Dear Family and Friends,

I’m writing this on the first of March—the exact half-way point of my YAGM year. Six months ago, I landed in the Budapest airport on a still and swelteringly hot September day and was whisked off, with four other volunteers, to the village in which I’d be spend-ing the next year. Six months from now, I’ll be boarding a plane back home to Canada.

Early on in my YAGM year, somebody made a com-ment to me (or perhaps I fabricated the notion myself) that “things in your placement will start to come together by about

Volunteers leaving the church during our seminar weekend in February

February.” I took them at their word, and for the first six months, looked forward to February as a milestone. Now February has come and gone and I’m finding myself lost in reflection: have things fallen into place?

This year of service is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Four years of university was challenging, but academics was safe, and the world of lectures and paper-writing, albeit stressful, was familiar. When I embarked on this year, the rug of familiarity was pulled out from under my feet and I was dropped in a village in rural Hungary, where I was the only foreigner, and everything—from the variety of trees growing on the roadside to the way milk was packaged--was new and unfamiliar.

I have certainly become more comfortable and confident in my life here. I somehow stumble my way through conversations in Hungarian, and the people around me graciously take the time decipher what I am trying to say and correct me when I make a mistake. (It was affirming when a Hungarian in the train station asked me how many years I had been living in the country—at that time it was only 5 months!) I feel like a part of the community and I deeply love the people here. I am sure I will leave a part of my heart in Sárszentlőrinc.

A street in the village

There are times when I feel very far from home. Watching the Olympics take place in my own country was bittersweet and strange. Still, the same technology that allowed me, in a little village all the way across the Atlantic, watch live as Team Canada won the gold medal on home ice, helps me feel connected to life back home. There are dark moments, moments of frustration, but each is matched by a moment of joy.

It helps that I feel supported from all sides. I definitely feel richly blessed by the people in my life! From the moment I announced that I was going away, I have felt overwhelmed by support. Letters and e-mails of encouragement have brightened up more than one dreary day and I have greeting cards strung up all over my room. My parents often relay greetings from people in my hometown and congregation. I’ve even had my sister and one of my best friends fly all the way to Hungary for a visit. It meant so much to me to be able to introduce them to the village. Here too, people are quick to show they care with warm smiles and the kindest of gestures. To all of you reading this, thank you for your support (just by reading this, you’re a part of my support network, you know!)

Peace, Kristy

P.S. You may have noticed that this letter was a part of my February newsletter. Sorry if you read it twice! I send out a monthly newsletter. If you aren't receiving it and would like to, send me an email! kjbergman@gmail.com