You're Going To Do What???

I have been trying to teach the game of baseball to 18 Hungarian children aged 9 - 12 this past week. Most have never played the game and none know much about it. They just don't play it here much. And, I know why baseball isn't as big in Europe as in the United States. (By the way, I am a bit thick and it takes me a while to catch on sometimes.) The Major League Baseball games don't start normally until after midnight here - and when the game is on the West Coast . . . well they might catch the last inning when they get up in the morning. This realization came about this week when my room mate, an avid Phillies fan, set his alarm and woke up at 4AM to watch his team play - thanks to MLB Online and my computer. Luckily, I like to sleep with the TV on so it didn't keep me awake. He was happy, the Phightin Phil's broke their 6 game losing streak and won the game! Unfortunately for him, they lost again the next day.

Latest Babycakes Media Production

Here is a short film we made during our free time at Hungary the past two weeks.

Camp Bonfire

Here's a quick pic of the bonfire from last night. It has been a good
trip. I am starting to think about being home.

My iphone Just Got Pimped!?!

Thanks to one of my new Hungarian iphone loving friends, I now can zoom in to take a picture and shoot video! Truthfully, I am not sure what all we did today, I just know I really love the new Apps I can download for my phone. If you have any questions, get them to me before I leave on Saturday.

Incredible Response

I put up a video last night (afternoon for you in the U.S.) on the www.hungary08.com blog about the response to the Gospel at the Word of Life Camp here in Hungary. It was incredible! These kids come from all kinds of families - from wealthy to poor; one, two or no parent homes - but they come with a need for Christ. It was amazing to see the amount of kids who stood up and wanted to know Jesus Christ. That's why we are here. Check it out here.

American Football in Budapest

I had an awesome opportunity to go see an American Football game in Budapest on Saturday night. It was crazy getting there. We took the bus and missed our stop and had to walk back over 4 miles to catch the train. This made us about 35 minutes late for the game. It (the game) was pretty slow but cool to know that there is actually an American football team here. The crowd was obviously small but very into the game. Everything was translated into English and even the referees had mics and spoke English! The passing game was pretty much non-existant and tackling needed some work. But, it really seemed like the guys playing really enjoyed being there and so did I.

Coaster Ride Excitement at Vidam Park

While at Vidam Park yesterday some of the group rode their "Looping Star" Roller Coaster ride. I thought it would be cool to get some video of the ride from someone who is on the ride. So nine people got on to ride again (there were NO lines at all). Here was the result. . .

Going Racing At Vidom Park

The guys get ready to race while at Vidom Park in Budapest. The park
is kind of "old school" but fun anyway. Look for video about the
Shooting Star "accident". Good stuf.

Differences Between Here and There

Things are different around the world. We all know that. I think the differences are very interesting. Other than the obvious, like language, currency, electricity, etc. here are a few differences here in Hungary.

There is no diet soda in Hungary . . . it is all called "light". i.e. Pepsi Light, Coke light, etc.

Calories are called "Energy" - I like that much better. We all need energy, so we should eat a bunch of them. In the United States we are not supposed to eat a lot of calories.

Oscar found out that McDonalds won't make a special order for him and you have to pay for the extra ketchup.

Lunch is the BIG meal of the day. Breakfast and Supper are mostly made up of bread, processed meat and cheese with cereal. The bacon is not cooked - and they eat it that way.

Toilet paper is brown?

Coffee is more like expresso.

If you take a girl on a date three times you are basically engaged to be married.

Gas is over $8.00 a gallon.

No one uses ice.

I'll let you know as I find other differences. Check out www.hungary08.com for more information about our trip.

400th Blog Post!

This is my 400th post since I begain a little over a year ago! Actually, I have nothing exciting to post about as I am waiting until my 500th post to talk about my favorites. I am glad that you have followed my posts and I hope you will continue to check it out. I really want it to be entertaining and right now I think this post is getting boring so I will stop.

Oscar And Seth Eat Octopi

Oscar and Seth are seen here trying baby octopus at lunch on Sunday. I
don't think it will happen again.

Church In Budapest

We were able to go to church this morning in Budapest. Here, the choir
sings. Check out www.hungary08.com for other updates.

We Made It!

"Looks Like We Made It" - some lyrics to an old Barry Manilow song is very applicable for our trip to Hungary. After going ot the wrong airport, getting stuck in traffic in the middle of New York City and having one of team tell me (and they weren't kidding) they didn't have their passport, we finally got on the plane. We found the passport and checked in. Then there was an 80 minute delay getting to the runway. Now, 20 hours after we left, we are here! I can't wait for a nap.

