Saturdays!!!

The weekend has arrived! It was quite welcome this morning due to extra sleep-in time and the more relaxed pace we were able to go at. This a.m. the boys and Tom did their laundry across the way at the church (KEGY Evangelical Free Church) where the English Camp is held. The girls hung back and had a leisurely morning at the Griff Junior Hotel (see photo above of Mindy posing with a statue outside our hotel as part of the leisure) and popped over to the CBA (small grocery store) about 10 a.m. for some fresh fruit and European candy.

At 1 p.m. the team met up for the first time with our two new translators for Week 2 of English Camp, Niki and Mariam (both 18 yrs. old), along with Lilla (18 yr old translator for Week 1 of English Camp) and Beni (14 yr. old camper & brother of Mariam). It has been incredibly encouraging for us to know that at least three of our translators came to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of the KEGY English Camp!!! Niki shared her testimony today with me and it was evident that God has really used this camp in years past to draw students to Himself through the proclamation of the Gospel, the joy of the staff and the prayers of many!

On Sharon's recommendation we headed to Palachenta's (a.k.a. Hungarian crepes / see photo to the left) and enjoyed one savory and one sweet crepe each, which fueled us for the walk to Parliament (see photo below).

BUT how could I forget to mention a critical detail that began our day with huge SMILES! Overnight the temperature dropped 12 degrees Celsius. What a gift given the 90+++ Fahrenheit temps all week with no A/C. I have sweat more sitting dead still this week than I have in many rigorous workouts. To be sure, the record high summer temps of Europe have kept us consistently glistening.



After much strolling and snap shots around Parliament and the Danube River (see photo to the right), we did what many Americans (and a Canadian) do best, we hit the shops on Vaci Street (the bustling city center of shopping) to buy postcards and trinkets for our loved ones back home. This was followed by a delectable dinner on the outdoor cobblestone patio, where blankets were available to ward off the first evening chill of our stay in Budapest.

We parted ways with Lilla, Niki, Mariam and Beni after dinner and headed up Castle Hill for a peak of the Chain Bridge (see below) and Parliament at night. There were many breathtaking views, violins being played on street corners, and lots of good conversations going on amongst the team as we reflected on the past week and God's goodness and grace in it all!



Praise the Lord for the beauty of this wonderful old city, great weather, an opportunity to serve Him, and for being amongst His body of believers! I am so thankful for the unique gifts of the Spirit each person has brought to the team. Each has become dear to me and I love the way God is individually encouraging and challenging us as we seek to serve Him not just in deed, but more importantly in right motive (Matt. 5:20).

Miss you all and hope to see you soon! Please keep us and the campers continually in your prayers.

Much love,

Lisa J.