Hello everyone,
It seems like it's been a lot of routine things lately, going through shifts and helping people out. I think we've all realized how tired and weary we've become, and for me especially, it's difficult to keep going strong. It's not exactly the repetition of our days and our shifts, but I think the relational aspect has taken its toll on me. It seems like we pour ourselves into people so often, and with so many different people, and then after a couple days they always leave. I never thought I'd get so attached or connected with people (I think I mentioned that before) and it's been strange seeing how sad I am when people leave. I know that a lot of my own strength and energy have been spent, so now I'm just relying on God and his power to work through me. We are all getting very very tired, and as we get more tired, the harder it gets to stay patient and loving with one another, especially when we're ready to return home. But we need to persevere because we expect God to work through our exhaustion and do mighty works in this last week at Bergen and the last 9 days of our whole trip.
We have been able to share the Gospel with a lot of people lately, with groups of people coming in or even just couples or people traveling by themselves. We try to give every traveler the kindness and love that we would have loved to receive (and occasionally did) while we were traveling ourselves. One thing I realized yesterday as I was doing about 8 loads of laundry during my shift yesterday, is the surprise that people show when we as staff show kindness to them. I had forgotten what it was like when we were traveling when we were blessed with free laundry facilities, a great kitchen, kind people to talk to, or just someone who showed an interest in you and what you are doing. I realized that this is what we were doing here, along with sharing the Gospel, we are here to just love people. A couple days ago this really hit me when I had night shift one night, and there was a Metallica concert. A lot of the people in the hostel were planning on going to the concert so I kept the doors open later than usual so they would be able to come back afterward. Several people came stumbling in rather drunk, but in those moments and in the day afterward I began to realize how true it is that God loves every single person, and that he finds value in every single person. I was talking to one of my good friends about this, and he was saying that he often finds it difficult to give patience to these people, almost as if they don't deserve as much love as the respectful, kind, good people do. Because of that conversation I myself had my eyes opened to see that God's love... his UNFAILING love (hesed)... is for every single person. Not much separates us from the person next to us. Culture, family life, values and interests may differ, but at the core we are all human beings who have worth because we are made in God's image and he loves us and called us good. So who am I to decide who deserves more love or more compassion? I, a lowly, selfish, prejudiced person probably do not have the same span of knowledge or insight as God does... I don't know, just a guess.... so why am I making judgments about others or treating others like they don't deserve what I should get?
I don't know, I guess that's still a half formed thought in the middle of being processed. The problem is, now that I know that, I am no longer comfortable in my ignorance (or stubbornness) so I am obliged to live what I learn. That's the hard part.
Please pray that we are able to push through these next 9 days, taking them one day at a time. We are entirely incapable of finishing well without God's provision and strength.
Praises! We have been able to share the Gospel with so many people, and even though some are gone already, we have been in touch and deep conversations are still continuing. Pray especially for Kellie (whose grandmother just died recently, and she's started praying), Jannes (who has had a deeply troubled past and is "99.9% sure" that God exists, is loving, and that there is good and evil), Andor (who keeps asking deep questions and is looking for God to reveal himself in his life), and Marcello (a recent Christian, who is asking some big questions and trying to work out his faith).
Love you all! Go have a large hamburger for me.... and go to the beach if you can!!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Are you a Mary or a Martha?
Well the last few days have certainly become a mad rush of people, work shifts, and trying to fit sleep in there somewhere. I was able to talk with Andor and Bence a lot more for the time they were here, they were so much fun and really enjoyed hanging around the hostel. When they left everyone was so sad that they had gone, and kept up promises of e-mail and facebooking. A couple nights after they left we had our first completely full night, and it just so happened to be waffle night as well. We have free waffle nights every Monday and Thursday night at 9pm, which always draws a big crowd because of the "free" part and the "food" part. This past Monday was crazy, with about 50 people around the hostel, practically inhaling the waffles as soon as we could make them. With the amount of people checking in, the laundry that needed to be done, and all the other things going on, I was pretty distracted and stressed out. It was nice to finally get off shift at about 10:30 and go downstairs to the quiet and peace of our apartment. I think I was so overwhelmed by everything that was going on that I was unable to see how God was working that night, but the next day we all discussed it at team time (prayer and devotion time). It was incredible to hear how God really had worked that night, despite my own perspective of a crowded house with little opportunity to talk to people. Jenn was able to make waffles with Jannes, a Romanian guy whose been staying here for the past week, and they talked extensively about the Gospel, Christianity and the church. Jeff spent some time with Charlie, a South African guy who was also a Christian, and Justin was able to lead Daniel, a Russian guy, to the Lord that night. Huge things happened during a time when I felt overwhelmed and distracted, which is a testament to how great God is and how he is so much bigger than our own perspective.
