Meeting with Brett Bartlett

Last Sunday after church our team met with Brett Bartlett to learn a bit more about our trip and ask some questions. Brett serves as the president for HAF - and he's a really cool guy, we soon found out! Last year was the first year HAF hosted these camps. So, they learned a lot and are building upon those experiences, with just a few changes this year. Last year, the worship services weren't mandatory. This year they are, but we can't have a mass invitation. We can talk to kids individually if they choose to talk to us with a translator. Brett highly suggested breaking the ice with the Hungarian workers when we get there. The kids will warm up quickly, but the workers may have reservations about us. The Hungarian government and HAF have formed a very special, yet fragile relationship. If we do anything against their (gov.) will we could jeapordize everything. If there is a problem, we cannont discipline the kids in any way....we can't even say, "hey, don't do that," in passing. Someone at the meeting said that's going to be hard to adjust - just think of how many times we tell our kids, no, don't do that! in a day. We can't give the kids personal gifts - only to the orphanages as a whole. (The kids could actually get beat up if they take something back to the orphanage - heartbreaking, but true.) Brett told us that generally, the kids are warm hearted, helpful, and respectful. Watch out for the Gypsy/Roma pick pocketers, however. Sadly, many kids are forced to steal just to survive. The kids get $1.50 a day for food and everything else. Brett said the kids will be so happy just to eat the 3 meals a day that we'll get during camp. Based on last year's interactions, Brett said the kids may like crafts, makeup, temporary tattoos, 80's music / discos, glowsticks, soccer, ping-pong, the Rubix cube, even gambling, smoking, and drinking (drinking is not allowed this year). Brett said this isn't your typical church camp, but we will have opportunities to share with the kids. There will be some activities planned already, but our team can plan some crafts and games too. We will have to be flexible it sounds, but our team is there to help, most of all.

There may be 5 other people coming from another church in Ohio. A praise band from Boston College will join us too. One of the last notes I wrote down... the kids HATE being called "Orphans." .....Most of us grew up with a parent or two - we had a place to call home - we ate several meals a day - we had our own toys and clothes - someone was allowed to tell us about God. Humbling.... we pray we can be a light for them this week.

New HAF Video!

The Hungarian American Fellowship posted a new video on their website. It just makes us more anxious and exited to go! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lCOe5Es7Fk&feature=player_embedded or http://hafellowship.com/

Playing Catch up!

I just looked at our blog and the last one was written almost a month ago - yikes! Yes, we've been a bit busy though. I have been really busy doing crafts on my "CNC machine for girls," as Matt calls it. Matt and I have sold several cards to friends, family, and coworkers. I had a couple Valentine card making parties. Matt's mom has made several quilts that she has sold too, to aid our fundraising effort. My dad's office also sent out 20 Valentine gift bags to their to top 20 referrals. The gift bags included magnetic heart-shaped puzzles which said "We Love Your Referrals" with the company's logo underneath. I put that in pillow boxes and tied them with a ribbon. Cute! The gift tag was the shape of a tooth (fitting for an orthodontists office) with the logo on the front and room inside for a breif message. It was a big project, but I had fun doing it and I hope everyone enjoyed their gift!

We had Spa Day at MOPS last Friday. Their where about 10 women who displayed their small business products. Along with the handmade quilts, I showed various product examples that I can recreate using my fun new toy. I wrote down a handful of potential leads and I'll have to get back to them as soon as I can. It's always neat to see what people are drawn too, so I know what to focus on. I had cards, paper artwork on canvas, temporary tattoos, magnets, beaded bookmarks. Now, I just need time to brainstorm and create some great new products, and set up a website, or blog. Lots to do in so little time, but all things are possible with God, eh? :)

We are finally about to send out our letter telling friends and family about our mission trip. My family is spread out all over the country, and we have several friends out of state too. So, it'll be nice to update everyone on our new adventure. If people are able to help out financially, great! But most of all, we (and our entire team) could use prayers throughout this entire process!

Next week, our team will meet with one of the leaders of the Hungarian American Fellowship after church. We are supposed to ask him questions about the trip. Last year, I directed VBS here at the church. (talking to myself here) Now, try to do that without seeing what I have to work with. hmmm... Well, I'll have lots of questions ready for him! I'm sure we'll be fine. There's a large group going, so we should have all our bases covered.

Resurrection Sunday Dance

I was looking for videos online to learn more about Hungary and I found this. It's not soley about Hungary, but it takes place there and it's really cool. It's a dance they organized last year, and more countries are planning to do it this Easter too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5dSIL358NM

Valentine Card Making Parties Scheduled!

I got a very special Christmas present, which can make SO many types of really neat crafts. Well, it's come in handy lately because I have been able to make several Valentine cards, which I'm actually trying to sell (for $4 each) and different events as a fundraiser for our trip! I am going to host 2 Valentine Card Making Parties - one in SE Indy Jan. 26 and one in Shelbyville Feb. 2. We will make 4 cards for $15, and I'm sure I'll throw in an extra treat!

I've come up with really cute personalized baby cards and event Super Bowl Invitations too! I'm in the process of finding the best way to put these online and sell them, online and/or in person. I'll get there soon!

Got My Passport!

My new passport arrived in the mail today! It came much sooner than I was expecting, but I'm glad it's here! Just a little tidbit...this passport looks really different from my last one, but in a good way. It has a lot of different pictures depicting true (maybe even olden) American culture and various quotes from people in years past - it's really neat actually!

New Year's Eve! and 'A Taylor Craft'

We had several people over for New Year's Eve, and I didn't have to plan a THING since my husband did all the work! That felt really nice, and stress free. The problem was, so many people that came are going on the Hungarian mission trip too and I just wanted to have a big pow-wow meeting and discuss things about the trip (since we haven't officially done that yet, but we will next week...I think). But I managed to contain myself and play some games, eat too much food, and stay up WAY too late! We all had a lot of fun though.

Oh! Just remembered...I've started "A Taylor Craft" too! I've dabbled in various crafts over the years. So, I thought this is a great time and we have a great purpose to get the ball rolling! 100% of the profits made from the jewelry and various paper crafts will go towards our mission trip. The biggest motivation is to raise money for the Hungarian orphans so they can come to camp! I've started A Taylor Craft Facebook page, and I may start another free webpage, but it's still in the works. So, keep a look out! It's coming soon!