An interview was made in November 2023 with one of our faithful church members about his personal story and the Church. His life went on of course, we might write about that later…
How did you end up in Korall?
I was feeling bored in a crisis shelter at the beginning of 2021 and on a Sunday I asked two guys where we should go – like to go for a walk. One of them said: “Come to Korall, there is a little church service there, then we get food and we can drink coffee as well etc.” So we went there. Our Michel and his wife welcomed us right away kindly and
the Scripture of that day really got me and stayed with me. So I went again next week as well, then the next week… – for half a year.
We became buddies with everyone, especially with Michel. Maybe because one crazy man attracts the other. Once Michel got a few guitar strings torn, and nowhere on the earth could we find supplement ones, so he played it with only three or who knows how many strings. I loved that. I mean we found common ground. He helped a lot morally, financially and in every way to get someone out from “under the buttocks of the frog”.
Then in August he asked: what if I was baptized and I was like “Why not?” But I didn’t feel it’s significance.
A year after, I was baptized. Christ, the Lord and the Holy Spirit really touched me at that moment. It was like I got a hit in the chest, a hard one. I was overwhelmed. I was howling all the way coming out of the pool. Now I just laugh about it, but at hat time it was so powerful, because I knew I was reborn.
How did your relationship with God get even stronger?
I used to booze a lot before. Many people say they are social drinkers. They overexplain it. I only know that my parents drank too, so I think I got it partially from them, but I also wanted to go to parties to drink. At that time I felt like how cool and how wonderful that was. And noone stood behind me to help me live a more serious life – I was alone. But I don’t want to blame others. My parents died, so suddenly a big pile of money dropped in my hands when I turned 18. What does an 18-year-old kid do? I got it easily, I got rid of it easily… Had I known Korall those days, my life would have certainly turned out a whole different way.
After my baptism, Michel told me to give a certain rehab program a chance (Kékkereszt, at Dömös). I recommend Dömös to everyone, even to those who don’t drink, just want to deepen their faith. There are phantastic people who teach, phantastic atmosphere, and the presence of the Lord Who helps is so so obvious. You can feel it almost tactile!
I have always believed that there is something like a Higher Someone, but before Dömös, I didn’t feel like I can share everything with Him. I thought that was a stupid thing, just a big fairytale book for adults. Now God is like a shepherd to me: He is the one herding us gently towards normality’s way.
Since Dömös, if I forget to pray and give thanks for the day before going to bed, I feel as if I got a pat on my back: “Hey, Laci, you forgot something!”
After I pray, everything is good, everything goes well. I used to feel that pat before, that I am missing something, but at that time, I didn’t think it was important. Then Zsófi, the pastor at Dömös explained that the Lord really pats our backs sometimes… There is a lot to learn there.
How is Korall present in your life since?
When I came back from Dömös, Michel wanted to help me by getting me to another rehab to Siklós (250 kilometers south from Budapest), but it didn’t happen due to my health. Because there is work therapy there, 4 hours a day and the doctor didn’t want to take the risk.
So the Church really has helped me, helps me a lot until this day. Eversince I started to come here, I am not so quick-tempered. Now I can react to people’s stupidity somewhat better.
I have become calmer, level-headed, smarter, I see things clearer. I can wait for things more relaxed, e.g. by now I would have gone mad for not getting the resolution I’m waiting for. But now I can wait with a calm soul. He will help me sooner or later.
They will send it one day, and something will turn out well. So far not so many things turned out well.
Why do you recommend Korall to others?
I think this Church is a very good place. It’s always good and relaxing to be here. At least, I always come here gladly. This is the right place for me.
A Sunday service makes one spiritually alright. I store in my head what Scripture it was – my head is still good enough for that. When I come home I read it again.
It’s also great when the Dutch and other folks from abroad come to play some music. They are fun, kind, they cheer the whole atmosphere up.
The only thing is that for me only Sunday doesn’t seem enough. I would do more Bible study or kind of playing music together.
Now I go to programs of another Church too, but
surely I won’t leave Michel and the others, because that’s my family. Because it doesn’t matter who is there: János, or Michel, or David, it’s great to come either ways. Everyone hugs everyone, everyone is happy for everyone.
There’s no distance keeping, we have fun with Michel, especially with Michel2, he is just crucial at Korall Church. Whoever comes being grouchy and grumpy, he has to speak 3,5 seconds to Michel2 and ends up laughing!
What is your dream now for your future?
My dream would be that I can live normal life, more balanced so I could help others. In anything. E.g. I would go to visit people in hospitals. Or to kids – I really love kids. So I have some ideas. I would also lead discussions about the Bible or do something similar. I’d help distributing food. I mean, volunteering.
If the Church is the body of Christ, I’m a hand. Because with a hand you can give and do or create stuff.
I don’t feel being so intelligent to do thinking tasks. I’d rather be active.
What do you think, why does it worth to support Korall?
I think it worths it because they work with one of the toughest group of people, the homeless. In addition, many times with homeless people, who have no other excape, only drinking. Michel and the others – as I see it – try to drag more and more people out of… well you-know-what. They try to build a castle of that. With me they have been successful, but there are some, with whom it’s not really happening, still they try.
If someone has a soul problem, he can go to them after service, they pray for him, no question. Or they help in any other way.
And I would be glad if non-homeless folks came to our Church to see it. We could talk with them! Sure, I’m looking forward to that! Then also they would learn that our situation is not a piece of cake, though many times it’s one’s own fault, but it still would be good for them to look more into it.
So if someone wants to learn more about Korall, he should come on a Sunday to have a look, what a good time we have here! Because people don’t cry there, they smile, laugh and have fun. But they can also pay attention to the preaching seriously.
At least I would welcome those who are interested warmly. They could see that there is not only a negative side of homeless people, but also a positive one. Maybe it would be a pleasant disappointment for them to see that holy cow, there are homeless like this?!
November, 2023