thankful for...
it's true. I do. Sometimes I feel as though the world is closing in on me. as though I have no control and no capability of seeing past what is happening at that very, horrible, and scary moment. But then I remember that our Heavenly Father is good. and He loves me. and He would never give me more than I can handle. And this is always such a good reminder to me. that He has placed me here. in Sarospatak Hungary. for His good and beautiful purpose. and that as crazy as life seems sometimes it is good. and I am truly thankful for it. for everything He has blessed me with.
So let me shares just a few of these things of most recent. with some explanations.
- Caring and loving friends. here and there.
- A home church that puts its' sermons online.
- Thoughts and prayers from afar.
- A church that is becoming more and more like a home here.
- A soccer tournament and colleagues that are willing to let you play with them. mind you this was a men's tournament. only. except for me. : )
- Students who say "soccer star" and "futball master".
- Students who "have something up their sleeve" for your birthday.
- The beautiful nature of not knowing the same language but still being able to communicate with colleagues.
- Opportunities to share the most important thing in my life.
- A band from Holland that held worship in English. such an encouragement.
- Delicious Hungarian wine.
- For a patient and loving boyfriend.
- Things being fixed in the flat. hot showers. internet. and couch.
- Christmas music. and lights. and spirit.
But the thing I am most grateful for is what this season is all about. The reason for all the cheer and spirit, the Greatest Gift you and I could have ever received. Our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
An apology and other things...
The past month and a half has been quite busy. It has been full. It has been good. It has been blessed by our Father.
This time has been filled of challenges and of growth. It has been a time of belly bottom laughter and a time of listening. And it has been a time of trusting in Him.
It has been a time of busyness, thus the lack of posting. and for this I am ever so sorry. So I am writing an extra long post today to make up for it. Enjoy...
As of last Thursday, November 18, I am going into my fourth month of being here and this place is becoming more and more my home than it looked like it would be in the beginning. I am becoming more comfortable. I am establishing those relationships I was made for. I am sharing life here. the way it is supposed to be. This next month is more than just getting my feet wet like it was back in August and September. It is about who I am becoming. I have rested and settled in Him. and I am becoming, day by day, more and more, the woman He desires me to be. But this is what I am afraid of, that I am going to become too comfortable and too settled and will become stagnant and not grow as I need to. So it is my prayer that I wake up each new saying “It is your day, Oh Lord. I am here to serve you. So have your way in and through me.”
…Since I cannot possibly write about everything I would like to from the past month and half I will give you a few highlights of some of the happenings in my life here.
- The weekend of October 9 Peggy and I traveled to Krosno, Poland with about 12 other people. This was an English teachers trip (something they do every fall) that included spots for their spouses. One of the teachers arranged most of the happenings which was really great of him. We traveled a little outside of the town to a castle and read Balint Balissi’ poems in his honor. Later in the afternoon we also had a chance to walk around Krosno which was nice because it was quite a quaint town. (not as quaint as St. Joe though!) A funny story from the weekend (though, not too funny at the moment), we got a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere Slovakia. And it was Sunday afternoon. Not a good combination. It is a good thing we had some pretty handy guys along. : )
- The next weekend, October 16, Peggy and I had the great honor and pleasure of being invited to go to Ukraine with the Calvin group. Every fall there is a semester abroad program that Calvin College sends students on and throughout the semester they go on numerous trips to the surrounding countries of Hungary. Well this weekend Ukraine was on the docket. And they were oh so coincidently going through Sarospatak on the way and could pick us up! I was pretty pumped to see a good friend and fellow Calvinites, even if I didn’t know them. We stayed in a cute little village and visited/stayed at a school another Calvin alum is teaching English at. (It’s great that even though I’m so far outside of the States and can still find those Calvin connections. : ) We were even to help her out and speak English with her students, played a few games, sang some worship songs, and then shared dinner together. It was so great to be able to have such community even though we could communicate only a little bit. Sunday we visited a Gypsy village and their church, which incidentally, a Calvin group donated the bell that rings for their church gatherings. At the end of the service the members of the congregation sang us a blessing song and then at their request we sang “My Friends May You Grow In Grace” and it brought tears to my eyes. It truly touched me that even though they wouldn’t be able to understand us they still wanted us to sing something for them. This made it clear to me that the church around the world is at work. God is work. through these people. and it was truly a blessing to be able to share in worship with them, despite language barriers, because that really is the only barrier that stands between us.
- Friday, October 29 was a celebration for the freshmen at school. It is called Pecur Avato. The whole week, really, was a celebration for them. (It reminded me more of an initiation actually.) It all started Monday when I noticed that many of my first year students were all wearing baby type of clothes, such as: bibs, binkies, little bonnets/hats, diapers…yes, some of them wore diapers. And they carried around little stuffed animals, blankies, or rattles. Some had all of the above and they could’ve won a baby imitation contest with how decked out they were. It was pretty funny until I was teaching and was constantly interrupted with students playing with the tape on their diapers or them rattling a toy or sucking their binkie. Anyway, each day during our 15 minute breaks we all would gather in the courtyard of school and watch the freshmen participate in some game or another. One day they played musical chairs another day they played tug-of-war, etc. It was quite comical and competitive, if you can only imagine. All of these activities led up Friday night which was where each freshmen class (there are 5 total) had to compete in an assortment of games and perform a skit and/or song in front of a forum of judges. It was pretty exciting and entertaining, especially since I teach 3 of the 5 freshmen classes. Even though I couldn’t understand everything that was going on it was enjoyable and I can certainly say I am proud of my students.
- Saturday October 30, after I got out of school (yes, you heard me right, I had to teach on Saturday. Not the most fun thing in the world, but hey, you do what you have to do, right?) I was showing a friend who was visiting around Patak. We came across a delectable little stand of something that is oh so unhealthy for you. (ask me if you want to know exactly what this little treat is!) As we were enjoying this newfound goody by a nearby cemetery we realized everyone was getting flowers and candles for the celebration of All Saint’s Day, which is November 1st. As we were talking about having our own memorial of walking through the cemetery we were greeted by two students. They were just about to get some roses in honor of two teachers and invited us to join them. I was (secretly) thrilled. What an honor and privilege, and Godsend. We walked across town to the cemetery they were going to and they explained to us how important this Holiday is to Hungarians. It is a time for them to honor those loved ones that are gone and a way for them to meet with people they haven’t seen in a long time (we saw a few who seemed to be having a reunion of some sort). We witnessed some sweeping the surrounding area of their beloveds’ tombstones and others standing in silence and memoriam. It was such a honor and blessing to be let in on a tradition of old with these students. It was something that I have been hoping for for awhile, to be apart of a Hungarian tradition, to be invited in and be apart of their world. So thank you.