Just tonight I've been on night shift, and since we have more than 50 people, I had to stay awake the whole night. I was concerned that I wouldn't have the energy to do so, especially because I have night shift again tomorrow night, but I was able to have 2 very good conversations. The first was with Jannes, for some reason he never sleeps so he hung out with me for a while, and we got to talk about good and evil, the purpose of life, God and a whole bunch of other deep stuff. After his conversation with Jenn the other night, he began reading Mere Christianity, so I think he's been interested in discussing what he's been reading. After talking with him for several hours, there were 3 Spanish guys just hanging out on the bay window talking for what seemed like forever. I wondered why they were up so late and so I sat down with them and started talking. We spoke about Spain and America, differences in culture and family life, and ended up talking about religion, the Catholic church's presence in Spain, faith, and then about relationships and sex. It was so interesting to talk with them, and it was funny because they said they had been wary of coming to a Christian hostel because they were afraid the Gospel would be shoved down their throats. I laughed and said, no, we weren't a whole bunch of nuns and priests walking around in large flowing robes and disallowing anyone from saying curse words or "hell". I think they got a really different perspective of Christianity after our conversation, especially from a Protestant point of view, and I was really glad that they actually listened and participated. One of the things I was most surprised about was the fact that they understood me so clearly when I told them that faith was a personal relationship with God, it wasn't following rules and rituals that were manmade. A lot of times when we share the Gospel with others there is less of an understanding about the personal relationship aspect, and we have to say it a couple times before they actually begin to process it, but these guys totally ate it up and understood completely. We ended up talking until 5am, which was about half an hour ago, just about life things and faith things and relationship things. I always love when people are dying for deeper conversation, because there is so much small talk in the hostel community. Where are you from, where are you traveling, what are you studying, etc etc etc. But I find that so many people are just thirsting for deeper conversation and are oftentimes searching for something greater than they have seen in their lives, and I guess that's why we're here at the Intermission Hostel. We're here for people to talk to us, we willingly bring the conversation to a deeper level and minister to the whole being instead of skimming the surface.
Prayer Requests:
Several people on my team are experiencing discouragement and failed expectations, and others have things going on at home right now that are really tough and are big distractions. Please pray that God continues to work and gives us perseverance, as we've reached a point of weariness and exhaustion. Please pray for people we've shared the Gospel with and with whom we've formed relationships: Fernando, Daniel, Andor, Bence, the Spanish guys (Eduardo, Nicolas, and Pablo), Marcello, Jannes. Please also pray for Kellie, our friend we met in Brussels and who came with us to Berlin. She's a budding Christian, has started praying, but things are really tough for her because her grandmother just passed away.
Praises!
Things have been running pretty smoothly here, and God has been doing some great things. We've been able to share the Gospel with quite a few people here, and we have also touched the lives of many who have been staying here, with God working through us. The Russian guy, Daniel, just became a Christian the night before last night. God is giving plenty of opportunities for deep discussions and question asking.
Just tonight I've been on night shift, and since we have more than 50 people, I had to stay awake the whole night. I was concerned that I wouldn't have the energy to do so, especially because I have night shift again tomorrow night, but I was able to have 2 very good conversations. The first was with Jannes, for some reason he never sleeps so he hung out with me for a while, and we got to talk about good and evil, the purpose of life, God and a whole bunch of other deep stuff. After his conversation with Jenn the other night, he began reading Mere Christianity, so I think he's been interested in discussing what he's been reading. After talking with him for several hours, there were 3 Spanish guys just hanging out on the bay window talking for what seemed like forever. I wondered why they were up so late and so I sat down with them and started talking. We spoke about Spain and America, differences in culture and family life, and ended up talking about religion, the Catholic church's presence in Spain, faith, and then about relationships and sex. It was so interesting to talk with them, and it was funny because they said they had been wary of coming to a Christian hostel because they were afraid the Gospel would be shoved down their throats. I laughed and said, no, we weren't a whole bunch of nuns and priests walking around in large flowing robes and disallowing anyone from saying curse words or "hell". I think they got a really different perspective of Christianity after our conversation, especially from a Protestant point of view, and I was really glad that they actually listened and participated. One of the things I was most surprised about was the fact that they understood me so clearly when I told them that faith was a personal relationship with God, it wasn't following rules and rituals that were manmade. A lot of times when we share the Gospel with others there is less of an understanding about the personal relationship aspect, and we have to say it a couple times before they actually begin to process it, but these guys totally ate it up and understood completely. We ended up talking until 5am, which was about half an hour ago, just about life things and faith things and relationship things. I always love when people are dying for deeper conversation, because there is so much small talk in the hostel community. Where are you from, where are you traveling, what are you studying, etc etc etc. But I find that so many people are just thirsting for deeper conversation and are oftentimes searching for something greater than they have seen in their lives, and I guess that's why we're here at the Intermission Hostel. We're here for people to talk to us, we willingly bring the conversation to a deeper level and minister to the whole being instead of skimming the surface.
