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| YAGM in a Hungarian lesson, taught by Teri, a wonderful teacher and now a very close friend. Thank you Teri. |
This is the table I sat around for 3 hours every morning for
the past two weeks during Hungarian lessons. This is the same table I sat around at night completing
homework and practicing vocabulary with the other volunteers. This is also the same table I went to a
few mornings at 6:30am to complete last night’s homework…some things never
change.
But today I am thinking about a different table, a table
that I’ve gathered around many times in many places with many people. A table who can fit a party of two
or a table that can fit all of the Saints fans in the Superdome today. Hey, this table can even fit the
Atlanta Falcons fans. too The
location of this table and the guests around it change constantly, but the menu
stays the same. Bread and wine,
that is all. Two simple
ingredients available in almost every corner of the world, meant to be
accessible to everyone.
Today I joined at a table where the conversation was
limited, only greetings and smiles were understood, but something greater was
happening. Though I did not
understand the hymns, the confession, the creed, or the prayers because they
were all spoken in Hungarian, I knew when the words of institution were being
spoken. It must be something about
a Pastor’s delivery or the flow and pace of the reenactment of the Last
Supper. Or maybe, more importantly
it’s the ever inviting tone and magnificent realization that all our welcome at
this table, no matter language, background, or even taste in NFL team.
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| The sun sets just before we begin Holden Evening Prayer |
The feast at this table and the fellowship of communion
bring comfort to me in an unsettling time. I have struggled, and continue to be intimidated by the
Hungarian language and inability to communicate. Yesterday I was somewhat down, overwhelmed in the
realization that even the dogs in this town know more Hungarian than I do. But then I met a seven year old
boy. Being around a child and
attempting to speak Hungarian was easier without the stress of wanting to
please or impress an adult. I find
comfort knowing that I will be
surrounded by children in the coming weeks to help my Hungarian improve.
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| Mari and I marvel at the view of Lake Balaton from a look out tower. |
The past two weeks have been filled with
lots of Hungarian, worship, beach time, and biking. It has been extremely relaxing and a wonderful place to bond
as a group, but it’s time for the real work to begin. Hungarian lessons are over and so is in-country orientation. Today, we travel to Budapest and leave our comfortable little life in Balaton behind. I'm looking forward to sharing a table with my host family and host community, very very soon!
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| Mari, Chelsea, Ole, Me, and Thad biked up to this hill at sunset Sunday night to join in Holden Evening Prayer. |
-Mere
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