Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Start of Something New

So here is the story of how Hungary came into my life:

For months now I have been praying about what I should do when I graduate in May. Should I go on with school and get my masters? Should I continue at the English Language Institute and see if I can manage to snag a position there? Should I go overseas for a while to teach? Should I move somewhere else in the US and teach? As you can tell, the options were endless and overwhelming. I prayed for months and didn't feel God pointing me or telling me which direction to go. It was frustrating to say the least. This semester, I chose to do my internship with the English Language Institute at Liberty- somewhere where I teach an English class to international students. Well, I can at least say that I'm incredibly blessed to have found my passion in life... it's just what to do with that passion that was the problem. My internship adviser, Joanna, is absolutely incredible. She asked me what I was doing after graduation and our conversation went a little something like this:

Joanna: So what are your plans after graduation?
Me: I have no clue whatsoever. I'm just as much in the dark as you are.
Joanna: Want to go to Hungary? (said with a laugh)
Me: Um....yes! (said with no laughter)
Joanna: I wasn't kidding.
Me: Who said I was either?

Just so you know, Joanna is the daughter of the President of Christian Educators Outreach (the organization that I'm traveling with). From this simple and slightly humorous conversation blossomed an idea that quickly gained potential. I met with her and her dad for dinner one day and discussed the possibilities of traveling to Hungary and teaching there for a year. What am I going to be doing? I'll mainly be teaching in a Hungarian public school, but with some part time missionary work. The main goal is to establish deep and meaningful relationships while teaching and using those relationships to eventually speak Truth into the lives of students. There will be various other missions opportunities, but that will be the main goal while in Budapest.

This is an amazing opportunity that God has given me in order to take his Gospel to another part of the world that I NEVER thought I would have the opportunity for. I will say that my biggest need right now is prayer and financial support. I need to raise $16,000 in order to go to Hungary to support myself for a year. The salary that I will receive as a teacher over there is not nearly enough to support myself, since most Hungarian teachers are forced to get a second job most of the time. So I ask you to join me in prayer that God will provide the money that I need and will start working in the lives of the Hungarian people that I will be in contact with. Thank you so much in advance for the part that your support and prayers have played in my new adventure!