Budapest for Refuge

Budapest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places I have been. Everywhere my eyes landed there was something astounding to behold - whether the lights dancing on the Danube or the ancient architecture on the sweeping skyline, it was awe-striking and inspiring. Nevertheless, the beauty of the city is not the story that demands to be told. You see, it’s the sound of laughter from the sassy Sawtyesh as we played “baseball”, and faces of Omid and Mariam, and Susan making me that bracelet and tears welling up from the deepest places within me as she told me her gut-wrenching story that I’ll truly never forget. 

When I agreed to be the team leader for Budapest I and II, I had NO IDEA how much work it would be (372 emails, 10+ trainings, a lot of phone calls, several presentations, build a budget…we’re talking February to September on your knees as often as possible because you need Jesus kind of work…) – I was totally and completely exhausted when I slouched into my seat on the plane. I knew we were just beginning our journey – we were merely on our way to do what the Lord has called, prepared, and set out before us. Nevertheless, there was no question I was going to need Him in a huge way. I was feeling feeble, empty, completely depleted – I remember clinging to the words of Habakkuk 3:17-18 as they seemed to ring true like never before: 

“Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

When we arrived we hit the ground running, we met our missionary partners who exceeded all expectations and are tremendous – their love for Budapest is vast and their knowledge wide. They have a huge reach and they are doing incredible things to bring His love to those who so desperately need to find Christ. We spent the majority of Saturday getting settled, organizing supplies, figuring out how to use the INCREDIBLE public transportation system and taking in our first tastes of the city. Sunday we were able to attend mass at St. Stephen’s Basilica and then had the rare opportunity to visit the choir loft and see the organ with Csaba’s father who just so happens to be the conductor. He gave us a tour and then took us to the bell tower where we were awe-struck by the view of the city. After being tourists and taking far too many photos, it was an honor to pray over Budapest from the heights. We then ate lunch – authentic Hungarian fare, and rose gelato (a definite highlight of the trip for all parties involved – especially Diane – whose primary goal outside of serving wholeheartedly for the glory of God was to eat as much gelato as possible) and walked a bit, perfection. That evening we joined the ReachBudapest team for their monthly meeting – together we shared a meal and prayed over the entire project, what an honor and truly humbling experience to be in the center of their gathering, to pray with those the Lord has called to full-time ministry in the city we were entering for a brief moment in time. It was the perfect catalyst – compelling and motivating and truly inspirational.

Monday morning, we joined Mark in the ReachBudapest van to head to the Refugee home. We got a glimpse of Budapest traffic (not too different than LA all things considered) and ultimately arrived at the Baptist Transitional home where we met the refugees and Roma Gypsys whose names would soon be forever written on our hearts and carried with us in prayer throughout the rest of our lives. While the gathering room was quiet, we prayed together, then made zsemle (basically white rolls with margarine, jam, and cheese) and when all was “prepared” we invited the residents to join us downstairs. With hesitation they began to trickle in – they ate with gratitude and we attempted to make conversation, the refugees spoke very little English, but we were astounded right away at the provision of the Lord. Agnes and Csaba Feher were members of our team – and they are Hungarian. We always knew they were a gift, but we thought they would be a gift just for us – to navigate the city and help us figure out how to order meals, etc. However, when we were interacting that first morning, we realized the Romas could ONLY speak Hungarian, they didn’t understand any English. Because of Agnes and Csaba, they were included and we could clearly communicate they were welcome and wanted. There is a lot of political unrest between the refugees and the gypsys because there is a perception that governmental funding has been redistributed FROM the one group to the other, so at least for a brief period of time, we were able to bridge that gap and care for ALL within the home. Our prayer is that relationships were built and there are some friendships that are continuing between the gypsps and refugees even today. 

Monday night we went to an amazing Greek restaurant (Robyn Dingfelder’s very favorite and it came HIGHLY recommended) on the Danube to celebrate the great work the Lord had already done. In one day we had already started to see relationships forming – we met Shahab and his wife Mariam – believers who had recently converted from Islam to Christianity. He said “I read the Bible and it just made sense to me.” Praise the Lord. His one request was for a complete Bible translated into Farsi as he only had a New Testament and the full versions weren’t available in Budapest – we told him we had Amazon Prime and we could make it happen! There was no doubt in our minds that as a convert himself, he had unspeakable power within the home to share the love of Christ and convince others IN the native tongue of the hope and light of Christ. As we ate some of the most delicious Greek food I had ever tasted and experienced what I hear is the most impressive restroom in the city, we marveled at the goodness of our God. 

