Thursday, 26 February

Our jobs are finished. We completed the assigned tasks and are amazed at what we got accomplished this week:

1. Cleaned out the sub basement -- Pincer

2. Cleanded out the heating distribution area of a full dumpster worth of stuff and moved other stuff into the Pincer.

3. Tore apart shelving and re-constructed them to the fit in the Pincer

3. Cleaned up and moved boxes and storage stuff from the Gephaz.

4. Built a security wall on the plaza with wheeled swinging entrance. Made from steel framing and OSB boards.

5. Removed all the aluminum decoration on the sides of the stage (24 ft X 18ft) on both sides.

6. Framed in a ceiling for the new classroom behind the stage.

7. Upholstered chairs for the Kavi Shop.

8. Rebuilt benches for the International School basketball team.

9. Rob helped one of the office workers move.

I think that about does it. A lot of work in a short time. Today as we completed our projects and cleaned up our dust and debris we were amazed what God accomplished through us. For lunch Lon and Mary Lou took a break and went shopping to the open market. On their return they stopped for us at the Gyros shop and brought us back lunch. Aaron and Rob ordered the King Kong burger. Last year I wouldn't let Aaron get one and he has let me know it now and then.

Well, today he and Rob got theirs... imagine three big patties, lots of toppings and a roll about 8" around and 4" high. The thing probably weighed in at 1+ pounds. They finished them and didn't require any Pepto or Unicum.

After we cleaned up and started to repack suitcases, we headed off to Brad's house for supper.

Brad left his 9 passenger van here for us. Rob was our driver tonight. One wrong turn took us the wrong way across the river and around town. Thankfully we had a phone and could call Brad for directions to save the day. After supper we got a tour of the Citidella overlooking the city.
That's the pic of the day. As the day comes to a close we are anxious about returning home. Tomorrow we are headed to Vienna, Austria by train for a time of sight-seeing and weinerschnizel.

Thanks again for following our journey as we serve God wherever He calls.

Team Rhino 2009

Wednesday, 25 February

Hooray! We are out of the basement except for getting some tool or extension cord or something needed. We moved upstairs and up scaffolding to work on some other projects like removing decorative aluminum trim, putting up the outside board on the concrete walls for a new classroom ceiling, and getting the security wall finished outside to protect supplies for the refurbishing project. The gals had a special job just for them. They spent the day re-upholstering chairs from the Kavi. The day started off great! After unloading a supply of wood, Brad brought his fameous cinnamon rolls and we just had to take a break and eat them hot. He also told us the story of how God has moved to help refurbish this place with a special gift of over $500,000 by a local Hungarian contractor. And the guy is not even a believer yet! He did have a dream that God spoke to him and told him to have compassion. Brad says the guy's days as a pagan are numbered. How's that for God working to accomplish His mission of spreading the Gospel.

We worked later tonight, until almost 6pm. By the time we got cleaned up, showered, and ready for supper it was 7pm. For an adventure we went out to a crepe' place for polichinka's .... delicious crepes filled with whatever you want.

Only one more day of laboring around this building and creating as much dust and debris as we do finished products. But they are necessary parts of creating an attractive ministry center that speaks well of our God. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Everyone is doing well and no more health issues, except for Lon's back that is still bothering him, even though we let him do some light tasks today.

The Why Wyler Question:

Yesterday's answer: He had to get up extra early to buy breakfast stuff with Rob, so he couldn't sleep in like he normally does.

Today's Question: Why does Wyler grab the bakery bag first every morning before we start to eat breakfast?

