Holly's Hungary

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-04-29T12:57:00.006+02:00

There are many things to be thankful each year, and this year I am thankful that my birthday was fairly calm. I went to church, had gyros, one of my favorite fast foods here, and hung out with friends. Later that afternoon we went to my friend Andi´s house where my friends were waiting for me and we had a surprise party for me.We watched handball, had indian food and then saw a movie. It was a beautiful day and we hung out on the balcony and enjoying each others company
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Only in Hungary

2010-04-05T21:25:00.002+02:00

School is always a very interesting day. Sometimes frustrating, insane, mundane, annoying, surprising, and many other descriptions that I will save you from. Each day I learn something new, most of those I never wanted to know and someday I just leave amazed. The Wednesday before Easter, I was having my lesson on Easter. I had prepared a lesson about the different ways that it is celebrated around the world, and then would share about how I celebrate this holiday and why. I went to my first class and why I was talking, one of the students pulled out an unopened bottle of alcohol and passed it to another. shockingly my first thought wasn't i can't believe that you brought that, but at least it isn't open. As I turned my attention back to the rest of the class i saw a guy playing with his lighter.

After I left that class, I walked to my second class of the day pass the usual couple making out and then past the guys playing poker and betting cigarettes. To this all I could do was shake my head and say only in Hungary, since student are given their own smoking room and having lighters and cigarettes is a normal part of life here.

When I arrived to my next class, I opened up the book that we are reading (the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe), and we began reading that day's portion of the book. We read about how Aslan gave his life in place of Edmond. The was ridiculed, shaved and killed. After the story, we talked about why he would do this and when i asked if anyone knew why we celebrated Easter, I had no response and told them the answer was found in the story as a picture of Christ as Aslan, and all of us as Edmond. This truly was the highlight of that day.

Brightside: is that it there are not really any rules of conduct for students, then teachers have a great deal of freedom as well, and I was able to at least mention Christ in I think all of my classes.

Vday coming... whose feelin the love?

2010-02-06T16:15:00.004+01:00

Sadly not our neighbors. See as nice as the new place is, it comes with these very heavy and LOUD chairs. Every time we move them it apparently vibrates and echoes throughout the building. We are about to put the things on the bottom of the chairs that keeps them from scratching the floor, and hopefully muffle some of the sound, past that, we might be looking for new chairs.

In other news, students are beginning their new semester next week. We have a band coming from greenwood arkansas and i am booking different venues for them. They are preforming the sounds of the 70's and you can see their demo on youtube: green wood demo hungary. The miller's daughter came for a visit after finishing her short term service in Africa and Stacia's twin sister is on her way in February for a visit as well. As it may not seem like too much is different here, things are flying by so quickly and some days i marvel at all that can be done without anything seemily getting done.

One other thing that i am especially thankful for is that our weekly biblestudy that has been over the women of the bible, is about to transition and one of the ladies here is going to take it over. it will still be held in my home, but she will be facilitating it. What a blessing. It is amazing to watch God work and draw others in service for him.

Another New Year

2010-01-21T17:53:00.003+01:00

Many people know the saying that somethings never change, it is strange that this saying could be said of some areas of my life and yet almost a mockery of others. Like all people, there are things in my life this year that did not exist last year and vice versa. Things that are new since this time last year: I am a teaching in a high school, i have a roommate, i got bangs and I am defiantly leaving Hungary in the summer. Only one of those things is really exciting for me. See for me one of the things that never changes is the fact that my life is contentiously changing. It seems like I am always faced with the question of where and what do i do next. Goodbye is something that i don't seem to ever get over and i practice way to often.

What is Constant? The Lord's love and will never changes. He is as sure today as He was yesterday and forever. I still work with students, love my city and friends and know that when I do leave in the summer i will return to a family and friends who love me and support me. Other things that are going on so far this semester: we are continuing doing a weekly coffee house, ladies bible study, and soon the weekly outreach will began again after finals.

Thanks for all your support and encouragement from last year and for the upcoming year as well.

introducing a new coffee house

2009-11-20T09:59:00.003+01:00

Starting in mid October, my organization began a coffee house outreach. Every Thursday night from 8-10, we meet at the Zsuzsanna (Susan) guesthouse. We rent a room there and invite people from the community, university students and those we teach at the high school. We have different activities, games and contests. The first couple of things were a pianist, and game night. Next for Halloween we had a fear factor evening followed my win lose or draw and twister. This week we had an evening with the doctor, where a MD from the US came to answer medical questions that people might have.

The count down

2009-11-18T15:13:00.003+01:00

School children are not the only ones who are counting down for Christmas this year. Next week is American Thanksgiving, and I will be in school talking about what I would be doing in the US. Don't feel too bad for me though, because later that day I will be flying to Jolly Ole England to spend the holiday with a family that used to live here in Hungary. They moved to England when our office moved there in August.

For Christmas, Lord willing, I will not be spending in a classroom, but at home with my family in Locust Grove! Hence the countdown. Sadly for the students here, they only have a one week break from classes before they return to school for the stress of the end of the semester. The semester ends here about mid January. On the bright side, students get to put their new year's resolutions of studying harder into practice right away.

I'm not sure what I expected from this school year, but i trust that this is the place that the Lord has me and i will be content in that, count down or not. As in all things, teaching in general and especially in a culture and language not your own, i have learned and observed a few things:
-Children are the same everywhere, boys are still trying to prove something, and girls still have terrible taste in boys.
-Some students care about their studies, others care only about turning 18 and being able to leave. Everyone strives for acceptance and nobody wants to be the outcast.

Some days are hard, some I enjoy, but mostly I try to remember (some days it is very hard to do so) that I don't represent myself, but Him who sent me. I'm don't know how or if i will ever be able to see it, but I trust that his light will shine in this spiritually dark place.

í have my days.

