Well, it looks as though I’m holding true to my initial prediction about my blogging consistency.  I apologize for it being nearly 2 months since my last blog entry.  For some reason, when life picks up and days get busy, the idea of writing is somewhat daunting.  But as with most things that require any sort of effort, the hardest part is starting… so let’s begin…

Abby and I had our first girls’ night at the orphanage a couple Fridays ago, and it was a blast.  We painted nails, watched a romantic comedy, ate way too much junk food, and laughed A LOT.  It was really great to be spending time with them under such casual circumstances and for no specific purpose.  Most of our visits have a “main event” (either Bible study or English class) but this time was different… we were there simply because we wanted to spend time with them, and they knew that too, which elicited a whole new atmosphere consisting of carefree timelessness.  It’s something that I want to try to experience a little more frequently with them, so I’m going to start going there to hang out on the nights I don’t have much to do.

The next day after the orphanage, some of my students organized an “Advent Tea house,” which isn’t held at an actual tea house, but at a church near the orphanage.  I was able to invite Vali, one of the girls at the orphanage who I have begun to develop a really strong bond with, to come with me.  She was ecstatic that I would want her to be my guest!  The tea house was great… tables were decorated and set up facing a stage area where a skit was performed and four students shared their testimonies.  The first student who shared was one of my 11^th grade students, Zsofi.  Her sister translated for me as she shared about her brokenness and God’s pursuit of her in the midst of her pain.  It was so awesome to hear her, along with the other students, talk about their spiritual journeys and witness them in that sort of atmosphere, outside of school.  Vali had such a good time too.  At one point she even saw someone she knew and got up to go mingle at a different table… that filled me with joy.  On the walk home, through broken English and some Hungarian words she knows that I know, she pointed to the sky and said, “Isten beszel (God speaks) Zsofi (my student) nekem (for me).”  What a blessing!  This was probably my favorite night in Miskolc since arriving.  God made Himself so clearly present in those couple hours, I was in complete awe.

God has been opening a lot of doors for developing relationships with my students as well.  Four of my students expressed a desire to have a Thanksgiving dinner with me at my flat since I wouldn’t be able to spend it with my family, so on Tuesday, since my actual Thanksgiving day was filled and blessed with a few other people inviting me into their homes (one couple even made us a turkey dinner!), I made spaghetti and attempted to bake cookies and garlic bread, but my oven broke!  We had such a fun time regardless.  Zsofi suggested that we try to fry the cookies in a baking sheet on the stove… it almost worked…  We all went around the table and shared what we’re thankful for and had a lot of really great, some deeper, conversation.  I am so thankful that God placed them in my life to make me feel His love on Thanksgiving.

 Our attempt at frying cookies...

 Boroka with the end result: half baked/half burnt cookie dough. yumm..

Thanksgiving dinner :)  (Boroka, Eszter, Zsofi, Dani)

Praises:
1)      Some of the kids from the orphanage have been coming to our church and seem to really enjoy it!
2)      My school asked me to lead the morning staff devotional last Friday, and I got to share some of how God had led me to Hungary and how He has been working since I arrived.
3)      More and more students are asking me to talk and hang out outside of school, and 3 of them have asked to join me in visiting the orphanage sometime.

Prayer Requests:
1)      I’ve started the process of applying for Graduate schools and it’s hard not to get excited about what might be waiting for me when I return to the states, so pray that I wouldn’t lose my present focus and become distracted by future possibilities.
2)      Discernment in God’s will for my future.
3)      Continued guidance in relationships… words to speak in the timing that they are needed.

 With some of my students at their Levay Ball. (Mate, Klaudia, Petra, Erik, Vikki)

 Polett and I on a hike to the Avas Hill lookout tower!

"a little bit of righteousness goes a long way."

Last night I was reminded of an important characteristic of God and a valuable perspective that He has of His people.  I listened to a podcast of Andy Stanley discussing the story of Abraham, Lot, and the city of Sodom (Genesis 18 and 19).  Sodom, in its state of immorality, is deserving of being destroyed.  However, for the sake of a small percentage of righteous people in a population of people living in sin, God is willing to save the city.  We serve a just God, but a God that is not quick to judge or in a rush to punish sin.  And the presence of righteousness, even just a little bit, preserves the unrighteous and stalls Him from giving the people what they deserve.  Where there is righteousness, there is hope for the unrighteous... We are God's hope in this sinful world, and even a little bit of righteousness goes a long way...