Prayer Requests:
Several people on my team are experiencing discouragement and failed expectations, and others have things going on at home right now that are really tough and are big distractions. Please pray that God continues to work and gives us perseverance, as we've reached a point of weariness and exhaustion. Please pray for people we've shared the Gospel with and with whom we've formed relationships: Fernando, Daniel, Andor, Bence, the Spanish guys (Eduardo, Nicolas, and Pablo), Marcello, Jannes. Please also pray for Kellie, our friend we met in Brussels and who came with us to Berlin. She's a budding Christian, has started praying, but things are really tough for her because her grandmother just passed away.
Praises!
Things have been running pretty smoothly here, and God has been doing some great things. We've been able to share the Gospel with quite a few people here, and we have also touched the lives of many who have been staying here, with God working through us. The Russian guy, Daniel, just became a Christian the night before last night. God is giving plenty of opportunities for deep discussions and question asking.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sleep? What's that?
It has been so hard for me lately to make myself get up and write this blog. There is so much to write about, and finding time in between shifts and sleep has been interesting.
Intermission Hostel in Bergen, Norway is a relatively small, cozy Christian hostel located about 10 minutes from the harbor and the Fish Market. There is a large dormitory with about 65 beds, a well supplied kitchen, and a common area with big comfy couches, a large table, a piano and a couple of guitars lying around. The common room is definitely my favorite, with large old windows which open up to the cool breeze coming through. Its very light and airy, and has some interesting Scandinavian furniture, tall tables with stools, low chairs, and lots of places to congregate and talk. I must admit, the dormitory is a little bit stark and not as comfortable as I imagined, but the community atmosphere definitely makes up for it. The building from the outside looks like an old, white typical Norwegian home with decorative trim and the white paint chipping off the windows. We live in an apartment downstairs that has 3 very small bedrooms, a kitchen, den area and one bathroom. It took a little getting used to, sharing a bathroom with 5 other people, but I think we've finally got the hang of things. We also made a work schedule with 4 shifts. Morning shift is from 7-3, and includes cleaning, checking people out, making sure breakfast is running smoothly, and just sitting at the desk being in charge. The Cleaning shift is a person who just helps with the cleaning when the hostel is locked up for the midday. We close from 11-3 so we can clean the hostel and have team time together. The cleaning shift also makes lunch for the day, the one meal we all eat together downstairs. The Afternoon shift is from 3-10, and consists mostly of checking people in, setting out afternoon tea and biscuits, and doing lots and lots of laundry. The Night shift is the most interesting, from 10-7. We pretty much hang out until 12 or 1, depending on if its a weekday or a weekend, to lock up the hostel at night. We have to count money and then are free to sleep for a few hours before going to the train station in the morning for the incoming 7am train from Oslo. We go there with a dorky Intermission Hostel sign in case anyone needed a place to stay, they could come with us. I think if I were a person getting off that train, I would be a little frightened of coming to our hostel, because I think we all look groggy eyed and not very friendly that early in the morning, especially after a late night. We have 2 days off a week, and we rotate through the whole schedule so we always have changing schedules.
I found that after the first nervousness of getting used to it all, helping people in and out, and making sure everything is running smoothly, its really a good job. Its fun because a lot of people will come just to talk to you, unless of course you look big and scary and like you are so sick of people that you just want to be left alone. While we were traveling for all of last month, I noticed things that I appreciated and liked in other hostels, and one of the things I liked was when the people running the hostel would just come over and talk with you. It's always interesting to get to know other people, so I love to be open and willing to hang out with other travelers. It has taken some time for my body to rest and get used to a relatively normal schedule, staying in one place and having the same bed, but I think I'm finally relaxing and settling in here.
Last night I had the night shift. Earlier in the day I was feeling really sick, with headaches, body aches, sore throat and just really tired, so I knew that it was only by the grace of God that I would make it through that shift. I figured I would lock the doors, hurry count money and just go to bed. Apparently God had other plans. After a couple of hours on shift, most everyone had cleared out and gone to bed. Two Australian guys were unabashedly hitting on two Swiss girls, which from my perspective, was entirely amusing. I totally knew what was going on the whole time, and it was fun feeling like a fly on the wall, listening in to their conversation the whole time while pretending to do official things. It was great. I couldn't help but smirk several times at what they were saying, I hope they didn't notice me. Another guy was by himself in the common room just playing the guitar. He had been talking with a French girl, Colle, earlier, but she had left to go to bed. He was playing along with the music I was playing (OneRepublic, great album!!!) on the guitar for a while, and then he was quiet for a really long time. I had met him earlier, his name was Andor and he and his friend (whose name starts with a B) were from Budapest, Hungary. He seems very thoughtful and quiet, so I walked over with my tea, plopped down on the couch and asked him what he was thinking about. Suddenly he just opened up, like his thoughts were overflowing and he just needed to get them out. He told me about how as an Eastern European traveling in a Western European culture, he found that a lot of people look down on him because he comes from a poor country. He was surprised that this would even happen, that people would see him as less just because of where he came from. He ended up venting as I listened, pitching in once in a while, but letting him do most of the talking. He was too bothered to go to sleep when he finished, so we basically sat around for 4 hours talking about life, family, religion, travel and culture. Pretty much we talked about everything. The best part of the conversation was when I told him about what we were doing here, how we're from a Christian college and we're here to share what we believe with others. This led to a conversation about his own searching, and how he's interested in researching different religions. There was my cue. In my head I was praying, Ok God, here I go, you're just going to have to speak through me because it's really late\really early in the morning. I asked him if I could share what I believe, and he was totally open and ready to listen. So God opened a way for me to share the Gospel message with him, about God's love for mankind, Jesus Christ's sacrifice and how we are now called to live a live in a relationship with him. He listened, and told me about his own beliefs so far, but there weren't any probing questions or intense interest. After that conversation when he finally grew tired enough to get to bed, I prayed the whole night that God would touch him, pull at his heart and open up his eyes to the truth. Andor is staying here for one more night, maybe a couple more if we can convince him and his friend, but I'm praying desperately that God would work in mighty ways and show himself to Andor.
