Well, incredibly I only have 2 months remaining here in Hungary. I am still not fully sure how to feel about this because I have really grown to love the people here and all this amazing country has to offer! I also miss everyone at home in the US, and I am starting to get super excited about seeing everyone and reuniting with family and friends after a year away!
Anyway, this year has been an incredible adventure, and it has easily been the most difficult year of my life for a few reasons.
First, I have never had to say goodbye to everyone I know for a year. Fresh starts are fun, but even though I'm a lot better at getting to know knew people, the introvert inside is still screaming for the people I am fully comfortable around and have known for years. The loneliness that I have felt at times has been more difficult than I expected. It has been especially difficult being away from Brynna and my family (especially with a new nephew and niece coming this year), but through all of this I have been reminded of the comfort that God provides. His love extends to every corner of the world; there is no place that I can go that his love and comfort and grace cannot reach me! I have never seen that more that in this time here in Hungary.
Second, communication is always an adventure. I feel like this struggle has come in waves because at first it was tough to just go to a store to get food. The awkward interactions with people because I had no idea what they were saying starting to make me want to go to self checkout every time, but as time went on the awkward moments became less awkward (at least for me... :) ). The most difficult part of the communication struggles is just not being able to talk the the players about their days and their lives. I have longed to get into deeper conversations with the players that don't speak english, but everything has been limited. Amazingly, though, I have seen God's faithfulness in this as well! I have learned to communicate with actions (and translators) and the players still know the purpose of why I am here in Hungary. I have still been able to see God move in the lives of people I interact with, not just through me but through others!
I won't continue and talk about the other difficult things about being here because if you put all the things that happened here in a giant melting pot and stirred it up, only good would show! That is supposed to be a positive metaphor if it makes sense to anyone... Anyway, the struggles of this year have been completely overcome by the joy that has come along with it! I have never been more sure of Jesus being the only holder of true joy. I have never had to say to God so many times, "use me in whatever way you need because I am clueless what to do to help." I never imagined the joy that God has shown me and the grace that he provides every day.
So yeah, to wrap this though up, I have had a challenging year here in Hungary, but God has been faithful. Which brings me to the next stage of my life. Moving back to Oregon! I am extremely excited, but I'm also battling against fear and worry. I don't currently have a place to live. I don't currently have a vehicle. I don't currently have a job. Three things that bring a little bit of comfort to my life to say the least! I have thought about it, though, and realized that just because I'm going home to a place where I know a lot of people, and a place where I can speak english to pretty much everyone, God is still calling me to have faith. Right now I am working on applying for different youth pastor jobs around the northwest, but if I arrive home and don't have a job lined up there is only one thing to do, trust God. If it ends up being really difficult to find a place to live and a car that is only one thing to do, trust God. (also continue to look for opportunities, but thats a given :) ) Anyway, I would appreciate any prayers on this! God is faithful, God is loving, and most of all, God is in control! Whatever happens to me, whatever, Jesus must be everything!
Thanks for reading my long update, first in quite a while... :)
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