2009-10-08T13:05:00.002+02:00

People often ask me how do i like teaching. usually i answer i have my days. some of my classes are good and i actually get to teach something. the others well... lets just say that i call them evil for a reason. Often i have this voice in my head that says that there are not bad students just ineffective teachers, this however i have never embraced wholeheartedly and still do not, because i can introduce them to a few. i am not saying that i am a great teacher or that i could not be more effective, i know that i could. Iám just saying.... there are bad students. But as in all things, there are good students as well. I have good classes with students that really want to learn. does this make it all worth the headache?... i will let you know.

Really, keep giving them this water!

2009-09-10T16:19:00.005+02:00

Today started early! My first class begins at 7:45 which i know is not early to most of you, but for the girl who works with university students and is up late usually, this is early. Out of my 6 classes today only 2 were annoying. This is a fairly big improvement from last week. One of the classes was my fault for not having a lesson which suited the class so i will not judge them until next week. The other is well... i guess there has to be one of those classes in a semester. Kind of like there is always "that guy" in the class.
So i'm sure many of you are wandering how Hungarian High School is different from American High School. The answer, vastly different. Some example:
- the teacher change classes when the bell rings not the students
- students are supposed to stand when the teacher enters the room
-they do not have a set lunch time or for that thought a planed out lunch system. there is a bufe to get junk food and a place to get a hot meal if you would like to buy it but only if you have a free period, other than that they occasionally eat in class
- they do not call you by your last name, but the english equivalent to "teacher lady."
-To my knowledge there is not much of a disciplinary system, though i did see a kid cry today with who i think is the principle (we haven't actually meet).
- grades are both subjective and objective meaning when a kid annoys me i can give him a bad grade. (this i am a fan of and already have one in mind)
-there is no toilet paper in any of the bathrooms, you have to bring your own.
-the only accessories in the classroom are chairs desks and a chalkboard.
-the students are with the same classmates all day long.

i'm sure that there are many more, but here is a couple just to get your mind thinking. As for now, i'm glad that I do not have classes on Friday!

what's in a day

2009-09-09T21:48:00.002+02:00

I am not sure what is either in the water or the air today, but i like it! I was a little nervous about going into work today from the not so lovely students that i had on monday. I shouldn't say that, only one class was terrible. anyways, i walked in today and went into a class that was a handful last week and there sat not 15-20 but 7 quiet teenage boys. The bell rang and a few more students wandered in. It was like i had entered another world. They greeted me, talked a very little about their weeks and then studied the lesson in which they participated. crazier things have happened, but not this week. I hope the same goes for tomorrow as well.

Did she really just say that?

2009-09-05T15:12:00.003+02:00

Yes, yes she did. I found this question a reoccurring thought of mine this past week. There are many things that I did not think that teachers would really say, but guess what, they do in Hungary. My favorite example of this was during one of my first meeting at the school. I had written down some of my questions to try to get a better handle on school policies, organization and just school life in general. Most of these questions I received a strange look and a blanket answer. "Is there a dress code?"... no "Do you allow food or drink in the classroom?" .. no, but maybe if they are hungry. "Tardiness?".. they will come.. and my favorite " what do you do about misconduct? what is the disciplinary system?"... oh just ask them to stop.

Who could not be impressed with this well oiled machine? Even so, I tried to prepare myself, and come the first Wednesday in September I got on my bike and headed off to my first day of Hungarian High School. I arrived early, learned how to use the copier and was inform that Zsuzsa, who i think is the head of the department, would be sitting in on my first class. As I was waiting for her, a man full of presence, came bouncing in the teacher's room surveying with whom he would introduce himself, and landed upon me. He told me, in Hungarian, that he only taught on Wednesdays and that he didn't know anyone. I told him that i didn't know anyone either, and before another Hungarian word could come out of my mouth, I hear the other teachers loudly proclaim that i am the English lecturer and that i do not understand him. He then turns to me and says- are you not Hungarian? i replied no i am American, but i understand you to which he now says in English oh i am so sorry i also can speak some English. Before the next breath, he bounds off to meet the other teachers in the room with his funny story of how he mistook the American for a Hungarian, and everyone had a good laugh. This little incident occurred a couple more time that day. By the end of the day, however, my graciousness was about at its limits and decided that if i did not make this a joke, we were going to have issues. So the next time someone came up to me and began speaking Hungarian and the teachers gave their, by now rehearsed speech, I smiled and said something about never knowing what the crazy American would say, and thus ended that. Obviously I am still working on my relationship with the other teachers.

Now for what you really want to know. How are the students and what is the classroom like. Well they are all different. some classes are very quite and some are very lively. The one thing they have in common is that no one can say my last name. Another similarity is that they are not a fan of speaking English, but boy do they love speaking Hungarian. In my first class, I walked in the room and Zsuzsa introduced me, and one of the guys said that he did like to speak English, and something else in Hungarian- I don't remember now. I looked at him and told him that was such a shame since this was a speaking class. Of course all of their eyes got big and could not believe that the American could understand some Hungarian. So, for the most part this past week, was many many classes of students trying to push limits and me pulling teeth to get them to introduce themselves. The agenda for next week? Is survival asking for too much? Really only in a couple of my classes do they really try me, the others are quite lovely and over all i think this will be an entertaining year.

The blind leading the mute

2009-08-24T18:24:00.002+02:00

For the past month or so, people have been asking me about my upcoming position as an English teacher. All I knew at that point was that they started sometime in September and that someone would be getting in touch with me (or so I hoped). Finally, I got a text message last week about coming in, but there was a holiday so it was postponed until today. So this morning I got ready, gathered a couple of things and headed out on my bike to the school. On the way, I realized that it was kind of my first day at my new job which felt kind of odd, but kind of exciting.