Intermission Hostel in Bergen, Norway is a relatively small, cozy Christian hostel located about 10 minutes from the harbor and the Fish Market. There is a large dormitory with about 65 beds, a well supplied kitchen, and a common area with big comfy couches, a large table, a piano and a couple of guitars lying around. The common room is definitely my favorite, with large old windows which open up to the cool breeze coming through. Its very light and airy, and has some interesting Scandinavian furniture, tall tables with stools, low chairs, and lots of places to congregate and talk. I must admit, the dormitory is a little bit stark and not as comfortable as I imagined, but the community atmosphere definitely makes up for it. The building from the outside looks like an old, white typical Norwegian home with decorative trim and the white paint chipping off the windows. We live in an apartment downstairs that has 3 very small bedrooms, a kitchen, den area and one bathroom. It took a little getting used to, sharing a bathroom with 5 other people, but I think we've finally got the hang of things. We also made a work schedule with 4 shifts. Morning shift is from 7-3, and includes cleaning, checking people out, making sure breakfast is running smoothly, and just sitting at the desk being in charge. The Cleaning shift is a person who just helps with the cleaning when the hostel is locked up for the midday. We close from 11-3 so we can clean the hostel and have team time together. The cleaning shift also makes lunch for the day, the one meal we all eat together downstairs. The Afternoon shift is from 3-10, and consists mostly of checking people in, setting out afternoon tea and biscuits, and doing lots and lots of laundry. The Night shift is the most interesting, from 10-7. We pretty much hang out until 12 or 1, depending on if its a weekday or a weekend, to lock up the hostel at night. We have to count money and then are free to sleep for a few hours before going to the train station in the morning for the incoming 7am train from Oslo. We go there with a dorky Intermission Hostel sign in case anyone needed a place to stay, they could come with us. I think if I were a person getting off that train, I would be a little frightened of coming to our hostel, because I think we all look groggy eyed and not very friendly that early in the morning, especially after a late night. We have 2 days off a week, and we rotate through the whole schedule so we always have changing schedules.
I found that after the first nervousness of getting used to it all, helping people in and out, and making sure everything is running smoothly, its really a good job. Its fun because a lot of people will come just to talk to you, unless of course you look big and scary and like you are so sick of people that you just want to be left alone. While we were traveling for all of last month, I noticed things that I appreciated and liked in other hostels, and one of the things I liked was when the people running the hostel would just come over and talk with you. It's always interesting to get to know other people, so I love to be open and willing to hang out with other travelers. It has taken some time for my body to rest and get used to a relatively normal schedule, staying in one place and having the same bed, but I think I'm finally relaxing and settling in here.
