We have officially arrived in Hungary. We are currently in the town of Révfülop, Hungary, where we are staying in a Lutheran Retreat Center. We are continuing our orientation to Hungary, after spending the last week in Chicago, where we learned the basics into Young Adults in Global Mission.
Things that we dove into in Chicago included unpacking our spiritual backpack, security protocol, and travel tips. Unpacking our spiritual backpacks had us thinking about how we recharge and when we feel good or healthy. This made me understand how best to take care of my self while I am in Hungary. Things that we should pack in our backpacks include things that we would tell people when we meet them in the street, how to work in an environment where we don't know the language, and working with people I don't share a culture with. While in Hungary, even if it has been less than 48 hours, we have been learning about the culture. Culturally, most Hungarians eat soup with at least one meal. The spice that is most commonly used in Hungarian dishes is Paprika. Walnuts and poppy seeds are also very common in traditional dishes. Breakfast has typically been some sort of what US Citizens would call sandwich meat, rolls, yogurt and granola, cheese (lots of cheese), and sweet tea. Lunch and dinner has varied but we had what was the consistency of a canola with meat and cheese in the middle and sour cream on top for dinner one night as an example. There is a market right across the street from where we are staying. Lake Balaton is also right across the street and we have made several trips to watch the swans swimming. One morning, our country coordinator, Rachel, had us do what is called a walking meditation, where we walked through a beautiful rose garden, meditating on what we heard, felt, and saw. What I noticed while we were walking through the garden was that many of the locals would walk through the garden and take time to actually smell the roses and stroll by the lake. There is also a biking trail that goes by the lake. Biking is common here as when you are in a village or town, everything is pretty close. This morning, we had the opportunity to worship at the local Lutheran church, which is through a courtyard. The entire service was in Hungarian. It was really cool to see the differences between the service here versus a service back home. The pastor always turned around to pray, in order to pray with the congregation. Although we didn't have communion this morning, it is common in the Hungarian Church to have people stand to show the pastor who wants communion but not everyone goes up. The offering is put in a basket at the back of the church as people leave the service instead of having a basket passed through the congregation.
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I will be serving in the town of Békéscsaba, a county seat of about 70,000 in eastern Hungary and the nearby town of Békés with a population of just under 20,000.
During the week, I will be involved in the ministry of the elderly care facility. After graduating from college, I worked in a nursing home in Hudson, WI. I have experience in geriatrics and I am so excited to learn more about the Hungarian population. It is likely that Iwill also be involved in leading some small English language study groups for students at the local Lutheran High School and the Lutheran Pastor is hopeful that YAGM will take on some leadership in the youth/young adult ministries of the church. In addition to my time with Lutheran Church ministries, one of the focuses of my placement will be involvement in the village of Békés outside of Békéscsaba. There is a youth mission congregation (independent, Pentecostal) that meets in the village of Békés. This youth group/congregation sees its mission to be bringing together Roma and non-Roma young people for worship and fellowship so as to be an example throughout Hungary. My Saturday priority when I am in my site during my year of service is to be present and involved in the activity and ministry of this young adult’s group. After coming home last May from college, I got involved with my home church's Senior High Youth Group. I had a great time getting to know the students and doing activities with them. I am getting so excited to serve in Hungary. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I head overseas. This last year, after finishing up classes in Winona, MN and returning home to complete an internship at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center in the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Unit and find employment has brought back a lot of memories.
Growing up in Hudson, a town where my parents have lived for 25 years, they know a lot of people. The Chief of Police lived across the street from my parents when they lived in town. His son babysat my brothers and I. I in turn babysat his younger kids. I once was walking through the lunch line and the woman ringing me up at the end mentioned how I looked just like my mom, Beth. Working in town, I am able to catch up with people that I haven't seen personally in years. We have attended the same church for 20 years. A lot of people know my brothers and I. Because Carter and I are only 18 months apart in age, we spent a lot of time together growing up. We were both involved in band (Marching, Jazz, and Concert). Carter was involved with choir and the plays, I played Rugby and was involved in other activities. Growing up, Carter and I didn't necessarily appreciate how close we are in age. However, this next year, we get to serve through Young Adults in Global Mission the same year. As I have asked around, it is almost unheard of that siblings serve the same year. Many have served consecutive years or with several years between. However, past volunteers have told me it is almost unheard of for siblings to serve the same year. While at Winona State University, I got involved with an ELCA Lutheran campus ministry. The Lutheran Campus Center (LCC shares space with a coffee shop, Mugby Junction. For coffee loving Lutherans, this was ideal. Almost every meeting, someone walked in with a cup of coffee from the coffee shop. My first year and a half at Winona, I was at Mugby Junction almost everyday, studying or catching up with friends. With it being right across the street from campus, it was a convenient spot for many students to stop between classes. One of the baristas happened to be involved with the LCC and found out I was ELCA Lutheran. Almost every time she saw me after that, she invited me to come join them at worship or their fall retreat. I finally agreed and attended their fall retreat. That was it. I attended alot of worships and got involved with leadership the next year. But Kelly, the girl who invited me, continued to have a big impact on my life and involvement in the LCC. The year after she graduated, Kelly served with YAGM, serving in Scotland. Without Kelly, I would have never found out about the LCC or YAGM. Kelly has now since started working at our campus ministry. When I found out I was accepted to our Discernment weekend, I texted our campus pastor, letting her know that she now had at least 2 students serving in the same program. Not long after that, I received a text from Kelly. She was so excited to know someone serving after her. She was a huge support through the entire weekend of discernment, cheering me on from a far and answering questions continually that entire weekend, as well as afterward. Now sharing that my brother and I will be serving together within a few thousand miles of each other, it has been incredible. |
Elaina JohnsonI am from a town on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. I grew up in Hudson, WI, where I had the privilege of returning after graduating from Winona State University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Archives
December 2016
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