Budapest - The Beginnings

Wow, I can hardly believe that I am here. It still seems a little surreal, but yet oh so real at the same time. I arrived on Saturday afternoon after a long (48 hours!) travel experience. By the time I got to Budapest I was more than ready to get off the airplanes. My flight to Amsterdam was delayed and I was really frusterated during the 2 hour wait, but I did get on eventually, and I am here. On Saturday night I hung out with the Mullets (Brad, Kari, Whitney, Kelsey, Peter & Jake) and Jill, the lady I am staying with. It was a little hard staying awake, but I managed and I slept okay that first night.

Sunday I went to the Olimpia Mozi for church. The Free Church that the Mullets go to here in Budapest meets in an old remodeled Communist style movie theater that I had an opprotunity to help remodel. The service was in Hungarian, but they do have English translation available for the English speaking attendees, so I was thankful for that! After church I came back to the Mullets and we hung out, ate lunch, ran errands and then in the evening I spent quality time with the girls. I then went back to Jill's house and proceeded to not fall asleep until who knows when, giving me the worst nights sleep possible. I will recover...I hope. I am not sure if it is the unfamiler surroundings or the jetlag or what, but if you want to keep my sleep/energy in your prayers that would be much appreciated.

Today was my first day at ICSB and I truly had no idea what to expect. I went with the Mullet kids in the morning and after a brief tour by Kari met the Director with whom I had been corresponding. For the students this was their first day back, and so all the hecticness and nerves that you get from that was clear. The first thing was a special assembly that a group from Wheaton Academy was putting on. This group of students is traveling through Europe for 13 days performing different songs and sharing their hearts with different churches and schools. I watched them perform 3 times, at all three (elementary, middle and high school) chapels. After chapels I chatted some more with David Welsh, the director, then had lunch with some of the Elementary teachers. I observed in the German class that I will be helping out in and subbing in next week (the teacher is going to be gone, so I am going to sub!) After the German class I went to the 4th grade classroom and observed and worked with some of the students in that class. The last part of my day I met with the Vice principals of the Middle and Elementary schools. We talked about my goals of being there, what I liked about teachers and through them I got a better perspective of what the needs at ICSB are currently, and how I might be able to work in my short time to help fill and assist in those needs.

I have not had a chance to tour any of the city yet, and I am hoping to be able to begin seeing the city perhaps this weekend, if my hosts have time! Keep praying for me, your prayers will be much needed and are extremely appreciated. Here are some of the prayer requests that are on the forefront of my mind. Love you all, and I would love to hear from you if you get a spare moment. There will be more to come, I promise!!!

1. That I will get good sleep each night and that I will have enough energy to do all that I have to do!
2. That I will be able to build new relationships, and deepen the already existing relationships with people here.
3. That I will be growing every day closer to the Lord and relying on Him for all that I need.