When I arrived I saw the teacher that I was supposed to meet with and she asked me to have a set and went over a few minor details with me. It was then that I realized a couple of things: one, I was teaching double the amount of classes that I thought I was responsible for. Two, I was not team teaching with any specific English teacher, but was teaching class all of my own. Therefore, I am not confined to either a grade or a level. I have them all. I will be teaching 9 different sets of students and only one set will be more than one time a week. The level range from hello my name is... to those taking a language exam, in which you most be proficient in the language

This, however, was just the beginning of things in which i was not aware. School does not start sometime in September but the first of September, as in next week. I was just given 2 of the 4 books out of which the grammar teacher will teach, I just have to base lessons off of that. Suddenly, i was aware of exactly how much i did not know. I don't know the exact day school starts, where classrooms are, what school policies are, what the dress code is, what the disciplinary process is, and many other such details. I know there is a saying, the blind leading the blind, but i realized this doesn't really apply, b/c the students know all these things they are not blind, they just can't communicate them to me because we speak different languages. what a pair we will make come next week.

out for a stroll

2009-08-04T18:16:00.002+02:00

Even though it i just the beginning of August, it has the end of the summer feel to me. We put 2 of our interns on a plane on Thursday and the third one on a train on Sunday. Ap, my co-worker, took a quick vacation, and my boss and his wife went to Africa leaving me in the city all alone for the first time in quite a few months. It was good to finally go to church sunday morning, and worship together with my church family here. then i did something that i have never done before, i went to the movies alone. i took myself out for chineese food and then a matenee. It was air conditioned and funny enough i felt quite empowered that i strangly did not feel awkard. This week i have slept in, checked email, and read a book.

I am waiting for a call from the school that i will be working at, inorder to schedule for September. I also am about to begin planning for the fall and what direction our student ministry will take. Other than that i am just trying to get back in contact with students after summer holidays and some sort of a schedule. On an interresting note, i went for a walk today and saw something sadly unusual on the tram. See i like to think that i can spot ticket checkers as they get on the tram. this is no problem for me since ihave a monthly pass but it is just a funny observation game that i like to play. well this one guy was getting on and i thought maybe this is one, but.... no i don't think so. just then he looks at me, and comes and sits in front of me, pulls out, not a badge, but an old book. Next he opens it and begins reading. I thought surly not, can it be, is he reading what i think he is reading, and it was. He was reading the book of John. The next stop was mine, but i got off in the rain grinning because truly only God knows the heart of man.

my summer - brothers

2009-07-21T16:15:00.004+02:00

For those of you that get my newsletter i know that i promised pictures and stories, and i got the pictures up yesterday. Here are just a couple of the stories from the summer. My brothers came in may and were able to see my city. Brian got a hungarian experience right off the plane... i wasn't there. My friend and i were caught in traffic and his plane was 45 min early. so i ran into the terminal at what i think is his arrival time to see them taking his flight number off of the monitor. Next i ran to the information counter for them to tell me he is at the B side not the A. Then as i go to B i ran in the doors and see him sitting in one of the chairs waiting for me. How horrible am i. He got to experience his first (by no means his last) experience of waiting on public transportation.

Once Jeremy arrived we headed to Debrecen where the boys entertained my friends with countless (exaggerated) stories from our childhood. My friends ofcourse not really knowing by brothers almost believed them. Of course good sense prevailed and they do not think that i am an evil person. Jeremy, not to be out done by Brian also got to experience the joy of traveling through airport and finding your hotel. Jeremy and I arrived in Istanbul at 11:30ish pm and were trying to find our way to our hotel. we were told that there was a bus that went to the asia side (where we were staying), but that it did not leave until 1 am. the lady at the information desk wrote down a note and told us to give it to the bus driver. she told us that it said to take us to the asia side and drop up off at a taxi hot spot so that we culd find our hotel. we handed the note to bus diver and rode for at least an hour until everyone else was off the bus. When we came to a stop we handed him the address of the hotel where he mimed no taxi, walk. Then he proceed to stop and ask different taxi drivers where the hotel was and dropped us off at the bottom of the hill of our street. Amazed, Jeremy and i tried to tip him but he would't take it and we set off for the hotel. We checked in that evening at about 3am. All in all we had a great time and there were all kinds of adventures, not only in transportation, but food, funny tasting water and misconception. I mean come on we even look like brother and sister!
for pictures click here

Spring is in the air!

2009-04-21T10:19:00.005+02:00

And all I have to say is that it is about time! I love the sun and all that comes with it. Since the sun has come out I have been to baseball game, an american football game, an easter egg hunt and gone for several bike rides. The baseball team was the Mikepercs Mosquitoes. This was their first game ever! Sadly they didn't win, but they did the following week. The football team is the Debrecen Gladiators, our local team. For more pictures click here.

The easter egg hunt was with our english class. I unfortunately, only go now when needed as my students have gotten jobs and other things that prevent them from being able to attend. I do however, still help with a converstion class at a high school here in Debrecen called Doci.

march mayhem

2009-04-14T11:16:00.006+02:00

March has been an interesting month. First, and sadly, my partner AP had to go to Budapest for the month because she was experiencing back pain. She is currently in physical therapy and doing better. However, she was currently coaching a volleyball team here in Debrecen in a high school, therefore the task fell to me. Did I mention that this was a guy's team? Really there is one girl on the team, so I guess it is coed. I walked into the gym that week with a volleyball and a sheet of paper from AP describing the different drills that we would be working on for the day. The guys were quite patience with me as i tried not to laugh and instruct them on the proper technique for an overhand serve (something in which i myself do not do). This week the drills will be on spiking, another thing that a 5 foot 1girl does not attempt
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Two weeks ago they had a scrimmage game with a team from another city. They lost. They won 1 out of 4 games. I'm not sure how long this (my) team has been playing but I noticed somethings that they could work on, even with my limited volleyball knowledge. For instance, we they serve the ball the entire front line all squeeze in the middle of the court and take their precious time to get back into position. They don't hustle and could work on their aim, but their serves are good! :) Thankfully, AP is returning to Debrecen this week and I am relieved of duty! Welcome back AP the team missed you!

trilingual? .....nah

2009-02-27T11:51:00.007+01:00

I know one of the reasons that God's mercies new every morning, it is because so are all the new experiences and challenges that a day holds. Thankfully this was just a funny one. My co-worker AP has a vision to see an open gym night here in Debrecen. In order to take steps in this direction, she has been going around to different gyms, and high schools to see if their facilities were available. One day she asked me to go along with her. We entered a school that neither of us had ever been, and was received by the porter.

