A Slightly Long Update Mostly About Retreat

Was it really a week ago already that I boarded a bus (or 6 buses, rather) with approximately 250 BFA students and 50 staff to head to Nürnberg (Nuremberg in English)? A bus ride that took over 8 hours on Friday (because of wrong turns and a good German stau , or traffic jam) and 6 hours on Sunday. A bus ride during which I observed games of Mafia (creative renditions involving such things as the Salem witch hunts and Sparta) and discussions of everything from free will and predestination to future plans to musical tastes to family to last weekend’s or next weekend’s plans.

I learned much about BFA students/MKs last weekend. These teens are dynamic, talented, and amazing. But a lot of them have developed cynicism toward Christianity, retreats, etc. because they’ve experienced/observed so many of the ups and downs of ministry and Christian life. Some of them are cynical because of the hypocrisy they’ve observed. Many of them are afraid to have “deep” spiritual conversations because they’re afraid of either being perceived as hypocritical or overly-spiritual (and being teenagers, they desire to conform rather than stick out like a sore thumb).

Good conversations were had last weekend. Pray that God helps the students continue to work through what they heard – to appropriately process these things and continue to grow spiritually.

During the retreat, we had whole group sessions with a speaker, breakout seminars, and small group discussion times. Another staff member and I led a discussion group consisting of 6 guys and 3 girls (mostly 10^th graders). The guys were a bit quiet, but yet engaged and observant. The 3 girls were a blessing to my heart. These young ladies have a lot of potential and sweet hearts that desire to serve God. Pray for them, and for me as I seek to continue to encourage them.

The rooms we slept in were assigned according to our weekly Wednesday night small groups. Please also pray for the seven sophomores who are in my small group.

Nürnberg is a beautiful city, rich with history. I learned a lot over the weekend about what a key city it was for the Nazis. This helped me to better understand the history and culture of the German people – the people that God has brought me here to serve. They are ashamed of how easily they were deceived. Also, they are afraid of showing too much nationalism or patriotism (there are not flags flying everywhere here like there are in the US), for fear it will be misinterpreted.

God also worked in my own life last weekend – a lot of the messages and things shared related to things that I am currently processing. Praise God for His work in my life, and please pray that He will continue to help me work through these things, and that through this He will continue to mold me into the person He wants me to be.

One of the things that has been reconfirmed to me recently is the desire I have to encourage and speak Truth into other people’s lives. The retreat speaker shared of how we might not change the world in big ways (stopping starvation, poverty, or AIDS, for example), but through small acts of obedience we can serve God and make a difference. I was reminded that God has called me to build into other’s lives through one-on-one and small group relationships. I might not reach hundreds or thousands this way, but I can help to encourage and build up the people that God has put into my life – my BFA small group girls, some of the German campers that I keep in touch with regularly, and others.

On another note, please pray for the curriculum project (based on the Narnia movie) I am currently working on. We’re getting to the final stages of this (the final few weeks), and it’s intense and demanding. I often feel inadequate to do this. Please pray for the team I am working with, and for me, that we will have the time, focus, mental clarity, and creativity needed to finish this project to the glory of God.

The Irony of Snow...

Background info #1: Winters here in Kandern are MUCH milder than what this Northern New York native is used to. I saw one snowfall here in November. My time in the States in December and January helped to assure my internal body clock that winter does still exist. I have been told that it is almost more likely for it to snow here in March (or even April) than in January or February.

Background info #2: Because the weather has been good, and therefore no snow days have been used, BFA called a “snow day” yesterday to give staff and students a break after retreat.

This morning, I woke up and noticed how grayish-white the world outside my window was. I thought to myself “Another foggy morning in Kandern.” Then I put my glasses on and realized it was SNOW (yes, my vision is that bad). I laughed at the irony of having a "snow day" yesterday (or a "snow awareness day" as some referred to it) and actually having snow today. The picture above is the scene outside my window this morning. My second Kandern snowfall.

And now (3:30pm), it is sunny and I think the snow is completely gone.

Irony.

BFA's High School Retreat

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

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.