Walking By Faith

This week, I helped Ildi with children's ministry work. I could (and should) devote a whole post to Ildi. In fact, she deserves her own blog! I've never met a woman who works as hard as she does without complaining, genuinely wanting to serve, saying "yes" to every request because she loves to give to others, praying faithfully for everyone on her heart, longing for salvation for those she meets. I cannot say enough about her. It has been such an example to me to get to live next to her and work with her. I've been able to watch her closely, and I am truly amazed at how willing she is to be used by the Lord. Her husband is the same way. I've never met people with servant hearts like this.

Painting for Kids Camp

Working with Ildiko this week was wonderful. I learned so much! On Tuesday, we went to a school to tell them about a kids camp Ildi wanted to have the next week. She had advertised, but no one signed up. So she, Zoli, and I went to the school. They played a game and sang a song, then told them about the camp. I was just there to pray and hand out the fliers. Even though not enough people signed up for camp (in fact, only two kids total), that morning was a success. I know that the Lord planted seeds that day, and I pray along with Ildi that someday those seeds bear fruit. Even if its so that kids will want to go to the camp next year! No matter what it is, Ildi and Zoli showed those kids the love of God and the joy of the Lord that morning.

We took the wrappers off all these baby food jars

Afterwards, I actually babysat for a family from Paulus. The mom is from Iowa, so that was neat to spend time looking after her children and talking with her.  Then Ildi and I went shopping for some supplies.

All of the painted scenes

On Wednesday, Regi and Bea joined Ildi and I in preparing for the kids camp they are holding in a few weeks. We cut a bunch of things, ripped wrappers off baby food jars, and then painted some styrofoam to create scenes for the camp. It was a very fun day! That night, I babysat for another home group. I love those kids - Endre and Viki's kids (Christian and Liza) and Sanyesz and Esy's kids (Zoe and Joachim). It was lots of fun!

Regi, me, and Bea after working

On Thursday, instead of working on children's ministry stuff, we took the Jr. High kids to Adventurepark! Adventurepark has lots of different things to do, such as rock walls and laser tag and slides. The biggest part of the park, though, is the ropes courses. These ropes are high off the ground, strung between trees. You probably already know this about me, but I am terrified of hieghts (just ask my parents, the youth group at MBCC from a few years ago, and Katie, whose poor hands probably still bear the marks of when we rode the ferris wheel). I have many stories of being up high and being overwhelmed with fear. Each time, the Lord has taught me something, but my fear has never lessened. I decided to at least try the kids course. There was one part where you walked on this single rope holding onto a trapeze bar. You have to walk sideways and lean forward (face towards the ground) in order to get to the other side. I prayed with every step, let me tell you! Some of those courses were so scary. But I did it, and in fact I did it 2.5 times.

The Group Outside Adventurepark with "Outlaw Joe"

The biggest thing, though, was the "slides". There was a course where you climbed a ladder, walked across a wobbly wire ladder, and then hooked your connector to the top wire and with nothing underneath you took off to the next tree, probably 15-30 feet away. Ildi convinced me to try it. I climbed the ladder, but the next part was very very scary. I almost started crying. I made it to the end, and then it was time to go on the slide. I had to go on the slide, because I knew that I didn't want to go back down that wire ladder! So I started praying, and off I went. I made it, and I just said, "Thank You, Jesus! Thank You, Jesus!" When it was time to go again, I kept saying, "Jesus, You got me this far. Please just get me to my next stop." I completed the entire course! Afterward, I went back to the kids one, and if anything I was more scared than ever, but I did it.

Hannah, Lilla, and I at the park

Afterwards, I was talking with Ildi about what an example of walking "step by step" it was. I began my journey with a prayer and a leap of faith, and I ended it with great thanksgiving! Then it started over again, from stop to stop, until I finally reached the end of my journey. Isn't that what life should truly be like? I pray that is so of me! I want each step to be committed to the Lord in prayer, just as each slide was. I know that probably sounds trite and phony, but that lesson was very real to me as I went down each slide. I know what it is like to go to where He has called one leg of the journey at a time. I want to learn to trust His leading with each step of the way.