The Bible calls for Christians to go into the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Hannah Weedman answered that call this summer.
Hannah followed in the footsteps of her mother, CCHS guidance counselor Lisa Weedman, by participating in a mission trip organized by the Word of Life Bible College in Albany, New York. The group went to Hungary to the sister seminary for 10 days.
Before heading abroad, the CCHS sophomore spent three days in New York, preparing for the mission. The team learned about Hungarian culture, communication techniques, and how to overcome language barriers. “We basically learned anything we would need to know to minister to the people,” she said. For many, including Hannah, it was their first time leaving the country. Most of the mission team members were teenagers like her, eager to make an impact.
They spent the bulk of their time in the town of Tóalmás, which is near the capital city of Budapest. Their base of operations was at their sister seminary, which is housed in a former Soviet summer castle. The seminary hosted a six-week Bible summer camp during their stay and was the primary place the mission team worked.
Hannah quickly discovered the universal love for sports, noting that Hungarians, like her peers back home, were passionate about soccer and Gaga Ball. Most of the kids she worked with were between 9 and 12 years old, and many spoke conversational English. “I worked a lot with teaching kids English, and we got to share our testimonies with them,” she said.
Sharing her own testimony was a powerful experience for Hannah, as she reflected on how she realized in middle school that she wanted to prioritize her relationship with Christ. “It’s not always been easy to live out my faith, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.
The mission team was well-received by the Hungarian people. “Young people gravitated toward us because they learn English at school, but can’t use it,” Hannah explained.
Even before their team left the United States, Hannah said they were seeing the Lord move within their efforts. The American team was on a Zoom call with the Hungarian team when they suddenly learned that six of their male counselors were not able to attend the Bible camp. “It was a miracle because we had exactly six guys in our group,” Hannah said.
One of Hannah’s most unforgettable moments came when she met a young boy named Keya. He confided in her about the tragic loss of his father, who had died from a drug overdose. Despite his pain, Keya was searching for something more. During the Bible camp, he decided to accept Jesus as his savior, and afterward, told the team he felt happiness for the first time. “If this little kid can find God in such a hard time, why couldn’t I find Him in my daily life?” Hannah reflected.
Looking back, Hannah feels certain this trip was no accident. “It was really God’s plan for me to go to Hungary,” the 15-year-old said with a confidence that comes from a faith strengthened through service.