Old Updates: The One Where we Flew Back to Hungary and our PCR Test Results Came 3 Hours Before our Flight.
Summer 2021
This past month has been busy to say the very least. After getting our second dose of the vaccine we shifted our focus in the states to leaving well and found ourselves juggling spending as much time with family as possible and navigating travel restrictions and packing in order to return home. We were also happy to be preparing along with the rest of the team in Hungary for a busy summer full of English Camps.
We will start with the last few days before flying and work forward from there. Although we are both considered fully vaccinated now, at the time we flew, we weren’t two weeks out from our second dose and so had to figure out German and Hungarian restrictions in order to fly through Germany and make it home. The logistics were almost too complicated for us to figure out, but in the end we had three PCR tests in four days and cut it pretty close between getting our results and flying (we got our results that allowed us to board our international flight just three hours before boarding!). We are thankful that despite the added difficulty, our testing and travels all went incredibly smoothly. It was cool for us to see God provide for us even in the silly little things like getting all our results back on time and allowing us to have a row to ourselves on the long flight.
The joy of landing in Budapest and the view of the river
as we drove back to our flat was also a balm to our
travel-weary souls. While we had a few days in quarantine with a sticker on our door notifying everyone we weren’t allowed to leave, thankfully we were able to get out early and go for a walk outside around the city. It was strange, even with our mandated quarantine and ability to sleep in, we found that jetlag hit us harder this time than it ever had before, but we are thankful to be fully adjusted now.
We are currently in full swing, preparing for our first camp of the summer in a
small town called Letenye right on the border of Hungary and Croatia. Amanda and I specifically will get to work with the kids and share Bible stories with them. While most of our camps are based around teaching English, this camp functions more as a VBS and we are looking forward to sharing the gospel with them each day.
Please pray with us for the children coming to camp, that their hearts would be open and pray that the Holy Spirit directs us in our teaching to share just how loved they are by God and what that means for their lives.
We are also preparing for the arrival of two interns this summer, as they arrive in Budapest on June 4. I have already had multiple meetings with both of them over Zoom, as I will be involved in helping them settle into Budapest and coach them throughout their time here. Amanda will also be working closely with the communications intern, putting her background in PR to use here on the field.
Please pray with us for the two interns, for safe travels—especially during COVID-19—but also for God to already be working in their hearts as well, preparing them for what he has to teach them this summer. Pray for us to lead them well and help them use their skills and passions to further God’s Kingdom here in Hungary this summer.
As for the rest of the summer, we will both be working at three more English Camps, two in Vác and one in Budapest. With the lingering effects of COVID-19,
instead of functioning as overnight camps they will be three-day day camps. Because camps were cancelled last year, the campers are extra excited to get to be back, even if it doesn’t get to look like it always has.
Again, please be praying for all of the campers that will attend. Pray that their hearts are already being softened and opened. Because things look different, please pray that things go smoothly and according to plan, and pray for us to have plenty of energy and attentiveness to love the campers well.
On a final note, Amanda recently had a follow-up appointment with her doctor here in Budapest and she will be having another surgery in September.
Please pray for low-pain days for her, especially during camps.
Once we know a surgery date, we will be asking you all to pray more specifically.
Thank you all again for your kind words, encouragement, prayers, and support. We are so thankful for the time we had back in the States, and that we were even able to see some of you in person! We would not be able to do any of this without you and we are continually humbled by your faithfulness. Thank you for joining with us to create “pockets of Eden” wherever we go.
We pray that you are able to do the same where you are.
