Sunny Sunday in Hungary

Hi, Everyone from the Hotel Angela in Berettyoujfalu, Hungary,

We just got back from visitation with the newest Nemeths (town of Foldes, Hungary). It is getting a little harder for the foster family and for us as the time is closing in on the big exchange. Pray for us on Friday and Saturday. One of those days will be the day we take them to Budapest. The girls are asking when we will go. Lacika is very concerned and hanging on his foster mother. We were asked to stay the entire day today by the foster family. They are very poor but, made us a wonderful display of food. We were so moved, I almost could not eat. I felt like crying inside. It would have been terribly rude and ungrateful to not eat everything!!!! We had pork, kraut, sweet pickles, noodles, and peach juice. Anna (the foster mother) and Imi (the foster father) are so Godly and hospitable. They try so hard to please us. It is very hard for Tom and I to take all this attention. Imi gave us two shots of plum liquer and peach liquer. We tried to say no but, our interpretor (Laszlo) said to take it. OH, WOW it is sooooooooooooooo strong. I thought Toms Nagypapa's wine was strong, but no this stuff is way stronger!!!!! You can smell it across the room. Tom is not used to drinking and Imi was standing over him waiting for a reply. Toms ears went red and his face became flushed. I said "stop drinking or we will have to carry you out!" That would not have been good.

After lunch the family took us to some property they own - one small plot where they keep 60 or so Bee boxes to make honey. We played some soccer there. Then we went to an area with a stream where we fished. We didn't catch any fish but had fun. Alexandra would not give up. We finally had to pull her away from the stream. She is sooo determined. Once she sets her mind to it, that's it.

Zalton is the foster families second son. He is 22 year old and goes to the University of Budapest. He loves the Lord with all his heart. He is studying to be an Engineer. He has been here the entire weekend. He loves American Praise and Worship so Tom and I sang to him a praise song. He says the praise songs get him through. So Linda, long story short I gave him your ipod. I will buy you one when I get home. He is such a nice young man who works and pays his own way through school. He is so poor he sometimes does not have food to eat, but he would never tell his parents. He is also a musician. He plays guitar and harmonica with true worship. Self taught. He hears a song once and can play it. Wow.

The kids are bonding to us alittle each day. They are calling Tom -Tom Ba'csi and me-Kristin Neni which means an older person whom they respect like an Uncle or Aunt. The children have never been anywhere. They have only been to school, church, and home. Oh my goodness. They have no idea what is in store for them. They think the mini-van is so cool and we took them for a ride today in it and they giggled all the way down the road. I have a picture of them. I will send it to you all. I am concerned about the airplane and how they will react to it. That is 6 six weeks away so we have time to pray God's protection on their little minds.

Okay, on to tomorrow. We (Tom, the the older kids, Laszlo, and I) will be going into Debrecen to see the Child Adoption Authority and sign for the adoption to start. We may also see one of Tom's second cousins. We will rent a car, because we can not all fit into one van. Finally, back to Foldes (the village where the children live) to visit with them in the evening. We plan on going to the zoo on Tuesday in Debrecen for a test run with the three youngest, because they have never been that far. Oh boy, pray for us this is about to get a little interesting. ONE MINUTE AT A TIME is our new motto. We have given up on even trying to stay ahead of the curve, because we can not. We miss you all and our prayers and thoughts are with you. Kelly and the girls who sent us cards, wow what a wonderful idea. I have already opened two. Jane thank you for your encouraging words and Catherine you are such a support. Donna Steenbarger I am so thankful for your advice and love through this whole thing especially the dictionary!!!! Jill you are all that! Bible study gals keep praying we can feel it! To all the Hungarian relatives in Hungary and the USA we love you!

God Bless you all, Kristin
PS: I better not forget, mom and dad you are Jesus in skin to us.