Kari and Jonathan are here!

Sorry folks. We've had a hard time keeping in touch while we were in Poland because there was only one hallway that had a hotspot, and there was only one working wall outlet for our computer battery! Not to mention that our time was much more limited this year than last because we were no longer volunteers who could skip some of the sessions!


Glenn gets a time at the only working wall plug!

The week flew by! We had counseling sessions 5 times a day, during the breaks in the morning and afternoon, and at meal times. Occasionally there were optional meetings in the evenings, but we usually opted out of these because of needing a break!! We did manage to walk into town and eat at the local pizza place and do a little window shopping on our last day there!

The highlight of our week was the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We raised $38,000! The other half of the missionaries in central and eastern Europe will have their auction in June in Greece. I anticipate a little healthy competition as they will try to raise more than this group did!



Friday morning we left the Hotel Gotebiewski and traveled by bus back to Warsaw (4 hours) in order to catch a 1:15 pm flight back to Budapest. Unfortunately, there was a baggage handlers strike going on in Budapest, so our flight was delayed two hours. Now, this wouldn't be so bad in Atlanta because the airport is big enough to walk around, but the Warsaw airport is about the size of our church in Marietta!


Glenn entertains on the strumstick while waiting for our flight.


Don't you just love pink?

When we were picked up at the airport at 5 pm in Budapest by Darrin, he told us that the two earlier flights from Milan, Italy had been CANCELLED due to the baggage strike in Budapest. This was bad news to us because Kari and Jonathan were due to arrive that night via Milan. But God is good! Kari and Jonathan made it that evening without a hitch. The only thing we can figure is that they were leaving late in the evening and that there weren't a lot of other flights coming into Budapest at that time, that the folks taking care of the bags could handle their flight. Whatever the reason, we were sooooo glad to see them!



After a good nights' rest, we were up and out on the town! We bought a weeks transportation pass and spent the day sightseeing.



We started the day with 2 hours bus tour of the city to be able to see the highlights of famous spots and to get a good overview of the city. Did you know that Budapest was originally two cities, Buda and Pest, with the Danube River flowing between them?


Do you see the pug, Dad?

There are 7 bridges that connect the two sides of the city.


Warning: bicycles and/or old men with children crossing here.


Our TGI Fridays restaurant downtown


They were very excited about Burger King since there aren't any in Lyon!


The very first metro in Europe, right here in Budapest


The Parliament building


The Danube River, which runs through Budapest




Taking a break from sightseeing (he's such a good sport to let me post this picture!)






Enjoying a special treat: Dr Peppers!


"Can you see anything, Glenn?"




Standing in Buda, looking over Pest


View from the Citadel


Saint Stephen's Basilica


Crossing one of the seven city bridges


Tram crossing in front of the Parliament building on the other bank of the Danube River


"Szia! May I speak with Chris or Kate?"


Tram line, one of the seven city bridges, and Saint Stephen's Basilica


The indoor market


Goulash and "Hungarian sample platter" on Vaci Street


Isn't Kari beautiful? And the flowers too.


Budapest was originally two cities: Buda and Pest


Jonathan makes a Hungarian friend


Cile getting friendly with the locals


Kari telling him her side of the story


1000 Hungarian forints...actually only about $5

It is now Monday and we are headed back into town to go to Margaret Island. We will post more pictures of Kari and Jonathan's visit since Kari is so fast at this blog thing, so check us out again in the next day or two! We hope you had a wonderful Easter and are rejoicing that Jesus is risen!