Life 102

Christine lends a hand

Friends from Hungarian class learn how to make US pizza

  Making pizza - I had no idea it would be of interest to others!  Well, one rainy April day I decided it would be a good time for a second cooking 'lesson', and this time there was more than one student:)
  Our language class has had people literally from all over the world. This leads to many interesting conversations, topics and ideas. One is food, another is customs.
  So, when I asked one of the ladies what she would like to learn how to make, pizza was the first thing that came to mind.
   We had such a fun day, and it was a great break from classes, yet continuing to spend time and enjoying our growing friendships with each other.
   We had the added blessing of one of our  guests from 'home' join us while we learned from each other.
   I think we have all acutly missed some special occasions from our native lands that have made life more special, but we try not to think of them too long, lest the longing for home overtake us. There is a bravery that comes from living overseas along with special flexibility and adaptability that must take place. I have learned from "N" that no place is really the same - ingredients you get in one country may not be available at all in another, or at a very high price. "G" has taught me the privilege of keeping some traditions alive at home. "I" has encouraged me with finding joy and life by delving into the culture. "T" has taught me that it's ok to miss home and some of the people & to let them know as well as others around you. "V" has taught me the value of the time spent in one place (these traveling shoes may learn yet). "N" has taught me the emphasis of maintaining what you believe, even if others may disagree. "P" has taught me that life is precious, and freedom is even more so.
   "and do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you."  Luke 12:29-31
 

Thoughts to ponder and pray over

    We have had a very mild winter here in Hungary & lo ‘tis now spring. It seems like everything is trying to bloom at once, nearly out of order with when plants normally do so. As I write this, I am in our backyard near the garden area in the sun (with a sweater on) and swinging on the bench swing.

 Horse and Wagons in many places still

    This year has been one of many trials - not just language, but in our relationships with those here and those at home as well as with each other. It has been an excruciatingly lonesome year for me, especially since phone calls (even with a local number in the states) have been few and far between.  Messages have been left, but it’s tough to keep a time change in mind. Letters have been even fewer. Of the many we sent ‘home’, we know of three that made it. In this world of ‘instant’ communication, I guess I expected more chances to talk with many here as well as at home. Life goes on and I try to wade through as best as I can & keep trying to reach out, whether anyone listens or not.

    It reminds me of sitting on this swing - if I just push with one foot, the swing goes crooked, out of kilter & eventually you crash into a post if you push hard enough. If I swing with both feet pushing, it goes straight and trouble free, mostly. Relationships take pushing together, even for introverts. If one is always pushing, eventually they are tired and give up.

     I had also never expected to go through such an intense grief process this last year. There has been a grief of letting go of EVERYTHING we have ever known. Allowing God to keep us pushing forward for His kingdom. When you follow, there is a price to pay. There are pray-ers, nay-sayers, supporters, scoffers, listeners, doubters, encouragers, false accusers, people who think you are downright crazy, prayer warriors, false friends; prayer warriors, supporters, those friends who stick by you anyway, prayer warriors, new people you have the privilege to meet and more supporters. It’s not an easy road, but you see the value of those who are truly praying for you, for those who are your supporters and the people who are true friends.

My Homemade GF Pogacsa (special biscuits)

     People can be some or all of the above at different times - including us as we kept challenging ourselves before heading to the field (Is God really calling us out there?), which is a good thing because there have been times this last year for both of us when we would have packed it in if we didn’t KNOW that we were called to be here.

  

     We have seen fruit of our efforts and those of others, even in our first year, though, PTL! We feel blessed because we know some have been on fields where it was 10, 20 years or a lifetime with NO visible evidence that they were making any difference for the Kingdom. Thank you prayer warriors for your help!  Thank you supporters, for your help! Without ALL of you, (every single one of you), nothing we have done/learned this year would have been accomplished!

     I will update you more in our newsletter, which I am also working on at this moment, but I also knew there are those of you who follow this blog, and for that, we are also grateful and humbled! If you would like to get our emailed newsletters (or snail mail ones), just let us know your email address and we will include you.