Tuesday, 24 February

Today was interesting. Our team worked in four different areas:

first we cleared out two different missionaries' stuff stored on top of a wall. Stuff that has been around for a year or more collecting dust and other crud. Then we split up. Sig began work on removing decorative metal work in the auditorium. Watch out below! Pastor Rob and the boys (Wylie and Aaron) started building a temporary security wall outside to get ready for the renovation and materials that will be stored out there. The gals (Mary Lou & Dennise) and Pastor Joe continued cleaning out the main heating room in the Gepaze. By the end of the day the cleaners were finally done. We even threw out two large boxes of old movie film, saving the metal storage containers for Brad. We are glad we are done with taking 90% of the stuff needing to go down in the Pincer (sub-basement) or dungeon. PR and the boys will finish their project tomorrow and well, Sig has a long way to go. What about Lon? Oh yeah now that you mention him, with all the stuff he did on Monday and being a bad patient, he aggrevated his back and we forced him to take it easy and ice it for the day. Even still you could find him now and then wandering around looking how he might help before we sent him packing, up to the couches with ice.

You might be wondering about the strange pic of Pastor Rob and Brad hanging out suspiciously by the white van. Well, Brad came back from a material run, left the van running to get help to unload, and locked himself out. They had to break in the running van while on-lookers were thinking they were stealing the thing. At least they now know they can make money on the side breaking into and stealing cars if need be.

Besides Lon everyone else is doing well health wise, we even had spicy pizza tonight at Da Wally's a few blocks from our mission. We are all now beginning our countdown of time left in Budapest. For some it will be a full week since they left home last Wednesday afternoon to begin the journey. Saturday doesn't seem too far off--while at least at night when you're not carrying stuff into a dark, dank, dingy, dusty, spidered web decorated, dung scented, dark labyrinth hole called the Pince. But then this is the assignment God has given to us-- and it would be very discouraging to do this by yourself--like Brad would need to do without us. For Brad we are an answer to prayer, getting more done in this short trip than he would be able to do in a month of workdays. So we labor on, joking and walking up and down stairs knowing we are serving God and the mission and Brad.

Today we did get a real blessing....lunch from a catered delivery service. For only $3.00 you get a full meal, enough for 2, that is great. Each morning we pick out the next day's fare and place the order. You can't beat the price---half the cost of Burger King and more than twice the amount of food without all the fat and calories. Tomorrow we will make up the calories as Brad will bring his special cinnamon rolls... remember past trip people, the smell, the icy gooey frosting, the warm melt in your mouth sweet bread ....yum yum yum! Can't wait for coffee time on Wed.

Now the Why Wyler Question ----Yesterday's answer:

He was trying to put the camera way.

Today's question: Why is Wyler in bed already at 9:30pm tonight?

Thanks for reading and responding.

Monday, 23 February

Don't worry Dennise isn't get fresh with Lon. She was just practicing her endeavor of being a massage therapist. The only taker she had was Lon, but Mary Lou said when she was better trained she would make an appointment. Just kidding!!!!! Oh my achy breaky back is Lon's current theme song. We think Mike Rowe should come on our next mission trip. We definitely were part of a Dirtest Job scene today working in the sub-basement known as the Pintcer. This is part of the heating distribution system carved out under buildlings with low ceilings and dirt floors and septic pipes that sometime break. Just think of a dungeon in the middle ages and you will be on the right track. Our task the early part of the week is to clean out years of collected debris, sorting, smashing, and saving some in new locations. This is part of the rejuvination project that will begin in mid March by a local contractor as he puts in a new heating and septic system. Lon's back is still on the frizt but we couldn't keep him down, which probably is making it worse. We have given him a mandate to take it easy tomorrow, which goes against his natural tendency. Aaron's stomach ailment is getting better especially when we tell him he will need more Unicum. The ladies are holding up and doing their part in getting dirty and shopping and keeping their husbands in line. Although we have to wonder about one of the gals dancing across the stage wrapped in what looked like an old table cloth thinking she was on vaudville. I'm glad Dennise was more mature. The boys had a great time throwing things off the second floor into the dumpster or concrete. The more glass objects they could get their hands on the better. You will have to ask them about what happens when you throw old theater seats that are connected in sections of four. The neighbors must have thought explosions were taking place in the alley way.

Our lunch today was real hungarian.... Burger King-- Can you believe Wyler ordered a triple size whopper with the works meal. Tonight is an open evening as we tell stories, laugh, and relax. Thanks for reading these mussings and writing back.

