"Are you done?"

Since arriving home on January 4th, several people have asked me the same question: "Are you done?". I suppose since I have made two trips to Hungary (six weeks on the spring and four months in the fall/winter), some people are confused as to whether or not I will return to Hungary for a third trip.

The short answer: The soonest I will return to Hungary will be after I graduate high school in 2013, if I return at all.

Looking at the Shoes on the
Danube Promenade which
honors Jews that were
murdered on the edge of
the river during WWII.

The long answer: No, I am not "done". I am not going to claim that I will never go back to Hungary for mission work. Although it's unlikely, it is not out of the question. Hungary needs the Gospel, just like any other nation. To say that I am "done" does not seem like a smart thing to say since only God knows where I will go to spread His Word during my life. It could very well be back in Hungary just like it could be in another European country, Asia, Africa, South America... who knows? Missionaries are needed all over this world so I don't want to answer this question with a "no".
However, for the time-being, I am going to focus on finishing my high school education and doing mission work in and around my city. The need for missionaries in my own home is great -- I don't need to go across the ocean to make a difference in someone's eternal salvation when people across the street need the same Message. Hungary is similar to America in that they are both modern places with indoor plumbing, automobiles, electricity, etc. The differences, however, include different languages, customs, history, culture, governments... need I go on? After spending almost half a year in Hungary, I realized just how effective a missionary I can be in America where I actually speak the language, know where things are, and have a large community of family and friends who are willing to help in my evangelistic endeavors. Sure, I can be effective in Hungary, but I know God can use me here in Texas and America just as much if not more because of my familiarity with the U.S.

The work Jesus gave us to do on this earth will only be finished when He returns. So until that day, I will continue to be a missionary. It just won't always be in Hungary.

Mary Kate

"Go and make disciples of all nations..." 
Matthew 28:19

I spent about one week in the Italian Alps for the Midwinter Rally... so beautiful!