    Still trusting in Him and others.....

Homemade Broom in Ukraine

Those Wild Bikers!

    One of the first days we were here in our little town, I saw a mother and daughter riding their bikes through the town and they proceeded to shop. The daughter was in her 50's, I suppose, and the mother was in at least her 70's. "How cute! "I thought, "Good for her!" (the mom) to be riding a bike so late in life…

    What I once thought was an anomaly - it certainly would be in the States- is more the norm here! People have been riding their bikes or walking everywhere for a very long time, especially during the times of socialism and communism, when having a car was only for the very privileged.  It also makes great sense in a country where gas is at least $7.50/gallon. No need to use all that gas if you are only going a little way. You will often see people of all ages - especially 'older' people- riding their bikes many places.

   The variety of bikes is also quite astounding! When I was a kid, my folks refitted an old Schwinn to make it look pretty new… gold with a gold banana seat and those high wing handlebars with gold handle grips.  I swear, that bike is over here by the thousands, but the seat has often, though not always been changed out! There are also old rusty contraptions that have been pieced together from many a dead bike, new bikes (though they get stolen quite easily), bikes with a lower to the ground gearing, and electric bikes.

   It is nothing to see a number of older people riding along to/from the local market [called the piac (pea-ots)], local woven baskets on the handlebars, and a sturdy plastic/fiberglass bag in the holder over the back tire. They wave to the ones they know and say, "Jo napot kivánok!" (Good day I wish you)

and sometimes may even stop in the street or off to the side to chat.

   You can tell we are still foreigners from 'the sticks' here, we say "Jo napot kivánok!" to everyone! Sometimes we get people to say that back, or sometimes we try to strike up a conversation about the weather or whatever. Thank Heaven more and more people are responding to us as though we really know what they are talking about! We get glimpses into the conversations, but we have a long way to go with the language.

Life on the Ground…. running!

       So, here are some bits of everyday life as we live it over here…  There is an English Bible Study where we concentrate on conversational English. We read the Bible and then we discuss it. So far it has been the most effective and best attended type of English classes so far!

 
   Nearly 50% of the jobs available want people with the ability to speak English - and it's hard to do when the many of the teachers in school often only learned it from a book, and that is how they teach the pronunciation to their students.

   Students may also listen to movies or podcasts or television, but it is difficult if you don't have a chance to practice. We try to have them practice as much as possible, though sometimes it is a challenge to get them to open up. Once they relax,  they really seem to enjoy not only the participation but also the camaraderie of everyone.

 
    Although we read from the Bible and stick to the text, we also try to help our students relate to what was happening at the time of the writing. This way, they can often see how they can apply it to their lives.

  (We are always happy to answer questions,  so feel free to email us if you have some!)

How Do You Know You Are Relentlessly Pursued?

  A conversation was happening last week we were involved in.

The question was, "How do you know God has relentlessly pursued you?"

   Such an interesting question! A person may consider, when? Then again, it may be in light of coming to know the King on a personal level, whether it be now or many years ago. It could also be viewed as a protective stance for us…. but consider also, maybe He has covered an area all around us - perhaps we have never looked to see how He protects us as we move forward or to the side, but only through the rear view of our lives do we see His hands having orchestrated our protection.

  The next question was, "What do you relentlessly pursue?"  

    This could be another question that would be considered, "when"? Yet it could also uncover some of our thoughts of us being over zealous about an occupation; coffee; a hobby; eeking out a living or starting a business from scratch while still working full time; Bible study; a loved one - yet how many of us relentlessly pursue God? Do you pursue Him with questions? Do you pursue Him with adoration? Do you relentlessly pursue running away from Him? Do you relentlessly pursue His goodness and joy? Do you relentlessly pursue making something different for dinner? Do you relentlessly pursue capturing the perfect light in a painting or photo?

