When we came back we had team devotions but for me this was cut short as I felt really ill, and it came to the point where I had to leave the room in order to be sick. I then took to my bed, however I was shiverng and felt so hot and miserable that I could not sleep. And as Agi heard a lot that afternoon/evening... 'I really was not well'!
I felt bad, because Agi had taken me for a nice meal and then I come back and throw it up, but I think that no matter what I eaten I would have been ill anyway, because I had definately caught a bug of some sorts.
I read my bible and was reading Job Chapters 13 & 14. And 13 vs 5 says, that it is right to know when to be silent, but I think God was telling me here, that you need to know when to rest.
For me the day was full of challenges, frustration, pain, illness, anger but also due to things that went on through chatting to Agi, it was also mixed with revelations, tears of relief, joy, happiness, awe and wonder at how the Lord works in us.
Saturday, 30 August 2008
What a lovely lunch....
I was still not feeling strong today so I stayed at home instead of going to the Gypsy camp. I was really really frustrated and angry for not being able to go. But in the end I am thankful I did not go, as I started to feel bit worse during the morning.
Agi and Ava both stayed at home as well, so I wasn't alone. Then the rest of the team came home and had lunch, but Agi and I did not stay as we went to collect Zsuzsi from the train station as she had been at home for National Day with her family.
On the way back we stopped at a nice restaurant for lunch. This was so I could eat some food which was not Pork. I have not eaten very well the past week due to this, but have lost some weight which is always a good thing!
It was a lovely meal. I had steak, chips and grilled vegetables. Agi ordered a side of grilled fruit, which despite my reservations about it was actually very delicious.
I was in heaven whilst eating this. I was so happy having lovely food with great company, and even though I was full from the main course, I decided to have desert as well.
The desert was pancakes with apple and cinnamon covered in a caramel sauce. It was gorgeous.
Agi and Ava both stayed at home as well, so I wasn't alone. Then the rest of the team came home and had lunch, but Agi and I did not stay as we went to collect Zsuzsi from the train station as she had been at home for National Day with her family.
On the way back we stopped at a nice restaurant for lunch. This was so I could eat some food which was not Pork. I have not eaten very well the past week due to this, but have lost some weight which is always a good thing!
It was a lovely meal. I had steak, chips and grilled vegetables. Agi ordered a side of grilled fruit, which despite my reservations about it was actually very delicious.
I was in heaven whilst eating this. I was so happy having lovely food with great company, and even though I was full from the main course, I decided to have desert as well.
The desert was pancakes with apple and cinnamon covered in a caramel sauce. It was gorgeous.
All Souls Performers
We then went on stage and sang our songs, then Pinoki, Jamiey and Nemiah performed the sin drama. Then Tim, Dave and Steve did a drama presentation based on 'Two ways to live'.
I was starting to lose energy again so I came home with Agi and Ava and went to bed. The Lord was definately working in me today. Although my Wet Foot experience isn't as full as I want it with the team, my individual Wet Foot experience is about growing in God. He is using my weaknesses to make me listen to Him and become stronger and grow in Him.
I was starting to lose energy again so I came home with Agi and Ava and went to bed. The Lord was definately working in me today. Although my Wet Foot experience isn't as full as I want it with the team, my individual Wet Foot experience is about growing in God. He is using my weaknesses to make me listen to Him and become stronger and grow in Him.Blessing of the Bread
There was a blessing of the bread ceremony, this was the first loaf of bread that was made from the first wheat of the harvest. I did not really understand everything that was going on as it was all in Hungarian, but it was a very interesting experience.
Evening Celebrations
At 4pm we left the church to go to the evening celebrations which were happening in the grounds of our base.
Even though I was struggling I decided to go. I am glad I went as it was a good experience of the Hungaria culture.
There were women in traditonal dresses, and cooking traditional food. Most of the food was pork but there was a venison dish which I ate and it was gorgeous.
Nick, Ying Hwei, Nemiah, Steve, Jamiey and Pinoki all went on a food tasting mission, they ate every dish and rated it, it was all part of a competition. I think they had fun testing all the food.
Even though I was struggling I decided to go. I am glad I went as it was a good experience of the Hungaria culture.
There were women in traditonal dresses, and cooking traditional food. Most of the food was pork but there was a venison dish which I ate and it was gorgeous.
Nick, Ying Hwei, Nemiah, Steve, Jamiey and Pinoki all went on a food tasting mission, they ate every dish and rated it, it was all part of a competition. I think they had fun testing all the food.
