Tomorrow through Sunday is BFA's annual High School Retreat in Nürnberg. Because I lead a small group of AWESOME sophomore girls, I'm going along on the retreat. I'm looking forward to spending time with the students and to watching God work.
Please pray:
- for safety traveling
- for good spiritual conversations
- that authentic relationships will be built
- that the Spirit will work in hearts
- that Satan will not gain a foothold
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Candlelight Dinner
Every year around this time, the North American community here works together to put on "Candlelight Dinner." This dinner and variety show is done as an outreach to the German community - North Americans cannot attend unless they bring a German guest. However, they do allow us to attend the dress rehearsal. And let me tell you - there are a lot of talented people in this community! From the person who wrote the script to the staff and students who performed (musically and otherwise) - magnificent! Of course, there are also all of the "behind the scenes" people - costumes, sound, lights, food, etc. And decorations....let me tell you how amazing the decorations were! All done to the glory of God! I helped with a few little things (washing dishes that had been in storage, cutting some onions for salad on Friday, setting tables on Saturday), but my involvement was minute compared to the hours upon hours that some people have been working on this for the past several months.
Pray for the people who attended the Candlelight Dinner. Pray that they will continue to reflect upon the message they heard. Pray that they see the hearts of the North Americans that live here - that they will see God's love pouring through us, rather than just a large population of crazy North Americans. Pray that hearts will be changed.
Pray for the people who attended the Candlelight Dinner. Pray that they will continue to reflect upon the message they heard. Pray that they see the hearts of the North Americans that live here - that they will see God's love pouring through us, rather than just a large population of crazy North Americans. Pray that hearts will be changed.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
"Noticing the Gap"
The other day I was flipping through one of my TESOL Speaking books looking for some ideas to incorporate into the curriculum I'm working on. This part caught my eye:
"...'notice the gap'... This phrase describes an experience that people have when they are interacting in a second or foreign language. ...
Think of a time when you were speaking a language other than your own and you noticed you couldn't say what you wanted to, or that the way you were saying it was different from what more proficient or native speakers were saying. ..."
(p.126 of Practical English Language Teaching: Speaking by Kathleen M. Bailey)
Um, yeah. I DEFINITELY notice the gap. A LOT. As in every time I try to interact with a German. Mainly that I don't know how to say what I want to say. Or that my response is so slow that by the time my mind starts to piece together a response, the person has already switched into English for me. If only they'd give me time... Slowly but surely - but I still have a long ways to go.
Speaking of cultural and linguistic adaptation, last weekend I watched "The Terminal" for the first time. I almost had to turn it off (a rare thing for me) during the first 15 minutes because I was so agitated by the INSENSITIVITY shown by everyone to Tom Hank's character. I wanted to yell at them "HELLO! HE DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH! HELP HIM OUT!" It was an interesting movie in terms of someone adapting to a new language and culture. (Of course, I do think his acculturation was a bit too smooth to be realistic...)
I'd better stop here before I go off on any soapboxes or start rambling.
Let's just say that I'm continuing to learn a lot about acculturation, transition, and living in another country.
"...'notice the gap'... This phrase describes an experience that people have when they are interacting in a second or foreign language. ...
Think of a time when you were speaking a language other than your own and you noticed you couldn't say what you wanted to, or that the way you were saying it was different from what more proficient or native speakers were saying. ..."
(p.126 of Practical English Language Teaching: Speaking by Kathleen M. Bailey)
Um, yeah. I DEFINITELY notice the gap. A LOT. As in every time I try to interact with a German. Mainly that I don't know how to say what I want to say. Or that my response is so slow that by the time my mind starts to piece together a response, the person has already switched into English for me. If only they'd give me time... Slowly but surely - but I still have a long ways to go.
Speaking of cultural and linguistic adaptation, last weekend I watched "The Terminal" for the first time. I almost had to turn it off (a rare thing for me) during the first 15 minutes because I was so agitated by the INSENSITIVITY shown by everyone to Tom Hank's character. I wanted to yell at them "HELLO! HE DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH! HELP HIM OUT!" It was an interesting movie in terms of someone adapting to a new language and culture. (Of course, I do think his acculturation was a bit too smooth to be realistic...)
I'd better stop here before I go off on any soapboxes or start rambling.
Let's just say that I'm continuing to learn a lot about acculturation, transition, and living in another country.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Watoto
Last night I went to see the Watoto children's choir (check them out here) They are AIDS orphans from Uganda (oh the immense pain and challenges they've been through in their young lives). Watoto is an incredible ministry. They currently minister to 1300 orphans with the goal of caring for 10,000. WOW. Their goal is to train them to be the future leaders of Uganda...all while teaching them about the incredible love of our God. How convicting to hear these children sing "I am not forgotten. Never forsaken."
A-MAZ-ING.
And humbling.
And reminded me of my many blessings. And God's goodness.
A-MAZ-ING.
And humbling.
And reminded me of my many blessings. And God's goodness.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Numbers of HMA
Hallo from Germany! I arrived safely back in Germany yesterday (Friday) afternoon. I had a WONDERFUL, but busy, time of HMA (Home Ministry Assignment) in the States. Allow me to share with you some numbers that might exemplify the craziness of my trip:
- 7 weeks spent in the US
- 6 airports flown into/out of/through
- 12,167 frequent flier miles earned
- 2 trains taken
- 4500+ miles driven (or as a passenger) in a car
- 10 states visited or driven through (2 I had never been to before!)
- 5 churches visited
- 4 other types of "official" meetings
- 2 conferences attended
- 12 beds slept in
- 4 family holiday celebrations attended
- 84 Christmas goodies baked by my mother (at least that's what it felt like!:)
- Countless friends/family/supporters visited
- Numerous memories of encouraging time spent with people!
A hugh THANK YOU to all of you who opened your homes to me, fed me, or gave up time in your busy schedules to spend time with me. (I only wish I could have seen more of you!) Words cannot adequately express how thankful I am for all of you! I am blessed by your friendship, generosity, prayers, and support of me!
As for the financial implications of my trip, I think those results will be seen over the next month or so. When I left for the States, I was at about 75% of what I need for the next two years (to get me through my current commitment of Fall 2009). At this point, I estimate that I am at about 80%. I am praying (and would you please pray?) that God will continue to increase that number.
My heart is full of encouragement from my time in the States. While it was a busy and tiring time, that's not what I will remember. What I will remember is spending time with the precious people that God has put in my life.
- 7 weeks spent in the US
- 6 airports flown into/out of/through
- 12,167 frequent flier miles earned
- 2 trains taken
- 4500+ miles driven (or as a passenger) in a car
- 10 states visited or driven through (2 I had never been to before!)
- 5 churches visited
- 4 other types of "official" meetings
- 2 conferences attended
- 12 beds slept in
- 4 family holiday celebrations attended
- 84 Christmas goodies baked by my mother (at least that's what it felt like!:)
- Countless friends/family/supporters visited
- Numerous memories of encouraging time spent with people!
A hugh THANK YOU to all of you who opened your homes to me, fed me, or gave up time in your busy schedules to spend time with me. (I only wish I could have seen more of you!) Words cannot adequately express how thankful I am for all of you! I am blessed by your friendship, generosity, prayers, and support of me!
As for the financial implications of my trip, I think those results will be seen over the next month or so. When I left for the States, I was at about 75% of what I need for the next two years (to get me through my current commitment of Fall 2009). At this point, I estimate that I am at about 80%. I am praying (and would you please pray?) that God will continue to increase that number.
My heart is full of encouragement from my time in the States. While it was a busy and tiring time, that's not what I will remember. What I will remember is spending time with the precious people that God has put in my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)