We greeted him in hungarian, and he did likewise as he politely asked us how he could assist us. Ap asked him if he spoke english, which he did not, and asked if we spoke french. Though AP studied French in highschool, she was wise enough to say no. So I tried to ask him (in hungarian) if the gym was open in the evening. What I did not realize is that i used the term for highschool instead of gym. Finally he asked if we spoke anyother languages. I not being as wise as AP, said alittle spanish. Suddenly i hear him on the phone asking for the spanish teacher because he has a spanish girl that has a question. I told the man that i didn't need the spanish teacher because i was not spanish, but american. He said okay and gave us directions to the teacher's lounge.

Next thing I hear is a lady greeting me in yes you guess it... spanish. I said hello back and tired to remember any words that would come to my mind, but only hungarian came out. So i asked if i could answer in hungarian. Our conversation consisted of her asking me questions in spanish while i answered in hungarian. I'm sure this was quite funny to anyone who may have been listening. After i tried to explain that AP was not looking for a job, but wanted to use their gym, she said that she would check, and sent the english teacher back. The end of this tale is that their gym is not avalible. On our way out of the school i thanked the english teacher in english, the spanish teacher in spanish and the porter in hungarian. Really, Great is His faithfullness!

a casual walk

2009-02-02T15:12:00.002+01:00

Last week, I was walking around campus and was praying for what the Lord would do there when suddenly the enormity of my task hit me all over again. I looked at all the students coming in and going to class and I wondered what life held in store for each of them. Would they ever find truth or would they spend a lifetime searching without ever discovering true life. I know the truth, I know the one who creates and sustains life, but how do i tell them in a way that they would hear? I wish I could say at that moment I had a revelation, but I didn't. All I know is that the task is bigger than me, and much more important. I do not know how much longer I will be here, but I pray that the truth will spread and reside in the hearts of those students forever.

girls conference

2009-01-26T15:12:00.007+01:00

January 16-17 I participated in a girls retreat in Mikeperc, which is a village outside of Debrecen, with goodsports international. This retreat was for the orphan girls of Miskolc. We were in small groups and were able to cover some of the issues that face girls everyday. Also helping were students from Biola University in California and the Debreceni youth group from Calvary Chapel. Here is the skit that Biola preformed for the girls saturday night after our panel discussion of what do guys really think... for pictures click here and then on outreach projects!

cookies and carols

2009-01-05T20:18:00.005+01:00

In November, I began helping with an english class in a neighboring city. I teach the advanced class and we were studying the christmas story. This is my first experience ever teaching english and for those who currently read this blog i'm sure you have your founded concerns. Thankfully it isn't all about how competent I am in english grammer and syntax, but in building relationship and sharing the most important lesson that i could ever teach, the gospel. My students are very kind and patient people and it is a pleasure to get to know them. We had a chistmas party before i left for the states and we had gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies and sang christmas carols in both english and hungarian. here is a little taste.

This is for my granny

2008-12-15T18:14:00.003+01:00

Forget New Year's resolutions, if you want to make a change do it now! I have always wanted to learn to ice skate. I would watch some of the competitions on tv and only imagine what it was like. I still have no idea what it is like, but it is a blast trying to figure it out.

Tis the Season

2008-12-15T18:01:00.003+01:00

I love Christmas and all that comes with it! I love the christmas lights, the gift shopping, the baking, christmas cards, christmas parties, and even christmas carols. It is also easy however to get wrapped up in all of the festivities without acknowleging why it is that we celebrate. I have been reminded a couple of times myself this year. Two different times I was explaining the ornaments on my christmas tree and once I was asked to write a devotional. All of these things made me take a moment to reflect how different the first Christmas really was. I am excited to be with my family and friends this year, but Mary wasn't with hers. I'm excited about people greeting me with in get into town, but Joseph was turned away from all of the inns. I know that I will eat and eat until I cannot hold anymore and curl up in my bed. Jesus was born in a barn outdoors and placed in a feeding trough. For those that do not know the story it is found in the Bible in the book of Luke, chapter 2. For those that do, reread it again and Praise God that he loved mankind enough, (YOU) that he would go to such great lengths to make a way for us to spend not one day a year, but eternity with Him!

First Friday

2008-12-09T22:18:00.005+01:00

This school year my desire was to create a monthly program that would be an outreach to students. The first event was a szalonnasutes, or bacon roast. Think of this as a hungarian cookout. What you do is to take your bacon (which in my opinion is just big pieces of fat) and melt it over bread. then you add veggies and eat it like a little sandwich. This event was the first of October. We had several students attend as well as friends from the church i attend that came to lend their support. We threw the football a little, but mostly chatted around the campfire.
For more pictures click here.

November's event was a movie night. We were going to show remember the titians but technical difficulty ensued and we watched second hands lions instead. At this event, a coworker of mine from budapest came to help as well as my new partner AP (Anna Paige). We only had 4 students to come, but we had fun all the same. December's event was called proof and practice because it was to help the students with any english problems they might have be it conversational or gramatical
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The pictures above are of AP and I cleaning her kitchen and us at halloween. She arrived in mid October and has been at language school for most of November and some of December. Now that she has finished, she will be helping me at the university campus as well as doing sports outreach.

pictures i hope

2008-11-03T23:56:00.003+01:00

Hey guys i'm trying to get some pictures of the summer up, so i hope this link works, if not sorry! What i'm hoping that you will see are pictures starting in egypt, then my meeting with people from central eastern europe, followed by saying goodbye, camping, english camp, my friends comings, basketball camp, and my parents coming. There is ofcours many more pictures then these, but here is a little something.
Click Here!!

a new school year

2008-10-02T19:06:00.002+02:00

I always loved the beginning of school, it always seems like a fresh start. This year I was given a visit from my parents. We were together 2 weeks and it went too quickly for me. They first came to Debrecen where i drove (haven't done that in almost a year) to get them from the airport. They were able to go to church with me and help me do some survey work on the campus. Then we went on vacation.

