1. What is the history and founding of the Budapest Christian Library?
The library was founded in 2004 and the Ridgeways began running the library in the fall of 2009 with the intention of being there for at least 5 years. The Budapest Christian Library is part of an organization called the Institute for Christian Resources (ICR). In addition to Budapest, ICR has started and continues to support Christian libraries in Berlin and Prague. Their website is: http://icrtransform.com/
2. How big is the library?
The library has around 10,000 volumes of printed material, audio, movies, and DVDs.
3. What kind of books are at the library? Are they in English or Hungarian?
There are all sorts of books at the library: fiction, non-fiction, Christian, and secular books for all ages. There are English and Hungarian materials available. Many Hungarians know and want to practice English so they enjoy the English books that are available. For Hungarians who do not know English, there are plenty of materials in Hungarian for them as well.
The library has around 300 visitors every month.
5. What are you doing in Hungary?
My job is to help the Ridgeway family wherever I am needed at home and also to conduct programs at the Budapest Christian Library.
6. How did you get connected with the Ridgeway family?
In late June of 2010, I came to my parents with a request to do an overseas mission trip and/or foreign exchange program some time during high school (I had just finished up my freshmen year of high school). They agreed to look into it. Not wanting to go through an organization, my mother emailed some families we knew were living or had lived overseas to get their ideas and input for where I could go and what I could do. Some family friends emailed us back with information about the Ridgeways and the Budapest Christian Library. We contacted the Ridgeways and were able to meet Rusty Ridgeway in November 2010. After prayer, consideration, and question-asking, we finalized things with the Rideways and purchased my ticket during February of 2011 for a six week trip and later in July 2011 for a four month trip.
7. Have you learned Hungarian?
I'm sad to say that I do not know very much Hungarian (only a few phrases). I am taking my Hungarian book with me, though, and I know I will learn more and more Hungarian as I converse with the people there. Many Hungarians know English so I will still be able to converse with many Hungarians without knowing their language.
8. How do I contact you?
Please see the contact page.
9. How do I support your trip? What does my donation go toward?
Please see the support page.
