Szeged a szívemben - July 28, 2020

 

The sticker says "Szeged is ours" <3

Guess what?! New missionaries are coming!!! The past two groups who were originally re-assigned arrive in a few days! Literally nothing short of a miracle. In fact, we are receiving more sisters and elders than are going home, which means that even though our mission keeps shrinking, missionaries can stay in each city. Wonder of wonder, miracles of miracles. The Lord's work will go on in Hungary.

And... 3 months later we finally got the first bloom :) 

The assistants called this morning to share the transfer news. Tyler nővér is transferring to Érd (just south of Budapest) to serve with my old companion Arps nővér and a German sister Keil nővér. I'll be transferred to serve in Keckemét (a tiny country town half-way between Szeged and Budapest). It will be good! 

Szeged has been an incredible place to serve. I have learned from Tyler nővér what real missionary work is--a "no respecter of persons" true kind of love rooted in an even deeper love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thought I came to Szeged to serve these people but I'm leaving with more that I ever could have given them. I have never known such humble, hard-working, resilient, down-to-earth people. Éva, Magdi, Antal, Ibolya, Piroska, Bonnie... szeretlek titeket. 

On Sunday, Tyler nővér and I had our own little church meeting with each other because I had been sick. We sang our favorite hymns, prayed together, read the Sacramental prayers, and even each prepared a talk :) Her's was about following promptings of the Holy Ghost, and mine was about free agency, which I've been studying and pondering a lot recently. With our big windows open, we could hear a church choir singing in a nearby church. But BEST NEWS. Dezső (who randomly called and wanted to meet with us, who we didn't hear from for weeks, but who just started meeting with us again!) WENT TO CHURCH without us even being there. We've never even met him in person, and probably never will since we're both leaving, but are just so impressed that he was willing to go by himself. 

Transfers came so unexpectedly that now I treasure all the 'lasts' from this week. Our last lesson with Bonnie and the Knowltons where we taught her the children's song "Scripture Power" and ever held up our scriptures just like in Primary. Our last Sacrament meeting with the ward members, my last conversation with Magdi as her leather-worn and sun beaten hand held mine. Our evening walk's home down Syilágyi ut. after each good day of work. 

An impromptu church tour with a friend of Eugene and Bonnie who they were 'taking around the town'. Glad that also meant the branch house:)

It's hard to say goodbye, knowing that new missionaries will need to form fresh relationships with these people that we love. My heart aches for them but I know the Lord is aware of them and their needs. But I know they are in the Lord's hands. Which means they will be ever so blessed in their own humble ways.

"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen." 

Alma 26:37

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér