Budapest getaway

Thanks to an offer from the Schras to have Justin stay at their house for a couple of nights, Rebecca and I were able to have a little getaway to Budapest, Hungary. We stayed at a very pleasant and inexpensive hotel within easy walking distance to all the sights. Plus, it had air conditioning (a rarity in most of our part of Europe other than some of the grocery stores)!

The train left right on time!

The Budapest Keleti Pu train station built in 1884...very cool.

No locations outside of Hungary :/

The Heroes' Square

Oktogon Station on the 2nd oldest underground line in Europe/the World...opened in 1896

Revolutionaries tore the emblem out of the flag during the 1956 revolution...the hole in the flag is a symbol of Hungary's freedom after the collapse of communism.This flag waves next to the grave of the unknown soldier in the garden infront of the Parliament building.

Statue of Imre Nagy, who was elected as prime minister after the 1956 revolution. The Soviets later arrested him, had a secret trial, and then executed him. This statue stands facing the parliament building.

This is me having an in depth conversation with a statue of Imre Kalman...Hungarian born cellist and composer.

We're on a boat!

Enjoying a beverage as we cruise on the Donau and enjoy the lights of Budapest

Castle Hill...all lit up!

Rebecca enjoying a smoothy and sandwich.

The Hungarian Parliament building as seen from the Buda side of the Donau

Comments

Who are these kids at ICSV...

Hi everyone... The first week and a half of school has been absolutely amazing! We have had some great opportunities to begin building lasting relationships with the students that God has brought to Vienna to be educated at the International Christian School of Vienna. Rebecca has been adjusting well to her role as secondary secretary. She is learning quickly the many demands of her new role and is doing quite well in supporting us teachers and the rest of the staff. Rebecca hard at work I have been really enjoying my classes. I have a total of 43 students spread out over 4 periods. The students I have represent 14 different home nations, with many of the students who are "Austrian" are first generation, so they are of other nationalities as well. I have also had the opportunity to begin working with the soccer team...again, many nationalities are represented on the field, truly an international squad. Here are some pictures of the team training at the local club

Almost a Year - A reflective poem by Rebecca

It’s been almost a year since we got on the plane. Knowing that we were leaving friends and family; we would never be the same. What has it been like leaving everything we know? Laughter and tears; sun and snow. Up and down; love and fear. All while trusting God for the reason we are here. Relying on support and prayers from the ones you care for, Though scary, freeing, challenging; it means relying on God even more. I’m so thankful to be part of a team who sees that Christ is our need Whether they can see the impact first hand or not, they have blessed students at ICSV. The students and families are so precious, eager to learn and understand What it means to love the Lord with all their hearts and to follow His command. At times I feel so left alone and wondering why God has called me here But then I talk to a student, or go to a school event, that’s when it all becomes clear. God never said life would be easy or even how we think it might be We just need to rely on Him, as He

Clowns and Hospitals

Many of you might remember the 1998 film starring Robin Williams that chronicled the early career of Hunter "Patch" Adams. He began using humor as therapy in his sessions and opened a free hospital in West Virginia. Here is a clip from the film... Fast forward 13 years to a hospital in Vienna, Austria...to a children's surgery ward. As we were sitting talking with some visitors we noticed Justin had more visitors... They proceeded to hand out musical instruments; here's the problem...this was less than 12 hours after Justin's surgery. It really hurt him to laugh at this point...and he still felt horrible After that nonsense, the clowns made 2 more appearances; once when they delivered lunch, and once later in the day when we had our friend Tom Mason visiting. Tom is a fellow missionary serving as a pastor at a local church and a teacher at ICSV. He is also a amateur magician. Pictures of him doing tricks have found their way onto this blog

Johnstein!

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