Place of birth: Sydney, Australia
Job description: administration, communications,
assisting Pastor Phil, leading the
English bible study group
Favorite Bible verse: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways
acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
You didn’t come to Hungary to work in a church. What actually brought you here?
In 2001, I was working in Sydney for an international company that had an office here in Budapest. The Budapest office was about to start a big 12-month project, but they didn’t have enough workers to staff the project. So they sent an SOS out to the different offices around the world to see if there was anyone available to come.
It was a Thursday afternoon I think – I was sitting in my office in Sydney, not doing a whole lot, waiting for the afternoon to finish, and one of my managers called me on the phone. He said, “Hey, would you be interested in going to Hungary next week for 12 months. Think about it over the weekend and let us know your answer on Monday.”
So well, I went home and thought about it. Usually I don’t do things on the spur of the moment – but after talking with family and friends, something just felt right about it, that I should come. So on Monday I told them yes. A few days later I was in the Hungarian consulate getting my visa, and a week later I was on the plane.
So how did you come to be working at the church?
It actually took me a couple of months to find Calvary. But after finding it and coming once, I knew that this was the place where I wanted to spend my 12 months. I loved coming to the bible studies, particularly on Wednesday nights – to be able to leave work, turn my computer off and to leave all the work problems behind.
Then after about 10 months, as the project was coming to a close, I was starting to think that it’s going to be really sad to leave. I had learnt a lot and grown a lot. I had also started to establish some good friendships. About the same time, there was a need that came up for someone to join the staff to help with organization and communications. It seemed a totally great fit for me, and I really felt that God was opening this door, so I decided to stay, and I’ve been here ever since.
What has God shown you the most over this time?
That He’s faithful in directing our paths, even when we don’t realize it. Proverbs 3:4-5.
What is the most difficult thing for an Australian being here in Hungary?
The winters – that’s for sure! I’m not used to it being so cold.
What do you find to be the most rewarding about being in and serving in the church?
To be a part of the lives of people, as they grow in their faith.
To be doing things I never thought I would be doing. To know that my job affects eternity.
And just to be surrounded by a great bunch of people who love God and want to make a difference in this world.
