Life in Debrecen

As it is approaching midnight and I should be getting some shut-eye. Instead I was drawn to the sounds of singing on the street. Being curious I had to see what was going on! With only my keys in hand, I missed a great Kodak moment! There were two horse drawn carriages filled with soon to be graduating students passing our building! If I understand their tradition, they go to the home of their teacher (s) and serenade.

After several years in Budapest, living in Debrecen grants us the opportunity to see more of the day to day life of the wonderful Hungarian people! These students sound like they are enjoying themselves and having a great party!

The Twins Arrived !

Earlier in April, Ed preached in a town that is about an hour away from Debrecen. We met Sandor & Szabina who are Christians. She was VERY pregnant with twins. Of course we prayed for her and the next day she delivered twins. At birth, Baby Simon and Baby Csilla (Star) each weighed a little over 2 kilos each. We are praying for Sandor & Szabina and their family of 3 children.

Just a FEW of the Happenings in the Courtney's Household - April 20-26 2008

<--Jospeh is a student and a fellow missionary brother!

<--We always enjoy our time with this wonderful couple!

<--Don't they look happy!

<--Aminta - Thanks for the Dr Peppers !

<---It's that time of the year!

(Below) Ben enjoying his own Dr Pepper!

My own photo of a stork on a power pole!
Group Shot - Szeged-ICF

Akey came in 2nd in the 43k Debrecen Marathon! We are proud of him! Below - Ed preaching in Szeged at the International Christian Fellowship.

The Weight of the Matter

This morning I walked to one of my favorite fruit / veggie stands to purchase carrots, apples and a few banana's. I was trying to communicate in Hungarian with the owner and his employee. They both look as if they have lost weight! I was trying to ask, "how many kilo's have you lost?" In turn he told me how much he weighed and then invited me to step on the industrial size scales and weight. I declined with laughter and left the shop with this funny story to share with you! Later in the day in my mind, I was rehershing the conversation when I realzied I had used the wrong word when asking the question!

Oh well............this is a classic example of mis-communication and mis-understanding...........but it makes a great story! Oh go ahead and laugh..........even if it is at my expense!

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! WE ARE TRAINED SEASONED
MISSIONARIES and HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO EXPERIMENT WITH WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE. IT IS SAID THAT NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTION!

Yes, we can purchase avocados here. Yes, they are imported. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, they are usually the size of a large egg and at present very low exchange rate and increasing inflation cost, each small avocado cost about $1.76 .......... So with slimy lime juice that has been contained in our refrigerator for at least two years, a 15 cent package of expired guacamole dip mix from the US, a package of frozen peas from Tesco, salt, a hand-me-down hand blender and a imagination.......we made mock guacamole!

I'm sure with this "creation" Paula Deen and Chef Emeril will be flooding my inbox begging for our cooking secrets! On second thought, we'll save the story of the lentil burgers for another time! By the way, the chips were great!

Signs of Spring 2008

A fellow missionary captured the photo of the stork and stork's nest. She said this is a true sign that spring is on it's way. The beautiful tulips are around the corner from our flat. We enjoy walking by them admiring God's beauty. What would spring be like without the hum of the John Deere lawn tractors and the smell of fresh cut grass?

An Incredible Weekend

The International Church hosted a Prophetic Conference with Pastor Jon Palmer and his team from The Family Church in Gyor Hungary. We thank the Lord for this annointed man of God!

<--A breakfast for champs.

Pastor Ed with Pastor Adeolu at New Covenant Church. ----->

<---- Ed singing "Oh Happy Day" with the choir from the New Covenant Church.