we are here

just a quick post to let you know we are here and are well!! Here is a pic of us and the folk from the Budapest Deaf Church!  

Go over to kingdomtravelin to read some of my thoughts from this awesome worship experience.

Trip Plan (updated – 1415 on 29 May)

This is a tentative itinerary. It WILL change. This plan is just to give you an idea of the variety of opportunities to serve that we will have with the missionaries.

June 6th – leave C’ville at 1630, have dinner on the way to Dulles, arrive and check in by 19:30 for departure from Dulles (IAD) on British Air (BA)264 at 1100 PM(thats 2300 – at night) via London (LHR) (2.5hour layover) to Budapest (BUD) on BA868 at 1400 (on Sat)

7th – arrive Budapest at 535 pm, travel via public bus, subway and the train to Vac where the girls move in to the Coppage family home and guys in a yet to be determined host.

8th – worship in Vac at Calvary Chapel, learn about prayer walking, begin training, rest? or hang out with CC youth group?

9th – serving with Coppages: school, with youth of church, prayer walking, further training…

10th- morning prayer meeting with Vac ladies (girls only), more training, hang out with kids from Deaf School…

11th – pack up and meet at train station for trip to Budapest… meet Joanna in Obuda, girls move into Joanna’s flat, guys out to Star Mountain to the Newell’shouse, Bible Study with Joanna’s Wed. night group.

12th – more training, an orientation to Budapest public transit and the basics of the city

13th - day off, sleep in, do laundry, tonight attend Coffee House outreach with Joanna

14th - Hang out in Bp with Joanna, maybe a day trip???

15th – Church with Joanna, planning for the week of activities with students.

16th – Monday: Varosliget-Margit Sziget- Capture the Flag, Football, Water Ballon Toss, Taboo

17th – Tuesday: English Scavenger Hunt- all over the city, taking pictures–get 2gether and share the pics

18th – Wednesday: Touring-give a tour in small groups- favorite places for students

19th – Thursday: Games again – Campfire–singing sharing –smores, hotdogs, drinks

20th – Friday: Take Elizabeth to the airport! (Elizabeth on BA867 and BA 1293 arriving IAD @ 2035) do laundry for third leg of the trip – Coffeehouse in the evening!

21st – take train to Vukovar via Osijek.

22nd - Church, lunch, war tour of Vukovar, meet leaders of clinic and learn about PTSD, “Harrison’s Flowers”

23th 25th – Work on a project at the clinic

26th – train to Budapest

27th – a day to reflect, debrief and take a last look at Budapest, meet with friends from last week, cookout??? Coffee House???

28th -  travel out to the airport via bus, subway and bus to arriving at BUD by 1000 am to check in for our 1235 flight to London (BA 867). We arrive in London at 1415 and change flights to Washington (BA293) which lands in WAshington at 1959 (759pm)

travel tips

TRAVEL RULES

1. Bring no expectations

2. Remember, it’s not better, it’s not worse, it’s just different.

3. Follow the leader

4. No hard or semi hard case bag can be larger than 16″x11″x25.” Further, this bag can not weigh more than 50 pounds. YOU may only bring ONE carry on, the team will need your second bag BOTH WAYS.

5. Acquire and sign your passport
a. pack a copy of it away from your person
b. give a copy to your leader
c. have a copy where a responsible person can fax it to you
d. Fill out the contact page of your passport in pencil

6. Eat yogurt daily

7. Learn about the culture that you are traveling to

8. Take two extra passport photos

9. Keep those things which are valuable to you in your carry on, if you can’t do without it, don’t check it… this is true for equipment as well as sentimental stuff

10. Never lose track of your passport and plane ticket

11. Keep prescription medicines in their original container

12. Never cut it close time-wise at the airport

13. Wear comfortable shoes that support your feet

14. Pack a clean shirt or two and undergarments (for four days) and toiletries in your carry on so that you are prepared when they lose your luggage

15. Never leave behind a clean napkin, you never know when it might be helpful

16. When you find a clean rest room, use it, you can’t be sure when you will see another one, and tell your team mates where it is.

17. A packet of hand wipes or a container of anti-bacterial hand cleaner is prudent.

18. American noisiness and abrupt behavior is annoying to Europeans, keep your voice and laughter as quiet and civil as possible

19. NEVER USE TRAVELLERS CHECKS, take an atm card and be very careful with it, don’t be careless at the atm machine (which are called “banc-o-mats”).