Tuesday was a late start day at the refugee home because we were taking the residents to the zoo in the late afternoon / evening when the kids got out of school. After breakfast and team devotionals (we’ll leave this as a highlight reel of the trip so some details will be omitted) Pete and Diane gathered up their little duckling (that’s me in case you were wondering) and we headed to the covered market where we purchased the MOST AMAZING ornaments crafted out of real eggs. If you received one for Christmas this year, you’re lucky – those traveled MILES carefully cradled in my carry-on so I could bring a piece of Budapest HOME to you! Diane and I split a salad and some delicious carbonara while Pete ate at the golden arches and then we hopped on the metro headed to our stop – Lehel Ter (said in the most ominous tone – you should hear the metro lady – she’s impressive). We got out at BSC (that’s code for Bird S*** Corner where all the birdies sit on their lines) which was the indication that we had done things CORRECTLY, a good sign since it was our FIRST time arriving at the home via metro and began our several block walk to see our new friends. When we got there we were greeted by Mark, Agnes and Csaba and we began the fun. Jewelry making and uno playing and and soccer balls in full force. Around 3:00pm we gathered up and headed to the zoo. I was able to purchase all 60+ tickets for less than $300 USD which was INCREDIBLE to me and we split into groups to explore. I spent my afternoon with the gypsys. I was absolutely heartbroken as they took a break a few hours later to use the restroom just behind one of the exhibits. I don’t know how many times you’ve been to the zoo, but just because you’re covered from ONE angle sure doesn’t mean you’re covered from ALL of them – it’s almost guaranteed people can see you and they are watching! I know it isn’t a huge deal to pee in public, but I was so saddened and heavy-hearted that this was “normal” from their perspective. We were at the zoo where there were many restrooms in the very near vicinity but rather than put forth the effort to walk to one, they simply did their business right there without hesitation or shame. I wanted these mamas to model more for their children – especially their little girls. I wanted them to consider themselves more valuable and more worthy. The Lord certainly does. So as a single tear slid down my cheek, I said prayers for those beautiful women and the little ladies that admired their mamas and hoped beyond expectation that somehow their lives would take a different shape than the one that was laid out before them. 

Wednesday we headed back to the transitional home early in the morning to spend the full day with the refugees. This was the morning that I got to really talk to Omid and hear the greater refugee story. Essentially everyone who lived as a refugee within the home had been granted their UN Passport – a passport granted by the United Nations. It gave them the freedom to travel and visit anywhere in the world with the exception of their home country, where they could never return. It also limited where they could work – in the case of the refugees we were working alongside, they were only permitted to work in Hungary. The refugees living in the transitional home were granted 365 days of living within the home. In that time period, they needed to learn the language and find a job. For Omid and his wife Marian, this seemed like an impossible task. In their home countries of Iraq and Iran, they were nurses – a profession that involves a more extensive understanding of the language and also the ability to make people feel comfortable and reassured in a difficult and potentially chaotic time. This added another level of pressure for them because as refugees they’re unwanted and unwelcome in the country – they couldn’t imagine ever making anyone feel comfortable. There are also no Farsi to Hungarian lessons. There is no starting point for them to learn the language and Hungarian is SO HARD. I attempted the “airplane Hungarian” and I was a HUGE failure. When I med Omid and Marian they were on day 26 of their stay in the transitional home and they were absolutely counting down their remaining days within safe lodging. There was fear and trepidation mounting as each day passed. The task before them seemed impossible. They were so grateful they had freedom and safety and had been delivered from the trauma of their home countries and yet they also felt trapped and stuck and hopeless in Hungary. All I had to offer them was a hand of compassion and a prayer that the light that shines in the midst of all darkness would illuminate their path and give them strength for each day ahead. In words they did not understand I prayed and the Lord who is faithful was present. I am trusting Him to work mightily even now. 

