Yesterday was a big Catholic holiday in Csilla’s town. It has been going on for centuries. I was told it started in the 1400's after a war ended. It made me very impressed with the Hungarian people. They came from all over- 500,000 people. We passed groups walking on the road - holding up their village signs. Some were 2 days walk away that we passed. Busses galore came from Hungary. All this, to climb a hill, sit on the grass and listen to a church service. Below the hill a street was blocked off for people to sell things - about 2 kilometers worth of trinkets, food, souvenirs, etc. On top of the hill though it was very quiet and serious. We overlooked this huge crowd of people sitting on a hill, it took about an hour to climb. There were no restrooms, no concessions & no chairs. And no entertainment other than a Catholic service proclaimed over loud speakers. I’m impressed with the people, but not the Catholic religion. So many thousands made such a big effort and then they are told to praise and pray to Mary. God sees their searching though.

Fedi spent last week building our bed. He got it done and it is beautiful. We are now off the floor.

Heuni & his Mom, Dad & Sister all came for the weekend. Heuni & his Dad messed around yesterday and today with the settings on the waterpower. They tried to install an electric heater as we have so much water now. We are not sure if it will work though. Heuni’s Mom & I wandered around during a break from cooking, collecting peppermint leaves for tea and itch weed. Itch weed makes a delicious creamed vegetable. It tastes like a mild spinach. Also, Lehel & Attila came to visit. I was shocked at how much weight Lehel had lost in Hungary. They all plan to come to church tomorrow. Thank you Lord for probably the 100th time for the van. It looks like we will have 4 extra people.

Thursday, we played the tourists and drove about 3 hours away to a spectacular valley. Probably it would be better called a gorge. The road had steep cliffs on either side and a rushing river next to it. We drove through it to get to a lake. It had a very large dam. What was note worthy about this huge mountain lake was the garbage floating all along the shore and even in the middle. I told Fedi that the Romanians sure know how to protect themselves from tourists. I also told him I didn’t think we should bring Mom here because she would probably have a nervous breakdown trying to pick up all the garbage.

We found out yesterday that Anniku, (Jozsef & Sandors) family friend did get the visa to go to America. This is an exciting opportunity for her. It’s a visa offered only to college students for the summer that allows them to work & earn some money. I like Anniku a lot. She strikes me as someone who is not at all materialistic and also someone who is very attached to her Mom & Dad. These are the very reasons though, she might not like America.

Oh, Yeah, Attila got his cows moved up to the upper meadow. On the day he moved them. (He has about 120 cows now - 30 are milking) 3 big cows and 2 babies wandered into our yard and stayed around for about 2 hours. As no one showed up to claim them & Attila said they weren’t his, I had the kids herd them back down to the road where they would be more visible.

We have had 2 days of steady rain. It’s hard to mind the rain when it means I can keep running the refrigerator. As long as the creek stays high we have plenty of electricity. Eventually I would like to get a propane refrigerator from an old camper somewhere.

We’ve been seeing quite a few village parades and festivals now that it is spring. Each village has their own take on the national costumes and has their own centuries old festivals & traditions. There is a community spirit to the villages. Usually, we see parades with everyone in their national costumes. There is usually a rinky-dink band playing, horse wagons and horse riders.

We are all excited about Mom, Dad & Justin coming to visit.

Boy am I worn out after a busy weekend. On Friday, we took the kids swimming at a pool in Csilla’s town. Saturday, we did the kids program as Heidi and Edda were gone; then we went to a junk yard for a van seat for our van, after that it was necessary to drive Csilla & Jozsef for an overnight work party, as their car was broken. We got back just in time for Fedi to lead the young-group Bible study, then rushed home arriving right before some company came to spend the night. Sunday, we entertained the family & couple that came. Later Csilla’s family and a neighbor’s family came for a picnic. We got everything wrapped up just in time to rush to church.

Attila (cow) wanted to make it, but had to spend the day fixing up an old shack where the family he hired will be moving. It looks barely livable. He put some boards over the dirt floor, but at this point there is nothing but 4 wooden walls & a leaky roof. No door - not even an outhouse - only a little stream about 50 feet away. Of course, no lights, no beds, stove or table yet. It will be interesting to see how they make it. Today Fedi helped him put up the fence for the cows, since Attila is so overwhelmed. He said he should get the notice any day to move the cows to the upper meadow and he has to be prepared. As of now they have 30 milk cows to care for and more keep coming. I keep trying to think of ways to help this family. We told Attila they can come down to do their wash or take showers if they want.

Sunday was great!! I love the van! We picked up Attila & Erika and Lehel’s Mom & Dad to first go to a baptism of a 92 year old man. He is related to Lehel’s Mom & Dad and also a family in church. His mind is sharp though he can’t walk around any more. He gave a really nice testimony. It was good for the people we brought to see. Lehel’s Dad especially seemed open. His Mom has not had a good relationship with the church relative and maybe not ready to jump into anything. Erika seems really joyful. I think she is open to everything she is hearing. I would call her definitely “a good-soil”.

Two of the people who will be baptized also gave their testimonies. One man who, one year ago was such a bad alcoholic that he lost his family and job, told how God and the church helped him at his lowest point. He has done well ever since & has his family back and a new job in Mickey’s logging business.

We also had a lot get done on the house having the men here to help all week.

I think I entirely forgot to write that Fedi used the donation money to give Easter packages to 140 prisoners. I think it cost about $150.00 because he had things left over from Christmas.