- November 1st through the 7th I traveled to the Netherlands with two dear friends. We stayed with one of their friends who is studying for the year with an international program in Den Haag. We stayed in that city for a week and did a day trip to Amsterdam on Tuesday and to Delft on Saturday. Some of the favorites from the week include accumulating a new and fresh appreciation for art after the Van Gogh Museum, a visit to Parliament in Den Haag, telling people I was Dutch as well, finding Wilhelmina peppermints and Dutch caramel waffles (I don’t remember the official name), flying a kite on the coast of the English Channel… I am sure I could continue on with this list, but the week was truly about community and the beautiful gift I was given through it while in Holland. I went with two really good friends I have made through this experience so far, Annie and Maria, (other ESI teachers) and our relationships only grew stronger, but I also met Annie’s friend, Jose, and some of his international friends it I can not tell you enough how good this opportunity was. Through all these relationships we all were able to share in such community, that could not have been orchestrated by anyone other than God himself. We shared in meaningful late night conversations, meandering around a new and unexplored town, smiles and laughter, delicious (ethnic) food, wooden shoes, meeting of parents, bike rides, and lots of chocolate covered cashews, peanuts, and raisins. This week I was able to see the face of Christ in ways I never had before. And I was truly able to feel his love and grace through community. I firmly believe that we have been created and called to live in community with each other, in whatever form that may mean for each of us. And He has left it up to us to follow that call.
- November 18th through the 22nd Peggy and I, and the rest of the Central Europe ESI teachers were able to get together for a time of retreat. We celebrated Thanksgiving, were able to relax, recuperate, and rejuvenate, and just spent time quality time together. It was really great to see everyone, because it had been since August 17. (I know, people back at home, it’s been longer since I’ve seen you! Believe me, I know.) It was fun to catch up and see how they are doing at their respective schools. It was an incredible time of encouragement and love. God’s presence was truly felt in our time all together. As tired as I am from the weekend I am ready for this next stretch of weeks before Christmas break.
I am sorry that was so long and if you are still reading, well shoot, THANK YOU. I promise that whole thing of me taking so long to write will not happen again. Thank you again for your patience and certainly stay tuned for upcoming stories. And hey, if you have any questions, surely let me know! I would love to hear from you if you want to know anything else about my time here in Hungary.
This time has been filled of challenges and of growth. It has been a time of belly bottom laughter and a time of listening. And it has been a time of trusting in Him.
It has been a time of busyness, thus the lack of posting. and for this I am ever so sorry. So I am writing an extra long post today to make up for it. Enjoy...
As of last Thursday, November 18, I am going into my fourth month of being here and this place is becoming more and more my home than it looked like it would be in the beginning. I am becoming more comfortable. I am establishing those relationships I was made for. I am sharing life here. the way it is supposed to be. This next month is more than just getting my feet wet like it was back in August and September. It is about who I am becoming. I have rested and settled in Him. and I am becoming, day by day, more and more, the woman He desires me to be. But this is what I am afraid of, that I am going to become too comfortable and too settled and will become stagnant and not grow as I need to. So it is my prayer that I wake up each new saying “It is your day, Oh Lord. I am here to serve you. So have your way in and through me.”
…Since I cannot possibly write about everything I would like to from the past month and half I will give you a few highlights of some of the happenings in my life here.
- The weekend of October 9 Peggy and I traveled to Krosno, Poland with about 12 other people. This was an English teachers trip (something they do every fall) that included spots for their spouses. One of the teachers arranged most of the happenings which was really great of him. We traveled a little outside of the town to a castle and read Balint Balissi’ poems in his honor. Later in the afternoon we also had a chance to walk around Krosno which was nice because it was quite a quaint town. (not as quaint as St. Joe though!) A funny story from the weekend (though, not too funny at the moment), we got a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere Slovakia. And it was Sunday afternoon. Not a good combination. It is a good thing we had some pretty handy guys along. : )
- The next weekend, October 16, Peggy and I had the great honor and pleasure of being invited to go to Ukraine with the Calvin group. Every fall there is a semester abroad program that Calvin College sends students on and throughout the semester they go on numerous trips to the surrounding countries of Hungary. Well this weekend Ukraine was on the docket. And they were oh so coincidently going through Sarospatak on the way and could pick us up! I was pretty pumped to see a good friend and fellow Calvinites, even if I didn’t know them. We stayed in a cute little village and visited/stayed at a school another Calvin alum is teaching English at. (It’s great that even though I’m so far outside of the States and can still find those Calvin connections. : ) We were even to help her out and speak English with her students, played a few games, sang some worship songs, and then shared dinner together. It was so great to be able to have such community even though we could communicate only a little bit. Sunday we visited a Gypsy village and their church, which incidentally, a Calvin group donated the bell that rings for their church gatherings. At the end of the service the members of the congregation sang us a blessing song and then at their request we sang “My Friends May You Grow In Grace” and it brought tears to my eyes. It truly touched me that even though they wouldn’t be able to understand us they still wanted us to sing something for them. This made it clear to me that the church around the world is at work. God is work. through these people. and it was truly a blessing to be able to share in worship with them, despite language barriers, because that really is the only barrier that stands between us.
- Friday, October 29 was a celebration for the freshmen at school. It is called Pecur Avato. The whole week, really, was a celebration for them. (It reminded me more of an initiation actually.) It all started Monday when I noticed that many of my first year students were all wearing baby type of clothes, such as: bibs, binkies, little bonnets/hats, diapers…yes, some of them wore diapers. And they carried around little stuffed animals, blankies, or rattles. Some had all of the above and they could’ve won a baby imitation contest with how decked out they were. It was pretty funny until I was teaching and was constantly interrupted with students playing with the tape on their diapers or them rattling a toy or sucking their binkie. Anyway, each day during our 15 minute breaks we all would gather in the courtyard of school and watch the freshmen participate in some game or another. One day they played musical chairs another day they played tug-of-war, etc. It was quite comical and competitive, if you can only imagine. All of these activities led up Friday night which was where each freshmen class (there are 5 total) had to compete in an assortment of games and perform a skit and/or song in front of a forum of judges. It was pretty exciting and entertaining, especially since I teach 3 of the 5 freshmen classes. Even though I couldn’t understand everything that was going on it was enjoyable and I can certainly say I am proud of my students.
