Tour Leader’s Blog

Yesterday was the funeral service for my father, Omar R. Martin, at the Chambersburg Mennonite Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Janet and I received a call that my Dad was very low while we were on tour in Romania. We left the tour in the capable hands of Ed Epp, my co-leader who finished leading the group, and arrived in Pennsylvania a week ago.

Rev. Omar R. Martin

I was grateful that I could be with my father for four days prior to his death and stayed with him through three nights. He asked me to preach his funeral sermon which I found to be a challenge, but also a great privilege.

Some TM alumni may have met my Dad on one of our tours or during his many years of ministry in the Mennonite Church. My father, 88 years old, was a retired minister and bishop in the Church, who also had a successful farming career. We all rejoice because of his faith and hope, and that he is now in heaven with my mother and brother.

~ Wilmer Martin

Yesterday we had a glimpse into the rich culture and history of Hungary. In the morning we visited the training farm of Hungary’s equestrian team. This team has won 13 world championships. We saw a display of traditional horsemanship including carriage rides, bareback tricks, archery and spear-throwing while riding, and horse ballet. We were served a traditional Hungarian meal from products grown on the farm while listening to a Gypsy band. In the afternoon we had a tour of Budapest and learned the city’s history. The group enjoyed the scenic views of Budapest from the top of Fisherman’s Hill. It was graduation day for high school students and we saw parades of new grads singing Hungarian folk songs.

Today was May Day - a holiday throughout Europe. We started the morning with a boat cruise down the Danube. We saw many families walking and biking - enjoying the beautiful sunny holiday. In the afternoon we drove 20 kilometres to a little artisan village along the Danube. After a wonderful Hungarian meal in an open air cafe, we walked through the village. Tiny stores displayed and sold pottery, crystal, lace, and traditional art work. Hungarian families biked and strolled with us while the Danube flowed alongside the village.

Tomorrow our adventure in Romania and Hungary comes to an end as we travel home. We have seen in Romania a country emerging as an economic force - hope for the future. We ended by visiting Hungary and seeing the changes it’s experienced since it emerged 10 years ago. We will have to return to see the ongoing progress in the years to come.

~ Ed Epp