Now I am back to my beloved city and want to begin the year off right. I will be hosting a cook out for the students and hopefully enlarging the student basis and contacts that i know. Prayerfully it will not rain, it did a little today. From there I will be starting my weekly bible study at the end of the month and welcoming a coworker to the city mid October. Thank you to everyone who keeps tract of all that the Lord is doing here, I am more grateful than you can imagine. Grace and Peace to you all in abundance.

Praise the Lord

2008-09-08T16:48:00.003+02:00

I can not say there has been many new developments since my last entry, but i did just want to update you on a fews ways that the Lord continues to show me favor. My fabulous coworker has been able to retreive files from my computer so all is not lost. What a blessing. My parents are coming! And with them comes a computer so that I will be able to do my work here a little more effecently. I have had 2 students ask me to have a bible study and many from my church here who would like to help me in the different outreaches that i will do each month. Praise the Lord! What a blessing to know that God is into the detail even when i am not. In face these days i even try to run from them. Wow his mercies truly are new every morning Great is his faithfulness.

a new start?

2008-08-22T17:56:00.003+02:00

Well it is the end of august which means 2 things, its hot and school is about to begin. I always like the beginning of school because it seems like you get a clean slate, no papers are due yet and i always have asperations to do everything in a timely manner. Since my return from budapest it has been anything from a fresh start. Things just don't seem to be falling in to place, however, since when was it ever promised to me that things would be easy? Nothing big happened just little detail that seem to wear you down after a while. One being that my computer died and with it all the work and picture of my last year here.

Determined not to be swayed by this, i am planning a back to school event. The first part will take place when my parents come to visit me (YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). We will be talking with students of campus and handing out surveys. The next part will be a kick off to what i hope is a monthly schedule. We will be having a cookout. There are so many details that have yet to work out but i have an enemy that hates me and will take every opportunity to derail me from my task. Please pray that His word will go forth and that new relationships will be formed and that the Lord will direct my steps and make me obedient to his ways.

a long overdue update

2008-08-12T13:34:00.003+02:00

Ok so i know that i have not updated in a while, but please do not take that as a sign that the Lord has not been doing great things because he has. In the month of may the Lord allowed me to see two of my friends here come to know him. One's name is Alex and the other Anita. It has been such a joy for me to watch these two women commit their lives to Christ and see their hunger to know Him.

As for what else i have been doing, I went on vacation to Egypt and to an annual conference with my organization. Afterwards, I went back to Debrecen to tell 2 of my friends goodbye as they headed back to Canada and the US to begin university there. Next, i worked in an interpreter's camp, and english camp and a basketball camp. Finally my dear friends came to visit me and i was able to spend time with them. what a blessing. Now i have been in budapest for about 3 weeks, and am about to head back to debrecen to plan for this upcoming school year. I'll post pictures of these event later, but know that i'm truly blessed by everyone who reads this and partner's with me in my life here.

Germany!

2008-05-30T13:05:00.012+02:00

Sigen, Germany! I was able to go to a leadership conference with the church that i attend here, Calvary Chapel. I'm standing infront of the student hostile for their Bible college. This is were we all stayed together. Pat and I went with Dori, Lydia, Gyori, and Luca.
After each session, we went out on that patio for coffee or tea. wow free coffee is a beautiful thing until you realize that you have had 3 cups a day or so... then it is time to take control. Oh that and a chai latte in the morning, during your QT, that is the way to start off the day.
There is just something wrong with the idea of sushi in a crepe. And daddy i took the pictures of the bridges for you!

work hard, play hard

2008-05-29T21:09:00.010+02:00

j
My friend Adi and I are at the market that comes to Debrecen twice a year, It reminded me a little of Locust Grove days. There were booths and crafts, clothes, jewelry and of course food. Unfortunately nothing as good as the barbecue chicken. I say that but i didnt' really try it.

Speaking of food, i went to a cookout with my friend Judit and they were having the traditional roasted pig fat. So yes on that stick there is not a marshmallow waiting to be put between a gram cracker and chocolate, but fat waiting to be dripped over bread garnished with possibly a sausage. Afterwards someone pulled out the guitar and we sang or at least i tried in between the sneezes, i must be allergic to something here.

A little shopping, a little cookout what is left besides AMERICAN FOOTBALL!!! Me the one in the middle with the ball, Yen the one learning to throw, Alex, the one teaching, Pat, Zsombie, and Ben played a game of touch football. Well at least it was susposed to be two hand touch, Alex either didn't get the memo, or just thought it would be fun to watch me hit the grass. (I personally think that it was the later) Don't worry i returned the favor.

2008-05-29T21:03:00.003+02:00

Well, after the circus me, alex and pat all went to a biblestudy that one of my friends was having. We have been studying through the book of romans and afterwards one of the girls and i were talking and she surrendered her life to Christ. Words can't express the joy and gratitude in my heart. I am daily amazed at His goodness towards me and all who would call to Him. This past month really seems like a blur, but one thing i do know is that the lost are found the dying are given life and God is the one who holds all things together. He is moving in the hearts of men and women here and I'm thankful that i get to watch.

circus under the big top... literally

2008-05-29T12:27:00.006+02:00

On friday we went to the Hungarian circus! This was sooo much fun! All i can say is bring in the clowns... in really bad outfits! This is pat buying cotton candy and we also had popcorn.

And as you can see we really like the cotton candy! We also like the REALLY OLD elephant and the african man stand. This group was quite talented. It was an amazing day.

happy birthday to me!

2008-05-02T14:53:00.003+02:00

Well as many of you know I had a birthday in the month of April. I was planning a relaxing day of doing nothing much. I went to the gym, hung out with Alex and was going to meet Rita and Anita later on that day for coffee. Rita and i had a nice time together and we were meeting Anita later on. So we all ran some errands together and they asked me what all i had planned for the night, when i said not much except for meeting up with alex later they put a blind fold on my head, put me in a car and we drove around Debrecen for a little bit. Then they proceeded to take me out of the car, into a courtyard, upstair and then i heard alex's voice, it was a surprise party! some of my friends had gathered and we eat and talked and had a great evening. It was a great day! I have pictures, but they will have to come when my camera is not acting up. So stayed tuned.

Easter pictures

2008-04-27T19:58:00.013+02:00

This is a typical hungarian home and the town over the river. This is the main street.

me and my friend rita and her father sprinkling me for easter.

This is our Easter feast that was blessed here at the alter by the priest. the sign over the altar says he is not here he is risen.

Me and Rita's family in Patyod

dying easter eggs. And this is how they they make them shiny... bacon fat.

This is the piac, or market in Romania and one of the churches there. There are beautiful architecture.

boat ride.

2008-04-27T18:00:00.007+02:00

Here is a lovely river/ stream outside of the city of Patyod. Patyod is the city that I spent easter in with my friend Rita and her family. Easter Sunday after we went to mass and had the traditional hungarian lunch we went on a drive through Patyod. We went to their warehouse where they store their crates for their apples (they are apple farmers) and machinery. Afterward, they decided to take me to this river because it is pretty and also to show me the ferry. The ferry exists because there is another city on the other side and they needed a way for them to get to the other side, so instead of building a bridge they use a ferry. This ferry is powered by the current and guided by a cable. One drives the car onto it and floats to the other side.
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I also had to take a picture of plan b or the escape raft. I'm not sure if I wouldn't risk the river over the raft, man do I love Hungary. So here are two pictures of the cable that the ferry operates on, and the man that operates it.

march madness more than b-ball

2008-04-02T21:04:00.006+02:00

Well here they are, the team from Arkansas. They arrived here on the 14th of March and stayed for about a week. While i can say that this team was quite lively, they began a new branch in our student outreach here.

The first day "on the town" was a national holiday so the team and i went to the city center to see the festivities. Shortly after the speeches in hungarian began we began to tour the city and later that day the baptist church hosted us for lunch. That night we went bowling with some of my friends here. it was my first time to even go in a bowling alley since i've been here. it was fun and we were able to meet with some of the students that the December team and i meet during the Christmas holidays.

These pictures were just tooo good to pass up. and yes this is two different display windows and yes they did pose for these pictures.

After the weekend, the team prayer walked the campus, spoke in classes and meet with students. We meet up with the student at night at a coffee shop on campus and tuesday night went on a scavenger hunt of the city. Everyone had a great time and some great contacts were made.

rotary ball

2008-03-01T22:37:00.007+01:00

So if i were anyone reading this, i would think what exactly is holly doing at a rotary ball, well it was a last minute kinda of decision and well, who doesn't like saying that they went to a high school dance when they were in the 20's. It wasn't really a highschool dance, but I did attend with people who have just finished highschool so it is close. Actually the "adults" that were there, (not me ofcourse) were sad that we left the party early (12-12:30 am) and we had been there since 8. Can i get any cooler? Oh wait i am wearing a scarf with a dress and took public transportation to this shindig, so maybe there is room for even more coolness than once imagined. Anyways, I received quite a laugh, and thought that ya'll would as well. It was a fun evening, and afterwards the party continued at my place for some Heroes... thankyou Jeremy
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featured in these lovely pictures are emily, me, and pat (above) and Zhombie, Alex, and Carlos, and emily.

vienna

2008-02-15T09:28:00.010+01:00

Sorry that the first pic is turned around, i'm not very comp savy. But hey at least i was in the pic, as per my instructions before i left. When pat and i went to gyor, we deceided to be an hour and a half from Vienna and not go would just be wrong, so we caught a train and popped in for the day. So here are some of the pics from out little day trip.

So what did we do? after riding in the train with compartments, we decided to go take our handy maps and go on a little walk about we when to St. Stephen's Cathedral, the opera house and then to Sissy's apartment. We only when inside the cathedral.

gyor

2008-02-15T09:00:00.005+01:00

Pat and I had the opportunity to visit Larry and Melinda Ewing in Gyor. Gyor is in the western part of the country. The Ewings were apart of a team that began a work with university students a couple of years ago, and have recently come back to Hungary to pick up where they left off, since the ministry they help to begin was still active.

Every Tuesday night the Ewings hold a bible study at their home, which you can see is quite lovely, but more than that, it is a place to come and learn more about a relationship with Christ. The Ewings are two of the most giving hospitable, loving people that I have been in contact with in a while. They are a precious gift to anyone who knows them, and a sweet aroma of Christ to all who are around them. What a blessing it was for me to get to meet them and learn from them durning my time in Gyor.

The Letourneau University

2008-01-18T15:50:00.000+01:00

At the end of the christmas holidays and durning the New Year, a team of students from Letourneau University came to hosted a week of coffee houses in order to meet hungarian and international students. It was such a privilege to get to know them and to be able to work with them. Letourneau University is located in Longview Texas where it is nice and warm and as you can see by the white substance in the air it was a little colder here but they handled it wonderfully!

During different nights of the coffee house the team and the students would showcase their different talents or just have something fun to do. Sarlota instructed us one night in traditional Hungarian folk dance. you can see for yourself it was a lot of fun, and takes balance.

Other events that we had were a movie night, Scottish folk dancing, and on New Years we tied balloon animals, hats, swords and all kinds of things. Also on New Years eve after the coffee house, we went to the city center with Sarlota and her sister Anita for the fireworks. There was a band and it was snowing! We counted down the new year in hungarian and had a blast. It was a wonderful evening.

