Restoration

My Dear Family and Friends,

"I am a great sinner, but Jesus Christ is a great Savior." -John Newton in "Amazing Grace"

or as someone else would say, "I suck but Jesus still loves me." 

          Everyday I'm reminded of these lines written above. No matter how hard I try, every day I mess up and break the bond I have with my Father. Although I deserve punishment I instead receive the loving arms of Christ wrapped around me. Another week has come and gone and through the opportunities God has provided we have been able to share in the amazing grace that He has extended to all of us! This past week has been filled with many amazing adventures and I've only been brought to complete awe and fear of what He has and is allowing me to do. God is restoring my faith in Him. He has brought me here so that I can see and hear him again. So I could be near Him and so that I could fall in love with Him all over again! He’s allowing me to have amazing experiences and He’s given me peace that has surpassed all of my understanding. He’s forming friendships that will have special places in my heart forever and that have eternal value. He is restoring me and bringing me back close to His heart. Please join with me in giving thanks and praises to God! 
          Over the past few days we have traveled around in order to explore our country and learn about it's past and present. Hungary is filled with cities full of history expressed in beautifully crafted building and sculptures, and amazing scenery that takes your breath away. It is rich in culture which is expressed in architecture, art, food, music, and many other things.  I will occasionally catch myself daydreaming of fairy tales and Disney movies while walking through streets or driving through the countryside it is so beautiful!
          On Saturday Sam, Megan and I ventured out on our own to a town about an hour away from our city. The town is called Keszthely (Kest-Hey) and is home to a beautiful palace and quaint city. Adding to the beauty is Lake Balaton. It is the largest lake in Europe and one of the most incredible sights I've seen. We arrived early in the morning where fog was still hovering over the lake and most everyone was still sleeping. After gazing at the lake for a while we decided that a cup of coffee and a pastry would be perfect, so we walked into town and stopped at a small, local Pékség. The 20 minutes we were in there was probably the best 20 minutes of the day. There we met a sweet elderly women by the name of Margol. She has such a cheerful, kind spirit and loved that we were trying to speak to her in her native language. I'm sure we sounded like toddlers with our horrible pronunciations and grammar but we has a decent enough conversation that made everyone smile. Those few moments lightened our spirits; they were a gift from God. From the Pékség we walked to Festetics Palace which took all of our breath away! It had magnificent chandeliers, a gold laden ballroom, stunning furniture and a well-stock library. (Richelle, this library was stunning!)  We couldn't help ourselves but let our inner child come out and pretend to be princesses strolling through our own castle, curtsying ever so often. It was a grand day!
          Then on Monday we ventured off once again to a town called Veszprém. When the city come into view all of our jaws dropped. The hills, the rocks, the river, the architecture, it was all gorgeous. Veszprém has over 1000 years of history and currently around 60,000 people living there. However pretty it may have been, it is a spiritually dark place with no form of evangelical outreach being conducted there. Thus, while we were there we prayed for the city, we prayed for the people. I ask that you continue in prayer for Veszprém.
          Tutoring is going quite well. I am now tutoring 7 students from the ages of 12 up to middle aged adults. Barriers are slowly being broken down and I'm starting to experience how loving Hungarians are. Through tutoring I have been able to introduce the gospel to some and disciple others. It's been really amazing to see how through simple conversations can come deep, meaningful discussions about faith and having a relationship with Jesus. As of right now we have not been invited back to the school but there's a possibility of traveling to France with a group of students. Pray that God will keep this door open to us as it would be an awesome ministry! I love you all and thank you for all of your support! You guys are awesome!

Kaitlyn

Lake Balaton

The Pékség where we met Margol

Festetics Palace 

The Library 

The town of Veszprém 

A Trinity Statue 

 

Complete Surrender

 "In Christ Alone" 

In Christ alone my hope is found;                             There in the ground His body lay, 

He is my light, my strength, my song;                       Light of the world by darkness slain;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,                         Then bursting forth in glorious day, 

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.          Up from the grave He rose again!     

What heights of love, what depths of peace,              And as He stands in victory,   

When fears are stilled, when striving cease!            Sins curse has lost its grip on me; 

My comforter, my all in all,                                       For I am His and He is mine 

Here in the Love of Christ I stand.                            Bought with the precious blood of Christ 

 In Christ alone, who took on flesh,                          No guilt in life, no fear of death --

Fullness of God in helpless babe!                             This is the power of Christ in me; 

This gift of love and righteousness,                          From life's first cry to final breath, 

scorned by the ones He came to save.                       Jesus command my destiny. 

Till on that cross as Jesus died,                                 No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man, 

the wrath of God was satisfied;                                 Can ever pluck me from his hand;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid --                                Till He returns or calls me home -- 

Here in the death of Christ I live.                              Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Dear Friends and Family, 

          Throughout this week the song above has played over and over again in my head. I didn't know why until looking back and reflecting on the week. Everyday this song has brought me comfort, motivation or has brought me to complete awe of how amazing our God is. This week has been incredible, filled with little moments and moments that needed to be completely surrendered to God. It's amazing just how the little moments, such as buying groceries or even toilet paper without problems can bring a girl almost-to-tears encouraged and excited. 

           Tuesday we went into a nearby school to meet the principle and English teachers. The principle was thrilled to see us and told us how thankful he is for God bringing us here and that he cannot wait to see how God will work through the school. What a blessing it was to hear him say this! Meeting with some of the teachers, I was invited to two classrooms, one on Wednesday and another of Thursday.These were the moments where my roommates and I learned to surrender everything we had to God and trust Him. Going into the classrooms, with the expectation of teaching a lesson and not knowing how much English the students spoke was a little intimidating. However, we continually prayed that whatever happened God would be glorified through it all, which He was!
Sam was able to fully tell the gospel to a whole class! 

