Inside Budapest’s famous Great Market Hall
Wow, where do I begin? We have a lot to share, so I shall try to keep it concise and simple, but basically, God has been answering prayer and letting us in on some of His plans for our family, and we’re excited. I haven’t done a regular monthly ‘update’ since the end of September, and that wasn’t even on our blog, just an email. At that point we were still unpacking, still finding our way around Budapest, and had just begun to attend the International Baptist Church of Budapest (IBCB) – looking for an English speaking youth group for our kids. That church fellowship, and the youth group, have continued to be a blessing to our family. It was through new friendships within both that we’ve pursued an exciting possibility for our kids – attending the International Christian School of Budapest. We are working on the paperwork to have Anna enrolled for the coming 2nd half of this school year, Joshua will wait and attend for next school year (he didn’t want to switch mid-year). It will be a long daily commute, but will mean so much for both kids to be in a social school setting again. It is certainly one answer to our prayers for our kids and we’re hopeful and happy for them.
In front of my favorite of Budapest’s many bridges, the Liberty Bridge.
Anna is also riding every Friday afternoon at a stable we found just a half hour bus ride from our home. She’s learning English style, working with a private instructor for now, but will move into a group with other kids once she’s secure enough in the basics. She still prefers Western, but appreciates learning both riding styles and simply loves the time with horses.
Anna loves her instructor Vivian, lots of laughing during lessons.
Riding on Baba in mid-November, it’s getting cold, but cowgirl Anna has already been disgusted at a canceled ride due to mud – so we need to also explain that weather does not effect rides in the West. Maybe she can teach them some toughness?
Just a couple weekends ago Rachel held the Pastor’s Wives Retreat in Pécs, six women were able to come, and they all ended up being from Serbia, most from Calvary Chapels – so, while it was not initially planned, it really ended up a Serbian Pastor’s Wives Retreat – and it was a huge blessing for them all. I blogged about the weekend and the women who came, here: https://lakatosfamily.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/pampering-some-who-needed-it/ Or follow the links on the right to ‘Pampering Some Who Needed It’.
Norbert is working on getting details made for an upcoming Pastor’s Retreat; we’ll share the date once we have it nailed down. But we’re really excited about this aspect of what we’re getting to do here – we’re blessed to be used this way, and we love to get to use our gifts in this way too – from the financial and practical side of planning them to the giving and loving on these very tired and worn out souls. ‘Serving Those Who Serve’ was a tag ling we picked up last year, and we love it, and all it entails. We see God slowly and graciously fine tuning and focusing this growing ministry, we’re excited and honored.
Norbert is also getting out his guitar again, something I always love. Several weeks ago he was asked to help out on the worship team at IBCB, his first time ever just playing guitar with a team, no mic and no leading involved. He’s really enjoyed his few times so far, and has been asked to continue with them and possibly lead sometimes. We’re really enjoying the completely International make up of this new church, the worship team is a good example: the man on drums is from Germany, on keyboards is a Russian, on jembe drum in a man from Nigeria, a sweet young girl from China on piano, the guy on bass is from Brazil, and the woman leading it all is from Hungary. It’s a sort of a glimpse of worship in heaven, but here on earth, every week.
Some of the worship team last Sunday at the International Baptist Church of Budapest.
Heaven makes me think of reunions, and we’re all counting down to our own little family reunion. Josiah will be joining us for Christmas! He arrives in 30 days, I was serious about the count down. We are also very proud of Siah and how he’s handled all his own adjustments back in Colorado, his grades are stellar, and he’s been doing fabulous at his first job at Chuck E. Cheese. He has also managed his time well and has made getting to youth group and church at Crossroads Church of Denver a priority, on top of Men’s Chorus at school. Busy boy who remains a helpful member of our cousin’s home, reaching those tall shelves for Dan and Leslie. And speaking of our cousins and Josiah – they’ll be moving into our house in Lakewood in February. Our current renter’s lease is up at the end of January, and we’re all excited about this new arrangement, they get more space for the same rent, Siah will be back in his old bedroom in his old neighborhood and we’ll have someplace to stay for our next visit to the States.
Some of you may be friends with us on Facebook, and have seen Rachel doing the 30 Days of Thankfulness challenge, posting a status each day this month for something she’s thankful for. It hasn’t made it to Facebook yet, but it’s still just as real and true – we’re so very thankful for all of you who read this, who follow along with our life adventure, who keep in touch with just an email or occasional message, or who pray for us regularly; that all means so very much and we are really and truly thankful for it all. We’ll be celebrating our own Thanksgiving here this week, and we’ll be thinking of you and your families as you also give Thanks for our many blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving !
lakatosfamily 