During the days the team either went to the mall, the city center or to the medical students dorm to invite people to come enjoy the free coffee at the coffee houses in the evening.

2008-01-08T16:19:00.001+01:00

Two days after Christmas, I went to a castle with my language teacher and friend Eva and her family. Unfortunately we were not permitted to take picture inside of the castle so here are a couple of the ones in the foyer and outside. And YES that is snow on the ground.

Christmas Day

2008-01-08T16:07:00.001+01:00

Christmas morning after I opened the gifts that I received from america I went to the Millers. We had breakfast and exchanged giftss as well as opening our stockings. This is the first time that my stocking has actually been a sock:)

Here is the fest: we had turkey and stuffing, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole and for dessert a resemblance to death by chocolate. Afterwards, we watched a movie and talked to our families. It was a good day and a great reminder of all that I have to be thankful for, especially my salvation.

2008-01-08T15:55:00.000+01:00

;k;lk
Christmas Eve with the Millers. I went over the Millers we had dinner, read the Christmas Story and sang Christmas carols it was alot of fun.

Christmas Decorations

2007-12-11T13:32:00.000+01:00

This is Pat and me after we decorated the tree! Pat is an exchange student here from NY. Because only the crazy Americans would put up a Christmas tree before the 23 or the 24. Here that is one of the traditions, decorations go up on the first and the tree up on the 24 usually. Trees are sometimes themed, usually with a color scheme, but mine is to reflect Christ.

First, the tree itself is an evergreen representing everlasting life as well as just being a tree.
Second, I put apples on the tree symbolizing that it is because of our sin that Christ himself hung on a tree.
Third, the stars not only represent the star at his birth, but also OT prophesy. A star will come out of Jacob bringing strength and judgment. This star will bring an everlasting kingdom and for all nations, peace. (num. 24:17, gen 49:10, Mic5:2) Also in Rev, he is called the bright and morning star.
Fourth, the white circles represent communion
Fifth is the angel garland is for the ones who proclaimed his birth.
Finally, the use of light as a description of Christ is prevent throughout the NT.
This is the wreath that i made out of the decorations that my grandma sent me from home. She is so sweet! you can't see it but some of the ornaments even have my name on them. funny enough i just realized the only thing that my apt isn't decorated with is holly leaves. And the garland that pat made that is above the office door, that girl got skill.

This black bowl is specific to a particular village here. it is one of the only places that it is made the clay actually turns black when it is fired, its not just glazed. the candy inside the dish is also the traditional Christmas candy. most of the times they decorate the tree with it. In is actually under my tree on the tree skirt. it is my way of incorporating a little Hungarian tradition. The light up santa is for you dad, i thought that this would just brighten your day! hahahaha you love me. No worries I put this back in the box, but i had to take a picture for you first.

Baby Dedications

2007-12-06T17:57:00.001+01:00

These are two families that I went to their baby dedication services. The family on the left is a precious family who has had me in their home two different times, and are very gracious about me not being able to communicate with them well. Both families are friends of the Millers.

The New Place

2007-12-06T17:33:00.000+01:00

Sorry that these pictures are a little late in coming. But this picture is of my living room. I love the light that these windows let in, I mean take advantage of the light while you got it right. the down side is that it looks out over the street, and it seems odd at night that people can probably see in, but i try not to think about it much. I'll get more than sheer curtains one day.

This is my kitchen that is open to both the dinning room and living room, just the way I like it, which is very unheard of here. This makes it easier to be a good hostess and not loose contact with people that come to visit. Please note the step stool next to the sink, Ok i don't need it to do the dishes, but i do to reach the top shelf.
This is where i am now, sitting in that chair working on the computer. This is my office/guest room. who knew I would ever have an office. I really like it though, that way it is not like you stay in your room all day. The cabinet is the coat closet, linen closet as well as office supplies. Impressive no.
This is part one of the bathroom. It now has a white shelving unit to put all that stuff on top of the washing machine. And truth be told I might should have my step stool in here, b/c it might not look like it but that tub is high.

Here is the master suite. It probably hasn't been this clean since I took this picture, I'm just kidding mom, I still clean my room, but I make no promises about making the bed everyday. And look at that Christy, who knew that the pillow that you gave me would match the bedding I was given.

thanksgiving

2007-11-25T22:03:00.001+01:00

This Thanksgiving I was in Budapest with the Rierson's. It was a good day, lots of food, new people to meet and a day to be refreshed. We began the day by playing a little nintendo and ended my playing skipbo. It was alot of fun, i hope that you enjoy the pictures.

a day in the life

2007-11-20T16:47:00.000+01:00

Ok so what does a typical day look like for me? well this really wasn't typical, but thats boring so here was my day today, at least thus far. As soon as I woke up I knew that I needed to prepare a dessert for a friend coming this afternoon so I began to make an easy american dish: eclair pie. Well... i ran out of milk b/c i didn't know how much a decaliter is. so while most of you have your handy cool whip i'm measuring in decaliters and trying to whip it with a fork b/c i also do not have a mixer. Then there was the language lesson, this is always a treat. so after i throughly embarrass myself, i know have to make a choc. topping to go on the dessert, so off to the store for more milk.

Luckily there is a little stop in store on the corner of my building so i just run downstairs right quick, instead of the cross city trek to the big store. however here milk comes in a bag and i'm not sure what type i bought. the lady was really sweet and just wanted someone to talk with, unfortunately we don't speak the same language and when i told her that i only spoke very little hungarian, but that i was learning she talked for at least another 2-3 min. During this time i said that i lived here, i was 27 and i was studying hungarian. oh that that i'm american and lived in Georgia. i also preceded to practice my numbers and give her my social security number.... just kidding.