Last night I had the night shift. Earlier in the day I was feeling really sick, with headaches, body aches, sore throat and just really tired, so I knew that it was only by the grace of God that I would make it through that shift. I figured I would lock the doors, hurry count money and just go to bed. Apparently God had other plans. After a couple of hours on shift, most everyone had cleared out and gone to bed. Two Australian guys were unabashedly hitting on two Swiss girls, which from my perspective, was entirely amusing. I totally knew what was going on the whole time, and it was fun feeling like a fly on the wall, listening in to their conversation the whole time while pretending to do official things. It was great. I couldn't help but smirk several times at what they were saying, I hope they didn't notice me. Another guy was by himself in the common room just playing the guitar. He had been talking with a French girl, Colle, earlier, but she had left to go to bed. He was playing along with the music I was playing (OneRepublic, great album!!!) on the guitar for a while, and then he was quiet for a really long time. I had met him earlier, his name was Andor and he and his friend (whose name starts with a B) were from Budapest, Hungary. He seems very thoughtful and quiet, so I walked over with my tea, plopped down on the couch and asked him what he was thinking about. Suddenly he just opened up, like his thoughts were overflowing and he just needed to get them out. He told me about how as an Eastern European traveling in a Western European culture, he found that a lot of people look down on him because he comes from a poor country. He was surprised that this would even happen, that people would see him as less just because of where he came from. He ended up venting as I listened, pitching in once in a while, but letting him do most of the talking. He was too bothered to go to sleep when he finished, so we basically sat around for 4 hours talking about life, family, religion, travel and culture. Pretty much we talked about everything. The best part of the conversation was when I told him about what we were doing here, how we're from a Christian college and we're here to share what we believe with others. This led to a conversation about his own searching, and how he's interested in researching different religions. There was my cue. In my head I was praying, Ok God, here I go, you're just going to have to speak through me because it's really late\really early in the morning. I asked him if I could share what I believe, and he was totally open and ready to listen. So God opened a way for me to share the Gospel message with him, about God's love for mankind, Jesus Christ's sacrifice and how we are now called to live a live in a relationship with him. He listened, and told me about his own beliefs so far, but there weren't any probing questions or intense interest. After that conversation when he finally grew tired enough to get to bed, I prayed the whole night that God would touch him, pull at his heart and open up his eyes to the truth. Andor is staying here for one more night, maybe a couple more if we can convince him and his friend, but I'm praying desperately that God would work in mighty ways and show himself to Andor.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Just Smell The Coastal Air!
Since Lyon, I can easily say that we have been in 3 of the most beautiful places on earth. From Lyon we traveled to Gryon, Switzerland, taking 2 larger trains and then a cograil up the mountain. It was so nice to be getting away from all the big city feel and the rush and crowds, and when we got off the cograil in Gryon we were astonished at the view. We were standing on a road alongside the mountain, with 4 mountain peaks in the distance and a perfect view of a small Swiss village in the valley below. What excited us even more was the hostel, a very homey and welcoming place with breathtaking views, big comfy leader couches, and a well stocked kitchen. It was incredible being able to use a kitchen with all the things we needed, like spices, pots and pans, plenty of dishes and working stoves and ovens. It was your typical Swiss Chalet, with slanted roofs and gingerbread trim. There was a fire pit and an outdoor patio, complete with a grill. There were plenty of boardgames and books to read, and the rooms were airy and light. All in all, it was the best hostel we had ever stayed at. The people were very friendly as well. It was amusing, the people working the hostel outnumbered those who were staying in it. Elizabeth and Matt owned and ran the hostel, and several people had come to work for the summer, Kati, Bryan, Chris, Jason, Megan, and a couple of other people whose names are escaping me at the moment. From the beginning they were welcoming, easy to just sit and talk with. Since they all knew each other, it was also fun to be goofy together, like the last night when we had an impromptu dance party in the kitchen.
I found myself spending more time with the people who worked there than the guests, which was different from the others on my team. Justin really clicked with a couple named Adrian and Melissa, and Jenn and I both got to know this girl Becky, from California. She was staying there for 2 months, so she was part of the larger group of people. I think the large group atmosphere didn't allow for many close, tight conversations, but we were still able to share the Gospel with a couple people. It was an interesting dynamic, being so welcomed and part of a larger group that had fun together, but keeping it at a shallow level, going no deeper than family life or goals and aspirations. I would definitely go to Gryon again, it was such a beautiful place. There was hiking all over, and there were amazing activities to do, like paragliding. Unfortunately, because of the risk managment office at Wheaton, we weren't able to go paragliding, but I'm hoping to go back there with my brother when we backpack around Europe and we'll be able to do it!
From Gryon we spent one night in Feldkirch, Austria, en route to meet up with everyone in Salzburg. Surprisingly, we met 2 guys at our hostel, which was formerly a leper colony long time ago. Harrison was from Arkansas and Eugene was from Oklahoma. They were really a lot of fun to hang out with and were quite easy to talk to. We were able to share with them a little bit of what we were doing and why we were doing it, which also didn't go anywhere. It was fine, though, it was a blast hanging out with them watching the Euro Cup finals. Unfortunately, Germany lost to Spain, but to be honest, Spain played a much better game than Germany.
Finally we made it to Salzburg and met up with everyone there. It was so exciting to be with the other YHM teams and listen to each others stories and about who they all had met. We had our retreat in Mittersill, Austria, in a castle called Schloss Mittersill. The day after we arrived was my birthday, and I kept saying over and over how exciting it was that I got to spend my birthday in a real castle!!! That's something only little girls dream about, and now that I'm 20, it comes true!!! Oooh... maybe dreams really do come true. Well our midsummer retreat was really nice, there was a lot of snacks like chocolate and fruit and other munchies, and we got to sleep and hang out all the time. As much time as I spend relaxing, I was surprisingly not rested. Even now a few days later I'm tired, but I'm sure I will regain energy soon.
