God is a Mighty Teacher

What are the things I learned from being in Hungary?

God taught me the importance of His will and His glory. He taught me to want His will more than I want anything else in life. He taught me to want His plan and His glory more than I want my own dreams or desires. There are times when this gets clouded in my mind, but in my heart, I know it is true.

God taught me to love wholeheartedly. Even though it hurts to be gone, I'm so thankful for my friends and family in Diosd. I love them so much, and I know that is because He loves me.

God taught me about prayer. I've struggled with prayer since becoming a Christian, but this summer God really taught me what it means. He taught me that when my desire is first and foremost His will, I can pray for anything. I can ask for birds to be silenced, and He will do it to bring Himself glory and honor. I can ask to have a conversation with someone, and the answer may seem to be no, but God knew His will and He designed the conversation to occur in HIS timing, not mine. I can pray claiming His promises to me because those are His will for me - I can claim the promise of the fruit of His Spirit in me, I can claim the promise of wisdom in all things, the list goes on.

God taught me about living with an eternal perspective. To many people, my working with Paulus was a waste. It didn't get me any further in a career path, it didn't add something spectacular to my resume. But the things God led me to do in Diosd were not about me, they were about Him and furthering His kingdom. I want to live with my heart set on Heaven, and to me that means I want to live sharing the Good News of Jesus and His love for us. I want everyone to know the Truth, because the Truth saves us and sets us free. God taught me that while the things we do here will not be recognized, they may be looked down on, or they may be seemingly meaningless, He values those acts of obedience, no matter how small. Things like washing dishes or mopping floors or smiling at someone or saying something difficult that you know must be said, those things honor the Lord and bring Him glory. And I want to live like that!

God taught me that I can give up my home of America if He calls me to it. Sure, there were things that, when I thought about them, I missed (like ice). But in my day-to-day living, there was nothing that was too big a sacrifice. As Sara told me, in two months its easy to say that, its the sixth month mark where it gets hard. But God showed me that when He calls you somewhere, He leads you and prepares you and provides for you and makes it happen. As my daddy told me, when we know God's plan for us but we choose something else, something easier or something that makes more sense to the world, that is when we are the most unhappy.

God taught me that He loves people. I knew that before, but seeing His love expressed through the Paulus staff and the Paulus fellowship, I was blown away. Experiencing His love for them that He placed on my heart blew me away.  Experience His love for me through the love these people showed me blew me away. My heart broke to leave, it truly did. But I also left thankful and full of love.

God taught me many things through the Paulus staff. Andras and Sara, Janos and Ildi, Endre and Viki, Zoli and Edit, Sanyesz and Esy. They demonstrate such love and servanthood and determination to carry Jesus' name. Sara poured so much wisdom into me while I was there. Andras encouraged me every time I spoke with him. Janos and Ildi were my family and showed me what it means to truly have a servant's heart. Endre and Viki showed me love and support. Zoli and Edit taught me about caring for people no matter what, loving them and being concerned about them because Jesus loves them first. Sanyesz and Esy showed me what it means to love youth, to cherish them and feel proud of them and encourage them and even push them. I learned so much from working with this group of people.

What Are You Living For?

Kids Camp

Please be praying for the kids camp that is going on at Paulus this week! Over 80 kids are attending this camp, led by Ildi. Please pray for open and receptive hearts of this kids as they learn about the best place ever, Heaven. Each day, the kids will see a skit of four children looking for the best place ever where they will truly be satisfied, hear a parable from the Bible, and make crafts, learn songs, etc. Please be praying for them this week!

The background scenes

Regi, Bea, and I helped with craft preparation for the kids camp

We ripped the paper off these jars

I wish I had a picture of the finished scenes. Tibor designed them, and Christine led the painting of them. They look so good!

Last Days

I made it home safely! I know, I've been home a week, but we went on a family vacation and I've had some Internet problems.
I want to do another post to sort of wrap up my experience in Hungary (if it can be wrapped up...I truly believe that this summer has changed me), but for now I just want to post some pictures of my last week in Hungary.

Sightseeing on the last day

Ildi, Janos, and Lilla (Beni was visiting friends)

Stephanie, Lilla, and I

At the castle in Visegrad

I couldn't resist putting up this picture of my boss. :) The adult team had a moose award and this moose that we carried around everywhere. We took pictures of everyone with the moose, and this great photo is of Endre, my boss for the summer.

