Video of Pictures

Here is a link to watch a video I made of a bunch of pictures! Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/o6nprEZjwOA

Home!

Made it back! After a way too long travel day I am back in Portland! I think I waited in about 6 lines to make sure I was legally moving around, all of which questioned my temporary passport...but alas! Time to battle against the age old enemy called sleep deprivation/jet lag. Time to take the next few days to digest and process my time in Hungary. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! Its truly amazing to think of everyone that has supported this opportunity to serve in Hungary. I survived all the adventures with your help! Anyway, I could use future prayer as I figure out where God is leading from here, and I'll keep everyone updated whenever a decision is decided upon... =)

Adventures...

Yesterday was quite an adventure! I got to get out and see the city like I never have before! We went to the palace and the museum inside, where I saw something that was from 12th Century BC! By far the oldest thing I've ever seen...we saw parliament, St. Stephens Basilica, Freedom Square, and the House of Terror (a museum all about Hungary when it was under communism). We finished by having a celebration dinner for everyone that coached last week during the 11 and 12 year old camp. They are heading to the tournament in Poland today, so we had some delish jumbalaya! When we walked out to the van, though, we saw that two windows were broken and one had a hole in it. They had seen my backpack on the floor and decided it had something valuable in it, which they were right...thankfully I had all of my more expensive things, but they got my passport, and I was supposed to be leaving in a few hours. The van is also one that is supposed to go to Poland so it may be riding up with a bunch of duct tape. Anyway, the police came and got the information and today I have to make the rounds. First, the police department, then the US Embassy, then I have to figure out what my insurance covers, then I need to get a flight...so it will be an exciting morning...anyway, it stinks because besides the passport, the things that were taken have no value to anyone else. They took my Bible, journal, souvenirs from Vienna and Budapest, my espo sweatshirt, and a pen. Alright, that last one isn't important =) Anyway, I could use prayer for patience in this process and that I can get home in a reasonable amount of time! I don't think it will happen, but I was really looking forward to getting home for the MPC Youth Cowboy Dinner Tree trip, so I'm hoping God works a miracle there! I'll keep this updated as I figure out more about when I'm going back to Portland and all that. Its surely going to be an adventure! =)

Survival!

Well, we finished our 11 and 12 year old baseball camp last night, and boy were they exhausting! It turns out that those ages are always full of energy no matter where in the world you may be...It was a ton of fun though! 24 kids came to try out for the 14 man team that they will be taking to Poland next week for little league European championships. I got to learn a lot more about baseball and get to know the students, which is definitely my strength at this point! All of the kids are from 9 different teams around the area with about 7 or 8 of them being americans. It was obviously a lot easier to communicate with them and get to know them, but all of them had energy and laughed constantly (mainly at the wrong times of course=) so it wasn't too hard to have fun. The toughest part was easily the end of the week when the coaches had to decide who to take on the trip, and sadly 10 of the kids can't go which was tough to see. The others were excited which made up for it mostly, but its still not my favorite thing to watch...the week was a ton of fun and they got to hear the message of Jesus so it was overall a great time! It reminds me a lot of camp back home (Mountain Lakes and Island Lake) because its challenging to keep up with the kids, i end up with no energy, and it is totally worth it! I am going to put more pictures on facebook soon so check them out! http://www.facebook.com/brian.kroeker.90
Also, its crazy to think that I am almost done here, but its been an amazing and challenging time! I could definitely use prayer for peace as always, but i am not stressing as much as i was a few days ago! I'm missing all you back on the west coast but i'll see you soon!

Sunday

So today i got to go to church! it is interesting because unlike when i am in mexico, i have absolutely no idea what any of the words are! the words i know are igan (yes), nem (no), nem tudom (i don't know), kosconom (thank you), and jo (good), so everytime i heard or saw on of these i got really excited! The best part is just knowing that there are people here that are worshiping the same exact God that i am! Its really cool to actually see the global church and see with my own eyes what is happening. God is working and changing people everywhere, and its amazing to be a witness of that amazing and transforming love! anyway, we have a baseball camp starting soon and going to Friday so there probably won't be an update for a while...
oh and for those who understand this, the 2 pound philosophy didn't work...if you don't know what this means, don't ask =)

An Update...finally!

Hey all!
So I haven't really had any breaks or internet the last few days so its been a little skittish on the updates...but don't worry, this one will be long! =)

Its been a pretty interesting time here so far! I still have no concept of time and I am learning that the 3 most useful words are “I don't know” because a day could involve doing pretty much anything! We just finished up a camp for the Softball Junior National Team (under 20s) and it was a ton of fun! It took me a little bit, but the last two days have been especially fun as I became more comfortable and talked some to the girls. Some of them actually speak really good English, you just have to get them to open up! the coaching is interesting because I only know a little bit about baseball, but everyone was under the assumption that I had been a player and coach for many years...I am excited to learn how to coach baseball and grow confident in my abilities, but I am usually a person that is on the lower side of the confidence meter in what I do. I am working on trusting in God that I am where I need to be, but I could definitely use some prayer on that as well as other things I will get to later. I love the ability to play catch or run around for 8 hours a day. The day began around 9am with practice until 1pm when we would take lunch. Then we would do character development where we teach teamwork and show example from the Bible! The team is a national team but since we are housing the team we get to share some Jesus to them. Its a really cool opportunity to show them why we are here, and today Suzanne, the head coach of the team, was able to share her testimony! Around 4 we head back out to the field till 8 with a little more practice and a scrimmage of some sort. I loved this because I was able to play and actually get involved more in what was happening instead of just watching and learning. 

So the place that I am staying is a 3 story house called the training center. It can house around 25 people, although they can't cook hot meals for that many people or it would be a commercial building...so we eat out for lunches (the hot meal in Hungary instead of dinner) and the rest of the time we have bread, cheese and random sausage or bologna. Overall a pretty simple diet which has treated me well! =) We did have liver one day which I ate...a little bit, but its just not my thing. The field is about 15 minutes away and is actually in pretty good condition, and I am told its the nicest field in Hungary! Also, there are a few tall trees near the field that have become my best friend because it is 95 degrees or more, from 9 in the morning till 8 at night, every single day...I also can't seem to drink enough water but so far I'm still alive!

The main thing that I could use prayer for is peace and patience...surprise! =) I am struggling with the desire to quickly make my decision about spending a year here, even though I just got here. Everything I see is mentally put in a pro's and con's list. I have these feelings of confusion that I never anticipated when it came to whether I would spend a year here because not everything fits the expectations I had. Anyway, basically I thought I would come here, fall in love with everything about it, and get ready to roll for a year...but that is not how it works. I am not trying to be a pessimistic patty because there are many things that I love here and am excited about, but I feel myself putting pressure on myself to make an immediate decision. I know God is going to help me decide what to do with the next year/forever of my life. I would really appreciate your prayers, and honestly this could be the most typical thing for anyone that goes oversees on a missions trip, but its a first for me. Also if you want to email any encouragement/advice/anything feel free! I would really enjoy it! =)

Oh, and to end this on a positive note...the whole thing with my stomach acting up and hating me has been non-existent so far! I haven't felt sick or anything this whole trip even with the time change and long flight! A few years ago I couldn't go on a 15 minute car trip without feeling nauseous so this is a major praise and miracle from God.

The next few days will be more relaxed as we prepare for a camp of 15-16 year old boys. I am slowly starting to pick up confidence in coaching, but it takes a while!

I'll post some pics on facebook when i get the chance...

Thanks for the support!

-Brian