One of my biggest prayers going into this journey was that God would provide some sort of orphanage ministry here, and He of course has already begun answering those prayers.  I've had the opportunity to visit and become involved in an orphanage, in a Roma community near the outskirts of Miskolc.  There are
about 40 kids living at the orphanage, ranging from ages 3 to 17.  There are 4 houses that the kids stay in, one being called a "medical house" and is where all of the younger children live.  They call it the medical house because each of the kids has some sort of special need.. Gergo has only one kidney and some specific nutritional needs because of it, Marko has a pace maker, Ricsi has some behavioral problems, and then there's Vikki, who I think is just hyperactive and maybe has some sort of learning disability as well.  All of the small children in the orphanage, and most of the others were abandoned by their parents because of a need that they couldn't meet or weren't willing to take on, so many of them have brothers and sisters that still live with their parents, but were chosen to be sent away to the orphanage.  Living with that knowledge must be very rough on them to begin with, and to amplify their insecurity, they're all Roma, so they're dismissed by society as well. 

The Roma, or Gypsies is the discriminative term, are targets of extreme racism in eastern Europe.  I've noticed that you can't even say "Roma" in the streets without getting a look, they may not be served in a restaurant or grocery store, they will sometimes get on the bus or public transportation and announce that they are Roma, acknowledging that they are aware that everyone there knows it and thinks they're dirty and responsible for crime and disease, and it's very likely that the students from the orphanage aren't spoken to by many at school.

Today while Abby and I were on the bus on our way to the orphanage, we ended up on the same bus as 3 of the children.  At first I didn't see them, but once my eyes met Erno's (one of the teenage boys), his face lit up and he waved enthusiastically, and after getting the attention of Dori and Patricia (14- and 12-year old girls) they excitedly pushed their way over to Abby and I.  Without even thinking twice, we emphatically embraced them all and started chatting the best we could.  It was probably the most elated I have ever seen them, and after a few minutes I realized why... we were acknowledging them, accepting them, SPEAKING TO THEM.. in public!  If there were onlooking bystanders wondering about the two American girls wrapping three Roma kids up in their arms, I didn't notice.. but I secretly hope that every oppressive eye on that crowded bus was watching us intently.. witnessing the love and acceptance that those amazing, sweet, and beautiful Roma children received from us in those 15 minutes.  "A little goes a long way..."

I have already fallen in love with the kids there and our visits are becoming a very regular thing.  About 2 weeks ago, we held a kids event in which the pastor of the church I attend came and gave a little talk, we brought tons of food, I made brownies with some of the kids, Abby choreographed a dance to teach some of the girls, and my friends Philip and Anna played football (soccer) with them.  It was like a huge party for them, and they were all sad to see us leave, but they're starting to learn that we always come back, and their walls are coming down because of it.  Last week we held our first Bible study there with some of the teens.. it was mixed because we didn't have a male translator, but Abby and I are hoping to split genders a couple times a month to really be able to pour into these girls.  We got to hear a lot about their lives and beliefs in God, things they fear, areas they struggle with, and their inevitable hopelessness.  This week we're going to be starting English lessons as well one night per week.

Pray that God will open doors and hearts in this orphanage, especially lifting up Eszter, Dori, Patricia, and Vali, four teenage girls that I am drawn to immensely and can see the searching that is going on inside of them.  Pray for opportunities for me to connect with them, relate to them, show them Christ's abundant love for them, and show an interest and concern for their lives.

 (Dori, Patricia, me, and Adam)

 (making brownies at the Kids Event)

(Marko and Vikki)

Blessings,
Alyssa

reality setting in.

