The church that we are involved in in Debrecen is an international church. It was founded a couple of years ago by American friends of ours, and over the years many international students have found the way to this church.

In all those years we have built up quite some relationships with several students from all over the world: from South East Asia, from Africa, from South America. And that means of course that you also need to be there when they graduate! At the university of Debrecen this is a very official happening with a flag, the anthem and of course the diploma’s (and speeches, not to forget…). And at the end of the ceremony all graduates throw their hats into the air out of relief of stress, now that exams and studying are finally over.

One of these students that we developed a personal relationship with is Karen from Egypt. She has her background in the Coptic church of Egypt, and it was very special to get to know more of that world and also of the trouble they face in the midst of a muslim culture. A few years ago she had come to Debrecen to study Computer Science and last June she graduated. Her mother had come over all the way for this graduation (her father could not be there, unfortunately), and it was very special to get to know her.

Actually only then it became really clear to us how important it is for international students here to have something like a network, where they can belong, like our international church. For Karen the relationship with us was something like replacement parents during the time she was far away from home. Without us noticing it, this contact – which for us was very self evident – has meant a great deal to her.

After the graduation ceremony we made some nice pictures in front of the monumental building of the university of Debrecen. After that, Karen wanted to invite her mom and her guests for an icecream, and since we were going into that direction we offered them a ride with our car to the city centre. That ’s how it came that on the way I told Prisca: ‘This we ‘ve never had before, that we have five Egyptians in our car!’

By the way, Karen is still looking for a job in her field of training, Computer Science, where ever in Europe 🙂 If anyone knows a spot, please let us know!