- Saturday October 30, after I got out of school (yes, you heard me right, I had to teach on Saturday. Not the most fun thing in the world, but hey, you do what you have to do, right?) I was showing a friend who was visiting around Patak. We came across a delectable little stand of something that is oh so unhealthy for you. (ask me if you want to know exactly what this little treat is!) As we were enjoying this newfound goody by a nearby cemetery we realized everyone was getting flowers and candles for the celebration of All Saint’s Day, which is November 1st. As we were talking about having our own memorial of walking through the cemetery we were greeted by two students. They were just about to get some roses in honor of two teachers and invited us to join them. I was (secretly) thrilled. What an honor and privilege, and Godsend. We walked across town to the cemetery they were going to and they explained to us how important this Holiday is to Hungarians. It is a time for them to honor those loved ones that are gone and a way for them to meet with people they haven’t seen in a long time (we saw a few who seemed to be having a reunion of some sort). We witnessed some sweeping the surrounding area of their beloveds’ tombstones and others standing in silence and memoriam. It was such a honor and blessing to be let in on a tradition of old with these students. It was something that I have been hoping for for awhile, to be apart of a Hungarian tradition, to be invited in and be apart of their world. So thank you.
- November 1st through the 7th I traveled to the Netherlands with two dear friends. We stayed with one of their friends who is studying for the year with an international program in Den Haag. We stayed in that city for a week and did a day trip to Amsterdam on Tuesday and to Delft on Saturday. Some of the favorites from the week include accumulating a new and fresh appreciation for art after the Van Gogh Museum, a visit to Parliament in Den Haag, telling people I was Dutch as well, finding Wilhelmina peppermints and Dutch caramel waffles (I don’t remember the official name), flying a kite on the coast of the English Channel… I am sure I could continue on with this list, but the week was truly about community and the beautiful gift I was given through it while in Holland. I went with two really good friends I have made through this experience so far, Annie and Maria, (other ESI teachers) and our relationships only grew stronger, but I also met Annie’s friend, Jose, and some of his international friends it I can not tell you enough how good this opportunity was. Through all these relationships we all were able to share in such community, that could not have been orchestrated by anyone other than God himself. We shared in meaningful late night conversations, meandering around a new and unexplored town, smiles and laughter, delicious (ethnic) food, wooden shoes, meeting of parents, bike rides, and lots of chocolate covered cashews, peanuts, and raisins. This week I was able to see the face of Christ in ways I never had before. And I was truly able to feel his love and grace through community. I firmly believe that we have been created and called to live in community with each other, in whatever form that may mean for each of us. And He has left it up to us to follow that call.
- November 18th through the 22nd Peggy and I, and the rest of the Central Europe ESI teachers were able to get together for a time of retreat. We celebrated Thanksgiving, were able to relax, recuperate, and rejuvenate, and just spent time quality time together. It was really great to see everyone, because it had been since August 17. (I know, people back at home, it’s been longer since I’ve seen you! Believe me, I know.) It was fun to catch up and see how they are doing at their respective schools. It was an incredible time of encouragement and love. God’s presence was truly felt in our time all together. As tired as I am from the weekend I am ready for this next stretch of weeks before Christmas break.
I am sorry that was so long and if you are still reading, well shoot, THANK YOU. I promise that whole thing of me taking so long to write will not happen again. Thank you again for your patience and certainly stay tuned for upcoming stories. And hey, if you have any questions, surely let me know! I would love to hear from you if you want to know anything else about my time here in Hungary.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
i can do without.
My life here in Hungary is free from things that I once thought I needed. This includes a car, a phone, and a television. Now don’t get me wrong, I appreciate each of these things and am thankful for them, but I have been without them for at least 2 months (if not more..a car and a television) and am finding that I am okay with this. I am also finding that back home in the States I was very dependent on these things. and I am really finding that I don’t necessarily need these things here in Hungary.
I relied on a car to get me to places. Now I walk.
I relied on a phone to get ahold of people and contact them. Now I talk. and plan ahead.
I relied on a television for entertainment. Now I go to concerts and get together with students.
It is interesting what living overseas will do for you when you don’t have the things you have had so readily available to you. And that you thought you absolutely needed.
Because I am finding that I enjoy walking to get anywhere. and that I am becoming more reliant on face-to-face communication. and that I can find my entertainment in other ways. So Praise the Lord for these small opportunities to be thankful for what I once had, but also thankful for what I am at the moment, and for what I will be even more thankful for in the future.
I relied on a car to get me to places. Now I walk.
I relied on a phone to get ahold of people and contact them. Now I talk. and plan ahead.
I relied on a television for entertainment. Now I go to concerts and get together with students.
It is interesting what living overseas will do for you when you don’t have the things you have had so readily available to you. And that you thought you absolutely needed.
Because I am finding that I enjoy walking to get anywhere. and that I am becoming more reliant on face-to-face communication. and that I can find my entertainment in other ways. So Praise the Lord for these small opportunities to be thankful for what I once had, but also thankful for what I am at the moment, and for what I will be even more thankful for in the future.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
waiting
the waiting game.
there are sometimes when waiting is fun. but right now I cannot think of them. because there are those other times when waiting is downright slow and long.
I was waiting at the train station for my dear friend Annie to get into town for the weekend. And as I sat there, then stood there, and even paced a little bit I waited. with so much anticipation. I could hardly contain myself. I was thinking of all the things I had to catch her up on, all the funny stories from the past week, all the interesting things from teaching. And of course I wanted to hear about her week. I was thinking of what the weekend would bring. and where Peggy and I would show here in Sarospatak. The fun little noise that signals when trains come went off. Which made me even more alert that Annie's train was all the more closer. I walked a little closer to the tracks. I was feeling so many things at this point. Excitement. Readiness. Anticipation.