It's now been two full weeks since I arrived in Hungary, and so much has happened in those weeks that it feels like I've been here for much longer.  I've become familiar with my flat (although I don't think I'll ever determine a cause or pattern for the disappearance of an internet connection that happens now and then), I've been to the immigration office to apply for my visa and residence permit, I've met all of my students and begun the process of learning 265 names and faces, I've been to the Spar (the grocery store near our flat) twice now by myself, my walk to school everyday is becoming more and more routine and natural, I've purchased a bus ticket, a tram ticket, and a train ticket and made it through each transportation experience with minimal mishappenings, I've learned some Hungarian phrases to say as well as some not to say, I've made friends with an English-speaking barista who calls himself Peter Parker (aka: Spiderman) and pampers Abby and I when we visit his cafe, I've been to a Hungarian worship service, I've seen the castle, Lillafured, the look-out tower, the Bukk Mountains, and many other historical buildings and landmarks, and I've encountered and overcome feelings of discomfort, lonliness, discouragement, and insecurity that inevitably creep in after the shock and excitement of being in a new and amzingly beautiful place wear off.  And through all of these adventures (even the small daily tasks are an adventure when you're in a new culture), God has made His presence known in the most clear, direct, and personal ways I've ever experienced.  Everyday He teaches me more about myself, my relationships, His character, and how He speaks to me and answers my prayers.  Through my everyday pursuit of finding His will and purpose for my life and ministry, He teaches me to rely on Him more and trust in His ability to use me in all circumstances and provide for my every need.. even the needs that I am unaware of.  Through trials He has been teaching me how to have a steadfast and genuine faith and how to pray with a heart that is alligned with His own, and He has given me a more eternal perspective of my life and the lives of those I love.  All of these lessons are answers to prayer, and it has made me realize how powerful prayer really is, and that God really does answer our cries to Him.. and I have never been more aware of the instances that God is working to meet the needs of His children.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." -Romans 12:12

A few notes to make mention of...
There are really only 3 words you need to know of a language, aside from greetings and goodbye's, to be able to blend into the culture: "excuse me," "I'm sorry," and "thank you."  It's funny how I've noticed how often I actually use them each day.  If you can learn to communicate these phrases, you can get through most everday interactions unnoticed as a foreigner.

Grocery shopping for the first time in a foreign country is one of the most intimidating, defeating experiences you'll ever have.  Not only ar you unsure of whether or not you're following the culture norms and grocery shopping etiquette, but you also have no idea if and when people are telling you you're doing something wrong.  I felt like an 11 year old on my frist day of middle school after my first grocery run.  Some Hungarian shopping expectations...
1.) Always take a basket or cart.. or they'll think you're trying to steal something.
2.) Produce items may need to be weighed and given a sticker in the produce section before you get to the check-out line.  They'll just guess if you don't have one.
3.) When a new lane opens up it's a mad dash to see who can get there first.. no one cares if you've been standing in line with your 1 or 2 items for ten minutes and hold a place in line that is way ahead of where they just sprinted from, with their overflowing shopping cart, to make sure they beat you to the check out.
4.) You always bag your own groceries, and once you've gotten your change they start sending the next person's food down the belt, basically forcing you to gather what you haven't yet gotten a chance to pack away into your arms and try to pack it neatly into your bag on the way out.
5.) If you think the door opens out, it opens in.. if you think it opens in, it opens out.

Walking into church on Sunday was unlike anything I've ever experienced.  I can't even describe the feelings that overwhellmed me when I walked through the doors of the room in the church (the Miskolc Christian Church rents out a room in a church to hold their Sunday evening service), to the Hungarian worship team singing "You are my all in all" in their native tongue.  There were only about 30 people in the congregation, and it was amazing to feel the Lord's presence in a place where I was unable to understand the words being spoken, yet could feel that they were filled with a love for the same God that I love and serve.

My first few weeks in Hungary have been stretching my faith, testing my patience, and exercising my flexibility, but Miskolc is slowly beginning to feel like home.. which is a weird feeling having been here for a mere two weeks.  God has been revealing to me new things about how He will use me to minister in this place, and I'm excited for Him to continue teaching me how to love, showing me how he will use me to serve, and how He will continue to use my new home to minister to me as well.

beginning the journey.

Well today finally came, the day that I’ve been preparing for and anticipating since I started training back in July, my first day of teaching at Levay Josef Gimnasium in Miskolc.  I woke this morning to a beautifully thoughtful note from my roommate wishing me luck… and she also set her alarm for 7:15am (even though she had nothing to be up for) just to be able to pray with me before I left for work.  I was feeling quite nervous about the day because I had received very little information about school procedures and didn’t get a tour of the school, so I had to guess where my classrooms were located.  Upon arriving at the school and heading into the staff room to get my things organized, I walked into and interrupted the mandatory staff devotional/prayer session that I was never informed of, but instead of getting angry the headmaster graciously took it as an opportunity to introduce me to the rest of the staff and welcome me.

