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.
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