This post will have a lot more details and written words because it was longer and much more personal because I didn't go with a group.
Last week I had the privilege to visit my friends the Malinowski's who live in Serbia. I have known this family for many years and I use to babysit their girls when they were little. It was such a blessing for all of us to spend a week together. I lost contact with them for a while but I sometimes connected with the girls on Facebook so I knew they had moved to Serbia. Before I came to Europe I reconnected because I knew they were living in Europe and I thought I might be able to visit them while I was here. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to have this opportunity to go see them. It was especially nice to be able to see them the week of Easter and be with them for Easter.
I left last Wednesday after my morning class. The plan was to take a bus to Budapest and they would pick me up there and we would stay the night at their friends house and then drive to Serbia in the morning. Well when my bus finally arrived in Budapest after 5 and a half hours, I was expecting to see them waiting for me at the bus stop. When I got off the bus and got my bag, they were no where to be seen. I waited for a few minutes and then decided to try to find them. The bus didn't actually drop me off at the main bus statin, it was right across the street so I thought they might be waiting there. So I walked over and looked around. I was not able to find them so I followed the sign that said information and when I got the booth, it was all closed down. Thats when I started to get a little nervous because I had no phone to call them, no money and my phone was not connecting to the wifi. I had no way to communicate with them. So I decided to walk back to where the bus originally dropped me off to see if they had shown up yet. I also asked someone to make sure that it was the right place, and it was. So I waited a few more minutes then decided to try to find a pay phone. I walked back to the main station and then I found a phone. It turned out I needed to get coins to pay for the phone. So I went to find the ATM to get some money. I was abel to find an ATM and then I needed to buy something so I could get coins. I finally made it back to the phone and tried for 10 min to figure out how to work it. I called the number that Andrea (the mom) gave to me incase something happened. I was able to reach someone but as soon as I said "Hi this is Holly, I am the Malinowski's friend" and then the phone disconnected. I was frustrated but then the phone started to ring and I answered it assuming it was the same person I had just called, and praise God it was. I told him where I was and then he told me to go back and wait where I was dropped off because they were there. I was so happy and then I walked back to the original stop and no one was there. By this time it was past 7pm and it was starting to get dark. I waited no more than 3 min before going back to the phone. I called the number again and I was trying so hard not to cry and tell him that I thought they were not at the right station and that I was under by the subway. Then he told me they were up top somewhere looking for me. Then the call ended because I didn't have enough coins to keep the call going. I was crying out to the Lord asking for strength and to bring me to them. I went up to the main part and as soon as I got to the top I saw Maddie, the oldest girl and I called out to her. Once I was with them she ran to get her mom and then her dad. When I finally saw Andrea running towards me I was just thanking God for letting me find them. Maddie went to get her dad and Andrea just hugged and held me. She was thanking God and telling me how scared she was. Finally when we were all together and I just lost it and started to cry. I was so scared, nervous, thankful, and happy to finally be with them after trying to find each other for a little over an hour. Andrea just hugged me again and was just holding me and then we all then took a moment to pray to thank God for brining us together and then went to find a bathroom and dinner. I have never been so happy to see someone since being here in Europe. This experience was terrifying and such a test of my faith. God really proved himself to me when I was at my weakest and most scared when all I had was to put my faith in Him and trust that he would lead me to find them.
Once we got back to their friends house we had some tea and dessert. I was finally just calmed down and finally relaxed. I was also able to connect to wifi and let my family back home know I was safe. It was a trying day for sure but God knew exactly what was going to happen. I feel that it was one way that he wanted to grow my faith and trust in him because I only had Him in the scariest moments of this situation.
In the morning we left Budapest to drive back to their house. On the way, we stopped in the second largest city in Serbia, Novi Sad. We stopped there for lunch and to walk around bit to have a break from the long drive back. Here are some pictures from Novi Sad.
We walked around this beautiful park! It was so green and just so beautiful!
Andrea wanted to do an artsy photo and told us to walk, then told us to turn around. From left to right in the picture is: Grace, Maddie, Matthew, Isaiah, Chris, and me. We are only missing Lizzy and Andrea
These kids never got tired of chasing the bubbles, it was so fun to watch how much joy they had in this!
After a few hours of walking around we got back in the car to drive to their city, Vrsac. We got to their house probably around 7:30 or 8pm. Andrea and Chris went out to get some groceries and the girls, Maddie, Lizzy, and Grace taught me some new card games. Later we had dinner once there was food and then we played cards for a bit more before going to bed.
In the mooring I had to get up around 8 to go register with the foreign police. When we got back Andrea had a hot breakfast waiting for us. After breakfast we drove up the mountain and then hiked to the fortress. We were almost to the top when it started to snow... a lot. I got a few pictures and then we all were so cold and decided to go back to find something hot to drink.
This is when it started to Snow
This is the fortress on top of the mountain
We went to a place to get some hot drinks and a snack. They wanted me to try Serbian cheesecake so I did. It was actually pretty good. It is much different than cheese cake back home.
On Saturday, we drove to Belgrade. We walked through the city a bit to get to the big fortress (much bigger than the one in their city). After that we walked back to the car then to got dinner and then we headed back to their house. here are some of the pictures from Belgrade.
This is one of the main meeting places for people in Belgrade
The rest of my time was spent in their city. We walked to the park, we walked around in the city, and We also went to church on Easter Sunday. I don't understand a word of Serbian so I didn't understand the church service but I really enjoyed the harmonies in the music that was sung. It was so beautiful to listen to.
Here are some pictures I took while we were out walking around in Vrsac.
On Easter, we colored eggs and had a good time. I really enjoyed spending time with this family because they became my family for a week. I had fun playing cards with the girls, and just talking to Andrea. I really bonded with Andrea this past week. She was there for me, cared for me, encouraged me, prayed for me (still prays), loved on me, and so much more! She really helped me in so many ways. She became a second mom and I am so thankful for her! I appreciate that I was able to have a family again, even if it was only for a week! I love each and everyone of them and can't wait to see them again! I can't even describe in the right words everything I want to say but I do know that I am so blessed by the Malinowski family and I will always cherish the special memories we made. Each and everyone of them!
It was an Easter week I will never forget and I will always be grateful for how God has worked in my life so far during this time in Europe.
Here are some last pictures of me and the Malinowski's
If you are reading this Andrea, or any of you girls, just know that I am so beyond thankful and blessed by you all! I miss you so much already!
Thanks for reading,
Holly Anne
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