God Incidences

 

   Well, we are still here in the states.  God has allowed us to be invited to South Dakota. It has been over 100 degrees so far on our way over to the Dakotas - some place new to both Kurt & I.

    Thankfulness fills our hearts for all the people who have offered to host us for different periods of time - such a blessing! (yes, it can be stressful moving every week at least once… we appreciate your prayers!) We love having the chance to truly catch up in the midst of our days with our hosts & it continues to strengthen and reaffirm our friendships.

    Well, this morning, after spending a very brief night at one of our hosts' homes, we were on the road again. At about 7:30 we were following verbal directions (always a danger when you are bleary) and we got to an intersection in the middle of nowhere, quite literally. Kurt stepped out to find a map when I heard him speaking loudly after a car turned….. then I heard him say, "Oh MY!"

    It turns out that we met up with a great friend on the side of a road in the middle of nowhere~ Isn't God GOOD??  The brief visit encouraged us greatly:)

    2-3 weeks ago, we stopped at a rest stop out of Leavenworth, WA after speaking at a church & who should we see but yet some more friends! God is so GOOD!  More encouragement from that visit, too.

   Last week, we were in the airport in Kansas City - and we see one of our pastors and his wife!  Love seeing people we know in unexpected places! Yes, it is great encouragement when you have interactions with those you care about.

   We also love getting mail from friends - especially when we live outside of the states!

   {Like} cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.  Proverbs 25:25

Smalley's Early June Update '15

   We  wanted to give you an update of how 'life' is going for us - currently, unless a miracle happens we won't be able to leave by the end of June…

   As you can see we are still short in our monthly support (one of the MOST important ways you can help), as well as in our Language school support.

   Since we CANNOT LEAVE until both of the financial thermometers are filled, we remain in the US. We pray that we can be back in time for English Camp, to help with the staffing, since often it is on the lean side.

   Lately I have been hearing and reading nearly the same continual theme - "Using your resources for God, rather than for man"  - I often think about how this applies to our exact situation.

      So, as the month of June wanes - what we hoped would be our departing month, we are trying to not be too depressed as this time of waiting extends.

   If you know anyone who would like to help get us back, or to hear what we are doing in Hungary, we would love to chat with them! Email us back:)

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!

Spring '15 $upport Update

  Praise the Lord!

We are getting closer to going back to Hungary!

Many Hungarians have said, "We need you back! Please come back to Hungary!" Believe me, we would love to - especially with the great exchange rate right now!

The thermometer to the right is the MINIMUM we need to raise - we would love to go back with extra - it would help others in so many ways!

So far, we have spoken to 31 groups; hundreds of individuals and traveled 9000 miles in 5 months. Why? Simply for the fact that WE CANNOT GO BACK UNTIL MORE SUPPORT IS RAISED!

Less than 2% of Hungary are evangelical believers. 

Why travel so far? We go wherever we are invited and speak to whom God has opened a door. We are doing the best that we can and pray that those with whom we have spoken and those whom we know would understand the lengths we go to tell about church planting, building relationships in a hard land with people that continually ask us why we are there. Would we like to speak to a group you know? Sure! You are the easiest way your group will listen to us. They don't know us, but they DO know YOU!

How do you get funded for support? We ask people to invest with us in reaching the Hungarian people, you yourself can right now - if you feel a 'nudge' that is from God - go ahead, answer that nudge! Just click to the right on one of the links and sign up for monthly support. Maybe the reason it is taking so long is because people are thinking, "Oh, someone else will do that" - You ARE the someone else! Could you invest $50/monthly? More? Less? Great! Sign up on that link! That's ALL you need to do!

Our language fund isn't going as fast as we would like it to, either but we know that the monthly support is the most important. Next is the language school fund. Before we left we had people sigh and say, "Oh, your Hungarian is SO much better than it was earlier!"  Help us get back so we don't lose what language we have learned.