And then it hit me.
What if I waited like this for Christ's return? What if I waited for my Lord and Savior with as much anticipation as I did for my friend's visit for the weekend. Having Annie here for the weekend was so much fun, but it ended after two days. But the joy and celebration Christ's arrival will bring so much more than a weekend of fun - at for eternity. wow.
So this is my challenge for myself. And maybe you can claim it as your own as well. That I would live my life. my day to day life. FOR HIM. as in waiting for His anticipated arrival. I believe that if I start to do this my life will slowly begin to change and look differently than I have ever lived before. So this waiting, this time, it is good. because between now and when Christ comes again it is not that of a long and slow waiting period, but a waiting period filled with hope and excitement.
there are sometimes when waiting is fun. but right now I cannot think of them. because there are those other times when waiting is downright slow and long.
I was waiting at the train station for my dear friend Annie to get into town for the weekend. And as I sat there, then stood there, and even paced a little bit I waited. with so much anticipation. I could hardly contain myself. I was thinking of all the things I had to catch her up on, all the funny stories from the past week, all the interesting things from teaching. And of course I wanted to hear about her week. I was thinking of what the weekend would bring. and where Peggy and I would show here in Sarospatak. The fun little noise that signals when trains come went off. Which made me even more alert that Annie's train was all the more closer. I walked a little closer to the tracks. I was feeling so many things at this point. Excitement. Readiness. Anticipation.
And then it hit me.
What if I waited like this for Christ's return? What if I waited for my Lord and Savior with as much anticipation as I did for my friend's visit for the weekend. Having Annie here for the weekend was so much fun, but it ended after two days. But the joy and celebration Christ's arrival will bring so much more than a weekend of fun - at for eternity. wow.
So this is my challenge for myself. And maybe you can claim it as your own as well. That I would live my life. my day to day life. FOR HIM. as in waiting for His anticipated arrival. I believe that if I start to do this my life will slowly begin to change and look differently than I have ever lived before. So this waiting, this time, it is good. because between now and when Christ comes again it is not that of a long and slow waiting period, but a waiting period filled with hope and excitement.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
walking
two posts in one day...don't get used to this. :) it is only because i wrote "change" last night and since we still have to go to the cafe for internet i am now getting a chance to post. so without further adieu, enjoy.
Since I live in a small town here in Hungary I have to walk everywhere. But I don’t see it as a burden. I see it more as a privilege, a special thing. Something I get to do. And I truly am thankful for it. I think walking gives you a different perspective on things. On the town. On the people. On life. I have traveled and studied abroad before and the times and places I have felt so much closer to the country, the culture, and the people have been when I have had to walk. And so I am thankful. I am thankful that I get to walk everywhere here in Sarospatak. I am thankful I don’t have a car and that I cannot drive this entire year (as strange as it is). Because I am finding that this way of more simply living is better. It is better on so many levels. It allows me a chance to look around and explore to places I never would. It allows me to see people along the way. It allows me to smell our neighbor’s roses and enjoy their garden. It allows me to see things I would never have had the chance to otherwise. It allows me to enjoy the day more. But most importantly, it allows me time to think and pray. And for that, especially, I am so grateful.
When I think about how much walking I have done since I’ve been here I can’t help but think about Jesus and his disciples and how they walked. They walked everywhere. And they didn’t even have a choice. And I love to think how this was a part of their ministry. Such a simple thing and God used it. Now that, that encourages me. I don’t know if God will be able to use me walking this year as ministry, but I certainly hope and pray that he will be able to use me, even if it’s through something small like walking, to bring glory to His name.
This is my prayer. Could you make it yours too?
God, you have opened my eyes to see the world around me here in Sarospatak, Hungary in a new way when I walk, and I am so grateful for this. I pray that you will continue to do this, but not just with me. for whoever is reading this. Lord, you work in incredible ways. And so I pray that you open our eyes to the ways in which we can bring You glory today, tomorrow, this week – even in the smallest ways.
Since I live in a small town here in Hungary I have to walk everywhere. But I don’t see it as a burden. I see it more as a privilege, a special thing. Something I get to do. And I truly am thankful for it. I think walking gives you a different perspective on things. On the town. On the people. On life. I have traveled and studied abroad before and the times and places I have felt so much closer to the country, the culture, and the people have been when I have had to walk. And so I am thankful. I am thankful that I get to walk everywhere here in Sarospatak. I am thankful I don’t have a car and that I cannot drive this entire year (as strange as it is). Because I am finding that this way of more simply living is better. It is better on so many levels. It allows me a chance to look around and explore to places I never would. It allows me to see people along the way. It allows me to smell our neighbor’s roses and enjoy their garden. It allows me to see things I would never have had the chance to otherwise. It allows me to enjoy the day more. But most importantly, it allows me time to think and pray. And for that, especially, I am so grateful.
When I think about how much walking I have done since I’ve been here I can’t help but think about Jesus and his disciples and how they walked. They walked everywhere. And they didn’t even have a choice. And I love to think how this was a part of their ministry. Such a simple thing and God used it. Now that, that encourages me. I don’t know if God will be able to use me walking this year as ministry, but I certainly hope and pray that he will be able to use me, even if it’s through something small like walking, to bring glory to His name.
This is my prayer. Could you make it yours too?
God, you have opened my eyes to see the world around me here in Sarospatak, Hungary in a new way when I walk, and I am so grateful for this. I pray that you will continue to do this, but not just with me. for whoever is reading this. Lord, you work in incredible ways. And so I pray that you open our eyes to the ways in which we can bring You glory today, tomorrow, this week – even in the smallest ways.
change.
I was blessed to have a dear friend send me a much anticipated book that just came out by one of my favorite authors. It is called "Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequist. (If you have never heard of her please go look her up right now! She is so talented and her words hit you right to the soul.) The topic of this book could not be anymore perfect for what I am going through right now, "change, grace, and learning the hard way". And so here are a few thoughts of hers on change. and then you will find a few thoughts of mine on change after. enjoy.
