Sunday PM Update

Mission team at Pécs Baptist Church after worship.
The youth "singing" during worship.

Working a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle (it is REALLY hard)

A cool overlook close to where we ate in Pécs.

Us and the Ghandi students playing the human knot game.

Randy Taylor playing foosball with Ghandi student Barbi.

Jamie and Ghandi student Richie

Everyone singing together during devotion time.

Human knot again.

Hey ya'll! This is Bethany and Andrew.

This mornig we went to a Hungarian Baptist church and sang for the congregation. We sang two songs in English but other than that, the whole service was in Hungarian with no translators. You think Dr. Hull's sermons are long... =] Then we went to lunch at the Mediterranean Hotel where we had a Hungarian buffet. Our translator Laci (Latzie), who graduated from the Ghandi school in 2002, was able to tell us what each thing was and how delicious it is. After that we went back to the Walking Street in Pécs and toured the Basilica and an early underground Christian crypt for 800ft or 6 bucks. It was awsome! We then proceeded to take a two hour riding tour of the Pécs countryside. We went through many Roma villages that were both full with ancient beauty yet obviously neglected. We also went to Laci's house and met his family while also getting the oportunity to tour his vineyard and vegetable garden in their backyard. We came back to the school to greet our Ghandi guests. There are 6 in total (so far) and they will be working and hanging out with us for the next few days. Now we are hanging out, doing puzzles, and playing the guitar. Hungary is great!! ...so far.

Bethany McDaniel and Andrew McPhail

Skype Call TOMORROW

Reminder that we will have a Skype call tomorrow in the First Fellowship at approximately 8:2ö with 2 of our students and me.

Saturday's Update

Bethany McDaniel did a great job stuccoing the wall.

Andrew McPhail celebrating that he placed the mortar perfectly.

Joel Keene cleaning while painting.

Blake Reasons & Andrew McPhail having fun with our carpenters playing foosball.

John Mark Russell painting a dorm room.

Katelyn Owen painting a dorm room.

Bethany McDaniel and Laura Moon ready to work for the day.

Conor Gattis and Blake Reasons mixing mortar for adherring foam to the walls.

Sarah Taylor and Kenzie Broome applying the mortar.

Jake Gattis mixing the painting with his hands - yes, that is how they mix the paint here!

Patrick O'Dell, Blake Reasons, & Will Tucker putting mortar on the back of foam before putting the foam blocks on the wall.

Hallie Caneer and Melissa Russell mixing painting.

Jeremy Dickson carrying some materials - oops, I caught him before he smiled.

Greetings from Pecs in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I thought I would greet you with this greeting because it will be how I greet the congregation of Pecs Baptist Church tomorrow. Our group will be singing 2 songs and I will be bringing a greeting on behalf of the group and our church. The rest of the worship time will be in Hungarian so it should be an experience!

We have had a good first day of work on the projects. As you can see from the pictures, the students worked extremely hard on the three projects we began today: renovation of the school's music room, repair to the wall's of the school's courtyard, and painting several of the rooms and halls of the boys dorm. A lot of work was accomplished in spite of some language issues. We have two "carpenters" with us. They do not speak any English so our translator is running from one spot to another continuously explaining things. We are learning some words to help along the way.

Pray for our day tomorrow as we worship and later welcome 1ö Gandhi School students that will spend the next four days with us working. I am particularly excited about this part of the trip. Our FBC students will be able to build relationships and share God's love with them.

Greetings from PECS!

Friends - as you have already heard hopefully, we arrived yesterday from the many hours of travel to Pecs. Today, we are getting to know our home for the next week. This morning after a chance to sleep in to regain some energy, we toured the Gandhi School and learned what our work projects would be for our time here. The work projects begin tomorrow and will continue through next Friday morning. We will be renovating and building a theater/music room, repairing and painting a courtyard, helping with some landscape and lawn needs, and painting many of the boys dorm rooms.

After touring the school, we loaded up in our 4 vans and made our way to the town center of Pecs. We had lunch at a mall foodcourt. Many played it safe by eating at either Burger King or Subway, but some of us ventured into some Hungarian food. We all enjoyed the different taste except Andrew McPhail. Andrew accidentally order a plate of chicken livers. After lunch we took a walking tour of the historical district of Pecs. We are in a beautiful city that dates back many centuries. As I am updating you, the rest of our team continues to tour and look around Pecs.

Here are some pictures in reverse order of occurrence (sorry):
On the streets of Pecs with Clista Akins gives details about our whereabouts.
Rachel Taylor and Hallie Caneer on top of the Barbikan (corner of the historical city wall).
The group walking through the streets.
Several in front of the "love locks." Don't worry, no one added a lock for their relationships.
Students touring part of the Gandhi School - notice the banners hanging from the ceiling. We really enjoyed touring the school, seeing the artwork of the students, and learning the purpose and vision of the school.
The team in the courtyard where we will be painting and doing some refurbishing.
Glen Akins (to the left) is giving the team an introduction to the school before the tour.
Conor Gattis and Andrew McPhail hanging out at the airport.
The team unloading the American Airlines plane in Paris after the long flight.

July 16 - They are finally in Pecs!

I just received word at 1:20pm our time that they have arrived in Pecs! They had a 3 hour bus ride and are happy to be there. The missionaries are giving them pizza and salad for dinner and then I think they will all crash. They sound exhausted. The temperature there is 92 degrees and there is no AC in the dorms. They will sleep fine tonight because they are so tired, but later in the week I am sure they could use our prayers for cooler weather - especially after outdoor work projects. I know they will have a good spirit about it though - they are 'on mission' for the Lord. Everyone can rest well tonight - our loved ones have reached their destination - God has answered our prayers for safe travel. To Him be the glory!

Now we can focus on praying for spiritual growth in the lives of our students and for our entire team to be able to impact the Kingdom of God in a powerful way. Don't stop praying now!!!! I think you may began to hear from them tomorrow, depending on the internet connection from the school where they are staying. If not, I will keep you posted as text messages come through. Have a blessed day!

July 16 - They are on the ground in Budapest!

Friends,
Our Mission Team has landed in Budapest. I received a text at 9:33am our time, which is 4:33pm their time. They are a bit late, but not too bad. They said they are waiting for luggage and will then load buses. They will text again when they arrive in Pecs. Praise God they are there safely! I will keep you posted as I am! Feel free to leave them comments of encouragement on the blog. When they arrive, they will be able to check the blog and hear from you as well.

July 16 - 3:20am Huntsville Time

I just received a text from Paris. It said, 'In Paris, all is well - will text again from Budapest.' We thank our Lord for a safe and long flight that is now on land with our precious cargo. I will keep you posted this morning. Go back to bed :)