It is understandable that times can be difficult, but we also see and hear of many people who go on more than one vacation or getaway. What if you just helped further the Gospel with what you spent with 'extras' you bought in one day, like the coffee(s), lunch (instead, brown-bag it that day), dinner (fix it at home rather than going out), and picking up 'a little something' can be from $10-100 - This way, in reality, you could have just invested that money into a month's worth of support - and it was only one day out of a month! Not a huge sacrifice for God, but something.

Less than 2% of Hungary are evangelical believers. Those are people who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and are making a stand for Christ. ALL of Europe is back to being an unreached people group! Not just people in China, Africa and Muslim countries, but where many of our own ancestors came from, where the Gospel in our language came from!

In two short years, we have seen changes happen, worked with some who have made those changes and set our neighborhood where we lived on it's ear through friendship evangelism. We were the only native English speakers in a city of 20,000! Would you do that? No?  Then send us back so we can!

Our team, our church and our friends are praying for us to come back….

Our 1st Home Assignment…Questions Asked Us

Hooray!! It's building up!!  Thank you to all who are helping to increase our funding so we can stay on the field!! 

Question:  "How are you supported? Does a 'mission' finance you or what?"  

  Answer: We are supported primarily by monthly support - most of what is given by individuals, like you.  A few churches elect to support us monthly as well, usually through their missions committees, but the majority of the funding for us is through individuals. Gone are the days when an organization would just self-support people, since many people currently don't want to just support a fund, they want to know the people who are receiving the money.

Question:  "Can anyone support you?"  

   Answer:  YES!!  You can do so today - just click on one of the 'give' highlighted areas to the right on this blog and it can be set up in less than 5 minutes:)

Question: "Are you planning on going back to Hungary?"

    Answer: YES!! We are spending an awful lot of effort to learn this language and the hearts of the people through immersing ourselves in the culture. God is still calling us there.

Question:  "Do the Hungarians feel like you are making an impact?"

   Answer: YES! Many were telling us as we said good bye …"PLEASE tell the Americans we want you back! You are needed here! Please come back!!

Question: Why Hungary?  Why not someplace that has such obvious physical needs as well? (Africa, Haiti, India, Mexico, ETC?)

   Answer: God is reaching out to a lost world. Some cultures lack the message/hope of salvation as well as food, water, and healthcare. Others appear only to be lacking the Good News of salvation through "Christ Alone". Jesus calls all believers, you and I, to spend ourselves on behalf of the expanding Kingdom of God. God is just as concerned about a well dressed/fed person going to hell as He is a person who has enjoyed nothing good in their entire lifetime. LESS THAN 2% of Europe are evangelical Christians!  Hungary is right there with them. All of Europe is back to being considered an Unreached People Group(s)! God directed us to have a heart for the Hungarians, so there we are.

Question: "How do you find places to speak?"

   Answer:  YOU! Most places have no interest in having someone just come and speak unless they have a personal recommendation from someone they KNOW. That is where you come in - they know you! So, if you think it would be a great idea for us to come speak to your group/church/service organization, ask them! We can make time, but often we can't make the connection that you can. You can be our best resource!

There are many more questions we are asked, so we will give those and our answers in another blog later. Meanwhile, feel free to contact us with any of your questions! 

Life back in the USA & Reverse Culture Shocks

Reverse Culture Shocks

   Wow, since being back in the States, we have had a number of things to adapt to. Probably the hardest one has been all the customer service that is available here!  I am SO used to the feeling that I am bothering people when I come into their stores in Hungary.  Then when I enter a store here in the states, we are nearly accosted by someone welcoming us and asking if they can help.  Sometimes I just start looking for a grumpy clerk to feel ‘more at home’ with!

   Another thing that is so surprising - but yet it’s wonderful - is that I can have a complete load of laundry done in one day, and it’s DRY! Wow! How cool is that??  I am used to getting a load from the Hungarian washing machine (an American ¼ =1/2  load) done in the washer,  then hanging it up to dry. A day or two later it is dry enough so I can take it down and put it away.  I shouted with glee the other day getting three complete loads taken care of at my mom’s house!

   Physical homelessness has really hit both of us as we came back to the States.  We have no actual home here in the States anymore, and no actual house/apartment to go back to in Hungary, yet, since we moved out of where we were because we don’t know when we will be back.

