Hi everyone,

My name is Marcell Bendzsa, I'm an 18 year old second generation youth from Budapest, Hungary. I'm the second child of Zsolt and Katsuyo Bendzsa, a couple who participated in the 1995 Blessing. I began public work in the church a year ago, when I first volunteered as staff during youth workshops. Since then I’ve come a long way, and I even supported the relaunching of CARP (Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles) after twenty years of its absence in Hungary. As I’m taking on more and more responsibility, I’m realizing every day how far I still have to go before I can become someone who can guide others closer to God. I also wish to become a better example to my peers in the church and create a more loving culture in my community where members and guests can feel welcome.

I'm graduating high school this summer and I've decided that I want to make the next step in my life of faith by taking a year off before college and committing it to serve our Heavenly Parent by becoming a missionary. I believe that this is the training that is necessary for me to later on start witnessing in Hungary and be of even more help in future CARP activities.

After long consideration and prayer, as well as taking current providence into view, I've decided that I'd like to take part in the American gap year program called Generation Peace Academy (recently renamed “Missions”). The United States of America is the older brother nation and a shortcut to God's dream, which is the reason why I’d love to have it as my mission destination. I want to make a personal contribution to God’s dream by investing my time and efforts into American providence. Many of our biggest church communities are in America, which is why I’m especially excited to get to know how these communities operate and what led to their success. I'm also looking forward to visiting key sites from True Parents' life course, such as Belvedere or the Holy Grounds across the country. I firmly believe that the experiences that are awaiting me in America could become the seed to something much greater in Europe.

However, the price of the visa, the participation fee and the plane ticket add up and it became financially burdening to my parents, especially as an international. For this reason I'd like to reach out to friends, family and any generous individuals who feel like they would be able to support me on this journey. Any contribution, no matter how small, is a great help and would be taking me closer to my goal.

I am planning to use the funds as follows:

$2000 will be used for the GPA participation fee,

$1000 will be used for the visa process, such as an attorney and the price of the interview

Thank you so much for taking time to read this and for any support, whether it is a donation or just sharing the link with others. Your effort will make a great difference and is greatly appreciated!