Now we are in Bergen, Norway, a beautiful little sea town right on the West coast of Norway. Intermission Hostel, which we are now running, is a homey hostel with a cool common room and free waffle nights every Monday and Thursday! The catch is... we are in charge of it all, so we actually make the waffles, clean up everything, check people in and out. It's been refreshing so far to have a regular routine and an apartment downstairs to store all of our stuff and not worry about it. Whats even more incredible is the fact that we will be here for about 3 weeks! After moving every 4 days for a month, that is as close to heaven as you can get. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but you get my point. Side note... the landing into the Bergen airport was probably the most beautiful things I've seen in my life. The sun was just going down as we were passing over the fjords and the small islands dotting the west coast of Norway. There were boats still out, exploring the twisty watery areas, and there were many small houses on all the edges of the land. Most of the houses were only accessible by boat, having their own little private docks. The Everything reflected that golden glow that the sun gives as it goes down, so it seemed like a fairy land.
Ok well I feel like this post has been a lot of stream of consciousness, I'm exhausted and might go take a nap because it's my day off today! Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Please pray for the people who will be staying in our hostel, that God will prepare their hearts and open them up to Him. Pray that we work well as a team, with the addition of our two YHM leaders, Heather and Sarah, and that we may work as though working for the Lord.
I found myself spending more time with the people who worked there than the guests, which was different from the others on my team. Justin really clicked with a couple named Adrian and Melissa, and Jenn and I both got to know this girl Becky, from California. She was staying there for 2 months, so she was part of the larger group of people. I think the large group atmosphere didn't allow for many close, tight conversations, but we were still able to share the Gospel with a couple people. It was an interesting dynamic, being so welcomed and part of a larger group that had fun together, but keeping it at a shallow level, going no deeper than family life or goals and aspirations. I would definitely go to Gryon again, it was such a beautiful place. There was hiking all over, and there were amazing activities to do, like paragliding. Unfortunately, because of the risk managment office at Wheaton, we weren't able to go paragliding, but I'm hoping to go back there with my brother when we backpack around Europe and we'll be able to do it!
From Gryon we spent one night in Feldkirch, Austria, en route to meet up with everyone in Salzburg. Surprisingly, we met 2 guys at our hostel, which was formerly a leper colony long time ago. Harrison was from Arkansas and Eugene was from Oklahoma. They were really a lot of fun to hang out with and were quite easy to talk to. We were able to share with them a little bit of what we were doing and why we were doing it, which also didn't go anywhere. It was fine, though, it was a blast hanging out with them watching the Euro Cup finals. Unfortunately, Germany lost to Spain, but to be honest, Spain played a much better game than Germany.
Finally we made it to Salzburg and met up with everyone there. It was so exciting to be with the other YHM teams and listen to each others stories and about who they all had met. We had our retreat in Mittersill, Austria, in a castle called Schloss Mittersill. The day after we arrived was my birthday, and I kept saying over and over how exciting it was that I got to spend my birthday in a real castle!!! That's something only little girls dream about, and now that I'm 20, it comes true!!! Oooh... maybe dreams really do come true. Well our midsummer retreat was really nice, there was a lot of snacks like chocolate and fruit and other munchies, and we got to sleep and hang out all the time. As much time as I spend relaxing, I was surprisingly not rested. Even now a few days later I'm tired, but I'm sure I will regain energy soon.
Now we are in Bergen, Norway, a beautiful little sea town right on the West coast of Norway. Intermission Hostel, which we are now running, is a homey hostel with a cool common room and free waffle nights every Monday and Thursday! The catch is... we are in charge of it all, so we actually make the waffles, clean up everything, check people in and out. It's been refreshing so far to have a regular routine and an apartment downstairs to store all of our stuff and not worry about it. Whats even more incredible is the fact that we will be here for about 3 weeks! After moving every 4 days for a month, that is as close to heaven as you can get. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but you get my point. Side note... the landing into the Bergen airport was probably the most beautiful things I've seen in my life. The sun was just going down as we were passing over the fjords and the small islands dotting the west coast of Norway. There were boats still out, exploring the twisty watery areas, and there were many small houses on all the edges of the land. Most of the houses were only accessible by boat, having their own little private docks. The Everything reflected that golden glow that the sun gives as it goes down, so it seemed like a fairy land.
Ok well I feel like this post has been a lot of stream of consciousness, I'm exhausted and might go take a nap because it's my day off today! Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Please pray for the people who will be staying in our hostel, that God will prepare their hearts and open them up to Him. Pray that we work well as a team, with the addition of our two YHM leaders, Heather and Sarah, and that we may work as though working for the Lord.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Freedom of Faith vs. the Shell of Religion
Hello All.
Well it's been such a long time since I've been able to post here! Where did I leave off?