My first class of the day was an 8^th grade class with a pretty beginner level of English.  In Hungary, the students are assigned a classroom and the teachers move around from room to room, just as the students do in American high schools.  When I got to my classroom the door was locked and my students were nowhere to be found, so I had to hunt them down.  Since the door had been locked, they decided they would just find a random open room to occupy, so I had to ask another English teacher to help me find them.  After a short introduction, I began my first class as an English teacher.  I could tell the students could understand more English than they were willing to try speaking, but eventually got them to write down their names and a few other bits of information and collected their papers to take roll call.  Because of the Hungarian students’ accents, it’s much easier to figure out names by reading them; however, the way they write some of their letters is slightly different as well, so I had to ask a student to help me call each name.  I made it through the class, but with minimal English usage from the students…

After a 3- hour break to go home and recharge, my next class was a combination class, a few students from different 11^th grade classes.  I had a total of 4 students today, all of which spoke very good English.  I ended up ditching my entire lesson plan, and just sat down and chatted with them for 45 minutes, and we all shared about ourselves and learned about each other.  One of the girls noticed my WWJD bracelet and asked if I was a Christian.  I was excited because I didn’t know if Hungarians would know what it meant, so it was cool that she inquired. It was really great to get real with the students and hear about their lives and their interests, and of course, they were also practicing their English simultaneously and working on fluency… my favorite class of the day by far!

My 3^rd period I ended up sitting in my classroom alone for quite a while until another teacher informed me that my students’ class master had gone home ill and told the students that they could leave as well…

The last 2 classes of my day were 10^th graders, and I can tell already that they will be my hardest classes in the area of behavior management.  It’s not that they are naughty or act out, but I felt the least respected by them of all my students today, and I remember from coaching softball that the sophomores were the hardest to handle when it came to attitude.  I think that my mom could verify that it was probably around that time in my own life that I was the hardest to deal with as well. 

It’s amazing that with all the differences I have had to learn to adapt to in Hungary, I’ve failed to realize how many similarities there are among the different cultures, but I’m beginning to become acquainted with the many parts of culture that are universal throughout the world.  Things like the invincible attitudes displayed by 16-year-olds in the presence of adults, flirting that goes on between teenage girls and boys as they mingle in the city center, having to take a number and wait for hours in the tax office the same way we would in the DMV, men holding doors for women, and the way that children play… my first morning in Budapest I awoke to the voice of a child outside the window of the room I was sleeping in, and based purely on the tone in the child’s shouts I learned that the Hungarian word for ‘mom’ is ‘anya.’  Some things never change…

During our closing ceremony at ESI training in Pasadena, the president of TeachOverseas pointed out that, “When God is about to do a major work in us He will take us on a journey.”  This is just the beginning of my journey with God, and though I don’t know the exact path that He will lead me, or the precise destination that will result, God does, and His desire for me is that I will run His race at the pace that He gives.  Please pray that I will stay focused on Him and His direction and purpose for my time in Miskolc… that I will remember in the times when I feel like the Lord isn’t speaking that the real problem is that I’m not listening… and that I will be able to love my students abundantly and teach them with all my heart. 

So for now I won't worry about the small details that my school fails to inform me of, or how I will possibly learn the names of my 100+ students before Christmas, the whereabouts of my security guard at the times when I feel like I need his help and he is nowhere to be found, or why the internet has such a bad connection during certain times of the day, or even what exactly is waiting for me at the finish line of this journey.  Instead, I want to be content in waiting on the Lord and resting in Him, taking each day a step at a time, living in the moment, and learning to rely on God in the times when I feel restless, anxious, or lonely.  This is my prayer...

Finally!!.. an update!

1 month of ESI training in Pasadena, 20 hours of travel, and 2 amazing first days in Budapest have gone by since I last spoke with many of you.  God's hand has been so present in the things I've learned, relationships I've developed, and growth I've experienced thus far.  I'll start from the beginning..

