Plans Can Change but God is Still Good -- Autumn Newsletter

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

ROMANS 8:28

For a long time, I felt like I was trying to complete a puzzle that didn’t have all the pieces. So, in my attempt to control things, I tried to create new pieces to fit into the empty spaces. Whether it was molding myself to fit into a certain role, having unsaid expectations, or irrational fears, the puzzle just wouldn’t seem to fit together quite right.

I started this phase of my life wanting to teach and impact the lives of young students. Because of many different factors, the preschool project that I came to Budapest for was put on hold. While this was a little disappointing, God has given me an overwhelming sense of peace that no matter what happens with the preschool, it was all part of God’s plan to get me to Budapest. It has been an encouragement to witness how God has placed me on this team at exactly this time for much more than teaching in a classroom.

While my passion is still for teaching little ones, I know that God is using this different season of ministry to teach me that He is in control and that as much as I try to fit my own pieces into the puzzle, His will be so much better. So while the preschool is on hold, I can still be confident that even though my plans have changed, God’s plan has not. He holds all of the right puzzle pieces. I can trust in Him and know that He will lay down those pieces at exactly the right time, in the most perfect way. No matter where God places me, I will always do my best to be a light to those around me.

Language School

I am now 2 months into language learning. At the beginning of October, Cori and I started a month-long intensive language course. That first course went really well. Having a base knowledge of some words and grammar structures has helped me to feel a little less disoriented when out and about in the city. We have now started our second course, a semi-intensive course that meets three days a week. This second course will meet through the end of the year. 

Language school has been a great way for me to meet new people outside of my team and their friends. I have really enjoyed getting to know my classmates and teachers. Learning more about them and what brought them to Hungary has been a special way to connect as we all learn this new language together. It has also been such a blessing to have Cori in school with me. We have been able to encourage each other with some of the harder lessons and help each other not feel so alone through this process.

English Clubs

Even though the preschool is on hold, I have still been able to get involved with hands-on ministry. It was a blessing that I didn’t have many other responsibilities so that I could take a bigger role in leading clubs while Sadie, who leads our English Ministries, was in the US for all of October. Now that she is back, I am excited to continue helping at clubs throughout the rest of the school year and seeing how God works through the meetings. 

The two clubs that we have throughout the week are different from each other, but both are great in their own ways. In Budapest, I have enjoyed getting to meet with a small group of students to play games and chat. It has been a blessing to pour into them through our conversations and encourage them as they head into the rest of their week at school. In Vac, we have a more structured time. Throughout this semester we have been discussing stories and the impact they can have on our lives. It has been inspiring to hear the stories that the students share and how God is working in their lives. 

What's Coming Up

• I have a friend coming to visit in the middle of December
• Thanksgiving with some new friends/ministry partners
• A group of students from Taylor University will be here for three weeks in January

Prayer Points

• Praise for a successful first language course.
• Praise for the opportunities to get more involved in English Club.
• Pray for upcoming decisions about the preschool and that the Lord’s leading will be ever-present and clear.
• Pray for my 7-week semi-intensive language course and that I can continue to connect with the other students.
• Pray for the students at club, that our time with them will be fruitful and a testament to God's love for us.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I look forward to updating you on how the Lord continues to move in Hungary.