Miskolc

Yesterday was full, fast paced, and exhausting-yet wonderful. The team that went to Miskolc, the orphanage, had no idea what to expect, but we prepared a session and headed out for the train station. It was a clear sunny day yet strangely enough it was snowing when we got there. It was a nice and restful two hour ride to Miskolc where some of us slept, and others talked. From there we boarded a trolley to our destination. When we finally arrived at the orphanage, one of the boys from the Dorcas camp, Danis (sounds like Danish), came out to greet us. We went in and starting making balloons, regular ones, swords, dogs, strange hats, and other bizarre objects. There were some adorable small kids who had some amazing fun with all of us playing around with the balloons. They loved it. Then Bela, another boy from the camp, came out and starting hugging everyone saying “Aloha”. When he came to someone he didn’t know, he paused for a second then went in for the hug. He was really excited to see everyone. But then it was time for skonder, arm wrestling. I (Shaun) had the privilege of competing against him and as he got closer and closer to losing the match, I yelled out the phrase they taught me in Hungarian, Eros amerikai ferfi vagyok! (I am a powerful American man). Everyone laughed. Then Zakk and Matt got taken in back for some wrestling with two of the older boys. While some of girls played with the younger kids, most of the guys went out to play a soccer match. Again it snowed for a few minutes, but that didn’t stop us. It was a good time had by all, with only minor injuries. Then off to dinner we walked through this cottage type alley way out of a story book. We passed an old castle and took an amazing group shot. We ate and then headed off to a small room where we all crowded in for the session.

We sang some crazy songs with hand motions, put on a drama, and Rich shared his amazing testimony which really moved the audience. I think it really hit home with a lot of the kids. When we finished up, Russ, our friend who does the Good Sports ministry, informed us we had but a few minutes to get to the trolley to get to our train which was the last train of the evening. So we ran, said our quick goodbyes, and almost missed the trolley—they did wait a couple minutes for everyone. When we got off the trolley, we sprinted—up and down stairs, through the corridors, and to the gate. When the last person walked up the stairs to the gate, the train arrived and we all hopped on just in time. It was intense!

We stopped at McDonald’s on our walk home, yes McDonald’s and might I add it was the nicest, classiest McD’s we had ever seen. The day was done, and once again we were spent; but we were glad to be spent, and are glad to do it again and again as long as we are here.

We heard from the team who is in Ukraine, they are well, but they are seeing a lot of hurt and suffering in the people. Pray for them and their safe return tonight. Another team is off to Romania to attend a church service, and another is going to play baseball with some kids headed up by Good Sports Ministry.

And Auntie Vik, Sarah says she is well and loves you.