The answer for the Why Wylie question yesterday was.... Wyler wears "scent lock" .

Today's Why Wylie question is:::::::: why did Wyler try to break into the ladies sleeping quarters?

Sunday, February 22

Church today is at 4 pm so everyone slept in realllly late before finally getting up - most of us made it to a later breakfast (except for a couple of boys). Mr. Aaron complained about an upset stomach and started to go for the Pepto - Big Mistake! Dad made a run down to the Match (grocery) for a bottle of Unicum to fix Aaron up. This stuff smells like turpentine and tastes like paint thinner. Poor Aaron choked down 2 doses over the day and should be forever cured of any desire to experiment with boose down the road.

Brad came about 11:00 to take us on tour. We enjoyed a trip up Castle Hill, Fisherman's Bastian, and got to watch the changing of the guard at the President's residence. Ask Wylie about his traditional initiation to the ancient city involving a statue. Brad drove us around and pointed out more sites around the Pest side of the city.

After returning to the Mosi there was time for some lounging and reading. Then down to church service, all in Hungarian; followed by a road trip with Brad to the Ikea store for Swedish meatballs (an afront to Sig's Norwegian ansestry) and on to a tradional concert by a men's choir. Aaron didn't know about the night out so he and Pastor Joe stayed back for an adventure of their own. They enjoyed some crepes, but missing busses, etc meant some significant walking.

10:30 and nearly time for the guys to turn in - the ladies are down for the count.

Now for the Why Wylie humor of the day......

The answer to yesterday's Why Wylie question is 'So he can hide out from work.'

Today's Why Wylie question is 'What kind of deoderant does Wylie use?'

Saturday, 21 February

Each trip has its own challenges and dynamics. This trip has its own version with four newbies:
Our first double injury... Dennise wapped her head on a low ceiling that knocked her down. Lon pulled his lower back lifting something. Wyler was accosted by a street person. Mary Lou laughted so hard her Chinnese dinner became nasal. Joe has searched and repacked his luggage so much the zippers are worn out. Sig tried to use a credit card that was flagged by the company for out of country use. Night owl Rob hit the bed at sundown -7pm. And Aaron actually looked for a gift for his girl friend's mother and not his own. So you can see this trip is different.

Sig can't believe we are not doing more work yet after being here for a day and a half. But it is the weekend and we do know how to make a mess. With Sunday services tomorrow we were limited in making piles. Today we cleaned out one section of the Pintser...a dung dungeon of darkness, dirt, dust, deadly diseases, and years of debris deep in the bowels of the building. Between low ceilings, pipes, hanging electrical cords, uneven floors, and odiferous smells, the most hazardous part was trying to work with 8 others hauling things out. Years of collected "some day we will want this stuff" was hauled outside and a sign was posted "Take this home."

Brad was hoping people would just walk off with the stuff so as not to have to pay for extra dumpsters. Eventually a gypsie friend was willing to haul some of the stuff off. Can't wait until Monday when we will add to the piles and start moving new stuff into our cleared-out storage area

Tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing more of Budapest and the church service is now at 4pm. That's right! They worship together at 4pm in the afternoon. So the crew is looking forward to sleeping in a little before we venture out. Pray for our team and Lon's back. Right now it isn't too bad... no crawling on hands and knees or cringing with pain when he gets up, but it is tight.

Our "Why Wylie" question of the day is ....Why does Wyler wear all camo while working?

Friday Evening, 20th Feb.

We are here in Budapest, where the temps are in the low 30's and snowing. Everything is white just like at home. Our flights we typical, delayed behind 20 other planes trying to take off on time which meant we were one hour late arriving into Budapest. Sleeping was only for the Rumple Stilskins among us, which we have two "red-masked" hibernators. Praise the Lord all of our luggage arrived and "compression packed" into the ministry van along with the 8 of us and our driver and navigator. Once on site, we set up lodgings for the week, moving furniture, inflating mattresses, trying to find some of the stuff we know we packed, and just getting familiar with our new environment. Brad, the ministry property director, gave us an update in preparation for our challenges this coming week.

