Boldog New Year

The word “happy” is boldog, pronounced “bull dog.” I always think of Looney Toons’ Spike and Chester! Happy Birthday is “Boldog Születésnapot,” “Boldog Karácsonyt” is Merry Christmas, and “Boldog Új Evét” is Happy New Year. We’ve celebrated all of these in the past two weeks, and we would like to share our stories of Hungarian traditions and new friends.

We had a very special time celebrating Maggie’s 5^th birthday on the 29^th. We went to the mall and McDonald’s in the city for lunch, enjoying this familiar fun from home as a special treat. Then our dear friends Gabi and Rita made reservations at one of their favorite restaurants, helped us order and arranged for an awesome chocolate cake, complete with the Hungarian birthday candle.

Before Christmas, Gabi and Rita came and made gingerbread cookies and crafts with the girls, and last week she made us the Hungarian specialty, palacsinta—like French crêpes. This special couple also introduced Larry to the archery community and a traditional Hungarian long bow craftsman. Before we met, Larry and the boys shot compound bows competitively, and now Larry is learning a new skill in a favorite hobby. We celebrate God’s gift of fun and play and friendship.

Our neighbor, Papa Laci as they call him, is a nice fellow who sent over a plate of fruit cake and the favorite Hungarian pastry beilgi, a poppy seed or walnut paste roll. He doesn’t speak English, but he communicated very well!

Our dear Baptist friend, Andi also is trying to fatten us up—when we first arrived, she brought delicious apple pie, and later a whole plate of beilgi. She invited us to a Christmas dinner at her haz, fruit soup and cabbage rolls. Her older children served as interpreters as we shared faith and prayer requests. How special to have two handsome teenage sons translate our prayers for their mother! Her daughter Sára has watched the girls when Larry and I need a day out, and they love her. Please pray for this faithful family.

We know that when God sends us to make disciples, He invites us into relationship with others. His loving handiwork is evident in the new friendships He has blessed us with, and we pray that we are a light drawing all our new friends to the Savior.

The headmistress at our school, Erzsebét invited Larry to join those who cooked the Christmas dinner for the school staff—for hours they stirred and seasoned delicious cabbage and pork outside in two cauldrons! Erzsebét invited us to the Christmas Eve service at her church; we didn’t understand everything, but the nativity play enacted by students we’re getting to know, and a message about shepherds (pásztorok) and family (család) reached into our hearts. The community has made us feel so welcome here, including us in their celebrations and inviting us to participate.

No one warned us about the fireworks, however. We aren’t late nighters, and on New Year’s Eve, we watched a movie, ate popcorn and turned in at our usual time. From our upstairs bathroom, the girls and I watched a few fireworks go off in the city center, and I thought, “That’s neat.” Well, the booms continued until about 2:30 a.m. Just when I’d drift off, BAM!!! All around the neighborhood, loud bangs rang in the New Year. You could say they have a blast here in Hungary!

When Larry went to the markets Tuesday and Wednesday, the shops were packed! We checked to see if snow was in the forecast. Most notably, Larry couldn’t find any chicken… Our friend Viki explained: Hungarians eat chicken on New Year’s Eve to scratch away the bad luck, and pork on New Year’s Day to root in the good luck! So last night, Larry made his delicious chicken ‘n dumplins with peas, and today the house is filled with the sweet smell of roasting pork. Following our own family tradition, we are having beans for lunch and sour kraut with our evening pork.

Blessings to you from us for a “Boldog” 2015!