Monday, January 28, 2013

First Week

   We have been reminded many times as we walk the streets of Hungary the emptiness of life without Christ in your heart, in this culture. People appear 10-30 years older, faces lined with no hope, alcohol or other tragedies endured.  Our determination to learn the culture and language so much more focused in understanding so we can share the Good News!
 
  Evidently things just take more time to get done here, so if a couple items on your to-do list is accomplished, it is a successful day. Apparently they think we are the energizer bunnies from our first week! We looked for rentals and found one; negotiated the indoor and outdoor markets (truly - a booth that sells household cleaners and wine - that's it!); Learning that pictures really do make a difference in language assumption as we discover new things; Walked some of the streets of "our" town without getting lost (the names change at the corners); Attended worship and prayer meetings; Started our residency permits; Attended a Hungarian birthday party; Got to meet our team; Learned how to use different appliances; Kind of figured out how to understand the exchange rate; Tried new and wonderful foods - all while fighting jet lag.

  Seeing familiar faces again has been an especially encouraging joy - truly friendship is a gift from God! He is so faithful to provide. I have wondered many times this week as we greeted these sweet, joyous believers, if this is what Heaven will be like or if it is just a sweet taste of the eternal. I know we are missing those from home, but we just need to concentrate on what lies before us, and do our best to remember that His family is always only a prayer away. That alone is great gain.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

We are being spoiled!

  Our hosts are letting us stay in their guest cottage while we look for housing. This is the lovely kitchen in this sweet space... yes, we are being spoiled!  I don't want to get too comfortable with such nice accommodations, so we are looking as often as we can at places (not much is available). What we had seen was interesting, to say the least and evidently not a normal situation.

  Meanwhile, God is SO good! We have been able to get around thanks to our team members, had a chance to get to Calvary Chapel Budapest's service (it's in English and Hungarian), plus a tour of the city, walking around our town, and a lot of things were accomplished yesterday - like we were able to find a great map!

   Please be in prayer for an apartment or house in a safe place, but inexpensive.  Also, please pray for some bicycles in good shape or a car that is really cheap or free, since there is snow on the ground (and will be for a while) as well as it will be necessary for many reasons.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Family changes!

In just a few days, sniff, I won't see this set of "kids" for a while, but will be having the opportunity to expand my family of "kids":)

Kurt calls it PMS = Professional Mom Syndrome!  I find myself trying to help everyone.. in the post office (just ask the man who got a heart bandaid from me when he cut his hand), in the airport (if I have time, I will walk you to your gate to make sure you are ok), in the grocery store (you can imagine), and the list goes on.  My sons would just roll their eyes as they grew up, or helped with ideas, too. Now they are helpers as well.

This PMS continues to work in life - the above bunch are only a few of the ones who call me "mom". Oh, they have mothers, but they have at least an extra mom (me), as well. Soon I will be PMS-ing some new kids as we struggle with language barriers, but the challenges will be somewhat the same, no matter where you go. Boyfriend/girlfriend problems; family challenges; relating to another person challenges;  school; directions to go; where does God mesh with it all?

It is always nice to know someone cares... that's where I come in...PMS!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

12 days!


Wow - twelve days left before we head out to a life we can’t imagine what will bring forth minute by minute.  Here in the states, if you move from one part of the country to another, you can at least expect similar people, reactions, transportation, housing, heating, traditions, shopping experiences, language and cultural nuances.

Where we are going, you emphasis only the front of the word in speaking, you go grocery shopping everyday, pay bills differently, look differently, don’t smile or laugh as you go through your routine (they will think you are drunk or insane), live minimally, speak a different language, and greet everyone in the restaurant as you enter and leave.

I feel as though I will be a mute/deaf person - unable to communicate with most people. While I know mentally that most jobs in Hungary require a good working knowledge of English, I also know that unless the people speak it very well, they would rather not because it isn’t perfect.... until they will hear me speak my Hungarian - small and halting as it is so far. I am also afraid my German will be flowing right back in rather than Hungarian, creating a really muddled mix. Hmm, maybe I should add my minimal Spanish to it as well?? No, I think I will just keep up with my Hungarian.

Then just getting around.... without mountains to guide us with directions, street signs will mostly have "utca" at the end, transportation challenges - a car is highly recommended, though we haven't been able to raise enough money for one, so we are praying in one (feel free to join us on that!). Meanwhile, different schedules, time reading (24 hr. clock), which tram to get... you get the idea. I wonder if we will feel like toddlers again, wanting to stay really close to our teammates so we don't get lost. 

Then, all the details to wrap up here.  I (Carrie) am saying goodbye to my mom and sister & friends right now before we are gone for a long time, so Kurt is getting the fun job of continuing to sort.  Yeah, pray:)

Monday, January 7, 2013

13 Days!

  The number thirteen is ominous for some but has never affected Kurt or myself.  I used to collect four leaf clovers as a kid & just ran across some the other day. I also found my Eyeore from when I was a kid... oh the things you find when you are trying to purge households!

  In thirteen days we leave for full-time ministry in Hungary - wow! We are excited, exhausted, enthused and encouraged. We also hope you are too! I think the picture of Eyeore sums it up best of how we feel:)

  Learning Hungarian here in the states has been interesting - from our Pimsleur edition to an actual Hungarian teaching her mother tongue both have been a blessing and all those in between and funny stories besides:

   I was walking through Costco after work one day, list in hand and earbuds in to mimic the Hungarian I was struggling to learn. As I would go up and down the aisles like an automatron, concentrating on listening & repeating, I would periodically become aware of someone startled next to me or around me. After a number of times with this happening, I finally came out of the "zone" and realized that it was the same person! I tried to make sure to keep an eye out so I would not appear as a stalker, but I was concentrating so hard trying to listen and repeat exactly what was said, it just kept happening!

    One aisle I went down, I happened to look up, and there this woman was with her child. Seeing me, she quickly turned around and left the aisle. I had to laugh, even though I felt bad. I could only imagine hearing, "Stalking Hungarian learners, next on Geraldo!"

  By the time I was in the check out line I had had some great practice times without the startled people anywhere around. Standing there, unloading my items onto the conveyor belt it was time for me to repeat what was said, so I did, as usual.  The person in front of me in line straightened and turned my direction so quickly, I thought something happened behind me, so I looked. Nothing. I looked back at the person in front... and yes, you guessed it... The lady and child were in front!  I tried to ask a question in English, but she nearly ran away. I could hear the child ask her something in a different language - maybe Russian or Ukrainian. Sadly, I never did get to ask he my question. So, I pray for them both periodically when this "stalker lady" is speaking Hungarian as I listen to my iPod...

  Now I am realizing that in 13 days I won't have to only have an ipod in order to hear Hungarian! I better keep practicing how to say, "I am sorry, but you speak too quickly."