More practising
In the evening there was to be a whole town celebration, and we were to sing and do a drama here as well. So we went down to the church basement to practice our songs for this. Again we were singing 'God is so Good' and we also learnt a new one called 'Day of Jubilee'
Again, I was moved to tears. The Day of Jubilee's lyrics were so moving, they are:
"This is the day of Jubilee, the day of jubilee for those in Jesus Christ, the day I am free, this is the day of Jubilee"
I am free in God. How I know this but still need to hear it again and again. Hopefully not it will sink in,
Again, I was moved to tears. The Day of Jubilee's lyrics were so moving, they are:
"This is the day of Jubilee, the day of jubilee for those in Jesus Christ, the day I am free, this is the day of Jubilee"
I am free in God. How I know this but still need to hear it again and again. Hopefully not it will sink in,
After this I lost energy and had to go and have a rest in Misi and Anna's house.
Lunch time
After we sang, the church youth group got up to sing. During this time a little boy came and sat with us, and sat on Ruth's knee and then my knee.
Lunch time arrived, and it was Ghoulash, I was looking forward to trying this national Hungarian dish, but unfortunately this time I couldn't as it was made with Pork. However, I did not go hungry as Anna made me some chicken noodle soup. She is so considerate and loving.
Lunch time arrived, and it was Ghoulash, I was looking forward to trying this national Hungarian dish, but unfortunately this time I couldn't as it was made with Pork. However, I did not go hungry as Anna made me some chicken noodle soup. She is so considerate and loving.
National Hungarian Day
Wednesday was National Hungarian Day - St Stephen's Day, so there were no official children's programmes for us to run. Instead we were invited to take part in the church activities.
The church had a service which started at 10am, so the team went down to join them but because I was still not feeling so good, I stayed at home to rest. But Agi and I did join them at 11am.
The team were in the basement of the church practising the drama and singing. We were going to do a drama (Bench Drama), sing two songs and Tim was going to give his testimony in front of the church.
The songs we were singing were 'God is so Good' and 'Soon very Soon'. When we were practising these songs, the tears were running down my face. We sang 'God is so Good' in English, and Jamiey and Pinoki sang a verse in Korean, Ying Hwei in Malay and Ava in Chinese - this was very moving. Our team are one in body yet we come from 9 different countries, this is so amazing.
The other song was 'Soon very Soon'. the lyrics are....
"Soon and very soon we are going to see the King, no more crying here, we are going to see the King, no more pain here, we are going to see the King.'
Wow, how true, we are going to see the King. All the pain, frustration and tears will be no more. God will bring rest. However, he can also bring rest now on earth if we give all our pain, frustration and tears to him now. The Holy Spirit was definately with me during this practice session.
I could feel God's love come down on me and I was wondering if there were tears whilst we were practising, would I be able to sing the songs in front of the church without crying!
We went out to our 'performance' - the gathering was held outside because it was hot and also because there were lots of people there. Nick introduced us first of all, saying who we were and were we came from - All Souls, London but also that we came from many dfferent parts of the world.
We then sang our songs, again the Holy Spirit seemed to be there, woking inside me, and the tears were there. We are going to see the King, no more pain and no more crying. Through the Lord, peace will come.
Pinoki, Nick, Tim, Dave and Ava then performed the Bench drama. Pinoki is so great at drama, a complete natural. No wonder she is a drama therapist.
The church had a service which started at 10am, so the team went down to join them but because I was still not feeling so good, I stayed at home to rest. But Agi and I did join them at 11am.
The team were in the basement of the church practising the drama and singing. We were going to do a drama (Bench Drama), sing two songs and Tim was going to give his testimony in front of the church.
The songs we were singing were 'God is so Good' and 'Soon very Soon'. When we were practising these songs, the tears were running down my face. We sang 'God is so Good' in English, and Jamiey and Pinoki sang a verse in Korean, Ying Hwei in Malay and Ava in Chinese - this was very moving. Our team are one in body yet we come from 9 different countries, this is so amazing.
The other song was 'Soon very Soon'. the lyrics are....
"Soon and very soon we are going to see the King, no more crying here, we are going to see the King, no more pain here, we are going to see the King.'
Wow, how true, we are going to see the King. All the pain, frustration and tears will be no more. God will bring rest. However, he can also bring rest now on earth if we give all our pain, frustration and tears to him now. The Holy Spirit was definately with me during this practice session.
I could feel God's love come down on me and I was wondering if there were tears whilst we were practising, would I be able to sing the songs in front of the church without crying!
We went out to our 'performance' - the gathering was held outside because it was hot and also because there were lots of people there. Nick introduced us first of all, saying who we were and were we came from - All Souls, London but also that we came from many dfferent parts of the world.