Ok so in Lyon it was extremely frustrating because we weren't meeting anyone, it was way too hot, and our room was slightly run down. We moved hostels for the last two nights of our stay there, L'Auberge Jeunesse, where we were pleased with the relaxed, communal atmosphere and comfortable beds. I guess you could say the major lesson of Lyon was, if you pray for something within God's will, he just pours it on. At this hostel we met tons of people: Fabienne, a girl from Quebec who had torn her ACL and was in a brace, Joe, an ex special ops guy who was going to school in Lyon for the summer, Sam and Nick, two young intellects from Boston, and many other people just hanging around. At about every meal we had some person eating with us, just sharing and talking. Surprisingly, for how many people we met, we didn't end up having any deep conversations until the last night. Jenn and I were practically attacked with a theological debate, which ended up being an incredible blessing.
Sam and Nick were both in the boys' room, and earlier in the day they had found out that we were all traveling together and we were all Christians. They had a mocking approach to religion, and were snotty and rude toward the guys. So I think later that night when they started talking to me and Jenn, it was almost as if they were testing us or just coming at us with this debate to see how we would hold up. Either that or they thought it would be more exciting to beat a couple of girls at a debate like this. Little did they know that God was on our side. It actually started randomly, first with general questions about travel and stuff, with them complaining about how they had been mugged earlier in the day and had 150€ stolen from them. I felt a little sorry for them until I found out that they had been trying to buy drugs off this guy who led them down an alley, punched Sam, and then took off with the money. I had already decided that they were annoying when Nick turns to Jenn and asks, "So, what's your mission here?" Ok, what an opener, huh? She basically tells them the gist of it, and Sam and Nick take it into stride, opening up a debate about standards of morality and if there are universal human desires or needs. They started the whole thing pretty aggressively, making me concerned that this would be a huge debate over theological and philosophical ideas that would go around in circles. I began to pray that God would open their hearts and minds, I honestly didn't think it was possible and I didn't expect it at all, but I kept praying anyways, knowing that God was big enough to do whatever he wanted. After a good 30 minutes of talking about this lofty intellectual morality/universalism/relativism conversation, Nick suddenly brought up the point about how people use religion to make themselves feel better, almost like having to do penance all the time. I spoke up, saying "But you have to make a distinction between religion and faith" thinking that it would just be another random comment thrown in to keep our conversation going round in cirlces. There was a pause though. Pause, and then Sam said, "Explain what you mean by that." Ok I was shocked. I gave a surprised laugh, taken aback that they actually listened and wanted to know more. It was almost as if God was plopping the opportunity to share the Gospel right in my lap, no loopholes or thinks to watch out for. Jenn and I began to explain the difference between religion, which is full of ritual, rules and going through the motions, and then a living faith, which is a relationship with Christ, personal knowing and growing. At that point they started listening. It was still an intense conversation, but Sam and Nick were actually asking questions that meant something, like they were searching. Jenn was great at answering the deep philosophical and theological questions, because I honestly felt as if I paled in comparison to their intellect and memory. But we talking about Christianity, how many "Christians" don't live a Christian lifestyle, how God wants a personal relationship, the fact that Christians are absolutely not perfect, how we don't have all the answers, and yes, life really hurts sometimes but because of that we are able to see true joy and beauty when it comes. By the end of our discussion they really had a respect for what we said and believe. They kept thanking us and saying that it really was a good learning experience. Honestly, all I can say is that God had his hand on the entire discussion. The Holy Spirit was definitely present, because only by Him their hearts and minds were opened. After our conversation, Jeff and Justin noted that Sam and Nick were so much more respectful towards them. They no longer mocked their beliefs or what they were doing, because Jenn and I were able to give them a fresh, realistic view of our faith, not religion.
I find that a lot of people have a view of "Religion". It's a going through the motions, follow the rules, no questions asked kind of religion. But that's not what God is all about. I am reminded over and over again that it's about a personal relationship, and this incredible love that never fails and never ever will be taken away. For so long I couldn't grasp the idea of God's love, and now that I'm explaining it to other people I find that it is so much greater than I could have imagined. Seriously. I consider myself so blessed to have the vision to see that. Even to see past the shell of Religion and reach the place of a living faith. It's not about "reading the Bible" it's about spending time with God! How amazing is it that the God who created the universe, who holds the mountains in his hands and makes his path through the seas (Psalm 90something) actually wants to get to know us and love us and show himself to us? I am so thankful that I have been delivered out of the Religion shell. Even the ability to see where I have come out of is incredible.
If I was asked what I learned on this trip, I think I would have to make a list, because there are so many things. But I am most thankful for the fact that I am learning. To stop learning is to stop living, I think.
So off of my soapbox. :) I love you all and miss you.
Please pray for Sam and Nick. And thank you for all your prayers, they mean so much. I think a lot of times people say thank you for prayers and only half mean it, like it's just covering all their bases to be polite. But seriously, God is moving here on behalf of your prayers.
Well it's been such a long time since I've been able to post here! Where did I leave off?
