For those of you who don't know what I have been up to ever since I came back from Romania this summer, I will get you updated:
-On October I came back from a one-month seminar/camp for young volunteers held in Timisoara, Romania
-I moved out from Erd. Now I live in Budapest (close to Savoya Park, on the XIth distict) with a family with 4 children.
-I go to the Janos Korhaz with Danci pretty much every two weeks, on Friday.
-Once a week (usually on Tuesdays)I go help out the Magyar-Maltai Szeretetszolgalat kitchen for homeless, right on Moszkva Ter.
-With a friend we go to the Orthopedic Clinic, by Karolina Utca, to visit the children's ward once a week, on Thursday around 6pm.
These are just some of the projects I am personally involved with. I will try to post photos, as soon as I can get a camera.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support!! God bless you!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
A simple life
This story always made me laugh...
An American buisnessman was at the pier of a small Mexican coastal village whena small boat with just one fisherman docked. In the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife Maria. Then I stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor.”
“I am a Harvard MBA,” the American scoffed, “I could help you. You should spend more time fishing. With the proceeds you could buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to middleman you would sell directly to the processor eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City, where you would run your expanding enterprise.”
The fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?”
“Fifteen or twenty years.”
“But what then, señor?”
The American laughed and said “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”
“Millions, señor? Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with you r grandchildren, take siestas with your wife Maria, and stroll to the village in the evening where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”—Author unknown
An American buisnessman was at the pier of a small Mexican coastal village whena small boat with just one fisherman docked. In the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife Maria. Then I stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor.”
“I am a Harvard MBA,” the American scoffed, “I could help you. You should spend more time fishing. With the proceeds you could buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to middleman you would sell directly to the processor eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City, where you would run your expanding enterprise.”
The fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?”
“Fifteen or twenty years.”
“But what then, señor?”
The American laughed and said “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”
“Millions, señor? Then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with you r grandchildren, take siestas with your wife Maria, and stroll to the village in the evening where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”—Author unknown
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Friendship
Yesterday was the birthday of one of my dearest friend. His name is Joe and he is a volunteer in Tanzania, along with his wife and baby son. Because it was his birthday, I thought a lot about him--the way he made me smile, the moments we shared together, all the happiness he brought along. I've been blessed with his friendship.
I read this quote recently: "A friend--the one who comes in when the whole World has gone out" and it got me thinking of the many wonderful friends I have.
Each one, unique in their own way, have brought sunshine into my life, and helped me face the storms that threatened to blow away my courage, my faith, my dreams.
Some friends have been around for a long time, others I've met recently, but all of them are treasured and I am so thankful for them all. For believing in me, for lending an undestanding hand in difficult situations, for holding me when I broke down in tears, for creating magic in my life.
I don't know much about life and how things are supposed to be--all I know is I am here today thanks to the support of many incredible people I am proud to call friends.
And I love each of you! Thanks for your friendship! Happy Birthday Joe Crosby in Africa!!!
Perhaps this is love after all, to bring so much sunshine into the other person’s life that the shadows vanish. There is no room for darkness in a place where the light shines brightly.
I read this quote recently: "A friend--the one who comes in when the whole World has gone out" and it got me thinking of the many wonderful friends I have.
Each one, unique in their own way, have brought sunshine into my life, and helped me face the storms that threatened to blow away my courage, my faith, my dreams.
Some friends have been around for a long time, others I've met recently, but all of them are treasured and I am so thankful for them all. For believing in me, for lending an undestanding hand in difficult situations, for holding me when I broke down in tears, for creating magic in my life.
I don't know much about life and how things are supposed to be--all I know is I am here today thanks to the support of many incredible people I am proud to call friends.
And I love each of you! Thanks for your friendship! Happy Birthday Joe Crosby in Africa!!!
Perhaps this is love after all, to bring so much sunshine into the other person’s life that the shadows vanish. There is no room for darkness in a place where the light shines brightly.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
What Auschwitz taught me
I visited Auschwitz during my stay in Poland—Auschwitz was the largest of Nazi Gerrmany’s concentration and extermination camps during World War II.
Reading about it and actually going to see the place are two very different things. I knew what to expect—I watched movies, seen documentaries, and read countless books on the subject and yet that didn’t prepare me to the horrors of the place.
I visited the chambers, saw thru the windows the suitcases that were taken away from the prisoners and thrown in great piles. I went down to the basement of Block 11—also known as the Prison within the prison, and saw the standing cells, the starvation cells and the dark cells—one of which Father Kolbe gave his life to save another prisoner sentenced to death and died of starvation in August 14, 1941.
I walked the execution yard and ran my fingers through the wall where prisoners were lined up and shot. I went into the gas chambers and the showers.
I cried when I saw photos of the children, and when I heard the stories of the prisoners. Each story became my own, each person as part of my family. It’s difficult for me to understand the extent of human cruelty against its fellow man. Aren’t we all the same in the eyes of the Lord?