We then sang our songs, again the Holy Spirit seemed to be there, woking inside me, and the tears were there. We are going to see the King, no more pain and no more crying. Through the Lord, peace will come.
Pinoki, Nick, Tim, Dave and Ava then performed the Bench drama. Pinoki is so great at drama, a complete natural. No wonder she is a drama therapist.
The Bench drama speaks about someone who is lonely and looking for a friend and someone to share her life with. Along comes a painter, a reader and a jogger - the all show a little interest in her, but finally leave without accepting her offer of friendship. She is lonely and dejected every time. At the end she is depressed and when someone comes alog who want to get to know her, she rejects their offer. But as they persist and she sees that they meat it, she accepts their friendship and walk away together, very happy.
God wants friendship with us. He will pursue until we accept. Fulfilment in life is through our relationship with Him and no one else.
Tim then gave his testimony which focused on the ministry he does with the homeless through All Souls Local Action Network (ASLAN). It was amazing, very profound and challenging. We are called to help those in need, but we do not have to do it alone as God will always be with us helping us.
Leaving Budapest
After we saw the doctor, Agi and I went back to our accomodation to get our stuff. The rest of the team were not leaving Budapest til around 6ish, but Agi was going back early to go to the dentist and I decided to go with her.
Our train was at 2.20pm and we were running late. One the way we got some Gyros, which is a traditional turkish take away (even though we were in Hungary!) It was lovely. We made the train on time despite Agi worrying we wouldn't.
The air conditioning was not working in the second class carriages on the train, so it was really hot. Halfway through the journey, the heat was just too much, so Agi and I tool ourselves off to first class where the air coniditioning was working. It was nice and cool there.
We arrived back In Nyraghaza at 5.30am, got the car from Agi's dad and headed for the dentist. Agi was in there for about 40 minutes and praise God she did not need a root canal, something she was worried about.
After the dentist we went to Agi's parents house to pick some of her things up. They gave us this desert, which looked like mince meat, but was actually bits of chestnut with cream on it, it was really really nice.
We then left and went to find a pharmacy to get my medication. Apparently the cream the doctor gave me had to made up by the pharmacist, so we went and got some food - some Chinese. Hungarian Chinese is a bit spicer than the Chinese food we get in England. It was a nice meal.
We then picked up by cream and headed back to Nyritelek. We stopped off at Misi's house and had a chat with him, Misi and his wife Anna, are such nice people.
Leaving their house was quite a drama, as Agi would not get the car reversed down the drive without killing he plants! so Misi had to come and take over.... I couldn't stop laughing!
We headed back to base and straight to bed. Today was very long, good but challenging at times.
Our train was at 2.20pm and we were running late. One the way we got some Gyros, which is a traditional turkish take away (even though we were in Hungary!) It was lovely. We made the train on time despite Agi worrying we wouldn't.
The air conditioning was not working in the second class carriages on the train, so it was really hot. Halfway through the journey, the heat was just too much, so Agi and I tool ourselves off to first class where the air coniditioning was working. It was nice and cool there.
We arrived back In Nyraghaza at 5.30am, got the car from Agi's dad and headed for the dentist. Agi was in there for about 40 minutes and praise God she did not need a root canal, something she was worried about.
After the dentist we went to Agi's parents house to pick some of her things up. They gave us this desert, which looked like mince meat, but was actually bits of chestnut with cream on it, it was really really nice.
We then left and went to find a pharmacy to get my medication. Apparently the cream the doctor gave me had to made up by the pharmacist, so we went and got some food - some Chinese. Hungarian Chinese is a bit spicer than the Chinese food we get in England. It was a nice meal.
We then picked up by cream and headed back to Nyritelek. We stopped off at Misi's house and had a chat with him, Misi and his wife Anna, are such nice people.
Leaving their house was quite a drama, as Agi would not get the car reversed down the drive without killing he plants! so Misi had to come and take over.... I couldn't stop laughing!
We headed back to base and straight to bed. Today was very long, good but challenging at times.
Hungarian Hospital Two
Toay was our last day in Budapest and I was looking forward to more sight seeing, but I woke up feeling rotten, leg was in pain and still dizzy and feeling sick. So whislt everyone else went to see Budapest, Agi and I went to the hospital again.
We went to see a skin person. We waited for two hours but am very glad we waited and saw the doctor as it helped give me peace of mind.
The doctor have me another injection, this time Agi had to hold my hand, as really don't like injections, especially when its in my side and I can't see the needle going in. I also got more medication.
We went to see a skin person. We waited for two hours but am very glad we waited and saw the doctor as it helped give me peace of mind.