For supper we did some walking to our favorite gyros chicken sandwiches restuarant. On the way back at the bus stop, Wyler had a local street person confront him. He thought that Wyler had taken his drink, since Wyler was still carying his beverage bottle from supper. No problem. Sig, ex-cop on salary, current cop thinking, stepped in immediately and let the fellow know to "step away from the lad". The situation resolved immediately.

As I write this it is only just after 7pm and Pastor Rob is already in bed sleeping. It just seems to early to go to bed and then sleep until 7:30am on Saturday. So the rest of us are looking for things to do that don't take much concentration trying to wait until at least 9pm

Pray for our team that no experiences any type of sickness or un-adjusted backs.

Thank you and we really look forward to your responses.

Our time of travel has arrived. Half the team, the Hjemvicks and Fisks left with our luggage for Chicago today. Very early tomorrow morning at 4:30am the four guys will leave the northwoods and begin our long journey to Budapest. We will be meeting up on the campus of Trinity Seminary and University where Jeremy Mlaker and his friend Jeremy Olson will drive our cars and us to Ohare so that we can save on parking and the long walk to the terminal. Our flight is at 2:30pm to JFK in New York and then on to Budapest arriving at 10:35am in the morning. For us Thursday travelers that is 24 hours of traveling with whatever sleep you might be able to get on the airplane. Once on the ground Brad and his team will pick us up and get us settled. We will probably begin one of the projects and work until 8pm so that we start adjusting to the 6 hour time difference in our sleep habits. Pray for safe travel and to keep the flu bug away. Oh yes, check us out on late Friday for any updates and maybe even some pics. God's grace and smile, 2009 Rhino's

Here We Go Again.... February 19-March 1,2009

This coming winter another team is heading back to Budapest to work on the Mozi Ministry Center. We will have four newbies going across the pond to Eastern Europe with us. Sig & Mary Lou, Dennise, and Wyler will be first timers in Hungary and Europe. We will also have Lon, Aaron, Pastor Rob and myself, Pastor Joe... we are team members from our Feb. 2008 trip. It looks like this year's project will include taking the auditorium apart--removing seats, and clearing the stage in preparation for a new level floor in anticipation of building offices and a smaller worship area. We will also try to tackle the never ending wish list of "to do's" for Brad and the mission team. Right now all of our members are in the process of fundraising to help cover the $900 per member cost. Please pray for our members and is you are led by God consider financially supporting this year's Rhino team.

Saturday - final day in Hungary.

As we finish our efforts here we looked at Philipians 2 and Paul's commending us to shine for Jesus, to work hard, to make sacrifices. We talked about what we do for God. Sometimes we are able to do physical labor on a mission trip like we are today. Our families also give sacrificially when they stay behind and live victoriously and joyfully in our absence even though it means extra work for them. Many of you have given money or your time for prayer in supporting us - all gifts to God. Other times what you do for God is providing encouragement to someone through kind words, or sharing a meal, or helping them with their labors. We will leave this place with new friends, and people to pray for as we know more about their struggles here. This morning we were able to take the bus down to the market for a couple of hours while meetings were going on in the building. After noon we got back to making some noise and wrapping up what God has assigned us to complete here. The cabinets are installed, the tile on the walls, and the walls got painted. The rest will have to be finished by those who stay here. Then we headed to supper about 7:30 (Italian: pizza & pasta). Praise be to God for his grace and placing some of His children in this city! Thank you for tracking with us on this Journey 4 God. Pray for a safe and quick day of travel home. Amen.