          Friday night was another of complete surrender. Friday evenings are set aside to spend time with students and have a bible study. Unfortunately this Friday there was an obligatory school program and was discouraging to hear from five students that they could not come. Still Friday came and we prepared and prayed that God would bring students. He brought one, which was one more than what we expected! We spent time talking with her and making Valentine crafts. It turned out to be a great night. Little by little God is allowing us to make new friends! 

Much love, 

Kaitlyn 

Prayers: 

-God will lead us to more opportunities in the school 

-Pray that while tutoring students will be open to hearing God's word 

-Learning the language 

-Totally relying on God's plan and not my own  

-Paul had sinus surgery, pray for a quick recovery

Megan, Sam and I enjoying Chimney Bread at Sunday's Market

Sunday Market

Took a scenic drive with our supervisors. Found a very beautiful and peaceful pond. 

We're enjoying our Pékség's (Cafe) 

Monday we spent exploring beautiful Budapest 

Shoes Along the Danube

It is a memorial to the Jews who were forced to strip naked along the river before being shot in the back by the Arrow Cross Militiamen, 1944-1945.  

Welcome to Hungary!

Dear Family and Friends,

Arriving in Budapest after a long week of training

          Szia! (see-uh)  Üdvözlet Magyarország! Greetings from Hungary!

On January 30, my roommates (pictured above: Sam and Megan) and I arrived at our new beautiful home in Hungary. Why Hungary? Well, many of you might have been wondering why I choose to do missions in Europe and since arriving I have learned this:  

1.10,000 churches in Europe have closed their doors since 1960

2. By 2020 another 4,000 churches will close while 1,700 new mosques will be built 

3. France will soon have more mosques than churches 

Just like the rest of the world, Europe is a very spiritually dark place. Although Hungary is considered a Christian nation, God is very distant in the hearts of most Hungarians. 

          Since we have been here I can say it has been amazing, crazy, overwhelming, and incredible all at the same time. I could not have asked for a better team than the one God has put me on. Hungary is very beautiful but also shows evidence of once being a communist nation. The building next to our supervisors home used to be a torture house where the elderly can tell you stories of hearing screams echoing off the walls. The Hungarian people are very closed off in a way but once they feel you're trustworthy, you'll be their best friend. 

         Hungarian is a very confusing language and there are many stories of me struggling trying to communicate. The second day in Hungary I went to the store to buy some grocery's and the cashier started talking really fast in Hungarian to me. I froze. Not knowing what to say I just stared at her with a very blank look. Finally, I said the only thing that popped into my head, "No, Nem, Nem!" She started laughing at me really hard and held up one of their coins. Supposedly I didn't give her enough money to pay for the grocery's. It was quite embarrassing! 

         My roommates and I are still adjusting but we know that God has great plans for His Kingdom while we are here. This past week we have already been introduced to tutoring students in English. Throughout the week I tutored three middle school students which turned out to be a challenge. With them not knowing a whole lot of English and me barely knowing any Hungarian leads to a lot of acting out and use of technology. Friday we had a game night at our flat which was a lot of fun! Starting next week we will use this time to conduct bible studies. On Sundays we spend most of the day at Paul and Tena's (Hungary missionaries) preparing for House Church. During House Church Paul will give a sermon, then worship through songs and prayer and eventually enjoy visiting with one another while eating dinner together. 

Prayers: 

-God will continue to relieve me of anxiety and equip me with boldness

-Learning the language  

-For Friday nights pray that more students will show up 

-God providing us students to tutor and opening their hearts to hear the gospel 

My new beautiful home for the next 4 months 

Trinity Statue in Main Square. This statue was erected after the black plague hit Europe as a thanks to God for not allowing all of them to die. 

Countryside in Hungary

Many statues of Jesus are placed along roads as a sign to God to provide healthy crops

Us girls enjoying time in a Kave shop

Enjoying the Fank Festival

Ez Finom! Delicious! 

A Cathedral that was built right after the Black Plague hit Europe

Friday's Game Night 

Boat Lake. It was very cold and windy that day. 

Remnant of WW2 and the Communist regime are still very prevelant in our city. 

Playing Uno at House Church 

Enjoying dinner at House Church

Playing the violin at House Church 

 

          

           

 

            

The Adventure Has Begun

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been a week since I have left home and there is so much to tell! I don't even know where to begin. First, I'll let you know I am doing great! This past week has been amazing and I have met so many new friends, as well as experienced God's hand at work. As many of you know, I spent the last week in the amazing city of London for orientation and training. Here we did everything from trying to navigate the public transportation and getting lost in the streets to preparing ourselves for the spiritual warfare that is ever growing throughout Europe. Training consisted of learning how to use our testimonies to share the Gospel and connect with the Europeans relation-ally. However, what will be so memorable about this past week was we were able to put our training to practice. Throughout the week we went to Kingston University to build friendships with students there. On Wednesday we went to a weekly free lunch that ConnectUK (a missionary ministry) provides. Here I met students from all over the world and was able to share my story with them. Then Thursday night we went to a local Starbucks and participated in a Quiz Night. Again I was able to make friends and share my story with them. Truly this past week has been so much fun and I thank God with the way He has provided me encouragement and boldness to step out of my comfort zone and show love to a world that is dark and broken. I love you all and will try to post weekly!

Our beautiful home in Kingston, London

Much love,

Me, Megan, Callie at Buckingham Palace

Scott, Paige, Me (Matt's photo bombing)

Riding the Tube 

City of London

Tower Bridge 

Taking a picture before getting lost in London

The Whole Gang 

Enjoying Sightseeing 

Taking a break from training and enjoying some afternoon tea

Kaitlyn