David and Goliath times

King Istvan praying for the nation of Hungary before battle

   Have you heard about David and Goliath? Most have, but in case you haven't, David (to become King David) was a young boy, a shepherd, who had come at his father's request to see how his older brothers on the front lines were doing in a war with the Philistines.

   Upon his arrival, he viewed the giant, Goliath, taunting the Israeli troops that were being led by King Saul. David asked them, "Are you just going to stand by and let that army of the Philistines taunt the army of God's appointed?" David was MAD!

   To fast forward a bit, they pretty much said, "Hey, if you want to go fight this giant, go ahead!" So David gathered stones and walked towards Goliath (who was jeering him the whole time). David put one of the stones into his sling, gave it some whirls & let the stone fly.... right into the forehead of Goliath the giant, killing him instantly! The Philistines turned tail and ran, then the Israeli army ran after them to cut them down, after having been encouraged by the lack of Goliath in their midst.

    We all have David and Goliath times - especially when we are feeling really small against what seems like a daunting task or time of life - but we FORGET that David relied on God & the promises God gave the Israelites! God helped David overcome Goliath by what seems like impossible odds when other more seasoned veterans were terrified of Goliath's strength, size, and don't forget Goliath's bullying attitude.

   Are you going through David & Goliath times?  There are times for us that seem like that too - especially learning one of the three hardest languages at a time in life when others are looking forward to spending time with grandchildren, looking at retirement sooner than later, the myth that it is much more difficult to learn a foreign language when your are "old",  feeling like we aren't really accomplishing anything or making a difference in the lives of others, we are crazy to sell/give away what we had & move across the world to a place no one has heard of or cares about .... and the list can go on.
 
   Yes, there are times when it feels like Goliath (in this case, Hungarian) is winning.  But that is the EXACT TIME when we need to remind ourselves that we are like David!  We may be small in the big picture of things, but God has given us talents, taught us things - like He taught David how to use a sling and a rock - and then we had to keep practicing those things over & over & over until we could actually use those talents.

   God has helped us to use these seemingly meaningless talents in interacting with people, or just going through life here - but people here NOTICE these things! The Hungarian people for many years have been trained to watch and observe, even if they couldn't say anything to another person, they are tremendous watchers, very contemplative, and tend to be very negative thinkers. Yet, here are some crazy Americans in their midst BY CHOICE????? So they think, "What? WHY? Really? You WANT to live here, when the USA is the land of milk & honey? You want to learn this hard language? WHY? Why are you REALLY here?" Well, who needs a better introduction into why we are here? So, we answer them!

     Then, (sometimes, I can even hear a chuckle from God ) we let them know that MANY Americans sent us over here to speak to them, let them know that they are loved by God.... God, who set the heavens and the stars in place... God, who formed man out of dust.... God, who knew all about them before any of them were formed.... God, who sent His son for them to die in their place, for their sins, so they could believe in Christ Jesus, who loved them before time began and loves them still.... because God keeps His promises, and He will win the ultimate war.

    Remember, when you face the giants - God is in control. God wins, even through the difficult circumstances. God wins when you are willing to be a fool for His glory, God wins. He creates beauty out of hearts of stone when they yield to Him. God wins!

Ok, these are too funny not to post...

         So, would their "pick up" lines be better?  Is the food spiced? Does it make you think your pet is really ready for sunglasses or a cruise?

Eww - really? Where is the cheese sauce?

 
As a person strides through the market, trying to figure out some of the ingredients or advertisements in a foreign language, it is somewhat shocking, then hilarious to realize you don't have to decipher the box as hard as you have been with the others.

   I have learned I need to start counting - at least to three- before I try to figure out why they use some names in their advertising. Maybe to be "hip, slick & cool", or to lure in people who are so hungry to read and learn English? Maybe it is because they think it is making sense somehow in their thinking?

Is it proper to clean with this, or just have it in your home?

    Then, there are the "household helps"... this is sold not only at a store owned by a company in the UK,  but I have also seen it with my own eyes at everyday 'Mom & Pop' stores. Is this just Mr. Clean's way of making us feel relieved that we are safe or that this is the only product to use before company comes?

   Don't worry - with our sense of humor, there will be many more to add to your collection!

Oh, the resources we are finding!

