When Does a Journey Truly Begin?

Is it when you jump into the car, or board a train or plane? Is it when you take your first step out of the front door? Is it when your eyes snap open at the 5am alarm, and you stumble out of bed in a daze? Or perhaps, a journey truly begins much farther back, back to when the idea of a journey was just beginning to take shape in your heart?

For Paul, his journey to the International Christian School of Budapest began many years ago on a missions trip to Durban in South Africa. While Paul was serving there, God met him in a special way and touched his heart with a call to mission.

It took a while though for Paul’s feet to really get going. Some years passed by, spent working and building up experience in education; spent battling through some tough times in the classroom. But God's call was always there, building up momentum and taking shape. During this time Paul developed a heart for teaching teenagers. And on a trip to Romania, he developed a passion for Europe.

Finally, in 2015, the time was right. God started pulling on Paul’s heart again, and he took his first tentative steps through the open door. From the conversations he had with international schools, to his application and interview with TeachBeyond UK, through the hurdles and joys of raising support, to the training in Bulstrode with WEC -- Paul was on the move!

And God was wonderfully faithful, for, just two weeks after the training in Bulstrode, Paul set foot in Hungary.

Paul has been in the International Christian School of Budapest for 7 years now! And, having grown so much in his relationship with God, having made good friends and learned about new cultures and languages, having met his wife Zoe and together, having taught and inspired hundreds of teenagers for Christ-- his journey continues. Paul’s passion has grown deeper for his students, desiring not only to be their teacher, but also their big brother in Christ --getting ice cream together, playing board games, and talking about God, and about journeys.

Paul doesn’t often see the fruit of his journey as a teacher at ICSB. But there is one student that does come to mind-- ‘Saul.’ Saul is from Hungary. He wants to be a rapper. And, he does not know Jesus.

Paul recalls his last few meetings with Saul fondly. Picture a classroom; Paul is packing up his notes and white board markers. Saul approaches, and shares that he’d like to find out more about Jesus sometime. Now picture a group of 17 or so teachers and students at a social function later on, watching the Champions League football final. Saul’s brother takes a seat next to Paul and thanks him, sharing that Saul seems to have changed for the better.

Only God knows what kind of journey Saul began that year, but we can all pray with Paul that it will one day finish in the loving arms of our loving heavenly Father. For although our own journeys may start in different ways and different places, in the end when we take our final steps, those of us who follow Christ will find ourselves in those arms as well-- safe, secure,
 
Home.