September 16, 2011
Dear friends and family,
It's been almost three weeks since we arrived back in Budapest. It seems a lot longer, not in a negative sense, but based on all that we've been able to do since arriving. Transitioning from one place to another (U.S. to Hungary) and from one phase of living to another (summer vacation to back to school and work) always takes time physically (adjusting to the six hour time difference, as well as getting around by public and foot transportation) and mentally (thinking still in English but trying to communicate in a Hungarian speaking world) and emotionally (having to say good bye to our family and friends that we are so comfortable with, to the excitement of saying hello to our friends that we've made here and meeting many new friends) and spiritually (going from worship in our own language with a comfortability that allows us easy entrance, to worship that is in a different language and needs a translator for us to fully comprehend.) Amazingly our adjustment has been good for two 60-year-olds. We are getting into new routines with new responsibilities and new challenges.
Jack has begun his fourth teaching year at Trefort. He has been asked to be the helyettes this year for the 9D class, the assistant to the head class teacher. No one in the school remembers an American teacher being asked to take on this responsibility before. It affirms the level of respect and appreciation that the school administration has for Jack. This role provides more responsibility for Jack in terms of record keeping, documentation, and some of the day-to-day decisions involving the 31 students.
Jack has eighteen 9th grade classes this year and four 12th grade groups. As the assistant he accompanied the 9D class on their three days of field trips last week: to the Budapest Zoo, a Baroque palace in Gödöllö, and a natural science museum here in our neighborhood. His first complete week of classes went well and he is pleased with each of his five 9th grade groups.
Cindy has returned to EDYN and is busy getting things ready for the EDYN annual meeting that will be held in Brussels. If you need a reminder, EDYN stands for Ecumenical Diaconate Year Network. She has been given some new responsibilities in attending some European Union committee meetings dealing with volunteers in the EU. There is also a new staff person at EDYN that Cindy has already invited to our Tuesday night house church. You can add Cindy's relationship with Liv to your prayers.
Cindy has also begun her new volunteer position with Ministry Essentials one day a week. She will be assisting Chris and Debbie with her administrative skills in helping them organize their counseling ministry. They have been working with others from around Europe, Asia and the Middle East in offering counseling for missionaries in crisis. Yesterday was Cindy's first day and it looks to be a good fit in the use of her gifts. Please pray for Cindy and Chris and Debbie as they work to make Ministry Essentials even more effective in touching lives.
Many of you have wondered about Jack getting to use his musical abilities. We're excited that this Sunday, Jack will be playing the keyboard and singing with Chris Gibson (on guitar) leading worship together at the Danube International Church. Chris and Jack led the singing at one of our ESI retreats last February and realized how well they worked together. But there hasn't been an opportunity until now for them to lead worship together again. You can also be praying for God's blessing and continued leading in presenting opportunities for Jack to use the musical gifts that he's been given.
We are excited to see God continuing His work through the Tuesday night house church we attend, called “The Bridge”. We are blessed and encouraged by the teaching and the fellowship that we receive there. It's apparent to us that the Holy Spirit is moving and working in the lives of those that are coming. There are many who are searching, and it's been great to see the growth in them. Tuesday mornings (makes it Tuesday night here) would be a good time for you to be praying for “The Bridge”. The group is again made up of mostly young people (between 18 and 30) mostly Hungarians and Americans with a few others. Some students from Trefort have also been attending, and we'd love to see even more that will want to come.
We are praying that God will lead us to relationships that He wants us to invest in. We have several friendships from the past years that we know He wants us to continue. We're praying for eyes to see where and with whom God wants us to be building relationships this year. We believe that nothing is accidental. We want to join God's purposes in sharing His love and hope to those He brings into our lives.
Again thank you for partnering with us on this venture. We covet your prayers and support.
We have some new blogs that we've posted in the past weeks. You can see them at
www.hopeinhungary.blogspot.com
Blessings!
Jack and Cindy
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