A friend of ours, Péter, was again heading down to Serbia & asked us if we wanted to come along to see what is happening. Our schedule was free at last so we leapt at the chance. Péter is from the Bárka, ( the church we are working with here in Vecsés, Hungary). We just came back earlier today from visiting the churches in Serbia that are run by a Serbian/Hungarian pastor (Zoltan). Zoltan has planted two churches in the northern part of Serbia. He grew up in the village of Pácír where he now has a church with a small congregation. Zoltan doesn't care if the people coming are Serbs, Croats, Roma (Gypsy) or Hungarians, he just wants them all come to know Jesus!

A few months ago, Zoltan and his family of 9 people were burned out of their home. A gas container IN Zoltan's HAND somehow got a spark, blew up, and then everything caught on fire. Zoltan was the only one injured. There was only one door to the home, right next to the blaze, so the whole family (including grandparents) climbed up through a window near the roof and down onto a fence, then jumped down to the ground. All was lost - the place literally burned to the ground. They have been staying at one of the churches he has planted. They just found a very old house on a large lot and were able to purchase it, thanks to some generous donations, and now are in the process of removing part of it in order to rebuild it so the family's needs can be accommodated better.

The villages where Zoltan has started 2 churches are very poor. There is little/no work for Hungarians in Serbia. The partial demolition and the rebuilding is actually providing some of the ONLY jobs in the area!

With donations given by many, we arrived Friday, along with some other Americans (who had been there literally the day before the fire). A work group from the Atlanta,Georgia area was finishing off some of the rooms in one of the churches so that they could have Sunday School. This building used to be an old stables area and is the same building where Zoltan and his family are using two rooms to live in. Later in the week, a church of Roma believers are coming in to help. Zoltan said that the pastor of the church called & said there are 65 people in his church, but no one has a job, so since they are "free", could they come and help... He said yes, with hopes that all will go well, not knowing the pastor or the church very well.

While all of this is going on, some ladies from the church are coming in to help cook for these groups in an older American sized kitchen - 1 small double sink, 1 stove, 1 regular European sized fridge (about half the size of an American one), a couple of cupboards and a table... cooking for 20-50 people at a time and no dishwashing machine. They also have one clothes washing machine (european - loads take quite a long time) for all of the people, linens, etc.. there is no dryer other than a clothes line.

Meanwhile, people are being saved, hearts are changing, eyes are watching to see what will happen next.

Our friend from the Bárka, Péter, also took us to pray with a single mom, "Z" (not her real name), who was abandoned by her husband when their daughter was born with the cord around her neck. For 23 years now, mom has taken care of her daughter who will never be mentally more than a few months old. She was loaned a wheelchair by the clinic, but it needs to go back soon. There is no hoyer lift - it is only mom. Yet the love that outpours from this lady to her daughter is astounding and truly a joy to experience. "Z" came to know Christ four years ago. She is the full-time caretaker. The in-laws, who are in their 70's, are the "breadwinners" for everyone, driving a taxi in a very rural area that is also extremely poor.

Next, Péter brought us to meet a lady whose house literally fell down around them during the winter a year ago. He has gone many times to help them, including initially through some terrible snowstorms. There is some progress to their home, but again, it is difficult without work. This is the first time she has ever lived in a house with indoor plumbing! The husband is one of the few who are helping Pastor Zoltan. The wife came to know Christ a couple of years ago, and her husband only a year ago.

A neighbor, of the above couple, T, had initially met Péter shortly after Péter arrived during a snowstorm and yelled at him for coming to help. "Why would you do this?" asked the neighbor angrily. "It is because Christ called me to come help a brother in need. You only live a few doors away - why have you not helped?" is what Péter replied... then last fall, Péter got a call from T. "I thought about what you said and have been talking to Pastor Zoltan. I gave my life to Jesus and I will be getting baptized - will you come?" "Certainly!" replied Péter. Now, T's mother has had a massive stroke after having come out of a coma. We went to pray for her and encourage him. He has no job either, other than taking care of his 84 year old mother in a tiny house.

Pastor Zoltan has big dreams for church planting. Péter has a big heart for the people in these communities. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf.

Wow! How God can work through pain...

  This is a picture from the 1930's of Chico's (Hungarian "Cowboys") on the plains of Hungary.  The crossed pieces of wood to the right is the counterweight to help get the full water bucket out of the ground. (They have nothing to do with the story that follows, but I thought it was a cool picture!)

