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.

"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.

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.

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.

I love teens!

Last night I was at a church in Michigan. I had the privilege of sharing both with the youth group and the adults about the English Camps in Germany. I was thankful for the interaction I had with both groups, but especially with the teens. The pastor had asked me to share my ministry with them....to give them a burden to pray for me. This was the first youth group I had shared my ministry with, and I felt a bit inadequate, but I prayed that God would give me the words to say. And He did. I had fun interacting with these teens. Some of them knew a bit about Germany, and they asked lots of questions! It was exciting to see some of them already excited for missions, and it is awesome to think of the potential they have and how God will use them both now and in the future! This is what excites me about working with teens - to encourage them to keep seeking God and obeying Him step by step, wherever He leads them!

Praise God for His faithfulness in our lives!!!!!!!!!

Bouncing around....

The month of January has been crazy but good as I've been bouncing around seeing people, sharing about the English Camp ministry, etc. Honestly, it's been a bit physically draining (I'm currently fighting a cold) but emotionally and spiritually, it has been encouraging! I am thankful to have been able to make this trip and to connect with old and new friends! God has blessed me in so many ways...more than I can put in a blog post...and I am learning lots. I am definitely enjoying being "at home" in the US, where I know the language and culture and am enjoying seeing familiar faces. However, I think that when the plane touches down on German soil on Feb. 1st, I will step off the plane with a joy and peace in my heart, knowing that is where God has called me to serve.

Note: I want to share pictures of my time in the States with you all, so I will have to post some soon. :)

Happy 2008!!

I hope that you all are enjoying a good start to 2008. How did it get to be 2008 already? I remember when I started college thinking that 2003 (my graduation year) seemed so far away. How time flies! But as I look back over this year and the ones before it, God's goodness shines through.

Obviously I've been going through a bit of a blogging "silent period" recently. It has been busy but good here in NY celebrating the holidays with my family. I've also had the opportunity to see other friends and family, and to share with three churches here in NY (two plus my home church) how God is working through the English Camp ministry. Through it all, there's been a lot going on inside my head, but not much that would be coherent on a computer screen.

This next month promises to be busy as well. I leave tomorrow to spend a few days at a conference in Colorado. Then I'll be in Ohio (and some other surrounding states:) for the rest of January, before flying back to Germany on the 31st. Please pray that God will give me many opportunities to share the English Camp ministry with people. Moreso, please pray that He will give me the strength I need to keep my focus on Him. And that through it all, joy will shine through, rather than busyness.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and God-honoring 2008!