Ippistle 17

Ippistle 17
Jack and Cindy Ippel
October 22, 2009


Dear Friends and Family,

Fall has arrived in Hungary and school is in full swing. In fact, we are approaching the fall break, which is sandwiched between two holidays: 1956 Remembrance Day (October 23) and All Saints’ Day (November 1). Most schools will not be in session during this time. This morning the 9th grade students observed the remembrance of the 1956 revolution by going to the national cemetery. It was a solemn occasion with students walking among the graves of the heroes of the failed revolution.

Our fall break will be spent in Indiana and Michigan. If you do not already know, we have added two grand daughters to the Ippel family: Sofia Louise In’t Hout was born September 29 to Julie and Nick in California. Cindy was able to be there with the family for just over two weeks. Then, on October 8, Anelise Kate Baker was born to Janna and Jonathan in Indianapolis. Cindy arrived a week later and enjoyed being grandma there too. On Friday Jack will begin his fall break by flying into Indy to join Cindy and the Bakers. Part of our time in the US will be spent in Zeeland as we begin unpacking our belongings in our condo and making 1945 Lakeview Drive our home. We look forward to seeing Jon and Joy and the children while there too.

Jack’s second year of teaching has been surprisingly unlike last year in many ways: many new colleagues in the English department, a new textbook for class-work, the addition of “conversation club” on Monday afternoons, new class masters to work with, and a very different schedule for the week. You may recall that second semester last year Jack had no classes on Friday; now he has six. No early starts to the weekend this year!

Jack started Conversation Club this year, a place where he can talk more personally with last year's 9th grade boys. He really began a good relationship with them last year but doesn't have any 10th grade classes this year, so this "conversation club" is a perfect opportunity to continue what was begun last year with some of these same students. They have been talking about families, fathers, and role models. There are many broken families in Hungary, and many that must deal with an alcoholic member. The discussions have been good. Please pray that in this context Jack will be able to reach these students with the good news of God's love. This is so difficult in a place where no one seems to believe in God. Skepticism abounds!

Cindy was able to spend a month at the Mission Institute (before heading to the States). It was good to be back and continue relationships that were started last year with colleagues there. Anne-Marie Kool is back as director with renewed energy and vision for this coming year. There will be new jobs and roles for Cindy as she returns for this coming year. Please pray for her effectiveness in what God is calling her to here.

Beginning our second year has been very different and more difficult in many ways. While we expected to have fewer surprises, the biggest surprise is missing all the new surprises we had last year. There was something fun about all the new discoveries we made. Now our frustrations are in dealing with the same things that frustrated us last year that don't seem to have changed (and we had hoped they would or that we would adjust better). What we used to laugh at now has become more of an annoyance. This year, once we got into the routine, it seemed that there were more frustrations to deal with in our jobs, more demands being placed on us, and more occasions for us to wonder if we are making the kind of impact that God wants from us. We know that this is typical for a second year overseas, but it still is something we have to learn how to deal with. We would ask for your prayers in this, especially for Cindy as she needs to adjust after a month of "grandma time".

Next week, while in Michigan, we will visit Zeeland Christian School for the purpose of attending Isaac's pre-school Grandparents' Day, as well as for Jack to speak in the middle school chapel. Jack hopes that students will leave his chapel talk knowing that they too can serve God wherever He places them. Pray for God's blessing on this assembly that students may understand better how God can use them in His service.

When we return to Budapest, the beginning of November, we have been invited to join a newly formed Bible study group. This group meets weekly and is composed of a mixture of English speaking people living in Budapest. We have met a couple of the members previously and look forward to getting to know them better as well as the others we've yet to meet. It will be good to be involved in a small group like this again. We hope for spiritually beneficial relationships to grow from these gatherings.

Today is the 28th day of our being separate from each other. It has been a trial in some ways, but has also strengthened our marriage as well. We look forward to the reunion tomorrow.

Thank you again for partnering with us. Blessing and peace! Áldás és békesség!

Jack and Cindy