I can't believe I've already been home a week! To those of you in Diosd reading this, I love you and miss you so much! You are constantly in my prayers. 

Trivial Enjoyments

Top Ten Trivial Things I am Looking Forward to at Home:

(Note: I can honestly say that I haven't missed any of these things until I started thinking about them)
1. ICE. Let me leave it at that. I didn't miss ice, but then Stephanie mentioned crushed ice from Sonic or Milo's, and suddenly my mouth has watered at just the thought of it. When I get home, I just want a huge cup of crushed ice or else the ice from the ice maker at my house. Ahhh. So wonderful.
2. Chik-fil-a. Yum. Does any more need to be said?
3. My bed. I loved my bed at the Kazar's, and for the most part I had no problems with the couch bed at my small house. The Romantika bed does the trick when I'm exhausted, but I can't honestly say it is the msot comfortable. So I am really looking forward to crawling into my OWN bed! And sleeping in my American-style sheets and blanket! I actually like the way they make their beds here, but I won't mind my lovely bedding at home!
4. Radio. There are so many songs I don't think I've heard! I'm looking forward to learning them and singing along with the radio. Which brings me to my next point...
5. Driving! I am so excited to drive! I drove once while I was here on Janos' and Ildi's stick shift but that was super-focused! I'm excited to just drive and sing to the radio and enjoy it!
6. English Grocery Store. Not that I really want to go to the grocery store, but I am looking forward to signs and information that I need being in English! Not to mention shopping cart races with Daddy!
7. Sweet Tea. Oh my. Love it. I can sort of taste it right now (that sounds weird and gross, I know), and man...As the Hungarians would say, "Fenom!"
8. Italian and Mexican food. Yes, probably weird, but I'd love a good piping hot plate of pasta with garlic and butter and yummy Italian, or else an endless bowl of hot chips with spicy salsa and a cheese quesadilla.
9. The Library. Actually, I did use the library at ICSB on Wednesdays here, but I am looking forward to squeezing in a few library runs while I'm home!
10. Summer days. Not that it isn't summer here, but I am looking forward to some typical summer-time things, like heat and humidity and cooking out and lots of ice.

Praise Him

God is good.

God is faithful and He is perfect and He is good.

I cannot believe that today is my last day here in Hungary. Last night was hard - it was sad to tell people goodbye. It was hard to be asked, "Will we see you next year?" and not be able to answer. I want to say yes with all my heart, but I don't know God's plan for me. And it wasn't bad to be asked that question, but it hurt my heart. I could only hug and cry and hug again. Saying goodbye to youth group girls (come who came by just to tell me goodbye - I really am thankful for that and I wish I could have spent more time with them. That meant so much) was very difficult, but at the same time I am confident that God has His hand over them, that He is working in them, and that He is in control. I feel that way with everyone, but it is very sad to say goodbye, even if I know I will see some of my friends again.

The English camp was great. God continually works miracles, and He brings people in. The stories of people who attended would blow your mind. I am so thankful that I serve the Lord! I'm so thankful for the work of Paulus, I'm so thankful that I got to work with them and see them in action.

It was very hard to say goodbye tonight to the Paulus staff. They are my family here - I can't really explain it except with that word, "family". It was really hard. I have a lot of thoughts to process, and I will post again, but for now I just want to thank God that I am here, even as my heart breaks to leave. I am thankful that my heart breaks to leave because it means that He moved. I know I am in His will, and I know that He has the future in His hands. I can only praise Him and give Him glory for what He has done.

Later I'm going to post a list of trivial things that I am looking forward to at home. Remembering these things actually helps me. It reminds me of what I have at home (besides family and friends, of course) to look forward to. I am happy to be going home. I just wish I didn't have to leave!

Quick Thanks

Only one more day of English camp. I can't believe how this week has flown by! I will post pictures later, but I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement and prayers! I've had a number of people praying for me and many others sending me encouraging messages to finish strong. Your prayers are very felt, because I have had so much more energy and excitement in these past two days. Thank you for your love and support! Your prayers and encouragement mean a lot more than you will ever know. And God is faithful to answer your prayers always, and this time He answered with a "Yes!" So thank you.

I'll post again later with pictures and more details about the week. Love to you all!