Kellemes Karácsonyt
Boldog újesztendöt!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
These last two months have been riddled with fun, excitement, exhaustion, and God’s marvelous provision and blessings. I am overwhelmed at all the Lord has done, and how things I never dreamed possible have become a part of my daily life. Let me take you on a ride through all the notable events, and reflect with me on God’s goodness.
No sooner did I return from a wild road trip through Slovenia and Croatia, but four days later I received some wonderful visitors! My parents came stopping by on their way through Europe to enter into my life and see and meet all the people I know and interact with. They entered my classrooms and “taught” a little about Washington D.C., and our family, but most of all they shared themselves, and my students haven’t been the same since. They seemed excited and honored that I would bring a part of my personal life to share with them, and since then these classes have been more willing to participate and open up into discussions and conversations about themselves, and Hungarian life versus American life. I also took my parents to Budapest, where I received more visitors! Two girls from Prague came to visit, and spent time with us and a lot of my Hungary team came out and was able to visit with them and with us as well. We had such a blessed time; it was very difficult to let them go. I spent the next few weeks agonizing over whether or not I should remain in Hungary for another year, or go back and attend graduate school and be with my family and friends. On this subject I’ll return later.
Soon it came time for another break and some pumpkin pie! Our team took a trip to Slovakia to spend time together in fellowship and worship, and of course, eating turkey! I can’t even describe how wonderful it was to be all together, share our hardships, our blessings, to be reminded of our purpose, to encourage one another, and best of all, to praise God and thank Him for it all! The retreat lifted my spirits and gave me more motivation to teach and work on relationships in the classroom.
On December 9th, I witnessed my first szalagavató. This is the event all high schoolers have been waiting for, the chance to be pinned with the ribbon announcing their seniority to the rest of the world, and strut their stuff dancing on stage. Two girls who attend Calvery Chapel in Vác are 12s (or seniors) at my school, and so nearly our entire church was invited to this event. It surpassed all my expectations. The dancing was beautiful and funny, the girls were all lovely, and it seemed to be one of the best nights of their lives. I had a chance to socialize with the other teachers and see them in a relaxed setting, and I feel more of an acceptance from them as an equal colleague.This past weekend I took a trip to Vienna with Dani and Eliz to visit the Hoefflers again and see the Christmas markets (see pic on top of the newsletter). Browsing through the snow and the booths, sampling hot sausages and malt wine and punch, I was struck at how awesome that I was able to have this experience, to live in Europe and be dazzled by the Lord and his marvelous acts in so many beautiful places, and in this moment, standing and looking up at the snow, God revealed Himself to me in a powerful way, in which I hope I never forget.
Christmas in Hungary
Many of you may be wondering how Hungarians celebrate Christmas, and how I’ll be spending my first Christmas away from home. Well, unlike popular belief that Christmas is celebrated all over the world, and Santa Claus comes to visit and brings presents to every child on Christmas Eve, many countries have many different customs and traditions and present givers. For example, in Austria, Kris Kringle is not a jolly man in a red suit, but a little blond angel who sheds her blond curls on every Christmas tree she visits. Does anyone wonder why she isn’t bald? In Serbia, one of the wise men’s camels brings the presents. In Finland, Santa rides a goat named Uko. In the Czech Republic and here in Hungary, Santa visits on December 6th, leaving little chocolates in their shoes for the good boys and girls, and rocks for the bad children. His helpers aren’t elves, but little creatures that look like devils. Christmas is celebrated on the 24th, not the 25th. Families traditionally put up their tree on Christmas Eve and decorate it together as a family, then eat a big dinner that must include fish soup. After dinner the children run upstairs so that Jesus can magically come through the window and make the presents appear under the tree. He’s not just Jesus, but “little” Jesus, the baby. This is particularly humorous in the Czech Republic, which is an extremely atheist country, but which has no problems with “Merry Christmas” or Jesus putting their presents under the tree. Hungary is mainly Roman Catholic, and so Jesus is as common as eating chocolate from Santa Claus, and just as revered. I will be spending Christmas Eve in Budapest with the few other teachers sticking around for the holidays. We’ll have a small gift exchange of socks with a few goodies inside, feast, and watch movies. In the morning, we’re making waffles! After church, I’ll head back to Vác to celebrate with the Americans here, who still stick to celebrating on Christmas Day. We’ll have a dinner and gift exchange, play some games, and fellowship as Americans and a Christian family, of which I’m happy to be a part.
Christmas Reflections
It is no secret that I have been in some turmoil over what God’s plans are for me in the next year. In some instances I have worried myself sick trying to make peace with one way or the other. Should I stay here and continue in this ministry, or come home and attend graduate school? At first it seems so simple, so appealing to return and be comfortable again and around all those people I miss and love, and receive a masters and further my education. However, the more I see little hurdles overcome (braving the post office, recognizing new Hungarian words and picking up conversation, a silent teacher begins to smile at me, a student tries harder and gets the A, I become closer to my church fellowship and hear the words, “Jo, what will we do without you next year?”) I go home and cry and pray again for wisdom to make the right choice. As advent began and Christmas approaches, I studied the life of Mary, and it was in her I found the right reaction to life’s difficult choices. Mary was told she would become pregnant, and her child would be the Son of the Most High, and He would be a great King whose kingdom would never end. Mary responded asking how it would be possible. The angel tells her, “Nothing is impossible with God!” She believed, and said she would willingly do God’s will: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” She said she was God’s servant, His slave. Whatever He asked of her or required of her she would not just obey, but do it willingly with joy and gladness. She said she believed God was able to do the impossible, no questions asked, and let God work miracles in her life. I asked myself if I have the kind of heart that prompts such a statement as Mary’s when God surprises me and asks me to do something, and I had to say no. I was becoming obsessed with all kinds of fears. Mary could have said, “Wait! What about Joseph? Will he still marry me? What about my family and friends? What will they all think of me?” But instead, she ran to Elizabeth and praised God. In her song Mary felt herself blessed above all women, and humbled that God would choose her. She believed the Lord and worshiped Him for noticing her and choosing a poor young girl. She said the Lord had mercy on her.
I feel humbled by Mary’s fearless reaction and crazy obedience. I can forget that God will give me all the strength I need to face any trial, and that letting God work in my life, no matter where I am, is truly cause for joy, not fear. It means trusting God completely that He will do great things in my life. No matter what sacrifices have to be made, and there will be many, the Lord’s will is best, and that is cause for joyful obedience. After this realization, I surrendered it all. The choice is not mine, but the Lord’s. I cannot make the decision on my own. Putting myself completely in the Lord’s hands, I have come to a peaceful understanding that He is not finished with my work and time in Hungary. He needs me to relinquish graduate school and being near to family and friends for the time being, and continue to seek His will and minister to those I meet here. In this decision I have a peace, and I eagerly await the ways in which God will use me. I ask for your prayers in this matter, for your support (I will need prayer and finances for another year), and your blessings. I am blessed already by your emails, your notes and letters, and to be in prayer for you as well. I know in times when I haven’t the strength, it is the support from my team at home that makes up for me when I haven’t the time or energy. You are a necessary and crucial part of my ministry, and I can’t continue without you. Pray for your involvement in partnering with me for another term.
Isaiah 55:9-11 : “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