    I have thought about these two questions quite often this last week, and yet again today was reminded of one thing I have relentlessly pursued - gardening. Our landlord thinks I (Carrie) am completely nuts in composting, buying cow manure to help improve the soil for our garden, tilling the compost/manure mixture with dirt…. He doesn't know it is such a joy for me to have soil that is actually soil! My life has consisted of a) clay  b) glacial till - i.e. rocky ground that is so rocky, there is really very little soil or  c) no garden, so making one out of scraping off the grass & roots and trying to coax life out of clay or rocky soil in a climate that either has very little rain or way too much.  The soil here is  dirt and sand mixture, yet has been used for who knows what, but it can be improved.  I thought when we moved here that Europeans are crazy about recycling and composting…. well, maybe Western Europe is, but there are precious few here that I have met.

  I know God relentlessly pursued me - saving me from giving my life over to satanic worship. In fact, I had yelled at God countless times for fouling up 'the plans'! Oh, what JOY, what AMAZEMENT, what ASTONISHMENT that He would care so much to even 'foul up' my planned death so I wouldn't submit to Him! The fact that He LOVED me, CARED for me, desired to have a RELATIONSHIP with me, and thought THAT I WAS VALUABLE! Me? Such a hater of Him??? He still wanted ME? WHY?? (That my friends, is still a conundrum!) But He DID!

    He CARES that much for you, too! His greatest joy is that when a sinner will submit one's trust in His salvation, His glory, His son's sacrifice for us, in order for US to be reborn in Him! ACCEPTED! REFRESHED! RENEWED! REWORKED for His purposes - some we can never even imagine until we see them….

   Oh, don't delay my friend - TRUST in His plans! There is nothing like the FREEDOM you feel when you come under His obedience and discover that the overflowing JOY comes from this! What an  imaginative God we have! He will till our soil, reworking it from the compost of our former lives, renewing it with the help of His holy spirit and the sacrifice and resurrection of His only son. Give it a go! Allow great beauty and growth to flourish in your hearts and minds through His will…

    

Photo courtesy of Lori Wentland

1st Anniversary for all of us!

      Happy Anniversary - To ALL of us! Without your help, your prayers, your encouragement when we have been discouraged, your friends, your support…. we wouldn't be able to be here.  We also desire that you would be inserted into the photos with us, so as you glance below, let your mind view yourself as being here, since you helped send us ok?

PS - PTL! Our car is now funded!!! Thank you for your help!!

K & C @ Höllökö Castle

Kurt teaching English at English Camp

Dancing at Attila & Evi's wedding

Hungarian Dancer

Hungarian & Indian Friends over to visit and have Mexican food - a special treat!

A child at a Bárka outreach 

A team outing

The Bárka's services now flow into 3 areas w/ so many people!

Hungarian Sunset on the Parliament Building

Carrie @ Patchwork Camp

Our Welcoming team (11:30 pm!) to Hungary

A Hungarian treasured floor - Music room, Vajita, 15 types of wood…..

The Women's Bible study

A 'punk' suit of armor

The youth of the church going on a mission's trip 

Catch an experience

 When you travel and experience a different culture, it is good to keep a fun perspective and remember to get photos while you can. Here are some of ours from last year:

Now THAT's a cup of coffee!

Door handle to a bakery

Hinges on a door at Fisherman's Bastion

A hand made Spartan hat

One of the many Budapest sculptures

Flower Shop a the Market

  Not only are the photos fun to look at, but many give back fond memories of outings with people we have enjoyed spending time with as we learned some history, some places to go, cultures and most importantly, what makes up some of the Hungarian mindset.

  We have all reflected our lives from this last year. For us it has been a time of intense and often frustrating growth but it has been seasoned with new friendships, joy at seeing others coming to Christ and progress in learning the language and the culture.

   There are SO many opportunities to choose to be a witness for Christ here. Step out your door and you will be observed, which has it's good and bad points, but it will always impact someone. We can all make that choice to impact others through our actions, thoughts and determination. Let's make some positive impact in another's world!

Traditional Transylvanian furniture and designs