Ok so in Lyon it was extremely frustrating because we weren't meeting anyone, it was way too hot, and our room was slightly run down. We moved hostels for the last two nights of our stay there, L'Auberge Jeunesse, where we were pleased with the relaxed, communal atmosphere and comfortable beds. I guess you could say the major lesson of Lyon was, if you pray for something within God's will, he just pours it on. At this hostel we met tons of people: Fabienne, a girl from Quebec who had torn her ACL and was in a brace, Joe, an ex special ops guy who was going to school in Lyon for the summer, Sam and Nick, two young intellects from Boston, and many other people just hanging around. At about every meal we had some person eating with us, just sharing and talking. Surprisingly, for how many people we met, we didn't end up having any deep conversations until the last night. Jenn and I were practically attacked with a theological debate, which ended up being an incredible blessing.
Sam and Nick were both in the boys' room, and earlier in the day they had found out that we were all traveling together and we were all Christians. They had a mocking approach to religion, and were snotty and rude toward the guys. So I think later that night when they started talking to me and Jenn, it was almost as if they were testing us or just coming at us with this debate to see how we would hold up. Either that or they thought it would be more exciting to beat a couple of girls at a debate like this. Little did they know that God was on our side. It actually started randomly, first with general questions about travel and stuff, with them complaining about how they had been mugged earlier in the day and had 150€ stolen from them. I felt a little sorry for them until I found out that they had been trying to buy drugs off this guy who led them down an alley, punched Sam, and then took off with the money. I had already decided that they were annoying when Nick turns to Jenn and asks, "So, what's your mission here?" Ok, what an opener, huh? She basically tells them the gist of it, and Sam and Nick take it into stride, opening up a debate about standards of morality and if there are universal human desires or needs. They started the whole thing pretty aggressively, making me concerned that this would be a huge debate over theological and philosophical ideas that would go around in circles. I began to pray that God would open their hearts and minds, I honestly didn't think it was possible and I didn't expect it at all, but I kept praying anyways, knowing that God was big enough to do whatever he wanted. After a good 30 minutes of talking about this lofty intellectual morality/universalism/relativism conversation, Nick suddenly brought up the point about how people use religion to make themselves feel better, almost like having to do penance all the time. I spoke up, saying "But you have to make a distinction between religion and faith" thinking that it would just be another random comment thrown in to keep our conversation going round in cirlces. There was a pause though. Pause, and then Sam said, "Explain what you mean by that." Ok I was shocked. I gave a surprised laugh, taken aback that they actually listened and wanted to know more. It was almost as if God was plopping the opportunity to share the Gospel right in my lap, no loopholes or thinks to watch out for. Jenn and I began to explain the difference between religion, which is full of ritual, rules and going through the motions, and then a living faith, which is a relationship with Christ, personal knowing and growing. At that point they started listening. It was still an intense conversation, but Sam and Nick were actually asking questions that meant something, like they were searching. Jenn was great at answering the deep philosophical and theological questions, because I honestly felt as if I paled in comparison to their intellect and memory. But we talking about Christianity, how many "Christians" don't live a Christian lifestyle, how God wants a personal relationship, the fact that Christians are absolutely not perfect, how we don't have all the answers, and yes, life really hurts sometimes but because of that we are able to see true joy and beauty when it comes. By the end of our discussion they really had a respect for what we said and believe. They kept thanking us and saying that it really was a good learning experience. Honestly, all I can say is that God had his hand on the entire discussion. The Holy Spirit was definitely present, because only by Him their hearts and minds were opened. After our conversation, Jeff and Justin noted that Sam and Nick were so much more respectful towards them. They no longer mocked their beliefs or what they were doing, because Jenn and I were able to give them a fresh, realistic view of our faith, not religion.
I find that a lot of people have a view of "Religion". It's a going through the motions, follow the rules, no questions asked kind of religion. But that's not what God is all about. I am reminded over and over again that it's about a personal relationship, and this incredible love that never fails and never ever will be taken away. For so long I couldn't grasp the idea of God's love, and now that I'm explaining it to other people I find that it is so much greater than I could have imagined. Seriously. I consider myself so blessed to have the vision to see that. Even to see past the shell of Religion and reach the place of a living faith. It's not about "reading the Bible" it's about spending time with God! How amazing is it that the God who created the universe, who holds the mountains in his hands and makes his path through the seas (Psalm 90something) actually wants to get to know us and love us and show himself to us? I am so thankful that I have been delivered out of the Religion shell. Even the ability to see where I have come out of is incredible.
If I was asked what I learned on this trip, I think I would have to make a list, because there are so many things. But I am most thankful for the fact that I am learning. To stop learning is to stop living, I think.
So off of my soapbox. :) I love you all and miss you.
Please pray for Sam and Nick. And thank you for all your prayers, they mean so much. I think a lot of times people say thank you for prayers and only half mean it, like it's just covering all their bases to be polite. But seriously, God is moving here on behalf of your prayers.
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