"I know better than to believe that the changes are over, and I know better than to believe the next ones will be easier, but I've learned the hard way that change is God's greatest gifts and one of his most useful tools. I've learned the hard way that change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we've become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I've learned that it's not something to run away from, as though we could, and I've learned that in many cases, change is not a function of life's cruelty but instead a function of God's graciousness." - Shauna Niequist, "Bittersweet", page 20
"This is what I've come to believe about change: it's good, in the way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it's incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliever you right into the palm of God's hand, which is where you wanted to be all along, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be. So this is the work I'm doing now, and the work I invite you into: when life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow." - Shauna Niequist, "Bittersweet", page 13
Three weeks. I have been here for three weeks. In thinking about the time I have been here so far I realized that those first two weeks were the hardest because I was fighting the change that was taking place. As ready as I was to be here and to experience what God has called me to do here I was not ready at the same time. I was not ready to leave my family and friends. to leave what was familiar. to leave what was easy. But I have seen a change that has already to take place inside of me. inside of my head, my actions and words, and my heart. I am changing.
I went into this year asking the Lord to change me. to mold me and remake me to what He wants me to be. And I have already seen that transformation start to begin. slowly. but surely. And I'm not as scared as I once was. Because change gets easier with time. And it is. It is a day by day process. though, not an easy process.
But when is life easy when we are following what God has called us to do?
And I believe that is the beauty in change. God uses change to show us things. things we may not like, but things that are so good for us.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this year. For sending me to a place I knew very little about before coming. I like that. I like not knowing. And thank you for this change. I was scared. I was scared to do something hard and to jump. But why should I be when you have always been there for me before? You have given me your promises. And through these I have been so blessed. Continue to give me your love and strength and promises to hold onto when I am down about being in such a different place. Allow me to see this year as something so good. something from You. Amen.
"I know better than to believe that the changes are over, and I know better than to believe the next ones will be easier, but I've learned the hard way that change is God's greatest gifts and one of his most useful tools. I've learned the hard way that change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we've become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I've learned that it's not something to run away from, as though we could, and I've learned that in many cases, change is not a function of life's cruelty but instead a function of God's graciousness." - Shauna Niequist, "Bittersweet", page 20
"This is what I've come to believe about change: it's good, in the way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it's incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliever you right into the palm of God's hand, which is where you wanted to be all along, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be. So this is the work I'm doing now, and the work I invite you into: when life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow." - Shauna Niequist, "Bittersweet", page 13
Three weeks. I have been here for three weeks. In thinking about the time I have been here so far I realized that those first two weeks were the hardest because I was fighting the change that was taking place. As ready as I was to be here and to experience what God has called me to do here I was not ready at the same time. I was not ready to leave my family and friends. to leave what was familiar. to leave what was easy. But I have seen a change that has already to take place inside of me. inside of my head, my actions and words, and my heart. I am changing.
I went into this year asking the Lord to change me. to mold me and remake me to what He wants me to be. And I have already seen that transformation start to begin. slowly. but surely. And I'm not as scared as I once was. Because change gets easier with time. And it is. It is a day by day process. though, not an easy process.
But when is life easy when we are following what God has called us to do?
And I believe that is the beauty in change. God uses change to show us things. things we may not like, but things that are so good for us.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this year. For sending me to a place I knew very little about before coming. I like that. I like not knowing. And thank you for this change. I was scared. I was scared to do something hard and to jump. But why should I be when you have always been there for me before? You have given me your promises. And through these I have been so blessed. Continue to give me your love and strength and promises to hold onto when I am down about being in such a different place. Allow me to see this year as something so good. something from You. Amen.
Monday, September 6, 2010
you're the God of this town
I was listening to “God of this City” by Chris Tomlin this morning as I was getting ready for church I thought about how I haven’t really looked at Sarospatak in this way God wants me to. I have looked at these people no more than I would any other person, which I don’t think should be the case. And it took listening, I mean, really listening to this song to realize something so sound and so true. It was through this song that I realized God wants me to look at these people like he does. He loves these people. The people of Patak are HIS. His heart breaks for these people. He wants to be their hope. He wants to be known. He is here. And my prayer is that if I can be just a small part of what God longs for for these people then so be it. I pray that I can be who He wants me to be here. And I pray that even though I miss home. I will BE here. Wholly and devotedly here.
I know God has called me to be here this year for a reason. So I need to stop “wishing” it was next week or next month already because it does me no good to wish away the moments I have here. Because as soon as I know it it will be June 2011 and I will wonder where the time went. And I will miss it as soon as I am back in the States. (I know myself well enough that this will happen. : ) So this is my confession. I have not “lived the moment” since being here. I have not said “thank you God”, and if I have I haven’t meant it whole heartedly. I have not truly tried to get to know Patak, because I think I am afraid of what that will do to me. So this is my prayer. I pray that I may not look ahead to what will happen in the future, and if I do that I will be quickly reminded that what is happening “here and now” is more important. I pray that I may be more sincere in my thankfulness. And I pray that I may continually be more open to what God wants to teach me- through this town and its’ people. And I pray that God will break my heart for this town. Because I believe that’s where it all begins.
and so I leave you with this...
You’re the God of this City.
You’re the King of this people.
You’re the Lord of this nation.
You are.
You are the light in this darkness.
You are the hope to the hopeless.
You are the peace to the restless.
You are.
There is no one like our God.
For greater things have yet to come.
Greater things are still to be done in this city.
I know God has called me to be here this year for a reason. So I need to stop “wishing” it was next week or next month already because it does me no good to wish away the moments I have here. Because as soon as I know it it will be June 2011 and I will wonder where the time went. And I will miss it as soon as I am back in the States. (I know myself well enough that this will happen. : ) So this is my confession. I have not “lived the moment” since being here. I have not said “thank you God”, and if I have I haven’t meant it whole heartedly. I have not truly tried to get to know Patak, because I think I am afraid of what that will do to me. So this is my prayer. I pray that I may not look ahead to what will happen in the future, and if I do that I will be quickly reminded that what is happening “here and now” is more important. I pray that I may be more sincere in my thankfulness. And I pray that I may continually be more open to what God wants to teach me- through this town and its’ people. And I pray that God will break my heart for this town. Because I believe that’s where it all begins.
and so I leave you with this...
You’re the God of this City.
You’re the King of this people.
You’re the Lord of this nation.
You are.
You are the light in this darkness.
You are the hope to the hopeless.
You are the peace to the restless.
You are.
There is no one like our God.
For greater things have yet to come.