Thursday was another late start day, so we spent our morning having coffee at Fisherman’s Bastian in the Castle District of the city. I drank an espresso as I sat with the most idyllic view of the Danube with Parliament in the background. Y’all, this place. I followed that coffee up with a THE Ruszwurm from Ruszwurm - the most darling little café dating back to 1827. It has a green exterior with the most delightful street umbrellas. And the Ruszwurm itself, don’t even get me started, I have never tasted anything more delicious in my life. I had the Ruszwurm again on Friday as well as a chocolate croissant because I HAD TO and I don’t think I’ll ever eat anything that tastes that good again in my entire life…unless I return to Budapest – it was the most delightful dessert I’ve ever eaten! OH MY GOODNESS!  

During the day at the center, Susan told me her story while she made me a bracelet that I carry as a keychain and constant reminder of my time in Budapest and God’s faithfulness to the refugees. She told me of her escape from kidnappers who wanted to murder her… of her long journey… of how she watched many die in the waters and the sinking boats from Turkey to Greece… of how she had to let go of the backpack including the papers as she treaded water and feared drowning as she was with child – a little girl I now saw her carrying in her arms… she told me of salvation and I saw the light and hope in her eyes. Never before had I seen the evidence of Romans 5 displayed so clearly before me: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” She was the very definition of hope and it was an HONOR to meet her. 

Thursday night we attempted to show the refugees a movie. I say attempted because they’d never seen a movie before. I had made a new friend in the center by this point – her name is Sawtyesh and she will forever own my heart. She is 4-years-old and she is a total whipper snapper. She has more personality than she knows what to do with and she kept us laughing all day long. I think her mom was probably just happy to leave her with us for a while and get herself a little break. When we had the candy bags put together and the popcorn and sodas distributed, she climbed into my lap. The big screen turned on and the movie started and over all the noise in the room – and there was a lot of it – she exclaimed “OH MY GOD” it was perfect. The kids sat and stared at the screen for approximately 45 seconds and then It was chaos galore. They couldn’t understand the movie because it was in English and the games and toys hadn’t all been collected and put away so it was a movie / soccer / total mad house for the duration of the “film”. Long story short, pretty soon we shut it all down and called it success because MANY MANY residents came! Mark said he is going to do movie night monthly – I should check in with him and see how those are going! I wonder if he is still sane! 

Friday was our last day and it was sobering getting off the metro and making that walk for the last time. We all knew we weren’t quite ready to say goodbye. The Lord had already done a work to write these refugees and Roma on our hearts. I am grateful for that though, I so wanted to carry them home with me in a special way – I wanted to pray for them faithfully that He would continue the work He began. That day Pete and I talked for a long while about heaven and the hope that someday we would see these faces there – that someday it would all unfold before us and we would see the end of the story – that we’d get to sit together with those we had once known on earth and hear about the many who had been part of their journey toward Christ and rejoice in all the Lord had done to bring them to salvation. It makes me cry even now to consider that He allowed me to plant seeds in the hearts of any of those living in Budapest. At the close of our time, we gave many hugs. We didn’t shed tears, we had prepared in advance of our coming for our goodbye – we knew we were merely seed planters and we were moved and tremendously grateful for the opportunity to even say hello. 

Saturday was our day to explore the city – I did the hop on hop off bus with Andrea who was the lead for the Art Café team and was delightful to just take it all in with her – she was another TOTAL answer to prayer for me throughout the entire time away. I didn’t know how that team was going to come together but the Lord did – and the answer was Andrea. She is a dear friend and sister in Christ and I am so grateful we got to travel and serve together! We closed out almost every day together sharing what the Lord had done and how He was working. It wasn’t an easy trip for me at all, but there was no doubt that He was present and that He was providing exactly what was needed in precise measure. That night along with our ministry partners we did the Danube River Cruise – together we sailed the city while the sunset over the remarkable bridges and stunning architecture and then watched in the night illuminate and radiate in this place we had come to adore. Far too soon it was goodbye hugs as they hopped on the metro and we headed to our hotel for one last sleep before slumping back into that plane seat for the long ride home. 

There will never be enough words to encapsulate the trip – but truthfully – we didn’t do anything magnificent. We went as His hands and feet to tangibly care for the unseen, for the marginalized, for many who needed to hear a message that they are valuable and worthy and that there is hope. I can do that here as well. I can radiate His light and His love to many who need to hear those same truths. So here I go – just as Moses’ face was radiant after He spoke to God on Mt. Sinai, may my life be radiant because of my relationship with Him and may I shine that light everywhere I go, bringing that hope and shattering the darkness.