Summer Life

For the next two weeks, it is still summer break here in Austria. (But don't be jealous because their summer starts at the start of July). During the summer, life is very different for us. We don't have the majority of our regularly scheduled events (including: Youth Group, bible studies, Thursday night soccer, and daily afternoon tutoring) and many of the youth kids are off on vacation with their families. The only regular weekly activity we have is Friday night hang out at the Lighthouse. This is such a huge change for us. Before we left for camp, we had German class every morning, followed by the after school Tutoring (most days), and then activities the majority of the evenings during the week. We were busy, really we were a bit too busy. God has really switched our daily life around. Now we are planning and scheduling our daily events. We are doing more sports outreach, more meeting one-on-one with youth, studying German, spending more time with God, pursuing more in depth relationships with those from German class and we are even taking an online class (through the EFCA) on Ministering in a Roman Catholic Context. It is exciting to see how different our life looks right now but also to see how much God is using us! It can be stressful at times and requires a lot more effort on our part to be planning out each day but God is developing that skill. It will be nice to have school start again and be back into a routine (although we most likely won't have any more German classes). Now with our extra time from not having German classes, we will be able to implement more of these things we are doing now into our daily life. You can definitely be praying for us as we will be going through the transition back to school being in session here in a couple weeks but also for the time now that God will really use us in unexpected ways. 

Seth and Nur went hiking (we live even closer to the mountains in our new apartment). They almost made it to the top but decided to turn around. Maybe next time :)

Me and Jen, she has been on our team here for the last 3 months but is now back in the states in hopes of coming back next summer and then staying for a year!

Talia, Viki, and I. These are two girls that have been a part of the middle school youth group and this year, Talia will now have moved up and becoming to the High school youth group, which we help with. Viki is also now old enough but she will be moving with her family to London tomorrow. Definitely be praying for her transition through the move as well as our relationship, so far we had been meeting on a weekly basis and she would like to continue that, through Skype.

David and Jonas in the Lighthouse preparing supper for us all for Friday Night...with their chef hats on. It has become tradition now that a couple people will cook and everyone will chip in a little for groceries. It is a great way to get healthier and cheaper food rather than everyone going out to Burger King for supper and then bringing it back.

Our new apartment is much smaller than our last but that hasn't stopped us from still inviting people over! It did not take long for this apartment to feel like home : )

6 Months

It is hard to believe that it has already been over 6 months that we have been living here in Austria. In so many ways it still feels like we are still adapting and adjusting to a new culture, job and environment. But at the same time it feels like we have been here for a long time already. Part of that I think is because we believe that this is where God has called us to be and through that we find peace and rest in him, even in the adjustments. So it is not so much about the changes that we experience or how much we like the language or anything like that. It’s being excited for where God has us. It is us going through the learning curve for where we are at so that we can better know how and where God wants to use us.

In the past few months we have seen various people come to serve here in Austria for a short term. This has ranged from a 3-month term to 3 weeks. It has been encouraging to see the enthusiasm and energy that people have when they come. To hear how God has worked in their lives during their time here and even what they believe God is calling them to do in response.  Seeing God work in many of these people’s lives as well as many of our youth and kids at English camp has made me reflect a lot on our life and where God is leading us.

I cannot say that God revealed everything to me about our future or even how he is working in our life now but it has caused me to think and pray a lot more especially of things yet to come. A big part of that is thinking about if God is calling us to come back to Austria after our 2 year commitment is completed, back to the states (and if so, where) or even to somewhere else entirely. Some days we can really see how God is using us here in Innsbruck and really feel as though we want to stay here longer but there are also other days where we feel discouraged. At this point we still have a year before we would need to make a commitment to pursue longer term through ReachGlobal (although that does not mean we would be accepted, there would still be an application process). At this point we have no idea but we also want to be using this time wisely and praying about where God is calling us. I hope also that you all will be praying for us concerning this as well.

