tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355383602011-09-07T02:41:48.778+02:00This is a blog which I have set up to let you know what I am up to and the direction which God is leading me here in Hungary. I hope it will be informative and entertaining and will give you a little insight about what I'm going through here and gather things to pray about for me. Peace!MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-29294230638486273292008-09-24T10:28:00.007+02:002008-09-24T11:25:20.862+02:00

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33I'm just surprised that after a few years of working with schools and refugees, there are still surprises along the well-trodden paths. Discrimination and prejudice are common. Within the church as well. That saddens me. But there is victory in Jesus. The laws in Hungary are slowly changing and we have

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-18474227212056568632008-09-23T14:06:00.003+02:002008-09-24T11:39:42.236+02:00

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Eph 3:16-17I'm struck by the phrase "strengthen you with power through his Spirit" I don't know why other than the simple awesomeness of it. Maybe it's because I've been feeling weak lately.The summer was an extremely busy one

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-49473008387185187342008-05-19T13:13:00.003+02:002008-05-19T15:19:16.404+02:00

God often clearly steps into our lives to direct it and guide it. In my life, in many ways His leading has been clear but most of the time it has been foggy. Either my eyes were clouded over, I was too preoccupied with my "own life" and didn't give God a chance to speak or just simply wasn't willing to listen. But God speaks anyway, and in His mercy, he continues to speak, louder and louder??

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-66268154424263163522007-11-09T13:03:00.001+01:002008-12-11T22:48:19.661+01:00

...you almost forget your login info to get into blogger. It's almost a full two months since I have written which means I have already slacked in my commitment to try to write at least once a month. Sorry about that! But I have gone through a series of personal trials and difficulties which I haven't been at liberty to discuss with the "whole world". Also, we began a new school year with new

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-47872035549266864282007-09-20T13:32:00.000+02:002007-09-20T14:25:16.229+02:00

I was reluctant to go home in the last weeks of the summer. I felt the time would not be well used and knew that many of my friends would be busy getting ready for school but time at home was good and I am glad to have had the opportunity. It was great to see friends and family and to see my church family again. Such a great feeling to feel at home in a congregation after not feeling that way

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-37300618638401396172007-07-23T21:35:00.000+02:002007-08-06T11:55:48.427+02:00

As soon as I returned from France, the preparations for UNHCR's World Refugee Day intensified. We had two events planned. A small event in Debrecen (the location of one refugee camp) and a larger event in Budapest. We had applied for a grant from UNHCR to fund the event (they had announced the availability of such funds) but did not receive anything. So we had to fund the events on our own. I

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-19052630250877147832007-06-07T15:46:00.000+02:002008-12-11T22:48:19.943+01:00

After Barcelona, it was off to Brussels. Where colleagues and I met with one of Hungary's representatives of the European parliament. Kinga Gál also happens to be on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and on the Subcommittee on Human Rights. We went to express our concerns about the treatment of refugees and in particular, unaccompanied minors in Hungary. Ms. Gál was very

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-50974702222691695992007-06-07T15:37:00.000+02:002007-06-07T15:46:22.764+02:00

In early May I went to Barecelona, Spain for a bit of holiday. I met up with a friend of mine who I had met in Romania from Northern Irleand. We actually booked a really nice hotel which was a treat and the location was great. I arrived on the Friday and Jenny came on Saturday afternoon. I really liked the feel of the city. Everyone was out on the streets in the evenings, old, young, families

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-91040977797447394402007-06-07T15:33:00.000+02:002007-06-07T15:37:43.423+02:00

Richard has not returned to school since the rejection of his claim. I met with him to try to counsel him and encourage him to come back. It was sad. When you see the innocence lost from the eyes of a child. There was deep disillusionment and a hardness there that was difficult to accept. So now Richard is working at a flea market for next to nothing, trying to figure out what to do with his

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-46228431726089995952007-03-30T22:21:00.000+02:002008-12-11T22:48:20.236+01:00

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."The

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-69834077630072974992007-03-27T10:37:00.000+02:002007-03-27T11:18:43.108+02:00

One of our boys has gone missing. We haven't heard from him in over a week. This is unlike him. He has always been responsible and faithfully going to school even when the others would skip from time to time. He lived in a dormitory with three other of our boys but they don't know where he is. He left one evening and never returned. We are worried and helpless. In Hungary you can't report

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-37435100801935802812007-03-02T14:55:00.000+01:002007-03-02T15:41:11.318+01:00

Many of our kids in the refugee program are just recovered from bouts of the flu. It has hit them pretty hard. Hungarian dorm food is not great. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rare. But in general their resistance is low. I visited one of our students a few times because her dorm is very close to my apartment. Also, I know what it is like to be be sick and alone. Even though she is around other

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-32384700215117467302007-02-20T16:52:00.000+01:002007-02-20T17:22:39.506+01:00

R. (our boy from Afghanistan) received refugee status. We were happy that after so many rejections we finally received some good news. Things are going nicely. The children in the school programme are starting to complain about things. They at first, frustrated their teacher who was tired of their lack of gratitude (they had been thankful always before). But we realized that their

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-66649060253145443232007-01-23T12:12:00.000+01:002008-12-11T22:48:20.751+01:00