   As many of you know, I thought I had just pulled something under my knee when I went to the Dr., only to find out that it is bone on bone! Phooey! I guess my pain tolerance is higher than I thought! Evidently I need a knee replacement...Anyway, part of what the Dr. recommended was to have some physical therapy, so I was following the Dr's instructions and did some physical therapy. I just finished up this past week.

   I walked in a day or two ago & by now the ladies at the front desk actually smile at me, and have been patient enough with my Hungarian (or lack of it), and the patience of me practicing counting money to them. (They were VERY suspicious of me the first few times & I felt like a terrible bother).  So, when I told them this was my last day, they were quite surprised.

  We went through the motions of the physical therapy, and then the nurse who had been helping me continuously through this time double checked, "You - last here?"  "Igen" (yes) I replied.  Before we departed, once again, "You - last here, ma (today)?" "Igen" I replied again.  Then she started to cry, apologizing in Hungarian fervently. My mothering instinct took over and I hugged her, then she started to sob!  "Oh, what?" I asked.  (We have been trying to communicate all these different sessions. Her English is better and my Hungarian is, thanks to these conversations).

  "I will miss you... very much! You give joy."  I prayed quickly, "Oh Lord, what can I say to her that will lead her to You?" The next thing out of my mouth was, "It is ONLY Jesus in me that you will miss! He is the only one who can give you joy." ( Admittedly, this was in "Hung-lish") She looked at me & I asked her if she knew about Jesus. Nodding, I proceeded, again in Hung-lish. So I brought up some different things we had spoken about and turned it all towards Him. I also shared more to her why & how Jesus is important. There was even a cross in the door to use the example of why Jesus died for us instead of us being on the cross!  Through many tears and tissues, the message hit home.

  Maybe we will see each other for coffee. I hope so! When I told Kurt about this, he said, "Use the English/Hungarian Bible we have - some Hungarian Bibles are in such old ways of speaking, they are very difficult to understand!  So, I went back in and gave her the Bible, as a "loan". (I guess Hungarians are kind of funny about loans, so they want to return stuff quickly). I just told her that we could meet for coffee and she could return the book.

  All in all, we went through probably 20 tissues, but hopefully she will have new hope, soon! We entreat you to pray for her as well as many others we continue to encounter. God is opening up some amazing doors and opportunities!

Conference time:)

We are attending a conference with many of our colleagues throughout Europe. How fun to meet up with some we have met on our survey trip, others we went through classes with, and many more that are now new friends!

What really strikes me right now is the atmosphere between the kids and their parents. The kids are just as thrilled to be here as the parents! It is like a big happy camp for a family for everyone! Not only are adults reconnecting with each other, but there is this aspect of being a child on the field in a different culture. They are called "third culture kids".  (It is similar to the children in the military families who move around every few years... not many towns feel like "their" hometown. In this case, not many countries feel like "their" country where they are from.)  My heart became very heavy in thinking about how long it has been since these kids could see "their friends" who completely understand what they may be going through, how often they are in planes, busses, autos, trains  and when they are "home" in the states (which never seems like it is their home), it is being on the road most of the time speaking to churches and groups that aren't familiar to them.

When I was a kid, it took what seemed like FOREVER to get to camp again every year. Many of us are still in contact from 4th grade camp!  This is another reason my heart felt heavy - it may be 1, 2, 3, or 4 years until they get to see their camp friends again - a lifetime, almost as a kid!  I diatribe about this simply for the fact that it is really important to lift up these families in prayer & to do so quite often. A number of the children grow up knowing at least one other language yet may not understand why until they are older. Are you getting a glimpse of what being a Third Culture Kid is all about? What is humorous in one country may not be in another; the concept of some of our US holidays are different to them; why do people talk about an "old house" that is only 100 years old when the one they currently live in was built in the 1500's... you get the picture!

Anyway, yes, it was a true joy to see not only the adults hugging each other and having fun, but also the children.  There were teams from the US and other places who came to let the kids have a blast in a safe enviornment while their parents were attending meetings. Thank you to all of them!! (And if anyone wants to participate in something like that to help, please feel free to email us!! We have many ways you can!)

So, the conference was really great and encouraging.... and I had met some other Hungarians there who weren't attending a conference - so I got to practice my Hungarian during that time! What made us all laugh was one evening we  saw each other & a German couple was sitting with them. Neither spoke the other's language, so when they asked if I knew German, I said "Yes".  So, questions were being asked & I had been trying to squelch my German through language learning so much, all my answers were coming out in Hungarian or Hung-glish (Hungarian - English)..... yep, something must be sticking! Thanks for your prayers!

