St. Andrew's (Scarborough) Mission Trip to Eastern Europe

High School in Peterfalva, site of St. Andrew's mission project

In May 2006, a team of seven people from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Ontario visited Eastern Europe on an educational mission trip. They spent 2 weeks touring Hungary, Romania and the Ukraine and saw significant historical and cultural sites and visit local schools and churches and communities. Under the care and guidance of missionaries, church clergy and through interaction with local congregants, they better understand the life and works of the church and peoples in Eastern Europe, and witnessed both the great need for, and results of, Presbyterian Sharing... Tom Childs, mission participant:

"We arrived in Budpest and were met by Dr. David Pandy-Szekeres, a Presbyterian missionary working in conjunction with our partner there, the Hungarian Reformed Church. His knowledge of the history and struggle of the church in Eastern Europe was invaluable in our understanding of its past. As we traveled through Hungary and Romania we were struck by the faith of the pastors and members of the church." "We spent one week at our mission project in Peterfalva were the money raised through our congregation was sent. To see and hear the high school students talk of the importance of getting an education emphasized once again the importance of the work of the church in Eastern Europe."

While visiting Cluj, Romania, the team was treated to a concert performed by the Reformed Theological Seminary choir. "The team was delighted...the opportunity afterward to speak with the young men in the choir was special." This mission experience is of special significance: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church will share the Canadian culture with this choir when they host the Toronto portion of the Seminary choir's Canadian tour in Fall, 2006.

Reformed Theological Seminary Choir in Cluj, Romania. Brian Johnston, choir director

The success of this mission trip is best shared in the words of the participants themselves: "The mission trip showed us the Holy Spirit working through God's people. Our team came home full of enthusiasm for several after projects. We will also be going out, educating people, telling our stories and showing pictures about the life and the work of the church."

The Bishop was sentenced to 11 years in Siberia for his faith. He served 7 years by working every available shift. Daniel Szabo was to be ordained a pastor but was denied the oral exam because he questioned the state religion policy. He worked as a porter in a hotel for 25 years. When communism fell he was finally made a pastor. Both of these amazing men were very gracious and taught us the meaning of humility and faith. It was a privilege to have met them. - Tom Childs