Immersion Course vs. Connecting

Last Monday was a day of relief…relief because of some decisions. As most of you know, I had been planning to do a German language immersion course this fall. Well, doing so would mean “relocating” (or a very long commute) for a month or two. It would also mean not getting as well connected around here, since a lot of the activities start up at the beginning of the school year (just like in the States). Not feeling connected around here was weighing heavily on me, so for that reason (and some others), after much prayer and deliberation I have decided not to do an immersion course at this point. I have started going to a German class that BFA offers for its staff two days a week, and I think I’m going to take a course at the Volkshochschule (a community ed program I think we would call it in the States?) that starts in October. I am also going to be part of a women’s German/English Bible study that starts this week. So even though I’m not doing much formal language study at this point, I am trying to be more deliberate about studying it on my own and getting plugged into the German community around here.

Last Monday I also received word that I won’t have to go back to the States to raise more support at this point. This is another source of relief and decreases my anxious thoughts! PTL for He is good, even when my idea of good does not match His!

Day by day I am feeling more connected here – a fact for which I am thankful. But it does feel like I am on a rollercoaster sometimes – which I’m told is normal.

It would be easier to connect with people if my phone worked! To make a long story short, my home phone has not worked since camps ended (over a month ago). I am hoping that it REALLY gets fixed this week, as it is beginning to frustrate me a bit, but it reminds me to keep things in perspective.

I am really trying to commit to putting forth the effort necessary to THRIVE here…no matter how long I end up staying in Germany, I don’t want to look back on my time here and know that I didn’t make the most of it. Pray that I have the strength and courage to do that…to build into the people I meet and to engage in the culture around me. As Jim Elliot said “Wherever you are, be all there.”

My Job Description

Many of you have asked me what exactly I'm doing now that camps are over...well, that's a hard question to answer. For the same reason it's hard to really list my "job description." Why is it hard to list? - because there are so many little things that need to be done for the camps to happen, and because you never know what a day may hold. At this point, we're still wrapping up loose ends from this summer, but we'll soon be jumping into the big projects for next summer. Here are some of the things I've done in the past week or so:
- Reorganized the garage (storage area) - which included taking apart shelves and putting them back together (as well as getting very dusty:)
- Making a list of all the tasks that will keep me busy between now and April - a whole flip chart page worth. :)
- Sorting through and reorganizing the linens that our summer staff use
- Collecting and reviewing staff feedback (general, cooks, activities coordinators, etc.) to help us evaluate our program
- Sat in on a budget review meeting
- Otherwise organized and evaluated information.

One thing is for sure - there's definitely not an opportunity to get bored or stuck in a rut! :)

Swiss Camp video

Here's a link to a video of the JT English camp for French-speaking teens in Switzerland: click here

Stories...

As we reflect on and discuss how camp went this summer, I hear more and more stories that tell how God worked this summer. Let me share a few snippets:

*A staff member said "I knew I could love the loveable, but I learned this summer that I could love the UNloveable.

*Staff members eyes were opened to the spiritual needs of German teens, and they feel God possibly leading them to minister to Germans in the future.

*Campers have already registered for next summer because camp this summer was "boththumbsup!" and"oberhammer" (which I'm told is really strong - means something like REALLY awesome).

*A camper who is struggling with self-mutilation approached a staff member after chapel one night, confesses her struggle, and says she wants to be free from this.

*Campers are eager to learn - and hungry for - the truth of the Bible. For example, when the Bible speaker tells them to turn to a certain verse, they keep looking until they find it. If the verse is in Matthew, many of them start looking in the front of their Bible (not realizing that Matthew is in the last half) and keep looking until they get to Matthew.

*A camper who is struggling with unhealthy eating habits finds hope when she begins a personal relationship with Christ.

...And the list goes on.... The stories that we do hear excite me greatly. At the same time, I know that many seeds are planted...the fruit of those seeds will only be truly known when we get to heaven. And that will be OBERHAMMER! :)

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words...

...so what's a slideshow worth?

It's the little things....

The best of intentions....well, it's hard to believe that two weeks have gone by since I last posted. Since then, camp has wrapped up - all of the campers and staff are gone and I've caught my breath. From the things I've heard, all of the camps went well this summer! God was definitely at work in many lives this summer - PTL!

The whirlwind has ended...I must admit that as amazing as camp is and as much as I love it, it's nice to have slowed down, regained my sanity, and not have every day feel as though it's two days long. :)

Learning to live in a new culture....A lot of times in life, it's the little things that matter or make the difference. This is especially true when living in a new/different culture where you don't speak the language (I'm working on that - I promise!). It is also important to this story that I tend to be very critical of myself. Yesterday, I took the bus by myself for the first time (and actually, I've only ever taken the bus once or twice ever in Germany). I got on the bus, and told the bus driver where I was going to and he said "2.70" (He said it in German and to my surprise, I understood what he said!) So I put my 2 euro coin in the little machine thing and out comes 30 cents. So, being confused, I start to take the change and the ticket (but I was not walking away). So the driver repeats "ZWEI.70" (in german, obviously, emphasis on the zwei/two). So I put my 1 euro coin in the machine, take my change and ticket, say "Danke" (Thank you), and go sit down.
As I was sitting down, I was reminded of something one of my fellow TAs told me near the end of the school year. (I can't remember her exact words and my paraphrase won't mirror the power of her statement.) She said something along the lines of "Learn to place the label of idiot on the right person." In other words, don't always blame myself and don't feel like I'm an idiot. That's important for me to remember, especially living her. 'Cause you know what? I successfully paid my fare and got where I needed to go. And at the end of the day, I doubt the bus driver even remembered who I was.
I'm sure I'll misunderstand plenty more things and make many more mistakes in learning to live here, and I need to remember to not be overly-critical of myself - to let things roll "like water off a duck's back."

I've been working on paperwork stuff (in follow-up to English Camps) for most of the day - I'm soon going to wrap things up, head home, and then go to the store to replenish my empty fridge. :) And oh yes - I'll post some pictures soon!!!

A Camp Update

To continue the saga of Kari driving in Germany: My driving abilities continue to improve. Today I drove a van that was stick that did NOT have power steering. And we were on some crazy narrow twisty mountain roads. And we took a couple wrong turns so Kari had to turn the beastly van around. But have no fear - we arrived safely at our destination!

Oh how quickly the days pass by...but at the same time it seems like this camp has lasted for weeks (or maybe even years) - but in a good way. We have a great group of campers and staff and we're keeping pretty busy from sun-up to sun-down (well, actually, after sun-down:) - having fun and most importantly, watching God work. And working He is! At least 5 campers have made decisions, and many more are searching - it's exciting! But our hearts are also heavy as we see the huge struggles they are facing - possible eating disorders, tough family situations, trying to make decisions about their futures, etc. Please be praying praying praying for them, and that God will give us the words to say for them.

My role as director keeps me on my toes - trying to keep all of the details flowing so that camp goes smoothly. I really can't complain - I have a great staff, who thankfully accepts me regardless of my weaknesses (and gives me a ton of grief in the process. Hey - I guess I'm good for entertainment value!:) I'm learning a lot about leadership and organizing. I'm also learning that #1 - I'm not expected to be perfect and #2 - You have to pick your battles.

We have two full days left and then the campers leave on Saturday. Please pray for the campers:
- For those who are believers to be strengthened in their walk with Jesus
- For those who are searching to realize the Truth
- For those whose hearts are hard to be softened

Danke und Gute Nacht! (Thank you and Good Night!)