That is all on a larger scale but also we are continually wanting to be in prayer over the day to day activities that we have hear. There is a lot of flexibility with what we do here and many different opportunities that we could chose to be a part of that would be glorifying God. It is hard to always know what God is calling us to which we do need to be praying more about. There are a few things that are very clear that God is calling us to be a part of including sports ministry (mostly Seth), me meeting with youth girls, and continuing to develop relationships with those that we have met through German class. Even knowing that we still need to lean so much on the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Guiding in how to do these things as well as who specifically to pursue relationships with.

I think there will always be many questions that we have. Please be in prayer with us that we will constantly be looking to God to guide us in the various ministries that we are involved with and not just simply get in a routine and potentially miss opportunities that God is prompting us to. Pray also that we are always willing to be flexible and to meet people where they are.

Camp!

Sorry for the long time with no update. We have been kept busy the last month with camps, moving and then now we are currently at the Reach Global Europe Conference in Slovenia. Camps were full of excitement! We started out with training with our staff that came over from the states. Our staff was from Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Only two of the 9 that came over knew each other before arriving in Austria but over the weeks they meshed very well together! I was nervous going into it since I was in charge of training for English Lessons and I had never done that before but it went very well. Carrie (our team member) did a great job preparing me for it. The first week with the leaders was good as we alternated between training, team building and a little bit of sightseeing. Many of you were praying as I was going to be one of the drivers of the vans. In the past they had always been stick shift and would cost more for automatic so I spent a day learning. Then when we went to go pick up the vans we discovered that we received automatic vans because that was all they had. It was a big blessing.

It seemed like almost right away camp began and the kids were there. It was hard to be organized for that first week considering I had never been apart of the English Camps here in Austria before. But everything went smoothly. The first week we had 35, 12-14 year olds as well as a SWAT team (a leadership camp where they sleep outside in tents). It was interesting for Seth and I experiencing being on Program staff and not being actual cabin leaders but it was very good for us. We still had a great time getting to know many of the kids. It was also great experiencing things through the Cabin Leaders and being able to pray with, encourage and rejoice with them.

The second week came and we were much more organized and prepared. I was the cook but also was making sure that the program staff responsibilities were being taken care of. It was a lot of fun but it was a little disappointing not being able to be a part of staff meetings and things and not really knowing what was going on in the life of the campers. It was cool though to see how God would provide opportunities for me to talk with some of the cabin leaders when they were frustrated, needed a break or just someone to share with. They always knew I was in the kitchen and it was safe for them to come and talk with me which was a big blessing. Those few weeks just flew by and before we knew it we were back in Innsbruck doing debriefing with the staff and then taking them to the airport. We were blessed and 2 kids made first time decisions for Christ during our weeks a camp and many more rededicated their lives. Please continue to be in prayer for these kids since at this camp (we have two locations) probably half the kids that come are not believers. We had experiences with many kids that wanted nothing to do with God and only came for the English lessons. It was amazing to see God beginning to soften the hearts of many unwilling youth. There was lots of plowing and seed planting that went on in these weeks and many of the youth were really opening up to God by the end however they did not make a decision for Christ before they left. Please be in prayer that God will continue to work in their hearts and they will get involved with churches and youth groups where they live. That our cabin leaders will be able to stay in contact with them and follow up with them and that they will accept Jesus as their savior.

The morning that the staff was flying back to the states, Seth and I with a few other's help were moving into our new apartment. It is bittersweet considering our first apartment was very nice and large since we were renting it from a family of 6 that was gone for 6 months. It was such a blessing and we were able to host many people in our time there. There was a beautiful view of the mountains as well...we were pretty spoiled. Now we will be living in a much smaller place. It is nice and really is all that we need. It is on the 2nd floor which I am really excited to no longer be walking up 5 flights of stairs every time I want to go home. It is also within an apartment building that is full of believers. We are very excited about the fellowship and community that we will experience while living there. However I don't think there will be any quick trips to the grocery store. If you don't run into people walking through the building, you sure will on the way. But then again it's not really possible in Seward, Nebraska either.

