Quick Summary of Events so Far
Well, there’s A LOT to say about our trip so far. So, in the profound of the great philosopher Inigo Montoya, “No, there is too much, lemme sum-up.”
Grace is an incredible traveller. She’s done everything the grown-ups have done and taken fewer naps whlie having a great time.
Christina is a Hungarian-speaking machine. It’s crazy. I’ve heard her to speak to Hungarians before, but seeing her totally immersed in the culture is a trip. I look at her and think, “She’s one of them” (in a good way).
The city is beautiful and tragic at once. As you can see from the previous photo posts, Budapest has some incredible sights. But, the city is marred by grafitti everywhere you look. From the towns around Budapest to the city-proper, it’s everywhere. I’ve lived many cities including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Houston, and none of them come close to the amount of graffiti here. Apparently the police force does very little to enforce any laws. It’s partly because in the wake of communism (where authority was used to abuse and torment the people), the citizens don’t want the police to have power. But the downside is a trashed city and a mafia presence that goes unchecked (allegedly). Prostitution is legal here as well. The great moral vacuum of Europe is here too. Even some government officials have raised the question, “Who will impact the lack of morality?”
The people are very diverse. Some look like they are still under communist oppression. They make no eye contact and avoid being noticed in any way. Others are trying hard to be en-vogue like the Italians. Most of the youth look like American youth. We visited a large mall in order to see what sorts of things are available here and I have to confirm that mall-rats are an international societal blight. There was also a wicka-aura photo booth where you get to make stupid faces with a glow around you.
I have found the people generally warmer than I expected. This is certainly largely due to my amazing wife. She’s the hero – an American-Hungarian who speaks the language. I get accepted by proxy, but I’ll take it! Even when she’s not right there with me, I try to venture a ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’ in Hungarian. For the most part they’re appreciative that I even try and take pity on me. All except for a lady at the mall where I ordered some paprika chicken…it was like getting the middle school lunch-lady treatment all over again…
Tomorrow we fellowship all-day with a new Hungarian Bible-study-turning-church-plant. The pastor is a long-time Hungarian pastor and preacher. We had dinner with he and his family last night. It was a wonderful night of goulash, a drink made from acacia flowers, some crazy good dessert, strong coffee, and discussing theological and ministerial issues in Hungary.
We’ll be together from 10am to 6pm. There’s morning fellowship (meeting at the International Christian School of Budapest), worship, and preaching. Then lunch together, a one-hour break and then off to the evening service at 4:30 which meeting in Gellert Library next to the Danube. I’ve been asked to preach that service and while a bit intimidating, (15-20 people, believers/unbelievers alike, Hungarians/Turks/Romanians/Americans, with a translator), I’m grateful to God and eager to share the gospel. I hope to learn much more tomorrow.
