Budapest R&R

We leave the apartment and meet Bobby Booze, who is with Christian Resource Ministries (CRM), and Paul and Jody Hovda and their son Donovan, who are missionaries with CRM. Bobby is going to show us around Budapest. We will talk throughout the day about our interests in Serbia and the Balkans, then meet tomorrow to discuss more details.

 The day starts out with a metro ride. All told, today we ride the metro (subway), tram (above-ground), and city bus -- several times each! It is great to be in a city with public transportation, and to have a guide who is familiar with using it to get around.

 It is snowing lightly, and statues around the city are dusted with white.

 All of us except Bobby pose at one of the city's beautiful bridges. We walked a LOT!!

 It is a city of beautiful architecture.

 

Fisherman's Bastion at the Buda Palace complex.

 One of a row of tiny, whimsical snowmen on a wall near the Fisherman's Bastion.

 Another form of transportation!

 Lunch at a Turkish restaurant - Falafel!

Natasha clowns around with one of the many statues in Budapest. There are many -- two we noticed were one of Ronald Reagan, and one of Roosevelt.

 A beautiful Catholic church we visited. Unlike Serbia, Hungary's religious background is Catholic.

More statues. Horses were very important in Hungary's past, so many statues include horses. They are beautiful pieces of art, right out in the city for everyone to enjoy.

Adventures on the way to Budapest

We woke up to snow in Novi Sad. It was beautiful! We got on the train at 8:30 and rode six and a half hours to Budapest. It was a really nice way to travel. We all enjoyed it very much. Within a couple of hours relaxing and watching the snowy scenery roll by, we had out the binder and were looking at maps of Serbia's regions and municipalities, and strategizing about church planting moving forward. We met some excellent Roma leaders at the conference, in addition to the ones we already know and love, and are very excited because they are spread out in several regions of Serbia. 

It was still snowing when we arrived. You will love this! We got on a cab at the train station in Budapest. The driver was VERY cranky. He would only take pay in Hungarian florins, yelled at me, refused to tell Dad and Rodja what the conversion rate was. We stopped to punch out money from an ATM to pay him. Of course Dad didn't know his pin, so I got out and got money. Got back in, went a half block and asked the cab driver how much farther? He refused to answer. Rodja asked him if he was always this nervous? He said, that's it! Out! He kicked us out of the cab in the middle of the street! It was snowing like crazy, too. We drug our luggage up the street to a very fancy hotel and had a coffee and regrouped. It turns out that we were only two blocks from our hotel, and we walked!

Cab fare:  $0.00
Fancy coffee:  $30.00
Budapest adventure:  Priceless

After a short rest, we  had a typical Hungarian dinner. Some spaetzle-looking dumplings with chicken paprika for me, veal for dad and Natasha, fish for Rodja. It all looked like glop with gravy, but tasted pretty good. It is all we had eaten all day except snacks on the train, and the coffees after the unfortunate taxi incident.

We are staying in an apartment/hotel that the Three Amigos stayed in when they visited Budapest. It is definitely NOT the luxury hotel where we had coffee, but is completely adequate for our needs. The pictures above show the room -- yes, the bed is one foot off the floor! Have I mentioned that I (and my knees) am 55 years old? :-) The last photo is the view out my window. There are still bullet holes from Hungary's troubled past evident in the abandoned buildings. 

Tomorrow is sightseeing with CRM folks, then Tuesday a business seminar for them, and then meet with them to all talk about working together. Our friend, Paul Hovda is affiliated with them, and he and his wife Jody will be with us!

Conference Day Two & Closing

Where to start? Our hearts are full! Yesterday was a full day of learning, sharing, discussions, questions, answers, new challenges, and possibilities. The group met bright and early for breakfast, then started with the conference. Sessions were led by Roma leaders -- Selim, Marijan, And Bora; Serbian leaders -- Rodja; "SerbiAmerican" -- Paul Hovda; and Americans -- Jim and LaJuana. Topics ranged from the characteristics of a leader, and time management, to marriage as a picture of the gospel. We covered tent-making (a la Paul) in support of ministry, the ministry resource benefits of learning English, getting our priorities in Biblical order, the church planting movement, what God is doing in the church today, and the history of the Roma church in Serbia.

Paul

Rodja

Marijan

Discussion was lively, and there were many questions. Church planting information was shared from David Platt's ministry, Francis Chan, and Kurt Urbanek, among others. Culture and context of the Roma community in Serbia prompted questions and suggestions. Some were energized by the new ideas, and others had a more reserved response, but we all agreed that the desire was to make the gospel readily available to all Roma.

Another topic of great interest was business development. Both Serbs and Roma are thirsty for more information about starting small businesses. There is a tremendous need for experienced business people to teach and mentor, as well as for investment in small enterprises that could be the difference between a lifetime of intermittently available hard labor and being able to provide for a family while pursuing ministry such as disciple-making and church planting.

The $500 grant program offers the opportunity for investment in a small business -- chickens, goats, rabbits, or perhaps a sewing maching -- a way to provide for their families, make a small income, learn business principles, and then bless others. Because part of the program is that those who participate, then pass along the gift to another Roma family. A goat received bears a baby, and that one is passed to a new family. One who learns to sew something for sale teaches another that skill. Kingdom principles -- disciples are disciple-makers -- appear in business as well.

Bora, Rodja and Jim, Selim

We also had prayer and praise and worship all through the day. Marijan led in praise and worship, and I know for certain when I stand in heaven among every tongue and tribe and nation singing God's praise, I really hope I can stand with the Roma! Nothing blesses my heart like worshiping with these dear brothers and sisters.

 

Each leader went away from the conference with the first two of an eleven book set of resources in Serbian. They also each received five Life of Christ picture books, and one complete picture Bible. 

We have had a large quantity of the picture Bibles printed, so if they prove valuable in teaching, we can provide more.

 

Each woman received a gift from Linking Partners, and all the women present, as well as the wives at home, were given a hand-knitted scarf that LaJuana made as a gift for them.

Everyone is looking forward to the next annual conference. We have already heard of other Roma leaders who can be invited, and we can't wait to see what God has in store for the Roma community. They are already moving in a mighty way, and we are honored to be able to join them.

Pray for Jim, LaJuana, Rodja, Natasha, Paul, and Jody as we travel to Budapest, Hungary tomorrow to present a business seminar for CRM. Thank you all for reading and keeping us in your prayers.

Conference, Day One

The morning was spent polishing up presentations, gathering last-minute supplies, and transporting supplies, luggage, and people to the Hotel Vjovodina in downtown Novi Sad. Now that I think about it, we skipped lunch!

Yes, I carried my own suitcase and backpack up BOTH flights of stairs!

Excitement grows as attendees start to arrive. For some it is the first time they have stayed in a hotel. It is a wonderful group, and spirits are high as Marijan leads praise and worship, despite a broken guitar string. Rodja welcomes the group, then Jim introduces the goals of the conference. Afterward, groups break off to enjoy a stroll and hot cocoa in down town Novi Sad, or perhaps to just relax in a lounge area and visit. We're looking forward to tomorrow -- and covering Serbia with tents!