   Spiritual homelessness has not really been an issue – we celebrate each day with God, no matter where we are.

   It has taken some getting used to driving over here in the States again – people take the driving thing WAY too personal!  We are used to people passing us either because they are in a hurry or they need to turn off, no biggie.

   I was expecting stores to completely overwhelm me with the choices, but that has rarely been an issue. What has overwhelmed me was how Much of each choice there is, and why it may be necessary to have that many.  I am starting to understand my husband’s more pared down approach to choices that he has always had, though.

All in all, it feels like we are adjusting fairly well. Isten jo, mindenkor! (God is good, all the time!)

So, what do you DO during the week????

The interior of a bus in Budapest

Meeting with others - this is at English Bible Study

Somethings aren't as easy to figure out what they are...

The inside of a street car - some are newer, others aren't

Well, often our weeks are filled with meeting people - on the street, in the shops (we need to shop 3-4 times a week here since there aren't preservatives in foods or sprayed on the veggies and fruits), and in many of our outreaches.  There are ministry events at least 2-3 times a week, every week, and each one lasts a minimum of 2 hours +.

  When people come to visit, we serve as guides to Budapest and beyond (bring your walking shoes!) We are often out for 8-10 hours a day on those days!
 
   It is said that here in Hungary (in the city), if you get two (2) things accomplished, that's a really successful day! Things take longer here. Sometimes you have to go from one building for meat, another building to buy milk, another building to get something made of plastic, another store (in another building) to buy twine…. you get the idea! There are more and more supermarkets/markets coming up all over, but many are small little mom/pop stores that may have a great variety of items, or may not. Having owned a mom/pop business, we try to help them out as much as possible.  At the piac (pronounced Pea-atz, which is a farmer's market), there are many of these small mom/pop places in one area. Some will just sell plastic bags for trash, some will sell kitchen items, others sell flowers, others may just sell what they have - random things, but you can feel the oppressiveness of poverty around them. God sometimes nudges us to get something from them, or something from some other vendors. In many ways, the piac is like a regular farmer's market, too, though ours has a few booths of our famous Vecsesi Kaposta - YUM!! (It is a sweet/sour sauerkraut with many veggies in it - gorgeous and delicious!)

   Maybe another reason that things take so much longer is that if people have a job, they aren't in a real hurry to serve you most places. The markets may have up to ten people in a line, and only one or two check stands open.  Customer service desks are incredibly slow on the average. One time it took me an hour to get a warranty validated!  Other reasons may be the travel between where you need to go, and how to get there. Main streets in the states are usually full of stores with advertisements drawing you in. Not the case here - often you will find a store in the middle of a neighborhood with a small sign. If you didn't know that store was available, you never would have found it!

  Today, we were true overachievers! We got five things done! We had the privilege of mailing our ballot at the Posta (Post office); going to the ATM; Shopping for some things we needed; Arriving at our team meeting; and Kurt is even now helping a brother in Christ with a car while I am working on this blog.

   That also brings up more things that we do - paperwork/ computer work and LOTS of acts of service! Kurt has been enjoying the chance to change up the way neighbors look at one another. Normally, everyone takes care of his own sidewalk/lawn. Period. Don't step over the line of the property. Well, when we moved in, I baked cookies to take around and Kurt started shoveling snow for neighbors; sweeping snow; weed whacking for them… all sorts of things! Now it is kind of a game - see if you can beat the neighbor trying to pay you back for your help! The help is tremendously appreciated, even though many don't want to say, you can tell.
 
   Kurt has also been able to be a blessing to others with some vehicle problems they may have, or to help mow the lawn at the Barka, as well as regularly set up chairs while I (Carrie) am often making coffee for the people that will be coming and setting out snacks.
 
    So, weekly our goals are to be a blessing to others - maybe in ways that can surprise them or just to lend a listening ear. Even though we may not understand everything, many heart issues can be understood, and prayer requests encouraged. We are here, after all, to show others through your help, what a wonderful, tremendously loving God we have and we try to do that nearly any way we can.

One of the informational tables you may have seen for us

Kurt mowing at the Barka