Friday - Vienna

Today the Mozi is filled so it is a day off for us to visit Vienna. After breakfast the rest of the team (Jensen's and Dave left for home) head down to the train station for the 2 1/2 hour ride to Vienna, Austria. The train was very comfortable with an enclosed box of 6 seats for us. After arriving we took the subway downtown and walked around the area visiting 3 large, old and beautiful churches. Two were being renovated, with St. Charles having scafolding inside which allowed us to go to the very top of the dome to view the surrounding city of about 2 million, about the same size as Budapest. Unfortunately the windows at the top were all draped with pigeon netting so we could not get pictures of the view. The city was windy and colder than Budapest so it was a welcome break to get inside the buildings.

Before the train ride home we enjoyed a nice dinner. Aaron and Rob each had a Wiener Schnitzel as big as a pizza. Then the ride back to Budapest about 8:30 in the evening. Tonight a Christian singles group of about 60-70 people are meeting in the Mozi (each Friday night). Nice to hear sounds of this ministry center being used for God.

After some e-mailing we are out for some sleep. Here are a couple of shots from our day.

Pics from Thurs--2 Days 2 Go

Sorry to late last night to work on pasting in pics, so here they are. Off to Vienna!

Thursday, 2 days to go

Today was the beginning of wrapping up and putting everything back together. We had hoped to the have the cabinets and wall tiled by the end of the day. But like a lot of projects the grinches showed up. Some of the original materials were the wrong size and the frig was damaged. So after 3 trips to the plumbing store, 2 trips to the hardware store, 2 trips to Ikea the day got away us and from completing all of our desired tasks. We were able to install the drop ceiling, finish some the smaller projects, and do some more drywall taping. The upper cabinets were hung but that is it. We needed to do a major cleanup job because tomorrow a group has rented the entire building. So at 4 pm we switched hats from dust makers to a Service Master crew. the group that rented the building are architechs, professional and students, who meet quarterly and discuss various topics and look at old buildings and the current changes. There will be about 300 involved in the seminar. The caterer and sound and tech people started setting up at 2pm today. Tomorrow we need not to make anymore dust, so out of the building we go. We purchased our train tickets and will head to Vienna for the day. Blondie and the Jensen's will be leaving early in the morning for home and we will head to the train station for our 2 hour ride. Our work will have to wait until Saturday, our last day.

Tonight we went to a favorite local restuarant for gyros and specialty burgers. Aaron wanted to order this King Kong burger. The lady taking our order asked if he was sure, so she showed him the king kong bun......it was at least 8 inches in diameter and 3 inches high. Dad said no and he ordered some other large specialty burger. Our team is running on fumes now, but God's strength is keeping us moving. Thanks for your prayers and keeping in touch, it means a lot.

Working in two locations

Well the day started early again at seven, but the guys that went for breakfast didn't remember that the store did not open till 7:00, so they walked back and forth twice to get the food we needed. We had devotions and it was off and running to get things done at the Mozi before we headed out to do a mission project for a person in the church. Joe and Chris went back to sanding and mudding in the kitchenette room, while the rest of us were off to do odd jobs. Lon, Rob, and Blondie worked on extending a wall for Orshie so people can't go through her ceiling to get in to the office.

After a nice snack that Brad picked up for us which was an apple thing with merangue, we headed off in the van to haul debris. Brad had told us before we left that three to four trips by each of us and we would knock this out and eat pizza. After ten trips we still were not done and we had the heaviest things left to take down to the street. To line this up for you we had to go up 71 steps and carry down plastic bags of tile, bricks, concrete, and whatever else would fit in a bag. Then we had a tub, radiators (wieghing at about 1500 pounds), bricks, and wood framing. Anyway about half way through everyone was getting worn out, so we took a break and prayed for power and strength to finish. After we got the iron down a Gypsy came over and wanted the metal. So one of the other guys, Ricky, bartered with the guy and got 10,000 Forints for the metal. Another blessing from God as that paid for the pizza and John, who we were serving was just planning on junking the metal. Then it was back to the Mozi to finish things and start new projects. Lon has become quite the erector set guy. The projects we did required lots of small pieces of steel studs and Lon was the man that cut and shaped the pieces we needed. After a long day of working we had dinner with another missionary family, the Humphrey's. They have three kids and have been in Hungary about 7 years. The oldest daughter, at 13 when they moved, said "you are ruining my life". She is now at Trinty going to College, but is home on a study abroad. She now wants to find a field that will keep her in Europe in marketing or human resources. I can say that this area does seem to grow on you. After dinner we went out to see the city at night under the lights. So we headed back to castle hill, high above the city where we had gone on Sunday. It was fun to ride the metro rail this time if only for a short time. Lon was getting talked to over the loud speakers because he was too close to the rail line. Ask Rob to see the audio/video of the the conversation and translation. Well it is getting late over here, but at home it is only 5:00. time for the tired workers to hit the sack bye bye.

