Dear Friends and Family,
We are still savoring the visit of the group from our church, Community Presbyterian Church (CPC). Having friends from the US come and see what our life has been like and the people we know here is so important for us. Visitors who know us in the US allow our Hungarian friends to see us in a new light. Furthermore the testimony of those who visit, who see and meet people, give you a different perspective on our experience, life and mission work here. You can read another perspective on our life here in tthe journal of the Pastor Emeritus from CPC, Robert Schwenck regarding the 12 day visit that he and the group from our SJC congregation made at http://www.sjcpres.com/. Select God’s Handywork in Austria and Hungary on this first page menu.
Now for some reflections on the home front. Today (June 15th) is Emily’s and Erica’s last day of school. Their growth, their bravery and their determination this year has been stunning, beyond what Tammy and I hoped for. Today is a “play day” at school, the girls told us this morning. They spend the first few hours of the day rehearsing for tonight’s closing ceremonies, then they get to have fun. Angela Reid will join Erica for the having fun part. I remember the girls’ faces during the opening ceremonies on September 1st. Their huge bug eyes indicated total ignorance of anything going on. In addition they couldn’t communicate with anyone around them. Now they exude confidence; they know where they have to be and when. They sing the Hungarian songs by heart. All this in 9 months. I am in awe of their adaptability and how quickly they have picked up this language. For the last three months or so they have really been able to play with other children, communicating easily on their own. We do feel this has been a gift of God’s grace on our family.
Last week Erica attended “Forest School,” a three-night retreat with her class and teachers exploring and learning about nature. Erica did just fine speaking Hungarian even with the English teacher along. She had such a good time that she didn’t want the trip to end, which is always the sign of a good camp experience. The owner of the inn where they stayed was surprised to learn that there was an American with the group because she could not figure out which one she was. Erica will go to a horseback riding camp in July and we all feel confident that she will have another great time.
While Erica was at Forest Camp, Emily stayed home with us. It is not often, in our small place, that we get individual time, so this was a great treat. We did some home schooling, played chess and rode bikes. We are gearing up for a ride around lake Balaton, a 120 mile adventure while Erica is at horseback riding camp. When both girls returned to school after the camp week, they received long scrolls from their classes. Each scroll had the name and a few interests of each classmate written on them, all in English. It was a touching statement of how their classmates have connected with them this year.
For those who have learned a new language, you know that progress is often hard to measure. Tammy confirmed her improvement this year a couple of weeks ago. We were invited to visit the Reformed Congregation of Gyömrő on Sunday. This church is pastured by a long term friend of ours. I preached and Tammy gave a biblical message at the first meeting of a new couples group at the church. She chose to lead most of the discussion in Hungarian. It was so exciting to hear her be able to express her ideas so easily to the group. This was confirmation of the success of her efforts and daily study this year.
In the remaining month or so, we will be focusing our energies on helping here in the guest house. As of next week the house will be full or nearly full until our departure in August.
We are looking forward to our return, but are also cherishing these last few weeks.
Love,
The Auses