Yamisi wants to be a nurse. She told me a few months ago that this is something she has wanted to do since she was a young child. But now that her circumstances have changed, how would this be possible? Who can help her? She was prepared to give up her dream and aim toward becoming a hairdresser instead. Not that there is anything wrong with hairdressing but Yamisi is a very bright girl with lots

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-50242984871274542202007-01-23T12:03:00.000+01:002008-12-11T22:48:20.947+01:00

Well, time at home was short but sweet. It was great to see family and meet up with friends. Our family spent Christmas in Calgary with my older brother and his family. It was a special blessing to be with my nieces and nephew. They have grown so much! I've never seen the rocky mountains either, so that too was a special treat. We drove to Banff and Lake Louise on boxing day. That's where we saw

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-18591656149595154162006-12-11T11:08:00.000+01:002008-12-11T22:48:21.071+01:00

It seems a little surreal. The weather is very mild. It's sunny and pleasant. For me it doesn't seem like Christmas is close.I decided to come home, happened to get a pretty inexpensive ticket so that made the decision final for me.Things are going very well. Ministry-wise, things are slowly coming together. I like being here. I love the challenges. For example defining the shape of my ministry,

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1164198641537428432006-11-22T12:55:00.000+01:002006-11-22T13:38:54.410+01:00

I'm settling in well I think. Praise God. I have my normal ups and downs. Lonliness is sometimes and issue but God is good in these times. I am slowly getting to know my colleagues.I am really enjoying working with the Refugee ministry. Last week, we took the young people on a little hike up Janos hill near Budapest. We had been talking for some time to do more social activities with them so that

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1162915535598243132006-11-07T16:10:00.000+01:002006-11-08T11:09:14.736+01:00

Well things have settled down a little bit here. I'm not sure if things have been calmed completely or whether people are seething quietly. Following the riots on October 23, everyone was pointing their finger at everyone else seeking those responsible for the violence and the police reaction.It took me a few days to recover from the shock...really. I was upset at how the government and the left

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1161693021929365132006-10-24T13:42:00.000+02:002006-10-24T15:40:04.936+02:00

There should be a Hungarian tourism advertisement. "Come to Hungary and get fit...by running from riot police." All jokes aside, I was out in the city yesterday when the violence erupted. It was odd that there was NO official rememberances of the 1956 revolution to which the general public was invited. At all official events where the government received foreign dignitaries (including our own

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1161347769575235502006-10-20T14:05:00.000+02:002006-10-20T14:37:33.650+02:00

Hi,Last time I wrote, I was reading Lamentations and as I had mentioned it was quite discouraging and then I moved on to Ezra. Whew!! There is the hope. The exile reaches its end and the Israelites are allowed to return home and rebuild the temple!! I think it's also amazing that the Israelites at this point are repentant and humbled, fasting and praying about each step along their return. Cool!

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1160489392769246272006-10-10T15:48:00.000+02:002006-10-11T11:25:47.020+02:00

I just finished reading through Ecclesiastes last week and now I'm almost done Lamentations. I read through chapter 4 this morning and it paints a pretty bleak picture. I scanned through it quickly half paying attention to it this morning but rereading it now, I see that it kind of applies to Hungary now. I don't know if Hungary is as bad as Zion was... maybe it is worse. The images of "fine

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1160482396789908482006-10-10T14:01:00.000+02:002006-10-11T11:18:19.476+02:00

The people here, my colleagues and superiors have been very nice. I was thankful to travel to that conference in the North Eastern part of Hungary with the head of the missions department. She and I had some good discussions on the way there and back. She is very good, and I look forward to working with her. My other colleagues have been kind as well. I think though, the personal dynamics

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1160479671977632952006-10-10T13:22:00.000+02:002006-10-11T11:15:09.690+02:00

The Hungarian Reformed Church is currently running what is called a school intergration programme for young refugees. Those young people who are 16 years of age and older are selected to participate in a programme that helps them go to school (those under 16 are accepted with parental permission). The young people are placed in high schools, given housing if needed, are provided with school

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1160479366439330482006-10-10T12:57:00.000+02:002006-10-11T11:30:40.953+02:00

I've spent the past few weeks going to various conferences and meeting people. This is important as I need to develop contacts. Because one of my jobs will be to write a newsletter on missions for the church, I need to have contacts throughout the region so they will help provide me with information.There is a lot of talk about mission. Which is good. But it's not all talk. Basically the solution

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1160039831455544262006-10-05T11:11:00.000+02:002006-10-10T13:41:22.940+02:00

The mood in Budapest is what I would say turbulent. Hungarians are in general passionate and emotional anyway and with the political situation being so tense the events seem to be the constant subject of discussion. I arrived on the Friday, days after the violent events at the Parliament Buildings. On the Saturday I went out to do a bit of grocery shopping. I had to take the tram to get to a

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35538360.post-1160038823414580642006-10-05T10:22:00.000+02:002006-10-05T11:00:23.423+02:00

I admit, I was filled with mixed emotions when I left Toronto. My time at home was truly blessed and I was able to recharge my batteries physically, emotionally and spiritually. I was a little anxious about this next assignment. I knew it would be filled with many more challenges than my assignment in Romania and I was lacking confidence and assurance that I would be able to meet and overcome

MaryGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966981177108997786noreply@blogger.com0