As I walked from building to building, and saw the brutality and horrible conditions of the place I couldn’t help thinking of those I love—my friends, my family, those I work with. I thought that I would never let another moment pass me by without letting them know how special they are—how much they are loved.
Auschwitz taught me that every life is important, that every person is unique and must be respected. Auschwitz taught me that in order to make the world a better place, we have to accept one another. Auschwitz taught me that love is all that matters—and we have to show it.
Daniella and I with the kids in Deva during our English Camp in July 2009
Reading about it and actually going to see the place are two very different things. I knew what to expect—I watched movies, seen documentaries, and read countless books on the subject and yet that didn’t prepare me to the horrors of the place.
I visited the chambers, saw thru the windows the suitcases that were taken away from the prisoners and thrown in great piles. I went down to the basement of Block 11—also known as the Prison within the prison, and saw the standing cells, the starvation cells and the dark cells—one of which Father Kolbe gave his life to save another prisoner sentenced to death and died of starvation in August 14, 1941.
I walked the execution yard and ran my fingers through the wall where prisoners were lined up and shot. I went into the gas chambers and the showers.
I cried when I saw photos of the children, and when I heard the stories of the prisoners. Each story became my own, each person as part of my family. It’s difficult for me to understand the extent of human cruelty against its fellow man. Aren’t we all the same in the eyes of the Lord?
As I walked from building to building, and saw the brutality and horrible conditions of the place I couldn’t help thinking of those I love—my friends, my family, those I work with. I thought that I would never let another moment pass me by without letting them know how special they are—how much they are loved.
Auschwitz taught me that every life is important, that every person is unique and must be respected. Auschwitz taught me that in order to make the world a better place, we have to accept one another. Auschwitz taught me that love is all that matters—and we have to show it.
Daniella and I with the kids in Deva during our English Camp in July 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Delta Academy 2009, in Timisoara-Romania
The whole month of September I helped hosting and organizing a youth Camp, called the Delta Academy, for young volunteers from all over Western and Eastern Europe. We had kids from Russia, Poland, Hungary, Spain, UK, Italy, Germany and various other countries participating in a one-month training program on how to relate to people, better their managerial skills, take initiative in their line of work and well as putting them in contact with other people their age who wish to become volunteers for charitable organizations.
It was a unique and rewarding experience for both attendees and staff and I very happy that I got the opportunity to participate in the event.
It was a unique and rewarding experience for both attendees and staff and I very happy that I got the opportunity to participate in the event.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The goldfish lesson
This summer I got to meet my best friend Paula, she lives in Germany and last time we met was more than two years ago, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I told Paula how I want to do more, be more and achieve more than the little I’ve been doing so far. She told me
“Did you ever hear the story of the gold fish?” and then she told me about it, and when I went home I looked it up. Here it is, written by Peter Story:
When I was a kid, I saw plenty of goldfish in the houses of my friends, and I remember wondering why so many people would want to keep such small, unexciting creatures as pets.
Then one day, when I was about ten years old, I went on a school filed trip to a botanical garden that had a pond stocked with fish. One especially large, brilliantly colored fish stood out to me.
“What kind of fish is that one?” I asked our guide
“That’s a goldfish,” she replied.
I was confused “Aren’t goldfish supposed to be small?” I asked
“Not at all,” she replied “Goldfish will grow even larger than these. It really just depends on the size of their environment.”
Isn’t it sad that we keep swimming in a little bowl, and stay small, when expanding our horizons will make us grow accordingly? Paula reminded me that I don’t have to be content with going around in circles when I could swim oceans. Thank you Paula for your encouragement!
“Did you ever hear the story of the gold fish?” and then she told me about it, and when I went home I looked it up. Here it is, written by Peter Story:
When I was a kid, I saw plenty of goldfish in the houses of my friends, and I remember wondering why so many people would want to keep such small, unexciting creatures as pets.
Then one day, when I was about ten years old, I went on a school filed trip to a botanical garden that had a pond stocked with fish. One especially large, brilliantly colored fish stood out to me.
“What kind of fish is that one?” I asked our guide
“That’s a goldfish,” she replied.
I was confused “Aren’t goldfish supposed to be small?” I asked
“Not at all,” she replied “Goldfish will grow even larger than these. It really just depends on the size of their environment.”
Isn’t it sad that we keep swimming in a little bowl, and stay small, when expanding our horizons will make us grow accordingly? Paula reminded me that I don’t have to be content with going around in circles when I could swim oceans. Thank you Paula for your encouragement!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Meet the kids in Deva
Here are some of the children from the Szent Ferenc Institution in Deva, Romania. All the children were wonderful but these are some of the kids we've known for years...
Mona 13 with Kris (one of us)
Szasza 12
Roli 14
Krisztian 15
Danci and Noemi 12
Réka 13
Mona 13 with Kris (one of us)
Szasza 12
Roli 14
Krisztian 15
Danci and Noemi 12
Réka 13
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