We went to a Hungarian funeral for the mother of Évá.
This week was so good. I'm almost afraid to try and write about it because I know that no email can do it justice. There were a lot of special moments with ward members and friends in lessons. I love Hungarians. I love Hungary.
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| A cross stitch a member did of the temple they attend on Germany. |
We met with Ibolya (Violet) for the first time in person last Monday evening. When we asked if we could start by saying a prayer she said, "Yes, I would love to but I've just never really learned how to pray before." Some lessons are easier than others and as soon as she said this I could tell that she was sincere and it turned out to be a beautiful lesson. Some people just really are sincerely searching for God and light in their lives. It always amazes me. During our Sunday live, I focused my spiritual thought on faith and Alma 32:28-30 hoping that she would watch, and she did! She's traveling by this week but said that she'll take her copy of the Book of Mormon and we sent her some scripture passages about Jesus Christ to read. Oh I just hope that she continues praying and feels the spirit as she reads.
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| The original sister missionaries who served in Szeged! |
There was also a not so great lesson where we got a little carried away trying to explain about priesthood power. Afterwards we just felt kind of bad... There's a real difference between teaching with the Spirit and not teaching with the Spirit. I'll take the former! I think we learned an important lesson that day.
At game night I had a great conversation with Adeeb. He's a Christian from Pakistan studying Religious Studies in university. We talked about the Bible and why there are so many churches. It was a perfect segway into the Restoration and Bonnie (the recent Chinese convert) shared a perfect testimony about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.
There was a Relief Society activity on Saturday with breakfast, canning, homemade flowers, and folk dancing. It was so good to talk to the members and learn more about this culture. I had a special conversation with a member, Éva. Her son found the church in America and wrote in a letter to Eva about it. It was the same year that missionaries first came to Szeged so she met with them here and him with them there. They were baptized the same day, him in Washington state and her in Szeged. Most members are 1st generation members and have incredible stories. Also at the activity were Erika and Betti, the 1st two sister missionaries who served in Szeged 27 years ago. So much has changed since then! Each of these people are like Hungarian pioneers.
Ibolya. Éva. Antal. Magdi. Farkas Éva. I love these people. As I learn more about them and from them, I am so humbled. Éva shared about her family that was recently sealed, Magdi shared her wise wisdom of hard work--using our hands to give all we can. I just kept thinking this week, "What can I really offer to these people?" This mission is not about me. But I'll give my time and service and I hope I can serve them and be the Lord's hands. I don't feel like I can offer these people anything from myself. I can give my time and hands and love, and help them recognize the true Giver--Jesus Christ.
I'm grateful to serve in Szeged!
Love,
Emma Rae
Francis nővér
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