20. Learning some simple phrases and striving to learn more from your friends abroad will do much to win their hearts

21. Bring earplugs……..not because of that, but because of living in a city, and ya’ll country folks may not be used to all the sounds of busses and trolleys and people and such at 4:30 in the morning!

22. Always be ready to try food that your host offers, remember rule number one

23. Frequently review rules one and two

24. Leaders – use plastic whenever possible to lessen trips to ATMS for cash.

Praying through the trip

June 6th- Leave Charlottesville and begin journey to Hungary

PRAY- for an on time take off from Dulles, safety, connections, team unity, and details of the trip come together; pray for the leaders that they will have wisdom on how to handle different situations as they arise. For the servants of God there: Arden, Doug, Lea and Karen, Joanna, Laci, Keri, Lea, Lotti, Mark, Laura and the boys, Rob, Donna and their girls, &Charles

READ  Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalm 94:17-19

 

June 7th- Arrive Budapest and Vac

PRAY-adjustment to new time (6 hour difference), alertness as we venture through customs.  Pray for team unity and flexibility and that luggage would arrive, for energy for our long journey on public transportation. For Doug, Lea and Karen

READ 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; 2 Corinthians 5:20

 

June 8th- Vac: worship and training

PRAY- openness to teaching, awareness of our surroundings; wisdom on what to say/do and what not to say/do as we enter a new culture, attitudes in sharing a room with others. For Doug, Lea and Karen

READ James 1:5; Proverbs 3:26

 

June 9th-Vac: training and service

PRAY- for team unity, honesty in the team and a willingness to hear each other, and for a teachable heart. For God’s heart for the kids we will interact with. For getting to know the people and culture, for more team training. For Doug, Lea and Karen

READ Isaiah 26:3-4,12; 2 Corinthians 4:18

 

June 10th-Vac: training and service

PRAY- that our lives will radiate the glory of God to one another and those who have never heard. For our interactions with the kids. Pray for those who may be struggling with weariness or illness due to changes. Pray for those on the team who are growing tired and need encouragement. Pray we would be encouragers of one another. For Doug, Lea and Karen

READ 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 34:5; Isaiah 45:6-8

 

June 11th-to Budapest, transition

PRAY-our physical health as we are adjusting and being exposed to new environments, people & sleeping arrangements. Spiritual health that we fully rely on the grace of God, for wise decisions in traveling around this huge city, for ears to hear what God wishes to teach us in the Bible Study we will attend. For Doug, Lea and Karen and Joanna

READ Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Phil 4:13

 

June 12^th-Budapest-orientation to public transit, final training

PRAY- Begin praying for our first day of English Camp. Pray that we will have the perspective and heart that Jesus does for each of the friends we will interact with next week. Pray for wisdom and discernment to identify differences in the culture that we offend no one through our behavior. For Joanna, Mark, Laura and the boys

READ 1 Corinthians. 8; Philippians 2:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; James 1:5

 

June 13th- Budapest-rest day, Coffee House

PRAY– for intentional, meaningful interactions with each other as a team and with the people we are meeting. Pray for endurance, perseverance, and strength (spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical). Pray for our personal devotional times as we prepare for the events of each day. Pray for Tomislav as he travels to meet friends and ministry in Szeged. For Joanna and Arden,Mark, Laura and the boys, Rob, Donna and their girls, 

READ Ephesians 4:1-6, 29-32; James 1:4, 12

 

June 14th- Budapest-day trip

PRAY-each of us will have an awareness of God in our every step, our every word, and our every thought today.  For Joanna

READ Philippians 4:4-9; Romans 15:5-7

 

June 15th-Budapest-worship, rest, dwelling in God’s Word

PRAY- each of us would be learning the true desire of the Servant’s heart. Pray for us to develop a Christ-like attitude. Pray that service to others would permeate our actions in every place we visit and towards every person we meet. For Joanna

READ Matthew 20:26-28; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

 

June 16th-Budapest-Camp

PRAY- Pray for the new friendships we are making with Joanna’s students. Pray that every conversation we have with these friends would be steeped in grace and point them to Jesus. Pray that our connection with these students would support the ministry Joanna has with them. Pray for a time that we may share our testimony naturally. For Joanna

READ Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; Col. 4:1-6; Romans 15:1-6

 