You think its over don't you, its not even 11:30 yet there is still much of the day left. Then i go up stair and make my icing. Well i look around and since company is coming i should take out the trash. So i gather one box and head downstairs. (this is a good time to tell you that the clicker that opens where you put the trash in is missing, the landlord never gave me one) So I'm hoping that it will be open. Better, i see my neighbor and ask where to put it and he takes me to it, and it is open, YEAH! so i go upstairs and make my second load to come back and find it closed. Well i'm crafty and remember that there was only a little fence and the ramp to the garage was open. now if anything growing up in Georgia i can jump a fence. So i throw my boxes over, stand on the strategically placed cinder box and notice that there are only horizontal slats. not detered my horizontal disadvantage (aka i'm short) i jump up and throw myself ontop of the fence and then over. Proud of my feat i put the trash in its place and then realize that i can not come back the way that i came. the ramp is too far down for someone who has to fling themselves over and my luck i would hit the cinder block and trip, bruise, or break something, and well i live on the 2 floor i'm not about that. well there is only one other place where there is a sidewalk on the otherside of the fence and it is next to a wall. the problem is that it is in full view of the company next's door smoker place. so i have to wait till they have consumed enough cancer and then promptly fling myself over the fence while trying not to miss the narrow side walk and fall 5-6 down the ramp. Now, who wants taking out the trash to be their daily chore?

I'll spare you anymore details, but summarize the rest of the day: i realized i didn't have food for lunch, had to sprint for the tram which left as i was a foot from it and got lost on the way home b/c i check out a store on a diff. street. all to come home and make sure everything was at least tolerable before tonight. and that was all before 3:30. I'm looking forward for an eventful evening.... or maybe not.

2007-11-18T16:42:00.001+01:00

included in these pics are some ruins of the old wall surround the castle, ruins of surrounding buildings, be being silly and the famous chain bridge. thats right dad they have both chain and suspension bridges.

Buda Time

2007-11-17T15:38:00.001+01:00

So this is a little primer for some of the rest of the pictures. And since the comp seems to be cooperating today, maybe you will actually get to see them.

Okay, so the first pic is me doing who knows what on top of a castle, thats right a castle and wow was it cold up there. thanks for the scarf and mittens peggy they work great! And well the next two pic are the same thing. Besides the view which is fantastic the pic doesn't do it justice, it is a good place to go up and see the city and dream about all that can be done through those who are fully committed.

budapest

2007-11-15T16:28:00.000+01:00

The first pic is the church next to the castle it has amazing detail. And i'm not sure what the other building is, except pretty. The river though is the Danube. It get overwhelming to see building after building with such distinct designs and history. It really is beautiful in evening or in daylight.

i know you can't see but i am sticking my hand in the dragon's mouth. i would love to say that this was an old hungarian tradition in which if you can place your hand in the mouth of a dragon and still pass across its shadow with out flinching then you know that mind is a peace or something, but i was just tired of being the only one in my pic and wanted to do something besides stand and smile. like i am with the kings or knights of old. it reminded me a little of Lord of the Rings.

This is a brail layout of the castle area so that the blind can enjoy the history as well. The other pic is me trying to be artistic. we didn't really have anything funny happen, probably because I didn't try to say much. I just smiled nodded and took the pictures.

This is for you Jeremy

2007-11-12T01:06:00.001+01:00

I'm not sure what all this says, but what I do know is that it is part of the university, and it deals with atomic (nuclear I guess) science. And it is about 1-2 blocks from the Millers. I have absolutely no idea what that thing on the right it, but it looks like it belongs.

Weekdays with the Riersons

2007-11-07T11:49:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday, the Rierson family came to visit me and my town! I posted our visit to the "big church," here is the rest of our adventures.

Like all good baptist, first things first.. we go to dinner! We went to csarda with is a traditional Hungarian restaurant. Elaine and Nathan had a paris style chicken breast. Which just means fried. Robert, James and the rest of us had goulash. I tried to take a picture, but it came out blurry, so i'll take a better picture next time.

After all that food, we needed to go for a walk. Friday morning we went to the university and I showed them around (what little I know) and then we went downtown in search for lunch and things to do. Little did we know that the quest for a place that was open at 11:45 was an adventure all in its self.

We landed here at an a'ruha'z, or shopping area. it was such a beautiful walk and it was just refreshing being with those who you knew before this whirlwind occurred. This is also the family that I will be spending thanksgiving with. So stayed tuned for more adventures.

Nagy Templom (big church)

2007-11-05T22:59:00.000+01:00

The Rierson family came to visit me and my city this past weekend! It was a lot of fun to be with people that are just as new as I am. One our adventures was going into the big church. Inside is a huge organ, and ornate features. There is also listed the history of the church in 3-4 different languages.

Like many things in Debrecen, they like to mix the old with the new, which is why this piece of modern art was also on display. (this actually could be something functional, but i have no idea what it is, so it became modern art)

Halloween

2007-11-05T22:49:00.000+01:00

Well I would love to tell ya'll that I had some kind of fun outfit for Halloween and looked like a complete fool, but sadly that is not the case. In fact, throughout the entire day I only saw one guy with a skeleton shirt on. I am told, however, that usually Halloween night people gather in the cemetery to either remember their loves ones who have died, or light candles for them as a way of reducing their time in purgatory. Indulgences are also sold during this time. It was however raining and did not go to the cemetery. But please remember those whose hope lays within a tradition, and not on the one who hold eternity in His hands.

Today's Adventures

2007-10-26T17:18:00.000+02:00

Today was my first day on a bike in Debrecen. First things first, get lost. Take a wrong street and end up well who really knows where you are when your lost, but it is a good sign that you are going in the wrong direction when you see a sign that says goodbye. (meaning your leaving the city dummy) I did find my way to the university (the destination intended) . Here are some of the sights along the way.

language lessons

2007-10-23T16:21:00.000+02:00

Today marks my second day of language. All I can say is that I am thankful that I have such a patient teacher. Not only is she very kind, but very practical about what she teaches me. I cannot say that i have made any funny mistakes yet, because I have not had to fend for myself yet. Today I went for a walk and had to ask for directions, but after my sad attempts at Hungarian, they spoke english to me. Hopefully soon I can at least talk like a two year old.