Party in Toalmas

Yesterday, we wrapped up our on-campus work projects. Laundry is done (and we all smell as sweet as a summer meadow). Mailing labels are afixed. And the dorm is cleaned and sparkling. (It had better be. We mopped the floor 4 times!)
 

     
Some of our talented art students (Cindy & Nicole . . . And Ross may have jumped in)  were able to do some painting in the solarium – what an inspiring place to be creative! Mr. Pankratz would have been so proud. (And what an affirmation of STEAM! Right, Mr. Bernhardt?)

   
 While it is clear that a strong comradarie has developed amongst the group, and that everyone is working hard and having fun, it is also clear that energy is starting to wane. So what does one do to boost morale? Throw a party! 

This week is mid-terms week for all the Bible Institute students. The panic and anxiety over these exams is palpable. So we announced that we would host a study-break shindig for all the students (and anyone else on campus wishing to attend). We wanted to give them a break, but also give ourselves the opportunity to hang out with them and get to know them better. Well, we nearly got a standing ovation from the students when we announced the party at breakfast. Such eagerness! 

We loaded up on sodas (caffeinated, of course) and snacks and headed to their student center.

Conveniently (and all part of the master plan) we also used this festive occasion to celebrate Eric Lewis’s birthday. We surprised him with a small gift and a large amount of enthusiasm. He even received a rousing round of “Happy Birthday”, sung by 80+ people from 17 different countries, in several different languages at the same time. It would have been even more amazing if we could have heard any of the other languages above the Brazilians. But no one can deny the Brazilians’ zeal for singing (and celebrating in general). It was heaps of fun to celebrate Mr. Lewis in such a unique setting with such wonderful people. 

We ate food, we drank soda, we talked, we played music, we played games. It was a smashing success! (Our ears are still ringing.) Here’s just a peek at some of the evening’s festivities. (We do have a video, but the blog won’t allow us to post the multi-lingual rendition of “Happy Birthday”. We may try to post later or on Facebook, so stay tuned.)

   
    
   
  
  
Today, after the excitement of the party, we were delighted to be able to sleep in just a little. We walked in to town and overwhelmed the teeny grocery store in Toalmas (that was not built to accommodate 14 sleepy Americans at once) for some breakfast items. We are now preparing for the rest of the day.  We will be:

• Heading in to Budapest to watch the WOL street evangelism ministry in action
• Eating dinner at what is apparently the nicest MacDonald’s in all of Europe (as the local folklore goes)
• Participating in a kids’ soccer ministry
• Helping to kick off the WOL training weekend with all their summer volunteers arriving for a weekend of training.

There is never a dull moment on the campus of WOL Hungary, and it is such an honor to be a small part of it.