Greater things are still to be done in this city.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
things i am thankful for lately...
things i am thankful for lately.
- a couple from school who is willing to help Peggy and me learn Hungarian.
- a beautiful sunset.
- wise words.
- the lack of internet in our flat which has led me to spend more time to journal and with God and has allowed me more sleep the past few nights.
- eager students.
- packages filled with goodness.
- change.
- answered prayer.
- challenges. big and small.
- time. as slow as it moves sometimes.
- a thoughtful and loving boyfriend.
- a gracious and faithful Father.
- support felt, even from afar.
that is it for now. but it is surely a list i know i will be adding to regularly.
- a couple from school who is willing to help Peggy and me learn Hungarian.
- a beautiful sunset.
- wise words.
- the lack of internet in our flat which has led me to spend more time to journal and with God and has allowed me more sleep the past few nights.
- eager students.
- packages filled with goodness.
- change.
- answered prayer.
- challenges. big and small.
- time. as slow as it moves sometimes.
- a thoughtful and loving boyfriend.
- a gracious and faithful Father.
- support felt, even from afar.
that is it for now. but it is surely a list i know i will be adding to regularly.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
so encouraging.
note: this post was written for yesterday, Tuesday, August 31, but our internet was out and it is only till now that I am able to get internet at a local cafe (because it is still not working in our flat). just wanted to let you know! : )
Today was good. very good.
After coming back from Miskolc this weekend it was good to be back in Patak. Peggy and I said it was good to be home again. (Isn’t that funny how a place can become home so quickly?) The thing is though Patak was still not completely home (and never will be, of course. Don’t worry Mom and Dad ☺ ) …until today.
This afternoon we had our school’s opening ceremony for the year. It was fun to get dressed up and be surrounded by all the students, teachers, and faculty. This ceremony made being here, and teaching, much more real to me. It was like “okay, I am actually doing this.” We found one of our fellow English teachers and sat down until he found two students we should meet because they not only were going to be our students, but they have also lived in Toronto. They were very sweet, and our colleague said we would have to meet his parents because they would be great people to talk with. We then met the director of our school and a Greek Catholic Priest and they were very talkative, which was nice. They were very interested in our lives and thoughtful in the fact of offering to help with anything if needed with our flat.
After the ceremony I ran into Gabor, the boy I talked about a few posts ago. It was almost strange to have someone I recognized in Hungary, but it was great to see him. We talked for a bit and then end walked with us back to our flat. While we were standing outside a car drove by and stopped. I just figured it was because they lived across the street, but instead it was the mother, Ana, of the two students we had met earlier (right before the ceremony). She told us a little about herself and her family and encouraged us in being here. She said that when her husband returns from Ukraine she would love to have Peggy and me over. It is hard to explain, but I was so touched in meeting Ana. It was something God knew I needed. I have been praying and hoping for someone like her and her family. (She has two boys who will be starting High School and a daughter in 5th grade.) I am a very community driven person. I need it and long for it. And I know that God blesses me through it and blesses others through it because of me. So I just felt that in meeting Ana this could be something that will be such a blessing for me this year. So I ask that you will pray for this situation and that God will bless it. I pray that meeting Ana and her sons, Aaron and Daniel, today was just the start of something really great. And I pray that this is only the beginning of community and good relationships here in Sarospatak.
I will leave you with a few of the verses I have been mediating on in preparation for Hungary and now that I am here.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
This verse was read in a women’s Bible study and it really spoke to me. I will certainly face hard times this year (let’s be honest, I already have) and so my prayer and hope is that it is through the challenges and difficulties I face that I will become stronger through Him, and that my reliance on His grace will become deeper.
“ ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And for the verse that I am claiming as this years’ verse:
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
This verse is so encouraging to me as I know that this year will be tough in so many different ways, but I know that God has put me here for a reason and it’s through him that my work will be rewarded, even though I may not see it this year.
So, again, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. They are truly appreciated. …just keep them coming. And I will try to be better about blogging to keep you updated on what is happening here. ☺
Today was good. very good.
After coming back from Miskolc this weekend it was good to be back in Patak. Peggy and I said it was good to be home again. (Isn’t that funny how a place can become home so quickly?) The thing is though Patak was still not completely home (and never will be, of course. Don’t worry Mom and Dad ☺ ) …until today.
This afternoon we had our school’s opening ceremony for the year. It was fun to get dressed up and be surrounded by all the students, teachers, and faculty. This ceremony made being here, and teaching, much more real to me. It was like “okay, I am actually doing this.” We found one of our fellow English teachers and sat down until he found two students we should meet because they not only were going to be our students, but they have also lived in Toronto. They were very sweet, and our colleague said we would have to meet his parents because they would be great people to talk with. We then met the director of our school and a Greek Catholic Priest and they were very talkative, which was nice. They were very interested in our lives and thoughtful in the fact of offering to help with anything if needed with our flat.
After the ceremony I ran into Gabor, the boy I talked about a few posts ago. It was almost strange to have someone I recognized in Hungary, but it was great to see him. We talked for a bit and then end walked with us back to our flat. While we were standing outside a car drove by and stopped. I just figured it was because they lived across the street, but instead it was the mother, Ana, of the two students we had met earlier (right before the ceremony). She told us a little about herself and her family and encouraged us in being here. She said that when her husband returns from Ukraine she would love to have Peggy and me over. It is hard to explain, but I was so touched in meeting Ana. It was something God knew I needed. I have been praying and hoping for someone like her and her family. (She has two boys who will be starting High School and a daughter in 5th grade.) I am a very community driven person. I need it and long for it. And I know that God blesses me through it and blesses others through it because of me. So I just felt that in meeting Ana this could be something that will be such a blessing for me this year. So I ask that you will pray for this situation and that God will bless it. I pray that meeting Ana and her sons, Aaron and Daniel, today was just the start of something really great. And I pray that this is only the beginning of community and good relationships here in Sarospatak.
I will leave you with a few of the verses I have been mediating on in preparation for Hungary and now that I am here.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
This verse was read in a women’s Bible study and it really spoke to me. I will certainly face hard times this year (let’s be honest, I already have) and so my prayer and hope is that it is through the challenges and difficulties I face that I will become stronger through Him, and that my reliance on His grace will become deeper.
“ ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And for the verse that I am claiming as this years’ verse:
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
This verse is so encouraging to me as I know that this year will be tough in so many different ways, but I know that God has put me here for a reason and it’s through him that my work will be rewarded, even though I may not see it this year.
So, again, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. They are truly appreciated. …just keep them coming. And I will try to be better about blogging to keep you updated on what is happening here. ☺
Monday, August 30, 2010
called to serve.
Well I am here. I am in Hungary. and will be for the next 10 months. It is crazy that all the preparation, anticipation, and training has passed and that I am finally here. Sometimes, when I am just sitting in my flat, I almost forget that I am here. I forget that I don't speak the language and that when I walk out my door I am able to communicate with few words. I forget that I am a few time zones away from loved ones, and familiarity. I forget that I not here for just a few weeks or even a semester. I forget that yes, I have graduated from college and I am, in fact, in the real world now. But amidst all this "forgetfulness" I remember. I remember that God has called me here. I remember why I am here. I remember that I have been called to serve. I remember that I want an uncomfortable life; a life where God is pushing me and challenging me daily. I remember that I have, since I was little, have wanted to live and teach abroad - and here I am doing just that. I remember that no matter how alone or desperate I will feel this year, He is my shelter, comfort, and support.
And this, this kind of HOPE will be what gets me through this next year.
I am sorry it has taken me so long to update here. It has been a whirlwind of events since I have been home last, so here's me catching you up. : ) My last week in Michigan was crazy with saying good byes to dear friends and favorite spots to packing up for a year and making sure I had everything I needed to having some of my favorite meals (ones that I would surely miss while gone) Then my family and I went on a vacation with our cousins from NJ to the Outer Banks, NC. It was a much needed time spent with my family and I am so glad I was able to spend my last week before leaving for a year with them. especially on the beach. Life doesn't get much better than that does it? : )
Then I flew across the country to Pasadena, CA for a month of training. And what an intense month it was. We had a pretty rigorous schedule. We would have breakfast at 7am and wouldn't be done till we were done debriefing about the day with our team, which usually ended around 9:30/10pm. Our mornings were filled with devotions, questions and discussion on tough issues (in small groups), TEFL training (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and culture and language lessons. We always looked forward to lunch, besides the fact we were hungry, we also were quite drained at that point (especially the first few weeks). The afternoons varied from week to week, but they included more team building things, different skits and scenarios, and more culture and language lessons. Then we would have about an hour and a half to prepare for practicum which was at 7pm. This time always seemed much too short, but it was just one of the ways ESI helped prepare us for being overseas. Practicum was a great practice for us to teach conversational English to non-native speakers. ESI is affiliated with a couple different churches and organizations in order to give them a 3 week class of conversational English. At first this time of teaching was quite nerve-racking, but we soon got the hang of it and it soon became so natural. (I must say teaching English is MUCH harder than any other teaching I have done before. But it's good. and exciting.)
Training was not only great preparation for what teaching and living overseas would be like, but it was also such an amazing opportunity to meet some incredible people. It was really hard to leave Grand Rapids and St. Joe and the family and friends I have in these places, but God certainly knew what I needed (as He does always) and He made the transition so much smoother than I could have ever hoped for. I am so blessed.
But then it was time to leave, again. But for real this time. It was hard because I had met so many incredible people, but we were all going to our separate countries. (ESI sends teachers to Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Vietnam.) And I knew that leaving them would mean that this is for real. It wasn't something we were just talking about doing or just training to do, we were actually going out into the world to teach. and serve. and love. We said our goodbyes, but they were more like "see you next year".
And now I am here. in Sarospatak Hungary.
The first two days were pretty rough. The Hungary team (there are 8 of us new teachers here) didn't arrive into Budapest until 11:45pm Thursday August 19, and we still had a 3.5 hour drive out to Sarospatak. So we didn't get in until 3:45. Peggy (my teammate/roommate) and I tried to sleep but it was a pretty restless night. We were able to sleep in, until 2pm the next day, which was much needed. Peggy and I headed out for the afternoon for the essentials: money and food. It was good to be out in the town and see where we were going to be living for the next year.
Since then we have learned so much more about our town, whether that has happened through different conversations or exploring different shops and oh yeah...the town's Castle. That's right, I live about a 10 minute walk from a Castle. : )
Pegs and I have also visited our friends, Annie and Maria, in Miskolc. They are with ESI and are teaching there. This city is the 3rd largest city in Hungary, which we could tell because in comparison to Patak it is much bigger. Also Miskolc is about an hour and a half train ride from Patak, so that is nice, because we could go there for a day trip or for the weekend. We visited them last weekend for a long weekend. It worked out ever so nicely because we had to get our Residency Cards and Miskolc is the closet city for us to do that, so we figured we may as well just stay with them and see where they are living. We had a chance to meet some of their newfound friends, explore their city, go for a hike, and have some much needed girl time. : )
And now we are back to Patak and gearing up for school to start on Wednesday. I am excited for this year to begin and meet my students!
Thank you again, for all your love and support. It is much needed and appreciated.
Continued prayer for adjustment and understanding of Hungarian (it surely is a tricky language!). Also, for my eyes and ears and heart to be opened to what he has to teach me through this year.
much love from Hungary.
And this, this kind of HOPE will be what gets me through this next year.
I am sorry it has taken me so long to update here. It has been a whirlwind of events since I have been home last, so here's me catching you up. : ) My last week in Michigan was crazy with saying good byes to dear friends and favorite spots to packing up for a year and making sure I had everything I needed to having some of my favorite meals (ones that I would surely miss while gone) Then my family and I went on a vacation with our cousins from NJ to the Outer Banks, NC. It was a much needed time spent with my family and I am so glad I was able to spend my last week before leaving for a year with them. especially on the beach. Life doesn't get much better than that does it? : )
Then I flew across the country to Pasadena, CA for a month of training. And what an intense month it was. We had a pretty rigorous schedule. We would have breakfast at 7am and wouldn't be done till we were done debriefing about the day with our team, which usually ended around 9:30/10pm. Our mornings were filled with devotions, questions and discussion on tough issues (in small groups), TEFL training (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and culture and language lessons. We always looked forward to lunch, besides the fact we were hungry, we also were quite drained at that point (especially the first few weeks). The afternoons varied from week to week, but they included more team building things, different skits and scenarios, and more culture and language lessons. Then we would have about an hour and a half to prepare for practicum which was at 7pm. This time always seemed much too short, but it was just one of the ways ESI helped prepare us for being overseas. Practicum was a great practice for us to teach conversational English to non-native speakers. ESI is affiliated with a couple different churches and organizations in order to give them a 3 week class of conversational English. At first this time of teaching was quite nerve-racking, but we soon got the hang of it and it soon became so natural. (I must say teaching English is MUCH harder than any other teaching I have done before. But it's good. and exciting.)