We broke in our apartment those couple days that we were home seing how we can make it work having quite a few people over for a meal or games. It was a lot of fun. I also got the pleasure to spend most of the day with one of the youth girls who came over and helped us organize and rearrange the place just how we wanted it. It was a blessing since the people before us left us pretty much all of their furniture so we don't really need to buy much of anything and with the help of Viki rearranging with me, we are pretty well set. I'm excited to get home and be able to enjoy our apartment some more :) However that won't be happening for a little over a week.

After a couple days we made our way on an overnight train to Slovenia for the Reach Global conference. It has been a great time being poured into by many people who have been on the field much longer than we have. We have been blessed and encouraged in so many ways. We are actually right on the beach as well which has been a lot of fun in the time we have to get outside. We only have a few days left of conference and then Seth and I will be on our way to Croatia for a week of vacation. It will be nice to just relax and spend some time together after the crazy time we have had the last month. We are very excited and appreciate any and all prayers for safe travels.

English Camp Prep

This past week has been fun but very busy. It is our last full week before we leave early next Tuesday morning for English Camps. It has been a week full of making plans, spending time with youth we won’t see again for over a month, saying goodbye to friends that will have moved by time we are back in Innsbruck, learning to drive stick shift, signing documents, packing, end of the school year parties, and preparing to move.

It is hard to realize that we will be leaving for so long. Both of us feel as though we are really connecting with various people and it seems crazy to stop all that and be gone for over a month. It is hard to leave but I know that right when we arrive at the airport picking up all of the Americans that are coming to help with English Camps we will be glad to be there. We are very much looking forward to being at camp once more.

I am sure that Camp will fly by and before we know it we will be back in Innsbruck for those two days and be moving into our new apartment (I am looking forward to no longer walking up the stairs to the 5^th floor every day). It is such a blessing that we are able to move in during those couple days even though the apartment is not officially ours for another week. Praise God.

Then we will head out for Slovenia for the EFCA Europe Conference. Followed by a week of us on vacation in Croatia. It will be fun visiting places that we have never been before.

I am not entirely sure when the next time I will be able to update our blog so here are a few things that you can be in prayer for us over.

-The drive to Munich to pick up the American team. They mostly only have stick shift vehicles here in Austria and that includes the 9 passenger vans we will be renting for camp. Seth and I have very little experience learning how to drive stick but they were in need of one of us driving (an empty van) to the airport to pick up the team and then someone else can take over. I am the one that is going to be driving because later at camp I will be a cook and need to take the van to get groceries and insurance wise we can only have two people on the van.  I had a driving lesson for a couple hours yesterday and that went well but it is very difficult considering most of the time you are driving either uphill or downhill. But overall I understand. However I was learning in a smaller town without much traffic but we will need to pick up the vans in Innsbruck on Monday. There will definitely be traffic but I will also get part of that day to practice as well but then early Tuesday morning we will head out for Munich, which is about a 2-hour drive. I’m not concerned about driving on the Autobahn since we won’t really ever be stopping. But the time in Innsbruck and Munich will definitely be challenging so please pray that everything goes well and that I am able to stay calm.

-The move. We are working on packing most everything that we own so that it is ready to be moved right away when we return. Just pray that everything goes smoothly and that we are able to communicate well in German.

-Pray for our last few days before we leave for camp that it will be a time that we are able to relax so that we are able to head to camp with full energy

-That Seth and I don’t get overwhelmed at camp and are still able to make time for each other.

Things have really started to pick up! Thank you all for your prayers for two weekends ago. We had a lot of events that were going on over the weekend which kept us very busy but they had great turn outs! We had a Christian band, called Liz and the Lions, that came and did an open air concert in the parking lot. Many people came and many more people stopped and stayed instead of continuing to walk past. God really provided and we pray that some of those people will come back to the events that we have in the future. Seth and I had a great time getting to know the band as they ended up staying at our place. It was an encouragement to have them here and be able to share about what God has called us to. And we got to hear where God was calling them as well.

