Trying to wrap my mind around the fact that we are already on the second week of out trip here in Hungary has proven to be rather difficult task for me. Waking up each morning I find myself wondering how I could possibly make it through the day ahead. But looking back at the past week I've realized how quickly our time here is slipping away. What once seemed to be sixteen, full twenty-four hour days, has almost momentarily dwindled down to five momentary, precious days.
Today began our second week of English classes here in Hungary. Starting a new week meant losing some campers and gaining nine new ones. And although change is always difficult, no matter how small, the Lord was faithful and classes and teachings seemed to run just as smooth as usual. In fact, it has been amazing to see how the students' confidence is growing day by day in their conversational skills.
I'm in an English class with Jordan and Tim, and over this past week it has just really been amazing to interact with each student, see their English develop, form relationships with each one, and begin to see their personalities truly start to shine. Day by day I feel like I've been able to see a different aspect of the kids - whether it be their sweetness, sense of humor, sarcasm, or intelligence - each one so special to me and I love each one for a different reason. (But one thing I can tell you, I admire these kids sooo much! Not only are these kids going to a English camp during summer time, which in my mind is typically a school-free time of year, but they are dedicated to learning a foreign language and all seem to have super amazing language aptitudes! I mean I know I'm here to teach them English, but I've been trying to learn some Hungarian as well...and let me tell you: It's NOT as easy as it looks! In my mind, all the kids here are geniuses. They are here learning English and for most students, it is fairly easy for them to keep a simple conversation going. However, I on the other hand, who have had help from numerous Hungarians, can still hardly pronounce the Hungarian word for "thank you" correctly. Even going syllable by syllable, I'm struggling. But if I've learned one thing from these students it is to persevere and never give up. Sooo...even though most of the students have told me that I'm super bad at learning a new language, have some of the worst pronunciation they have ever heard, and have a pretty limited short term memory, I will NOT give up! You can hold me accountable, because I WILL be able to correctly quote off a Hungarian phrase by the time I get home :P)
But getting down to a bit more specific info regarding our daily activities: today was a fairly typical day of English teaching, except for the fact that we went for a Scavenger Hunt around the city during the afternoon. We broke ourselves up into groups of seven students and leaders and had three hours to find random "red", "yellow" and "orange" objects, and take pictures with things such as, "a random employee named Steven", "A fish tank" and "Burger King". And although it was somewhat hot outside, being in a group with Christina made the entire day completely worth it and certainly an experience. For although we plowed down numerous tourists in our path as we sprinted down the streets of the market or asked at least ten different, random people if their name was Steven, the highlight of my day was most certainly when Christina even asked a man in a tourist booth if he had pamphlets in Latin, but was quickly informed that Latin is a "dead language" and no one speaks it anymore. :P So overall, the scavenger hunt was super successful. Our team didn't win, but we had a lot of fun in the process and were able to develop even deeper relationships with the students in the process.
But ending on a more serious note, our time here in Hungary has truly been an amazing experience. I think I'm speaking for the whole team when I say that it has been awesome to see the ways in which God has shown up. Numerous people have had a chance to share the gospel, the kids seem receptive to our love and to the gospel, He has pretty much protected us from sickness, and even through our lack of energy, it is amazing to see how God is sustaining us and keeping us unified as a group. (which isn't always an easy thing). Today the verses in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 were really encouraging, because it talks about through our weaknesses how Christ continues to make us strong. And I couldn't see that more than I do now. Because even through are tiredness, through our sickness, through our lack of energy, through our possible bad attitudes, through the inconvenient times, God is continuing to show His faithfulness and is continually strengthening us amidst these stretching circumstances.
So looking back on this past week, it sometimes has seemed like time has dragged on, but truthfully I think it is going far faster than I could have ever imagined and would ever hope for it to go. The longer I'm here the more I don't want to leave, the more I see God;s faithfulness, develop deeper love for the kids, and see the importance of depending on God's strength. I'm not excited to leave here, but I'm trying to focus on the five coming days we have here. The past week has been absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to see what God is going to do with the days we have remaining! :)
~Kelsey
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