My first reactions to California after getting off the plane were that California is awesome, the weather can't be beat, but there's no grass!!  My roommate, Abby, and I met in the airport and traveled by shuttle to the William Carey Campus where we met the rest of the ESI teachers and staff.  Our first two weeks of training we started with what they called discovery groups, which are meant to learn about ourselves and each other.  This time together each morning was a really awesome way to connect with our teammates and experience growth together.  Following Discovery groups we usually had worship (I'm on the worship team!) or started our TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) sessions, which were where we learned all about teaching!  Following a lunch break everyday, we then had our TeachOverseas sessions, which consisted of discussions on cultural, language, and Spiritual factors related to teaching in our individual countries.  These times really forced me to reflect on growing and being transformed into a completely selfless servant for Christ... it really got me thinking about how few material things and financial means we actually need to further God's kingdom, put others first, make them feel comfortable, and just purely serve them.. which was encouraging and challenged me.  In a couple sessions we had some hard talks about the realities of the depression, alcoholism, and even sexual conduct and tone that is present in Europe.  We talked about how it's very likely that being in the situation that we'll be in (overseas, away from comforts and support systems, feeling isolated at times, culture shock, communication barriers, and other hardships we might face) we will likely experience insecurities and struggles that have been a part of our past.. even if it's something we've dealt with and found healing in.  It's going to really force me to rely on the Lord to renew me and give me strength during those times, which is what I've been looking forward too, but for the first time I had developed some feelings of apprehension and nervousness.  They also discussed the sexual freedom and openness in Europe, and some alumni shared their experiences.. some of them very shocking and discomfoting.  The thing that gets me is the numbness and hardening to those sorts of situations that I can see is very aparent in the alumni's temperament and attitudes because it can be unsafe in some situations to react in a way that we normally might, so it's sometimes best to just ignore it and pretend like its not there and not affecting us.  This is something that I pray I will never become desensitized to, so finding a balance between safety in situations I encounter and staying grounded in reality is something I could use prayer for. 

Although most of our time at training was spent in the classroom and various culture/spiritual sessions, our weekends were mainly free for exploring California, developing relationships and community with each other, relaxing, and having some fun!  We visited Newport Beach, Hollywood, Santa Monica Beach, went to a Dodgers vs Astros game, and got very acquainted with Old Town Pasadena.

 Newport Beach

 Night hike in the mountains!

 Enjoying some shade between classes.

 Universal Studios in Hollywood

  Dodgers game!  Followed by the best firework show I've ever seen!

Santa Monica Beach 

Last night in Pasadena.. we went downtown to Cheesecake Factory for a nice dinner with the group.

At 3:45 everyday was when we found out whether we would be teaching that night and began our lesson plans based on which level we would be teaching.  God really revealed Himself to me through my teaching practicums.  One of my biggest apprehensions about teaching in Hungary has been that I won't be able to connect with my students and they won't be able to feel my love and care for them because of language and culture barriers.  On the first night of practicum, one of my students, Omar, who had only been in the United States for 19 days, approached me in conversation.  At first I felt really overwhellmed because I couldn't communicate with him at all (I don't remember any Spanish from the 2 years of it I took in high school).  I told him that I didn't understand any Spanish but that I did know some sign language.  He was incredibly intrigued and asked me to sign his name and mine.  The next day at practicum, he came up to me and finger-spelled the word 'como', which is the Spanish word for 'how', and pointed to me, asking how I was.  The following day, because of his extremely basic level, one of the teachers took him aside to teach him the alaphabet.  Following his lesson that day, he found me and pulled me over to his work station, pointed to the letter 'A' and signed it and told me to show him the rest of the alphabet in sign.  I was so encouraged by his desire to communicate with me!  The next week, he brought with him to class one day a gift he had made for me.  It was two pieces of aluminum pasted together with flower designs, a feather pen, and ink well drawn on both sides with the words "a moment of happiness begins with the birth of our friendship" on one side and the Spanish translation of it on the other.  God revealed His power to me that day, and showed me that He can use me to love despite language barriers.

Omar (Level 1) and his sister Lucia (Level 4).. Omar is also a TWIN!

