Hungary - Day Tuesday

OK, so here we are wrapping up Day 2 of Camp Miskolc. I will say, on a personal note, that today was much better than yesterday. I really didn’t know what to expect yesterday, and kind of felt like I left something on the field. Well, today, I left it all on the court. Maybe that was the problem. I was playing the wrong sport. Today was much smoother from beginning to end. I felt more comfortable. I felt like I did a better job working with the interpreter. I felt like God walked me through exactly what he wanted me to say, and to leave out what he didn’t. So, like I said, it was a good day.

I like Hungary. It’s a very safe-feeling place. It’s a good place to walk around. Daniel, Javier and I walked home from dinner this evening and enjoyed the cool night air. We stopped off and got some gelato, which made me feel even safer. Funny, because the flavor I got was “American Chocolate.” Yeah, I’m that daring. Hungary is full of adventure just like that. Dinners have been great. The weather has been exquisite. It’s funny what they refer to as “hot” over here. I’ve been getting plenty of sleep and wearing out really early, especially for me. But I’ve figured out that I’m not getting anywhere close to the caffeine intake I normally get back home. I mean, before lunch I’ve usually put away 36 ounces of Diet Dr Pepper. I don’t think I’ll drink as much soda this trip as I do in one day in America. Unless you count the 16 sodas I’m going to have on the flight from London to Houston.

I marvel at people like Roxi Crews, who I got to watch for the first time today as she taught class. I know now what keeps her coming back here over and over time and again. There is such good work going on here. These kids are being fed the good news of Jesus from people who live what they are teaching. I’ve enjoyed getting to know some of the crew that I didn’t already know. And I’ve enjoyed not being the only “newbie” on the trip. But it’s been a good experience thus far, and I anticipate more good things happening. There was one baptism today, a girl who has been coming here for the past three years. She’s been thinking about it, and today decided that she’d give her life to God. Like I said, there are good things happening here.

Everyone is good. I’m particularly proud of Annie, Javier and Daniel, who represent our youth group. I’m also proud of Paul, Jonathan, Robyn and Jessica, who were at one point in my youth group as well. These kids . . . they’re the goods, I tell you. And Christi, if you’re reading this, I miss you and wish you were here. But there will be more opportunities. I just hope you’re getting better.

So I guess I’m going to sign off for now. To Stacy and Lily and Chaney, I miss you guys and will be home before you can blink. I think about you nightly. And if you don’t know what song that is from, just ask Chaney. I guarantee she knows. To all my family, my dad and sister and nephew, I’m doing great. To all my co-workers (my second family), I miss you guys dearly. I know it’s way too quiet around there. Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon, and it will be much more noisy. To all the parents, your babies are doing great. You’d be proud of them, but don’t tell them I told you that. I’m trying to maintain some cred with them. I’ll try to get more on here next time. If you need me, please email me. I can check it once or twice a day.

ericpetty13@me.com