The doctor have me another injection, this time Agi had to hold my hand, as really don't like injections, especially when its in my side and I can't see the needle going in. I also got more medication.
Budapest Castle
After the boat trip, some people went back to sleep but some of us ventured over the bridge from Pest to Buda and went up the funicular railway to the 'castle area' the views from there were absolutely stunning. Unfortunately my camera battery died to did not get as many pictures as I would have liked to.
We wandered around the area experiencing th culture - there was a folk festival on, so there were lots of musicians wandering around and people in traditional dress, making traditional food and selling traditional crafts. I bought my mum and dad a piece of pottery, which is for washing fruit, but dear knows what my mum will use it for since after last year I bought them a Serbian coffee pot and she uses it for serving gravy!
We listened to some music and spent time looking around the market. And then we went to have some dinner and the ones who went back to rest came and joined us.
The restuarant was a place where Hungarian music was being played. Agi ordered the food for us which consisted of loads of different kinds of meat - duck, pork, chicken and steak - it was a lovely meal . Apparently the dish was advertised has being for 2 people, but it was enough food to feed 5 of us.
The night was a good night and full of laughs, plenty of them at me, because when I was at the toilet, I must have pulled the flusher to hard as it came off in my hands! Can't take me anywhere can you?!
My legs started to really hurt and get shooting pains up them, so Agi, Ava and Nemiah who were also feeling tired, joined me in a taxi back to the accomodation. As soon as I arrived back I collapsed on my bed.
I really enjoyed the day but I struggled a lot health wise as was feeling dizzy, sick and losing energy quickly - but am glad I went as Budapest is lovely.
The Blue Danube
After lunch, which was 4.30pm, nearly tea time actually, we went on a boat tri on the Danube. This was the one thing I wanted to do so I was pleased I could do this.
The trip was really good, we saw all the Hungarian sites, the castle, the parliament buildings, the Saint Gellert statute, the liberty statute etc etc.
The trip was really good, we saw all the Hungarian sites, the castle, the parliament buildings, the Saint Gellert statute, the liberty statute etc etc.
The buildings are so lovely. On the Danube I just felt a renewed love for Eastern Europe. Hungary is such a beautiful country, the Buda side is lovelier than the Pest side but Budapest has a whole is just so lovely.
Lunch in Budapest
We then headed in to the centre of Budapest to go to lunch, if you can call eating at 4pm lunch!! The architecture of the city is beautiful.
Lunch was in a lovely placed called Centrale, it had a unique Hungarian feel about it. I decided to order Corn fed chicken and was totally shocked when my meal was served and there was a whole baby chicken sitting on my plate. It was lovely though. However, because I was still feeling sick, I could not face eating it all, but I did eat the meat as my mum always told me to always finish my meat as it is the most expensive part of a meal!
Lunch was in a lovely placed called Centrale, it had a unique Hungarian feel about it. I decided to order Corn fed chicken and was totally shocked when my meal was served and there was a whole baby chicken sitting on my plate. It was lovely though. However, because I was still feeling sick, I could not face eating it all, but I did eat the meat as my mum always told me to always finish my meat as it is the most expensive part of a meal!
Accomodation in Budapest
We went from the train station to our accomodation, it was really nice. The place we were staying was an institute for the blind, so it was very clean and had a hospital feel to it, but the bed was really comfortable and as soon as I saw it I collapsed on it.
Off to Budapest we go
This morning when I woke up I felt really dizzy and sick, I really wanted to stay in bed, but the whole team were going to Budapest for two days rest and I wanted to go as well. So I went even though it was a struggle, by mid morning I regretted my decision but by the end of the day I was so glad that I pushed myself to go.
We set off at 8.45am from Nyritelek to catch the train at 9.26am from Nyraghaza - I was struggling to walk but was pushing myself. We got on the train for the 3 hour journey to Budapest. I spent the journey, reading, talking and sleeping - three of my favourite past times! By the end of the journey I was still feeling dizzy but bit better than I was in the morning.
We set off at 8.45am from Nyritelek to catch the train at 9.26am from Nyraghaza - I was struggling to walk but was pushing myself. We got on the train for the 3 hour journey to Budapest. I spent the journey, reading, talking and sleeping - three of my favourite past times! By the end of the journey I was still feeling dizzy but bit better than I was in the morning.
A walk around Nyraghaza
After the hosptial and getting the medications we walked around Nyraghaza square. As I had not seen it yesterday when the rest of the team where there cos I was at CE training, Dave thought it would be nice for me to see it. It is a lovelty place and walking down it reminded me a bit of Banja Luka in Bosnia.
