For those of you who never heard of this (like ME!), there is a flame in Jerusalem that has been burning since Christ was born. Every year around Christmas people from all over the world travel to Jerusalem to bring the flame back to their countries. Aiden's den leader traveled to Vienna where the flame was taken and light her candles and brought the flame to Heidelberg. We had a Ceremony where the flame was shared with everyone.
Before sharing the flame we had a short program. Here are the 3 adorable angels!
I'm lighting Aiden's candle with the flame.
I had to miss their school programs this year. Luckily Jeremy recorded it and took pictures for me.
Why are only 2 kids singing here?
The trip to deliver the boxes to the orphanage was officially underway. Everyone was so excited to get there and see the faces of all the kids when they saw their presents! We collected shoeboxes for 120 kids plus extras! We loaded all the shoeboxes in our mini-van and Shauna's mini-van and the 2 families caravaned all the way across Hungary!!
After driving for about 11 hours on day 1 we arrived at a small town in Hungary, Gyor, where we stayed our first night. On our search to find a restaurant that was 1. open 2. served food that the kids would eat 3. could seat 9 people we ended up finding a Christmas market!!
Then, we found the best Italian restaurant that everyone loved!
We got up early the next morning and made it to Berettyóújfalu where we met with our local contacts. The GPS took us right through the heart of Budpest. It was so fun to see all the places we went to before. Shauna's family hadn't been there before so they got a quick tour of the city.
Before sharing the flame we had a short program. Here are the 3 adorable angels!
I'm lighting Aiden's candle with the flame.School Christmas Program
I had to miss their school programs this year. Luckily Jeremy recorded it and took pictures for me.
Why are only 2 kids singing here?The journey begins...
The trip to deliver the boxes to the orphanage was officially underway. Everyone was so excited to get there and see the faces of all the kids when they saw their presents! We collected shoeboxes for 120 kids plus extras! We loaded all the shoeboxes in our mini-van and Shauna's mini-van and the 2 families caravaned all the way across Hungary!!Gyor, Hungary
After driving for about 11 hours on day 1 we arrived at a small town in Hungary, Gyor, where we stayed our first night. On our search to find a restaurant that was 1. open 2. served food that the kids would eat 3. could seat 9 people we ended up finding a Christmas market!!
Then, we found the best Italian restaurant that everyone loved!
We got up early the next morning and made it to Berettyóújfalu where we met with our local contacts. The GPS took us right through the heart of Budpest. It was so fun to see all the places we went to before. Shauna's family hadn't been there before so they got a quick tour of the city.Berettyóújfalu, Hungary
Our local contacts have lived here for 8 years. We went to their house to lay out the plan for the day. They also gathered up a few translators and volunteers and then our 2 families and that was it.
Reorganizing all the boxes into the vans
Ready to go!Now, I am posting a lot of pictures of the orphanage. I want to remember all their faces but also out of the 120 boxes we collected, close to 70 came from my own family and friends. I want all of you who helped with this to see the impact you had. I literally got goosebumps when I saw one of the kids pull something out of a box that I recognized. Something that one of my dear friends gave to them. It was really hard to not let them see me crying!
Before they opened up their presents though we had all sang Silent Night in Hungarian and then we shared with them the peace light and explained the background of this. Then one of the Hungarian volunteers would call out the name on each of the boxes. As the child would walk forward to get their box she would hand the box to Connor, Aiden, or Whitney for them to hand the box to the other child. It was such a sweet way to transfer the gift and the kids gave them a sweet look or smile and said thank you as they collected their box.
When all the kids had boxes we realized one kid without a box. We made extras just in case that happened! However, there was a new child that had arrived the late night before that no one knew about. Luckily there was an extra soccer ball in one of the cars that we could give him. This was his first day in the orphange.
Then we counted to 3 and everyone ripped into their boxes all at once. The look on their faces was priceless! It was so much fun to watch their faces as they looked at each item in their boxes. Connor described it pretty good when he said "I never felt that happy before". It was a great moment! Jeremy loved walking around and showing all the kids what some of the things in their boxes was, like the etch-a-sketch for example. He saw a group of kids trying to figure out what their glow sticks were. They were using them like swords. Jeremy went over to explain what it was but they didn't understand. So he made it light up and the kids freaked out! They acted like Jeremy had just invented fire or something. It was so fun!