Opooops! Wrong Airport

There was a mixup and our driver took us to the wrong airport. It's
okay as we have lots of extra time. We now get a tour of NYC.

Sent from my iPhone

It Begins

The last thing to be packed is the laptop. So I had to get one more blog in. The next blog (from this computer - I might blog from my iphone - will be from Hungary). I can't believe Friday, June 13 is here already! Our trip to Elet Szava in Hungary begins this morning. We have raised money, prayed, (I lost 41 pounds), packed our bags and now look toward the next two weeks. I am really looking forward to it but at the same time, I would feel more compfortable staying home. God has given the 12 of us this opportunity to serve Him. We will get to see and experience so many things that many people won't ever see and experience. I pray that God will change us and those that we come in contact with to honor Himself.

Don't forget to check out the Hungary '08 blog to see what the entire team is doing.

www.hungary08.com

I am finishing packing for our two week mission trip to Hungary! I am really excited and little nervous. Not nervous about the trip but about how calm I have been all week. I just hope I don't forget anything. I am just so relaxed it is scary. Anyway, check out this blog each day and the the Hungary 08 ministry team blog for a bunch of updates. Thanks for your prayers as well.

Jazz Up The Parade

The EJ Jazz Band had a great idea for the Freemont Fireman's parade.
Although marcing season doesn't begin until next month, the jazz band
was able to participate anyway.

Teach English in Hungary

Sounds like they are looking for people to teach English for a week or two in Hungary in the first two weeks of July. Anyone interested? See the Hungary08.com blog.

Funniest Twitters, Skype, American/Hungarian Football and More

Matt Magill and Doug Fields are the funniest Twitterers . . . It is really hot! I don't like when it gets so hot because I always figure, you can always add a layer if you are cold, but you can only take so much off . . . Aaron and I got the skype up and going. Pray that there is WIFI somewhere in Budapest on Sunday around 10 - 11 AM EST on Sunday so we can skype in to the worship service. . . You can audio/video on AIM as well . . . Follow my blog, the Hungary Team blog and my Twitters while I am at Hungary (June 13 - 28). . . There is American Football in Hungary and their season is now . . . I have been surrounded by a bunch of great volunteer youth staff! . . I am looking forward to adding another volunteer to work right beside me! . . Vacations are great and almost always too short . . .

www.hungary08.com

Our mission trip to Hungary is only 7 days away. The Hungary 08 blog has been updated a number of times over the past two days. Check out our progress, etc. at www.hungary08.com

We are looking for baseball gloves if anyone has any to donate.

Duck Donuts . . . Incredible

We have had fresh donuts every morning from "Duck Donuts". They are incredible! They make them while you wait! I think they are much better than the Hot & Now Krispy Kreme donuts, but that's just me. Here they are dipping our donuts. Check them out on the web at http://www.duckdonuts.com/

Fireproof, the Movie

Check out this new movie from the makers of "Facing the Giants". It comes out September 26.

Waking up at the OBX

I am on vacation, and I still wake up at 6:15 AM! As I write this I yawning. I want to sleep but can't for some reason. It's quiet and dark in my room. Why can't I just sleep?

I am not extremely impressed with the outer banks "OBX" so far. Vacation homes are everywhere. Our house is really nice, as, I am sure, most are. The pool and hot tub were nice and the beach is only a few minutes walk. We are going to the beach today for a while. I might not be there all day like some. The pool is much more inviting. I guess I just had a different idea about what the area would be like. A bit too "touristy" for me. Then again, what should I expect? I guess I will reserve judgement until I have been here for a couple of days.

Cell Phones and 1-800-HOLIDAY

Where would we be if it weren't for cell phones? Last night I would have been driving for hours and hours. Thankfully for my cell phone and 1-800-HOLIDAY I was able to get some sleep in Leesburg, VA. I started my vacation last night. I am heading to Duck, NC to spend four days with my family and like normal, I just started out and didn't know where I was going. Well, that's not totally true. I did look once last week to see the route, but, me, the procrastinator didn't print out the directions. Thanks to the cell I didn't have to. When I got close to where I wanted to stop, I called for a reservation, and within 15 minutes we were at a hotel checking in! This morning I got the directions from here to Duck and sent them to my email and, you guessed it, my cell phone. I love technology . . . now I need a GPS.