Training was not only great preparation for what teaching and living overseas would be like, but it was also such an amazing opportunity to meet some incredible people. It was really hard to leave Grand Rapids and St. Joe and the family and friends I have in these places, but God certainly knew what I needed (as He does always) and He made the transition so much smoother than I could have ever hoped for. I am so blessed.
But then it was time to leave, again. But for real this time. It was hard because I had met so many incredible people, but we were all going to our separate countries. (ESI sends teachers to Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Vietnam.) And I knew that leaving them would mean that this is for real. It wasn't something we were just talking about doing or just training to do, we were actually going out into the world to teach. and serve. and love. We said our goodbyes, but they were more like "see you next year".
And now I am here. in Sarospatak Hungary.
The first two days were pretty rough. The Hungary team (there are 8 of us new teachers here) didn't arrive into Budapest until 11:45pm Thursday August 19, and we still had a 3.5 hour drive out to Sarospatak. So we didn't get in until 3:45. Peggy (my teammate/roommate) and I tried to sleep but it was a pretty restless night. We were able to sleep in, until 2pm the next day, which was much needed. Peggy and I headed out for the afternoon for the essentials: money and food. It was good to be out in the town and see where we were going to be living for the next year.
Since then we have learned so much more about our town, whether that has happened through different conversations or exploring different shops and oh yeah...the town's Castle. That's right, I live about a 10 minute walk from a Castle. : )
Pegs and I have also visited our friends, Annie and Maria, in Miskolc. They are with ESI and are teaching there. This city is the 3rd largest city in Hungary, which we could tell because in comparison to Patak it is much bigger. Also Miskolc is about an hour and a half train ride from Patak, so that is nice, because we could go there for a day trip or for the weekend. We visited them last weekend for a long weekend. It worked out ever so nicely because we had to get our Residency Cards and Miskolc is the closet city for us to do that, so we figured we may as well just stay with them and see where they are living. We had a chance to meet some of their newfound friends, explore their city, go for a hike, and have some much needed girl time. : )
And now we are back to Patak and gearing up for school to start on Wednesday. I am excited for this year to begin and meet my students!
Thank you again, for all your love and support. It is much needed and appreciated.
Continued prayer for adjustment and understanding of Hungarian (it surely is a tricky language!). Also, for my eyes and ears and heart to be opened to what he has to teach me through this year.
much love from Hungary.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
some pictures and an AWESOME story
There's a couple things I would like to share with you. I have been doing a lot of preparation for Hungary the past few weeks, a lot of which includes support raising and follow up calls for that, but it also has included researching Hungary and thinking about what I will pack.
TeachOverseas sent me a packet about Hungary in regard to website about it, it's literature & composers, and it's history. I have enjoyed reading this, but I thought I would do a little research on my own, so I headed to one of the local libraries and checked out a few travel books on Hungary and Eastern Europe. Even though I will live there for a year and will become familiar with the country and the surrounding countries, I figured it would be a good idea to know some of the hot spots before I am there. I have included a few pictures of some of the interesting things Hungary has to offer in it's capital, Budapest.
I also have included a couple pictures of Hungary with the surrounding countries (there are seven!) to give you a better idea of where I will be. One is zoomed out to give you the big picture and the other one I zoomed in to show you (with an orange star) the town where I will be living, Sarospatak. So enjoy!
I know this post is getting long, but bear with me because I have a really great story here that you DO NOT want to miss. : )
So I was making some follow up calls and one of them was to one of the Professors who lead the Interim trip to Cambodia this past January. We were talking about Hungary and he said that he has had a Hungarian foreign exchange student staying at his house this past year. I could not believe it! Partly for the fact that I didn't know this already and also because how crazy is that? My mind immediately started wondering all kinds of questions like, "I wonder where he's from?" "I wonder if I could meet him, and if I can meet him could he give me a crash course on Hungarian." Well, Leonard put Gabor on the phone and we realized that not only is he from Hungary, but he goes to school in Sarospatak, and not only does he go to school in Sarospatak, but he goes to the same school I will be teaching at this next year! What a GOD THING. I could not even believe the chances of something like this happening. Anyhow, we talked for a little bit and came up with a time to meet since he's going back to Hungary on Monday. I'm really excited to meet and talk with him!
This story is just one way I have been able to see God at work through all this preparation and anticipation I have been feeling about going to Hungary. He is providing in ways I have never experienced before, through encouragement, love, prayers, and finacially. It truly is quite humbling and I am realizing more and more each day that this is all His doing, I am just His hands and feet. I am His servant, doing His work here on Earth. And I am so thankful for such an opportunity.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Hungary here I come!
As you may know this next year I will be in Sarospatak, Hungary teaching conversational English to High Schoolers. I am so excited for this opportunity because it has always been a dream to teach internationally. I have more recently, through abroad travels and studies, and other experiences, felt God's calling to do this. I am so excited to see what God has planned for me while teaching in Hungary. I am ready to learn and grow and to be stretched and challenged. I not only hope to learn and grow, but my prayer is that my students and others around me will see Christs' love shine through me. I not only see my time in Hungary as a time to teach and learn about the Hungarian culture, but also as a ministry. So my prayer is that God will prepare my heart, even now, to be willing to be transformed and open to the work He wants done.
I ask that you, whomever you may be, consider teaming up with me whether it be by prayer or financial support. I know that this next year will not be able to happen without people like you being on my support team. Start praying now if this what God is calling you to do. And know that it will be through Him that everything will work for his good. Thank you!
I ask that you, whomever you may be, consider teaming up with me whether it be by prayer or financial support. I know that this next year will not be able to happen without people like you being on my support team. Start praying now if this what God is calling you to do. And know that it will be through Him that everything will work for his good. Thank you!
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