Blueberries and Buddies!

Blueberries: a true taste of summer. Nothing can quite compare to the mouthwatering taste of fresh blueberry pie, or homemade blueberry muffins. They are truly little gems of perfection. Eventually I would like to raise my own blueberry bushes right here in Hungary so we can have goodies all year long. Recently, I ran across the website for the U.S. Highbush Berry Council. Over the years, the highbush blueberry has been cultivated into one of the juiciest and healthiest berries available. While reading the website, I noticed that they had posted a blueberry recipe contest. First prize: $1000! The rules were to create any original recipe using blueberries as the main ingredient and to post your recipe with a picture on your blog. So here I go... my entry for the U.S. Highbush Berry Council's Blogger Blueberry Recipe Contest... Blueberry White Chocolate Souffle! Wish me luck!

Blueberry White Chocolate Soufflé

Sauce:
3 C fresh or frozen blueberries
1 ½ C sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
4 tbsp water
2 tbsp corn starch

Soufflé:
½ C sugar + more for dusting soufflé ramekins and tops
6 egg whites at room temperature
1 tsp cream of tarter
3 oz. white chocolate chopped very finely

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease 4 cup-sized ramekins with real butter and then coat all sides with sugar.
   
2. Combine all the ingredients for the blueberry sauce in a medium sized sauce pan. Cook on medium-low until blueberries have burst and sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Cool to room temperature. Reserve ½ C of the sauce for garnish later.


3. In a glass or metal bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tarter. While beating whites with a hand mixer, slowly add ½ C sugar. Beat until whites are at the soft-peak stage.


4. Slowly fold blueberry sauce into egg white mixture until the two are thoroughly combined. Carefully fold in the white chocolate.


5. Evenly distribute soufflé mix into four ramekins and sprinkle tops with sugar to form a crispy crust.


6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until soufflé has risen and the tops are a golden brown.


7. Serve immediately with reserved blueberry sauce and powdered sugar. Enjoy!
   

One of the most rewarding blessings about serving with Word of Life Hungary is the opportunity to see graduates of our Bible School at work in their own ministries. We have graduates all over the world, serving the Lord in many different capacities. Some are pastors, some are Christian school teachers, and some are on the mission field themselves. Recently we were blessed to have three of our WOL Hungary Alumni from Romania come for a visit, David and Felicia Lee (pictured far left), and Niko along with his wife Marta (far right).

David Lee and his wife Felicia both attended our Bible School about five years ago. David is from Ohio and Felicia is Romanian. They fell in love during Bible School, got married, had twin boys, and have been raising support ever since to return to Romania as missionaries. Their true passion is for the street children of Bucharest, Romania. Many are orphans or runaways from abusive homes. Unfortunately, many of these poor chidren turn to gangs to find acceptance and a family, which eventually leads to drug and alcohol abusive. David and Felicia have officially been back to Romania for three months now. They have raised support, packed up thier lives, and are living in the center of their mission field and in the center of God's will. Everyday, David heads to the streets in search of these street children. He shares with them the love of God and the hope they can have in a savior. He builds relationships with these children and offers them the medical help they may need. Though it is very difficult to break through the emotional and spiritual walls these street children have built over the years, David and Felicia are continuing to walk in faith and follow God's will for thier lives. We are so proud to call them graduates, but even more importantly, our friends.

Link to the Lee's website: http://www.4theleastofthese.com/news%20page.htm

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Everyone knows that a new house brings about new responsibilities... grass to cut, walls to paint, and neighbors to meet. But the biggest responsibility of all is, of course, decorating! I have been doing my best to use my time wisely, inbetween studying and language school, to add a woman's touch to our little home. Pictured to the side are some of the pillows I sewed recently. I love to sew, so any excuse I get to whip out the machine is gladly welcomed! Total cost for eight brand new pillows, $10! Of course, it helps when you have old pillows you can rip apart and steal the stuffing from, and old placemats and tablecloths to use as fabric. Honestly, I really am that cheap!

Also pictured is a little skirt I sewed to cover up our microwave. Two large drawers were originally positioned in this nook, but I found them very difficult to pull in and out. They were more of a headache than a space saver, so I decided to yank them out completely and create extra counter space by hiding the microwave within the cabinets. I hope to sew some window treatments later this month to match the fabric.

Amongst other projects, Paul is busy painting the sunroom, hanging pictures, and changing light switches. He's become quite the handy man! I'm so proud of him.

Camp is in full swing at Word of Life Hungary. About 100 kids and teenagers have attended camp every week since it began back in June. Each night, the campers hear the Word of God and his amazing love for them. This is no small thing; many of these young people have never heard from the Bible at all, much less the Gospel. Paul and I have attended the "salvation meeting" every Tuesday night since camp began. It is SO exciting to see kids from all over Hungary make a decision for Christ and to be devoted to Him. Praise God for his amazing gift of salvation and the opportunity to share it daily! Pictured below are enthusiastic campers singing the "Word of Life Theme Song."

Esther Dixon Siebenmark

February 3, 1915 - July 1st 2009

Finally, I wanted to pay tribute to my wonderful grandmother who passed away just a few weeks ago. Esther Siebenmark was a remarkable woman, who dearly loved her family and the Lord. I can remember spending many afternoons at Grandma's house, playing the back yard or in the basement. She didn't have many toys, but somehow we always found something to do. Whether it was painting ceramics, learning to sew, or just watching Disney Channel, we always had a good time at Grandma's house. And she always had chocolate chip cookies and Mt. Dew...with a straw, of course!

Grandma was the most patient person I have ever known. She truly had a heart of gold. I will never forget her telling me, "Never say you 'hate' anyone. It is okay to dislike a person, but we should never hate anyone." Her wisdom and purity will forever be imbedded in my heart. She was so very generous. Grandma would do anything for you, and help you in anyway she could. I feel so lucky to have had such a godly and special woman as my grandmother. The Lord truly blessed me with her love. And although I could not leave Hungary to attend her funeral, I am at peace knowing that she is finally in the arms of her loving savior.

Here is the link if you would like to read Grandma's obituary http://www.knappjohnson.com/