It began when Mike met two students at a camp in New York who attended the International Christian School of Budapest (ICSB), a school for MKs, Hungarian nationals, and international students. With Mike’s experience in education and their combined openness to missions, they started to pray and research the possibility of serving there.
Nine months later, they met with friends of Mike’s parents who, unbeknownst to Mike and Fawn, had served as missionaries in Budapest and had children who were attending ICSB.
“We thought it was pretty amazing that God would bring another connection into our lives,” Mike said.
Then Mike and Fawn visited other friends and were stunned to hear that they also supported missionaries at ICSB. Mike and Fawn immediately knew that God was drawing their attention to this small school in Hungary. They applied to ABWE the following week. Mike’s family has a history with the mission. His father sits on the board, and his aunt and uncle are retired ABWE missionaries. Some 12 months later, the Southwell family found themselves on a plane to Hungary.
Over the past two years, Mike has served as the Director of Teaching and Learning, until he took over as principal in 2019. Fawn is active in the women’s ministry at their local church. They are currently transitioning into long-term ministry with ABWE and will continue in their roles with the field team in Hungary.
Editor’s Note: Learn more about the Southwells’ ministry here.
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