Tuesday - Day 6

Aah, Tuesday is coming to a close and we are more than half way through this mission to Budapest. Our morning began with our usual time of breakfast and devotions, though we were visited by a local policeman pounding on the door. Apparently there was a robbery downstairs this morning and he wanted to know if we had seen anyone. Following that we all moved on to our assignments that included finishing drywalling our new kitchen, hanging a door, putting together the last cabinet for the kitchen and taking care of some other items. Pastor Joe has been our tile and mud man. Today included grouting the bath floor from yesterday, mudding the seams from our drywall and then tonight laying the kitchen tile floor with Chris instead of going to Brad's house with the rest of us. Rob got a crack at driving in Europe for the first time. He sooo wanted to get the little van out on the autobahn, but it was pretty much city streets, many only 1 car wide. He did great and got us there and back with no crashes or arrests.

At 11:30 Joe and Chris are finishing up the tile floor and hopefully will be done by midnight - a very long day for them.

Monday - Day5

Today was our first work day of the new week. We are building a new kitchen, but too small for all of us to work in at one time so we got split up. Chris, Lon and Allen worked on the kitchen. Pastor Joe sniffed a lot of glue as he tiled the floor in a bathroom. He got some glue on his arm, but no solvent to remove it - so he may be wearing it home. Rob and Kathy put together the new Ikea cabinets for the kitchen. Mark was working on installing a water heater and Aaron helped in several places.

Tonight we went with Allen, Emily and Brad to the big Ikea store. They have cheap food so you can eat and then shop so we all had some Swedish meatballs and walked around the place. Picked up another cabinet and sink. Rob and Aaron rode the big carts down the aisles. Lon had to explain to our hosts that his job is to follow along, get embarassed and apologize to the locals. Pastor Joe had to get a decent pillow to sleep and also found a rather cute rat to bring home.

We stopped at a Tesco (like Super Walmart) and picked up some water, etc. for the next day, then back to the Mozi for some Rook, reading and relaxing. Thanks for the comments. Below are a few pictures from today, thanks to Rob's shutterbug talents.

Rob still having fun at Ikea!!

The Sabbath

Today was our church day. After breakfast which Lon and Aaron brought back from the store, we went to the top of the roof to pray. Climbing to the roof through access points and steel ladders was interesting since it was totally cover with pigeon droppings and a few dead birds. After praying and going back down we cleaned up for church. Oh yes, everyone wore their work gloves and work shoes so we would not be too disgusting for church. At 10am we gathered with the church here at the Mozi and worshipped God with songs both in Hungarian and English and then listened to the message through a translator using FM radios. After church we headed to see some of the sights of Budapest. We made Aaron purchase our bus tickets and ask the sales lady in Hungarian for 4 packs of 10 tickets. Riding the bus we learned an important cultural lesson, if an older person is standing you are suppose to offer your seat. Well, Pastor Joe got to ask Blondie to get up and then a chain reaction started. Blondie asked Lon, who asked Rob, who had Chris stand. Good for a laugh. Our first stop was at Castle Hill and seeing the restoration of the great church and castle. A terrific place to see across the river and view "Pest." Then we walked down hill to the Pollechinka resturant and had our desserts of thin pancakes with strawberries, or apple and walnuts and chocolate, and cream cheese and rasins. From there we hit the transportation and headed down to the Citadella. After climbing about 300 plus stairs and walkways we landed on the top. This is a large military fortress built by the Russians during their takeover. Again another site to see the great downtown of the city. After leaving the top we walked down to another resturant for gyros.. packed with roasted turkey and veggies dripping with sauce. For only $3 what a meal. Finally, we headed home and walked some more. We probably put in over 5 miles today. Our evening consisted of cards, laughing, and planning. Oh, yes for you northern popsicles... it was in the mid-40's and sunny again today. Tomorrow we are starting early and planning on working late into the evening and hopefully will have the new walls up and floor tiled.

