We wanted to give you all an update on our trip to Hungary. It's going to happen...and soon! We are planning on leaving in less than a month (around August 10). When we arrive in Budapest, we will attend a new staff orientation for a week and then school will start the week after that. We are both very excited to get there and meet all of the students and the staff that we will be working with.
The school staff helped us find an apartment that is right across the street from the school. They have been using it for over 7 years, they have a great relationship with the landlords, and they are able to get it for guest teachers like us at a reduced rate.
With the lower rent and some other reduced costs, we were able to cut the amount of money we need to raise almost in half! At this point in our fundraising we have raised enough monthly support to cover our rent and utilities to live in Budapest. That a big piece of the puzzle now in place. Here's a rough breakdown of what we still need to raise per month:
Food: $350
Transportation: $200
Insurance: $250
Total: $800
We appreciate all the support and prayers that you have sent our way so far, and we are continuing to pray and trust that God will provide the rest through His people. If you want to make a dent in the $800 we still need to raise, you can either:
1. Request a pledge card from us
2. Sign up for direct giving via credit card or direct debit from your checking account at the link on the left
And please join us in praying...
- That God would provide the balance of funds we need to raise
- That our hearts and minds would be prepared to lead and love the students well
- That God would prepare the students to lean into all God wants to do in their lives this year
For those of you in Bellingham and Orange County, we are going to be having dessert receptions in the coming month to be able to see everyone before we leave and give you a chance to hear more about what we will be doing in Budapest. We look forward to spending more one-on-one time with all of you before we leave!
This has always been my favorite time of year! We have two more weeks of school before Christmas break! It is going to be sad not being with any family for Christmas, but many people have already invited us over and I know we will have a good time! There is a big Christmas market in dowtown Budapest with all kinds of stands set up and lights everywhere. It is really pretty and a lot of fun to walk around there. We have already been twice and will probably go again! We wish you all could join us too!
Well we are nearing the end of our volleyball season, and I have had such a great time coaching and getting to know these girls. They are each so unique and each have so much to bring to the world out there. I didn't expect to coach when I came here, but once we got here they asked if I would be willing to do it, and even though I was a little wary, I agreed. Now I am so glad that I did!
It was beautiful, and thankfully, it wasn't too cold! (I am from southern CA....I need a break every now and then!) It is an amazing city! We went with two of our good friends here, Andy and Angela Slaughter.
t weekend working at a temporary housing facility for families without homes. The facility was an old Soviet barracks/compound, which was really neat to see. The outreach was with our 19 8th graders and 6 of us teachers (Brandon and I included). We spent all day Friday doing yard work for them...clearing out the huge lawn of what we soon discovered were thorn trees. (Picture below!) 
and giving them out right then, they all started showing up in their best clothes they owned. They were so proud to have their pictures taken! They started showing up with their families and asking for family pictures. Even the cooks, a couple of older ladies, asked if we could take their pictures. As Angela was uploading and printing out the pictures they were hovered around her anxiously. They were so thankful to have pictures of themselves and their families, probably some of the only ones they will ever have. Watching this, I was reminded again of how easy it is to take the little things for granted...something like a picture of yourself or your loved ones. 
So Sharon Martin (the elementary principal) introduces me in elementary chapel a couple weeks ago and as I make my way to the front of the room, and stand in front of all the kids, teachers and some parents, I hear a lot of ooo's and awww's and excitement because of how tall I am and how bright my shoes are, and so on. Sharon then introduces me and asks the kids..."what's the first thing you notice about Mr. Wilcox?"...a few kids go with the standard..."He's really tall!" and "His shirt matches his shoes!" But than she calls on this 4th grade boy who says..."well he has a lot of flab on his arm bones!" Hahaha, the whole room was cracking up, it was pretty dang funny and has been a big joke here ever since. The good news is I have the little man in my class, and on the first day I had to flex for him to prove myself...than I punched him as hard as I could to show him how strong I am and that seemed to work pretty well!! (just kidding about the punching)
so my basic day here is 8:30 PE with 4th or 5th grade, Then lunch with the middle school where we usually eat for about 15 minutes and then play basketball or something in the gym. Then after lunch it's 2nd and 3rd grade PE followed by 1st grade PE and wrapping up the day with middle school boys PE. The kids here all want to play either dodge ball, bball, soccer or kick ball for some of the younger ones, and we also do a little working out before games and stretching. It has been pretty awesome, and since I can dunk it seems that I have been pretty much idolized by all the kids. I also try to play in every game we play which is a little unfair at times but it makes me feel like a champion!
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