Brandon and I spent last weekend in a small town about 45 minutes from Hungary called Rackeve (pronounced something like rotskuvay). The missions group, Pioneers, had their annual central European conference/retreat and they asked Brandon and I to come along as youth workers for the weekend. We drove down on Friday afternoon after school and were there until Sunday afternoon. The retreat was at a wellness center with pools and saunas and hot tubs (well, to Hungarians a "hot tub" is water that is lukewarm, never actually hot!). Our main job was to hang out with the youth (12-18 year olds) and keep them entertained, but we also led a Bible study one of the mornings we were there.
It was great to get to spend time with the 10 kids and get to know them. For some of the families, they are living in more remote parts of central Europe with no other Americans or missionaries around, so it was fun for them to be able to connect with other English speakers and just relax. We were supposed to be the "fun factor"...I still stand by the fact that Brandon is the fun factor and I am the "ohh, don't do that", "oh, be careful", "don't throw so hard.." kind of person. :) I guess somebody has to do it!
We have felt really blessed to be able to pour into the lives of different youth this year, in all different venues and settings. This weekend I will be helping the senior girls get ready for their end-of-the-year Junior/Senior Banquet again! And Brandon will be performing at the downtown coffee house again on Friday night! Last month he played there, he played two songs. I think this time they are going to play 8 or 9 songs! He does a great job and it's so much fun to watch!!
Thinking of you all and hoping you have a blessed week!
- Melissa
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
The End Goal
Please help us to reach our goal of a set amount of money that we need to raise between now and August!
Our goal is to raise $1,000 in the next 4 months (on top of the monthly support that we graciously receive each month) to help us make it through our time here in Budapest and transitioning back to America while looking for jobs and a place to live. Any gift would be greatly appreciated at this time! Thank you for helping us to minister to these children day in and day out. You are making a world of difference here!
Monday, April 12, 2010
April
It's that time of the year (especially for teachers and school staff) when everyone is tired. There are 2 more months of school to go, and the last 7 months are weighing heavy on you. I have felt that the last two weeks. We had a nice spring break and it was great to have some time just to rest and do nothing, but it went by fast, and now school is back in full swing. There are lots of days where I find myself exhausted, just wanting to crawl into bed for a few hours, even when I haven't done a lot in that day. Lately, I find myself feeling guilty that I haven't done more this year. I think back on the last few months and think, I could have done more. I could have mentored more girls. I could have started a Bible study. I could have taught English this semester. And the list goes on and on.
But the other night I had an encouraging talk with a friend. I was telling her how it's easy to feel like I failed in my one year here and that I could have done more in the time I had. She told me that when we are really working for God, when we are striving to do His will and what he has called us to do, then He is happy. Then we have done enough. Yes, God challenges us to do more and be more sometimes, but He also knows us and He knows when we are giving as much as we can right now. The truth is, I could always do more. There is always more work to be done. But I can't do it all. No one can. So I have to be faithful with what I have been given and make the most of it. God doesn't want me to be miserable; He wants me to give my all to the things that I am doing. So that is what I must choose to focus on in these last two months. I will work hard and be faithful to what He has called me to do because that is why I'm here. Not to do it all.
But the other night I had an encouraging talk with a friend. I was telling her how it's easy to feel like I failed in my one year here and that I could have done more in the time I had. She told me that when we are really working for God, when we are striving to do His will and what he has called us to do, then He is happy. Then we have done enough. Yes, God challenges us to do more and be more sometimes, but He also knows us and He knows when we are giving as much as we can right now. The truth is, I could always do more. There is always more work to be done. But I can't do it all. No one can. So I have to be faithful with what I have been given and make the most of it. God doesn't want me to be miserable; He wants me to give my all to the things that I am doing. So that is what I must choose to focus on in these last two months. I will work hard and be faithful to what He has called me to do because that is why I'm here. Not to do it all.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Future Plans
Hello all!
We hope that you had a wonderful Easter and felt all the blessings of the special day! We enjoyed a great day with good friends and lots of good food! :)
I figured it was time for a little update on what is going on here and what our plans are for the future. Back in January we had to make the decision of whether or not we were going to return to ICSB for another year (or more). When we first got here in August, we were only planning on staying for one school year, so the possibility of staying longer was a new one for us. We prayed about it a lot and talked to different people, but Brandon and I both came to the conclusion that it was time for us to go home. We feel like we came and did what God had for us, but that He is asking us to move on now. It was a hard decision to come to, but we feel a peace about it. We both still love what we are doing here and have enjoyed ministering to all the kids here. It couldn't have been a better year for us. And we still have two more months to do it! It will be hard to say goodbye to everyone in June!
With that said, Brandon and I would like to continue to ask for your support. As we wrap up our school year here, we would covet your prayers for our ministry in these last two months. Prayer that we would continue to get the most out of this experience and give our best each and every day. Prayer for the transition, as we prepare to say goodbye and start over again.
We would also greatly appreciate any financial support that you are able to give. Thanks to God's provision through all of you, we have been able to live off of support since we have been here. As our time comes to a close, we are still very short of where we need to be, however. We would be very thankful if those of you who are supporting us, would continue to support us through August, as we transition back to America and have to find new jobs and a place to live, etc. Thank you for all that you have done for us!
We cannot wait to see everyone again! Thank you for being there for us through this whole amazing experience....and it's not over yet!!
- Melissa (and Brandon)
We hope that you had a wonderful Easter and felt all the blessings of the special day! We enjoyed a great day with good friends and lots of good food! :)
I figured it was time for a little update on what is going on here and what our plans are for the future. Back in January we had to make the decision of whether or not we were going to return to ICSB for another year (or more). When we first got here in August, we were only planning on staying for one school year, so the possibility of staying longer was a new one for us. We prayed about it a lot and talked to different people, but Brandon and I both came to the conclusion that it was time for us to go home. We feel like we came and did what God had for us, but that He is asking us to move on now. It was a hard decision to come to, but we feel a peace about it. We both still love what we are doing here and have enjoyed ministering to all the kids here. It couldn't have been a better year for us. And we still have two more months to do it! It will be hard to say goodbye to everyone in June!
With that said, Brandon and I would like to continue to ask for your support. As we wrap up our school year here, we would covet your prayers for our ministry in these last two months. Prayer that we would continue to get the most out of this experience and give our best each and every day. Prayer for the transition, as we prepare to say goodbye and start over again.
We would also greatly appreciate any financial support that you are able to give. Thanks to God's provision through all of you, we have been able to live off of support since we have been here. As our time comes to a close, we are still very short of where we need to be, however. We would be very thankful if those of you who are supporting us, would continue to support us through August, as we transition back to America and have to find new jobs and a place to live, etc. Thank you for all that you have done for us!
We cannot wait to see everyone again! Thank you for being there for us through this whole amazing experience....and it's not over yet!!
- Melissa (and Brandon)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Spring Break to Lake Bled and Venice
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