Monday, May 18, 2015

Unexpected Breakthroughs

  I love surprises - good ones, that is.  Being on the field has been one of those, even though it can be difficult, there are many great surprises. Some fun surprises are in the midst of hard things, Kurt will do something fun and unexpected, like the photo below.

Now THAT's a cup of coffee!
   Other fun surprises are when we get blessed with boxes of love from the states - fresh coffee beans, mugs, encouraging books and notes, twist ties, bits of everyday life we used to take for granted, but no longer do. We love sharing some of those gifts, like the fresh coffee, with friends, so they can understand more fully what we also like and enjoy.  The Hungarian people (usually) are more than willing to at least try something they are unaccustomed to, just like you and I.

   Some things are possible to obtain, but often at a great price, or in a different country.
Thank you Camano Island Coffee Roasters! Heavenly coffee!


    Other breakthroughs can happen during unexpected times. We just heard about a couple in a different country who are now expecting twins & she has been astoundingly sick with morning sickness. This has become a huge change for both of them, but also for the community as the men are seeing how he cares for his wife during this time. The husband is loving, helping, ever careful and gentle with her - far different than what is expected of men there… and it is changing the way men are looking at life!

   When I had my knee replaced in Budapest, (thanks to many people helping me gain back my mobility!) the way Kurt took care of me, loved me, spoke volumes to others. He was trying to stay busy and there was an abundance of fruit in our yard, as well as at the local market which is called a "Piac" (pee-yahtz). So, Kurt asked how to make applesauce, jams, etc… & then did them! Did that ever surprise the people we knew! "What? YOU made this, Kurt???? How can that be? Ok, because YOU made this, I will try it…" Kurt became an amazing canning/cooking machine! People looked at him differently, nearly reverentially.

    After I could move around more and more, I wanted to get back to the piac as well to see people I had been interacting with, getting to know, plus, I just love seeing what is locally fresh and available. Kurt and I slowly made our way there, me with my crutches and Tylenoled up… (Painkillers aren't very prevalent there, so I was using some I brought from the states). As I spoke to the man who sells eggs, there was something within the crowd that was like a disturbance. Then speaking to the honey seller, more disturbance, then a vegetable saleswoman who understands me better. She asked how my time in the states went.
   "I didn't go to the states." I replied.  "Yes you did - was it good?" she said.  "I didn't go anywhere." I said.
   "Yes, for your surgery." She said.
   "Oh, I had that done here, in Hungary."
   "HERE?? You had gone to a hospital HERE??" Now there was a real disturbance in the people as it seemed to sweep through the crowds & people whispering. (It's not like people hang on every word we say. There are a lot of people in this farmer's market area & it's a great way for people to catch up with each other, but I was getting the feeling somewhat of jungle drums, or the equivalent).
  "Yes" I replied.  "No, in America, or maybe Germany" she said.
   "No, right in Budapest, on ____ Street" I said.
   (Now the swirling sensation in people really took off)
    "Wow" she said, then carefully asked, "Are you pleased with it (your surgery)?"
    "Yes, I am. It is a difficult recovery, but it is good" I said.

     I tell you, I couldn't have paid people for the looks of awe as we hobbled back to the car parked a block or so away. (I was used up, tired beyond tired & in pain - but it was SO good to get out after being cooped up at home!) The breakthrough that God provided through needing a new knee continued on - people treated me as though another wall was broken down - I was respected more, but allowed to be more of "Hungarian".  Even a year after surgery, people would still ask me about my knee and how it was doing - and I had never seen them that I know of!

   There is a bonding in our surprises, quite often. You think of some silly or tragic things that happen, and those that are with you are drawn in to a deeper understanding of life together, something that needs to be nurtured a bit, but can last a lifetime.

   I can't wait to get back, to gather together over coffee or tea and talk about what God is doing, what happened with each other, and greet people with kisses on each cheek again (but rarely hug each other!). I am ready for the grumpy lack of customer service in stores, but the camaraderie of the piac…

 
Nuts, grapes, wreaths, dried fruits

Vecses Kaposta (sauerkraut that is sweet/sour) - yummy!
    Here are some sights you might see at the local markets held outside, twice a week, all year long, no matter the weather!

  Again, most is seasonal, and if you don't get it that day/week, it may not be back! So, you learn to shop well, often and figure out a way to preserve it with little/no freezer space or fridge space! (Maybe this was the reason I started canning over in the states - was to get ready to can over in Hungary?!) God may be preparing you for something new, too!

   My quilter's heart loves all the colors, as well. Maybe someday I can convey this into art, too:)
The ever present beautiful peppers - the heart of Hungarian cuisine!