Spring Has Finally Arrived!

  Yea! It is spring finally! No frost for a couple of weeks now, so I started cleaning flower beds in our front flower garden (virag kert) and planting seeds amongst the roses. I also planted some flower seeds in some containers that "came with the house".  Violets are blooming like crazy in the grass, between bits of sidewalk, around trees and other shrubbery. English daisies and hyacinths gone wild are also blooming in people's grass and yards, trying to beat the cherry trees as they prepare to blossom.  Sour cherries blossom and ripen first (a Magyar favorite), then the sweet cherries. They even have separate names for the types, denoting if one is sour or sweet.

  As people come out to work in the garden, take a walk, ride a bike or just sit and enjoy the sun and its warmth they are also now being greeted by us as we pass by. Most are finally willing to speak back, so either the sun has made them less hesitant, they are used to seeing us, or our Hungarian is getting better! Either way, we are glad to make more acquaintances.  Sometimes (usually the older people) will just start rambling on - like the man splitting wood today, or a lady talking about her mop for 8 stops on the tram, or one of our neighbors I met a week or so ago chatting about her flowers.

  We try to use each of these situations as more "on the street Hungarian lessons".  For instance, Maria, our neighbor, was out looking at what was coming up.  I walked up and told her the forsythia looked beautiful (in Hungarian), this led to an on-the-street class for both of us - she was ASTOUNDED there was a "foreigner" living on her street! I was astounded that Hungarian doesn't use the latin names I learned (thank you mom!) for the flora - so Maria proceeded to help me learn the Hungarian names for the plants I have known most of my life.  Then, a day or so later, my Hungarian tutor and I were walking past Maria's garden & they started quizzing me, and I nearly remembered them all and the pronunciation!  We still need all the prayers we can get  - learning another language in immersion takes it out of you in many ways.

Tribes and Tongues

  Easter Monday we had the fun experience of "getting outta Dodge" and going on our first road trip since being in country.  Bundling up and climbing in the van with a bunch of other fun people early in the morning & off we went! (This spring has been unseasonably cold and rainy - and that day in particular unbearably cold). Easter Monday is a national holiday here and many events were happening all over the country.  Ladies were promptly sprayed with perfume by the men - an Easter Monday tradition.

  We arrived at Opusztaszer about 45 minutes later (this is considered a really long drive!).  From the step out of the van it was clearly a different place.  This is the spot over a thousand years ago that the main tribes of a large area came together to sign a treaty of strength and form a nation. The nation is now know to most of the world as Hungary. Here it is Magyarorzsag.  Each of these different yurts represent a different tribe by the insignia at the top. Pictured are only a few of them. It was lovely to see these representations of different people standing in sillouette against the blue sky on this crisp day. You could feel the power and the strength of these people, uniting together to protect themselves against other marauders.

  There is also a 120 meter long canvas that is painted of different scenes when Arpad and his men first came to settle in Hungary. It is painted so well, you cannot tell where the actual rocks and trees in the front, used as props ends and the painting begins!

  This day, there were special dancers, people dressed in traditional dress as they would have been 200+  years ago, and there is a village that has been put together from historical buildings from all over the nation which shows life and culture as it used to be. The only thing missing out of it all was God - which is surprising considering that this is a nation priding itself on King Stephen (Istvan) dedicating Hungary to the Roman Catholic church. Maybe villages weren't willing to send off an older church to this heritage site, I don't know. I just know there wasn't one there that I observed. There were a lot of Hungarian people who were enjoying exploring some of their "roots" after making this long trek from where they lived. Another tradition (that is now only spraying of perfume) displayed in the historical village was that of literally dousing young women with buckets or containers of water on Easter Monday - harkening back to the pagan days in wanting the women to be fertile and this was a "blessing", so to speak... I will take the perfume, I think.  Especially after seeing the young lady who had been doused with buckets of cold water on a chilly morning in a chilly house run off to get changed!  Dryers weren't available back then. If you were soaked, would you have had enough clothes that were dry to change into? Lots and lots of petticoats were under those wet skirts.

  I am looking forward to coming back - to see the demonstrations later in the year - horsemen display their feats as well as the archery exhibitions and many more.