For the second half of practicum, we were assigned a specific level class to teach for the remainder of our training, which meant we would prepare lessons for the same group of students each night.  My class consisted of 4 girls between the ages of 16 and 21 and then a couple other women and one older man at the very end.  I discovered early on how well I connect with and desire to impact the high school aged girls, which excites me since I'll be teaching in a high school in Miskolc. 

Leaving Pasadena was harder than I imagined it might be.  I thought I had already said goodbye to all my friends and family back in July and didn't realize how close I would become to many of the teachers at training.  The group at training this year was amazing.. and I'm so blessed to have gotten to connect with so many wonderful people.

Finished our TEFL training!!.. gonna miss these wonderful friends!

Waiting to board our first flight out of LAX!

Abby and I just after landing in Frankfurt.

Szabadsag Hid

BUDAPEST!  The view from Gellert Hill.


After about 13 hours of air time and 9 hours of waiting in airports, we finally arrived in Budapest where we were greeted by our alumni teammates!  They would not let us sleep, so we immediately set out to explore the city.  Our tour guide and alumni teachers, Hope and Justin, showed us some really neat monuments and historical sights and taught us a little about the culture and history.  We were exhausted and walking around like zombies the entire day, but it was well worth the adventure.  We ended the day with some Hungarian goulash and bableves (bean soup) for dinner.  After a good night sleep we were ready for some more culture and practice with the language!  Justin took us to buy metro tickets and to the market to practice our Hungarian.. it was quite an experience! 

Kerek harom darob paradiscomok? (May I please have 3 tomatoes?)


We spent the rest of the day at a couple of the girls' house where they invited over some of their students to help us get acquainted with the Hungarian accent and answer any questions we had about the language and culture.  It was great getting to talk with them!

Abby and I just arrived in Miskolc about an hour ago and are trying to get things figured out now with the flat.  It's absolutely beautiful here.. the school where our flat is located was built in 1721.  It's right in the middle of the city center, and we're going to do some exploring tonight after dinner.  The head English teacher at Frater (one of the school's that Abby will be teaching at and where our flat is located) invited us over for dinner in her garden.  I will post some more photos as soon as I figure out how to get internet in my flat.

Blessings,
Alyssa

sharing Christ's love through teaching.

Hello Friends and Family!!!

I have some exciting news to share with you!  I am finishing up my last semester of college at UW-Eau Claire and will be graduating this May!  God’s hand has been at work in my life, and He has used a number of events to draw me to Him and instill in me a desire to depend fully on Him.  The year to follow is going to be an exciting and challenging time in my life, as the Lord has called me to a faith-stretching opportunity teaching English in Budapest, Hungary through a ministry organization called TeachOverseas.

So what exactly will my ministry look like overseas?  I’ll be taking on two different roles during my time in Hungary- that of a teacher and of a missionary.  Part of my time will be spent in the classroom teaching conversational English to middle school and high school students, the majority of whom will not know anyone with a personal faith.  My role as teacher will serve as a stepping-stone to developing deeper relationships with my students outside of the classroom and sharing Christ’s love and Gospel with them.  Hungary is a nation steeped in depression, suicide, and alcoholism.  I am excited that God has called me to something that will allow me to be a light in a place of spiritual darkness. 

Before I can continue, I need to develop a ministry team, and that’s where I need your help.  There are several ways that you can be a part of my ministry team.  Most importantly, I need prayer!  Living overseas will test me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Knowing that you are covering me in prayer will give me peace during times of trial.  Jesus says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  

Additionally, I need to raise $12,000 in financial support by mid-July to cover travel, training, and living expenses for the next year.  I would greatly appreciate any amount of support you are able to give.  A few different ways that you can go about partnering with me financially are to pledge a monthly gift, or give a one-time donation.  If you would like to donate online, you can make a deposit to my account, 211066, at www.teachoverseas.org/contribute

Will you join me on this mission to an unreached country?  By joining my prayer team, pledging $25, $50, or $100 a month, giving a one-time gift, helping me with fundraising activities, or any combination of these, you will be a vital part of my ministry in Hungary.

I look forward to talking with you and further discussing this incredible journey that God has called me to.  With your support, I am excited to see how God will transform my life and the lives of others!  Thank you for your consideration in helping support my ministry in Hungary this upcoming year!  I truly appreciate the role that you play in my life and all the love, support, and encouragement you’ve provided me.

Love and blessings,
Alyssa