June 17^th-Budapest-Camp

PRAY- for unhindered, honest, edifying and compassionate communication within the team as well as with those we are working with. Pray for anyone who might feel disconnected or confused that they can be open with and ministered to by the team. For Joanna

READ Hebrews 10:24-25; 13-16

 

June 18^th- Budapest-Camp

PRAY- for the Hungarian people. Pray that a hunger and desire to know the true and living GOD would burn within their hearts. Pray for a door to open that the Word of God would be spoken freely and abundantly. For Mark, Laura and the boys & Joanna

READ Colossians 4:2-4; Jeremiah 10:10a; Romans 10:14-15, 17

 

June 19th—Budapest-Camp

PRAY- each of us would use this time as an opportunity to pray for the needs we see first hand. Pray for individual time in prayer as well as group time that it would be effective, directed and productive. For Joanna

READ I Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 61:1-2; Matthew 18:20

 

June 20^th- Budapest- farewell; laundry, pack, Coffee House

PRAY—for Elizabeth as she returns to USA, for preparations to go to Vukovar, for several students to arrive at Coffee House and the conversations there the continued relationships with students that each of them sees Christ in us. Pray for a time that we may share our testimony. For Joanna

READ 1 Peter 3:15-16

 

June 21^st – train to Croatia

PRAY—for the students we interacted with, for continued connection with them, that they would come to KNOW him. Pray that we have prepared hearts for all that we will experience in Vukovar, for safety in travel and for the connections on rail and car. For Tomislav as he speaks to a men’s group tonight. For Joanna, Laci, Keri and girls

READ Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; Phil 2.12-18

 

June 22nd- Vukovar: worship and the experience of Vukovar

PRAY- for each of us as we experience the radical change of Vukovar. Pray that we rely on Christ’s strength in what we learn about and see in this war-torn city. Pray for team unity and that we all encourage each other daily.  For Laci, Keri and girls

READ Psalm 46, 51, 69

 

June 23rd- Vukovar: serving

PRAY- For team unity in our work at the clinic for patience; For Charles and staff, For Laci, Keri and girls

READ Phil 2.12-18; Psalm 19

 

June 24th- Vukovar: serving                       

PRAY- For team unity in our work at the clinic, for longsuffering; For Charles and staff, For Laci, Keri and girls

READ Psalm 51, 69, 46

 

June 25th- Vukovar: serving                       

PRAY- For team unity in our work at the clinic, for perseverance; For Charles and staff, For Laci, Keri and girls

READ Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; Phil 4.1

 

June 26^th- Travel to Budapest

PRAY- for safety in travel and for the connections on bus and rail. Pray that we will be spending quality devotional time with our LORD. Pray that we might have good re-connections with friends from Budapest. For Laci, Keri and girls and Joanna

READ Philippians 2:2

 

June 27^th – Budapest: last day

PRAY- for all the friends we have met, pray for last minute connections we might make with them, that we can speak into their lives with the reality of the hope we have in Jesus, for a day of reflection of all the Lord has done and shown us.  Pray for a heart of worship to thank God for His greatness. Pray for a time of sharing and testimony. Pray that we gather and collect all we need to travel tomorrow. For Joanna

READ Romans 12:1-21, Isaiah 53:5-6

 

June 28th-Travelling back to America

PRAY—for our team as we leave Budapest to travel back to America. Pray all of our required documents will be in place. Pray for our luggage that it makes it home. Pray for our endurance and alertness as we make connecting flights. Pray for the missionaries that live in Hungaryand Croatiaand will continue the work for years to come. For the servants of God there: Arden, Doug, Lea and Karen, Joanna, Laci, Keri, Lea, Lotti, Mark, Laura and the boys, Rob, Donna and their girls, & Charles

READ Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 40:28-31

 

June 29th – Home

PRAY – for Tomislav who spends a week in Oxford, England at a C.S. Lewis Conference, for Joanna who is home on a fund raising mission, for Arden who returns to the US for the same, for Mark and Laura and the boys who are about to return to servince in Hungary, for Doug and Lea who are about to invest a week in family time in the UK, for Tomislav who will head to S. Africa to invest 6 days with missionaries there, and then to Kyiv to meet with partners in Ukraine and finally back to Budapest for three or so days with the Newells before returning to the USA in mid July. Pray for the people you have encountered or heard about… you have seen the field.

READ Matthew 9:37-38, 28:19-20, you have been a part of the extending of God’s Kingdom in obedience to the great coommision, continue to pray for His Kingdom to expand.