I love Eastern Europe, its so beautiful and full of love - reminds me of Ireland.
We had ice cream and then went back home were I slept most of the afternoon. I got up for tea at 8pm, the others did not come home from the gypsy camp until 7.30pm - one more time that I missed going out there.
I could not eat my tea as I felt too miserable, my stomach felt like it was doing gymnastics. I just wanted to go back to bed. I ate two chicken drumsticks, some cherries and felt rotten.
I went back to the base, packed for Budapest and collapsed on my bed. It has been a weird day but God filled day. He was definately with me all day, speaking to me and looking after me.
I love Eastern Europe, its so beautiful and full of love - reminds me of Ireland.
We had ice cream and then went back home were I slept most of the afternoon. I got up for tea at 8pm, the others did not come home from the gypsy camp until 7.30pm - one more time that I missed going out there.I could not eat my tea as I felt too miserable, my stomach felt like it was doing gymnastics. I just wanted to go back to bed. I ate two chicken drumsticks, some cherries and felt rotten.
I went back to the base, packed for Budapest and collapsed on my bed. It has been a weird day but God filled day. He was definately with me all day, speaking to me and looking after me.
Hungarian Hospital
Ava was getting no better and my foot was getting worse so Misi Baci arranged for us to go to the hospital and get checked over.
So in the afternoon, Dave, Aava and I set off with Bolash and Emma Sha to the hospital. The doctor was a bit eccentric and kept walking around my foot. I wondered was he ever going to look at, but he did. Apparently he never saw anything like it before - an Irish person has baffled the Hungarian medical man!
I had to get an injection in my side and I hate injections so was not looking forward to it but thankfully Emma Sha held my hand. The love of the hungarian people is amazing. Their kindness to be has blown me awat - I only met them all a week ago but the love me and care for me as if I was their own and they have known me for years.
The doctor also gave me medication to take and cream to put on my infected bites.
As it turned out Ava has bronchitis, so we were both sicky bad no well.
So in the afternoon, Dave, Aava and I set off with Bolash and Emma Sha to the hospital. The doctor was a bit eccentric and kept walking around my foot. I wondered was he ever going to look at, but he did. Apparently he never saw anything like it before - an Irish person has baffled the Hungarian medical man!
I had to get an injection in my side and I hate injections so was not looking forward to it but thankfully Emma Sha held my hand. The love of the hungarian people is amazing. Their kindness to be has blown me awat - I only met them all a week ago but the love me and care for me as if I was their own and they have known me for years.
The doctor also gave me medication to take and cream to put on my infected bites.
As it turned out Ava has bronchitis, so we were both sicky bad no well.
Second Sunday
Again we had devotions at 7.30am, then breakfast. Breakfast today was eggs - I decided on this day that there was no point me even walking down for breakfast as I would just have to walk back to base again. My stomach was feeling very rough to even the smell of eggs made me feel sick.
Once everyone had finished munching their eggs, we then went to church at 10am as we had to practice the drama we were going to do - this time it was the Table drama, and practice are singing as well.
I was in the drama again, with Nemiah, Nick and Steve. The Table drama is all about trying to move a table but not being able to and then it transpires that you can't do it on your own but need help. So the message of this is that you can't really do life on your own, you need people to help you, but most of all you need God to help you through. Well it made me realise this anyway, and God has certainly been there throughout this trip.
This feeling of God being with me, was made more obvious in the sermon which Emma Sha kindly translated for me, and I think God wanted me to hear it.
The sermon was based on Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 v 1-16. And the key phrase I got out of it was that 'God can repair everything'. I needed to hear that during my current frustrations of my sore leg etc.
God can repair everything, but we need to let him to this. What I did not realise at this point is that God was setting to repair me in more ways than one over the course of the next week.
Once everyone had finished munching their eggs, we then went to church at 10am as we had to practice the drama we were going to do - this time it was the Table drama, and practice are singing as well.
I was in the drama again, with Nemiah, Nick and Steve. The Table drama is all about trying to move a table but not being able to and then it transpires that you can't do it on your own but need help. So the message of this is that you can't really do life on your own, you need people to help you, but most of all you need God to help you through. Well it made me realise this anyway, and God has certainly been there throughout this trip.
This feeling of God being with me, was made more obvious in the sermon which Emma Sha kindly translated for me, and I think God wanted me to hear it.The sermon was based on Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 v 1-16. And the key phrase I got out of it was that 'God can repair everything'. I needed to hear that during my current frustrations of my sore leg etc.
God can repair everything, but we need to let him to this. What I did not realise at this point is that God was setting to repair me in more ways than one over the course of the next week.