As everyone checked out each other's boxes and played with some of their things many of them were more interested in Whitney. She got so much attention! Especially from one little boy. He was taking care of her and always had one arm around her and made sure no one bumped into her. He asked one of the translators if he could show Whitney his bedroom. The kids and I all went with him to his room. His 2 sisters came with us too. The sisters were 10 and 11. The boy had to ask his caretaker how old he was - she said he was 8. His room had 3 beds back to back with a thin blanket on each bed and no pillow. There was a small closet but one of the kids opened it and there wasn't a single thing in it! There were a few drawings on the wall and then a shelf above each of the beds with a few nick nacks on it. On his shelf were a few stuffed animals. He gave one to Whitney and wanted her to keep it. That was so touching! We stayed in his room for about 20 minutes. Whitney had all the kids laughing so hard. They were hugging, kissing, tickling, laughing and never understood a single word each other said. Kids truly speak the true love of Christ. It was amazing! When we left we got the 3 kids names and address and promised to stay in touch forever.
Saying our final goodbyesKocise, Slovakia
After we were done at orphanage we drove about 4 hours to Kocise, Slovakia.
We loved the house Jeremy found for us there!
Whitney loves to go right in and claim her bed first thing!
After getting settled we went out to explore and go to the Christmas Market. Luckily downtown was a very short walk from where we were staying.
Christmas market fare for dinner. Langos for Mama!
Some kind of meat for Jeremy and Connor (which Jeremy said was THE best Christmas Market meal he's ever had)
Doner burritos for Aiden and Whitney. Something for everyone!
The breakfast the next morning was interesting. A bunch a rolls/breadsticks, tons of deli meats, and full sized Mars bars for each of the kids. So funny!
The next morning we drove through Slovakia to our next destination: Krakow, Poland. The kids were SO EXCITED to see our first snowflakes as we were driving through the mountains. There were signs for chains and it started snowing really hard. We started to get a little worried.
As we approached a small town we saw a car that had flipped over.
All the cars started going on a bunch of muddy, narrow, side "roads" so we followed. Luckily, everything turned out ok!Krakow, Poland
We made it! Again, our apartment there was really nice and funky! We had a huge red beam that went right through the living/dining room area. The kids thought that was awesome!
Once again, Whitney stakes out her territory. She immediately puts her boots away nice and neat...
... and crawls into bed! lol!
After getting settled we went outside to the Christmas market which was literally outside our back window! Great location.
Not a lot of variety for food at this market... meat, meat, and more meat!
Santa was really drunk! He grabbed the kids and insisted on a picture and then opened his bad and kept saying "Money! Money!" After that we saw lots of drunk santas. The kids knew to stay away.
Dinner's served.
There was a long line to get these. 2 of them was 7 Zlotty (which I thought was a lot but turned out to only be $2.00). I had to get a couple to try. We all took a bite and hated it! It was a very strong tasting cheese that was grilled and then you dip it in the jelly. They looked better than they tasted.
I wanted ALL of this! I just love the Polish Pottery!
Connor had to get a real Silver-tail fox tail. Yuck!
Hot nuts! Everyone loves these.
Aiden watched this guy make a sword and initial it. This was his souvenir.
Whitney liked watching this lady making candles. What a long process!
I loved these signs. They were in Slovakia and Poland. There must be a lot of people that are using horses and wagons here.
After the Christmas market all the kids got baths and we pulled out the couch bed so they could all watch Bedtime Stories before bed. What a great day!
Good bye Krakow!
On the way home we set up forts in the van and drove about 12 hours. The kids were surprisingly SO GOOD on the long journey!
A few hours still away from home we saw some more snow. The kids were so excited! We had to let them get out and play in it for a little bit. Sadly, nothing was left by the time we reached our house but they had some good fun in the parking lot.So, let's review....
Germany to Hungary to Slovakia to Poland and back to Germany all in 4 days in a mini van with 3 kids. Whew....
Now... time to get ready for Christmas!