Take a look at our new recruits to the hungarian army. They were drafted since they didn't have their passports. Rob looks really happy, doesn't he.

Saturday Feb 9

Crawled into bed by midnight and all got a good night's sleep. This morning it was up and enjoyed special cinnamon rolls made by Brad (the chief honcho), then another breakfast put together by Emily with goodies that Joe and Blondie bought at the market. Following that we took a prayer walk through the outdoor Saturday market and around the neighborhood.

Returning to the Mozi center about noon, most of us packed into the van to head out to help with a home of one of the church members. Alan and Emily have been taking good care of getting us around. They are a young couple from Kansas who have been here 2 weeks and will be heading back to the States the same time we do.

In the meantime Blondie and Mark used some concrete to level the floor from the torn out walls and rework some plumbing that ran through that room. Kathy ministered to a women's group.

The rest of us worked on an upstairs for a family here. We did some framing, some insulating and foila work and a little sheet rock. We had to pack up by 5:30 as it was getting too dark to work. Zuza (Susanne) blessed us with a wonderful lunch with a baked potato and poultry dish along with salad about 3:00 followed by some apricot desert about 4:30.

We returned to the Mozi and cleaned up. Joe, Rob, Blondie, Chris, Aaron and Lon walked down a kilometer or so to have pizza. A good walk back and then downloading some pictures and computer work followed by a few rounds of Rook. Tomorrow we look forward to worship after Rob and Lon go shopping for breakfast. We know 'Egen' (yes) 'No' and 'Koszonom' (thank you). We'll see how we fair.

Day 2 Arriving after 20 hours of travel

We left Rhinelander airport at 10:45 am on Thursday the 7th and arrived in Budapest on Friday at noon (There is a 7 hour time difference.) Only two members got a few snoozes throughout the night. Once on the ground we meet up with the Dave Johnson and Mark Jensen at the Mozi Center and our missionary friends. After a brief tour, we got right to work demolishing a old shower and storage area. I mean demolishing... tiled walls, bricks, concrete. It took us until after 10pm to get the room ready for plumbing and concrete floor leveling. We had to remove two 1o inch walls within the room. Some of our team spent the time on the roof hauling away all the debris and either lowering buckets to the ground floor to be emptied in the dumpster or throwing things down a shoot. Needless to stay we were really exhausted and ready to sleep no matter what time our body clocks said it was.

Budapest Rhino Team 2008

On Thursday, February 7th our Conover Church 2008 Rhino Team will be leaving Rhinelander to fly to Budapest, Hungary. It will takes us approximately 20 hours of traveling until we land around noon on Friday. Our team includes: Aaron Mlaker, Lon Fisk, Pastor Rob, and Pastor Joe (all from Conover Church), Mark & Cathy Jensen (from Faith EFC in Woodrfuff), Christ Ehlert from Eau Claire, and Dave (Blondie Johnson). Dave and Mark already flew east last week to scope out some projects in the Czeck Republic with the Ellenwoods and will arrive in Budapest by train on Friday, Feb. 8th to join up with us.

This year our projects will include demolition of a shower room and do a makeover into a a kitchenette, reparing the coffee shop, and some other carpentry projects as time permits.

Thank you for your support and prayers as we get ready to leave. Once on the road we hope to post daily with the pics of the day.

God bless and grace! Rhino Team 2008