop. We oftened wondered what happened to her. Well, we recently found out.
She had disappeared from the hairdresser's because she left for Italy in hopes that she would find purpose for her life there. But she didn't. She developed a problem with alcohol and generally fell into despair. But one day she came to Christ by faith. Beáta's life was transformed!
How do we know this? Because Beáta found out about the recovery groups that are held at the Budapest Ministry Center. While attending one meeting, she recognized Larry in one of the pictures on the wall. She was so excited! And today Larry unexpectedly met Beáta at the Ministry Center.
Beáta said that she now has purpose in life. She knows why she is a hairdresser, because people talk with their hairdressers. And Beáta likes to talk about Jesus! She now has a ministry that extends beyond her shop, taking questions from many of her clients about matters of faith. She participates in the recovery group so that she can help others who are struggling with addictions. And Beáta absolutely glows! Michael Long was with Larry when he met Beáta, and Mike observed that he had never seen such a joyful Hungarian!
Beáta thanked Larry for his prayers so long ago.
What a wonderful story!
WONDERFUL! (... and I don't often type in all caps!)
Posted by: Peg Willis | March 31, 2011 at 10:58 PM
that's the smile of a soul set free
Posted by: Richard Dickinson | April 01, 2011 at 12:49 AM