Thursday, October 31, 2013

Fall '13 in Hungary Happenings

Hi!
fall color
 It is Fall in this part of the hemisphere, and while many trees have been turning yellow, we have also managed to find some extra color here and there in daily routines.

Walking on the way to the Farmer's Market (called the Piac - like Pea-yachts), we saw these lovely leaves. The piac itself has so much color this time of year with the different squash available, the 'kaposta' products (pickled items) that are SO good, the way people are dressed, other items for sale, and since it is almost November 1 (All Saint's Day), a LOT of beautiful wreaths and flowers for sale. Fortunately, Halloween isn't celebrated here. The beginning of November, though is HUGE - people place the wreaths and candles at the gravesites of relatives to remember them.

                                                                                    A friend of ours told us about their young son who loves to get extra candles to put at the gravesites where there may be none or few candles there so "they won't feel so lonely"! I thought that was a sweet idea & very compassionate.
Some of the famous Vecses pickled products sold 

An implement/wire product seller
Small Wreaths, nuts and fruit for sale
                 Some of the stalls at the piac are really interesting & very different than those you would see in an American farmer's market. There is usually at least one implement seller of metal goods (often handmade), but they also sell huge wooden spoons for people's bograc's (like a really big pot to make soup in outside over a wood fire - a traditional Hungarian meal). I have seen some of the spoons even 4' long! The picture above has a number of spoons about 3' long, as well as wire brushes for chimney's for smoke houses, and to clean various things, plus some sieves, spare wire, pots and pans and other tools for the kitchen you might need. 

There are other sellers - many with fruit & vegetables; flowers; dried fruits, beans and spices; used clothing or items for the house; books; plastics for the home; shovel and axe handles and other tools; sometimes pensioners selling whatever they can spare from their gardens or homes; shoes; clothing; Bio products; thread or leather goods; basket makers....   In my mind I sometimes make up stories to go with the products for sale.
   
There are also many events happening - it is after all, time for the Seasonal classes to start, like Quilt Club, English Club, Ifi (teen) Clubs, Men's Club and Women's Bible Study. 

We were able to help out another quilt club in the area with an outreach of some ladies coming over from Pennsylvania. Carrie helped with the quilting part, and Kurt helped some other men cook and prepare the lunch. The people were all very appreciative in everyone's efforts. 

Through all of our activities and interactions (there are many!), we covet your prayers - not only for our growing ability to speak Hungarian, but also for those with whom we speak with. We want to be God's heart and light to them, drawing them closer to the One who desires fellowship with them.
Traditional Debrecen symbols quilt top

Vecses Piac in Fall

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Life has been like a waterfall..

Quick - choose where you are supposed to go!

  When we realized how long it has been since we have posted anything - we thought we would catch you up on life here in Hungary!

First, we are fine!

Second, in preparing for Carrie's knee surgery in early September, time flew away. Surgery was successful for her total knee replacement, PTL. It is now 5 weeks post-op, and she can get around the house without crutches! The operation took place in a Budapest hospital. If you want more details, check the newsletter coming out soon.

                                                                     Third, we just had the privilege of celebrating our 28th anniversary! We heard about an very inexpensive Bible college/castle in Hungary, so we took two days for a road trip and getaway. Castles are all over Hungary, and they vary greatly in prices.
Some of these photos we just took on our way back yesterday.
Some houses are made of bricks, some of  adobe, like here - this one needs some extra TLC -  pray for the Hungarian people. Many are hard workers, but due to the pay scale, very little is able to be used for 'extras' other than survival. For instance, doctors, teachers and people working in a store all earn about the same amount! This is one reason the young people are leaving the country in large numbers due to economics.