I have been meeting with a youth girl one-on-one for a few weeks and it has been awesome to see how God has been opening doors. It is neat to see how God can use a relationship when we are being open and vulnerable and following His calling. Not only have I been able to challenge, help processes, and hold her accountable but she has been doing many of the same things for me as well. Please be praying for this relationship and that God will continue to use it to help spur us on closer to Him.

This last weekend we had Matt arrive from the states and he will be staying here for 3 weeks. He will be making promotional videos for everything: After school Tutoring, Lighthouse, Friday Nights, English Camps and then one for our team as well to show our supporters more about our life here. We are very excited to share that with you all once it is finished! Matt’s mom was also here over the weekend since they had just finished visiting family here in Europe. She stayed with us over the weekend. It was really a pleasure to get to know her as well as an encouragement. She reminded me a lot of my mom, including how she enjoyed playing Dutch Blitz. It was a blessing to have her here for the weekend and have her show us love in so many ways even though we had just met.

The countdown has begun and we will be leaving for English Camps in exactly two weeks! Things are coming together well but at times it still seems overwhelming. Please be praying! We still need 1 more guy cabin leader as well as at least 1 more cook. We are doing the shopping tomorrow for all the supplies that we need, I think it will set in a lot more after that. Which reminds me…we need to go buy a printer. Please be praying for Seth and I, this is our first time being a part of the Program Staff at a camp. We will have a lot more responsibility. I am also going to be in charge of training the cabin leaders how to do the English lessons as well as taking care of the budget and finances. Both things that I know I will enjoy but also new territory for me.

This weekend Seth and Matt were a part of a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. They played on a team along with some people that Seth had met while playing.  It was a lot of fun to watch them play. Seth did great! They were only a part of the fun league but they won that division!

Also this weekend (we had a busy weekend) we were able to go to Hall (a town 10 minutes away by train) and have lunch with some people from current and previous German classes. It was fun to all be together as well as to try some Iranian dishes.

I know this post is already long but briefly I want to ask for some prayer with things that will be going on this week. Tomorrow, I will be a part of the girls youth group bible study as we talk about relationships. Thursday, Jen and I organized a Volleyball game mostly consisted of youth girls so be praying that enough people come and it will be a good bonding experience. Also the weather is beautiful and Seth wants to go out and play basketball a few different times. This weekend Seth might be taking a couple of the youth guys camping Friday night be praying for guidance with that. And then Sunday we have Elise coming to visit us from our home church in Seward, we are excited to have her and her friend stay with us for a couple of days and pray that God will keep them safe through all their travels. Also on Sunday Cathrin’s cousin will be coming and staying with us for 3 weeks…we however will only be here for one but pray that all goes smoothly especially as we will be very busy with preparing for camp. And then finally, in the two days after camp we need to be moving to our next apartment. So since we have such little time we are going to try and pack everything up before we leave for camp. This leads to a lot of things, right before we go so please be praying that we will use our time wisely and that God will bring everything together. Thanks so much for all your prayers!

Alyssa

This last week we finished up our 4th German class and this week we started our 5th one. This will be the last class we have before the summer (because here summer doesn't start for another month). This group is almost completely the same as our last one which is nice. It is exciting to see how far we have gotten with our German since we first came here a little over four months ago. We are definitely far from perfect but we are at the point that we can communicate most things pretty well. A lot of the grammer is getting ingrained in our minds but it is difficult to always think of it while speaking. It is crazy to think that after this class there will only be one more that we will take after the summer. It feels like we have so much more to learn but I think more than anything we have so much more vocabulary to learn and that will come.

This weekend we have lots of things going on at the Lighthouse that we are needing to set up and host so please be in prayer that many people will be coming and that God would be glorified. Particularly there is an open air concert that we are hosting Friday night in the parking lot/walk way. There are constantly people walking through this area so please be praying that many will stop and enjoy the concert.

The weather has taken a turn for the better! It has been raining nonstop for the last 3 weeks or so but yesterday and today have been gorgeous! Seth and I have been getting opportunities to meet with youth as well as people from German class. Please keep praying for opportunities. Thank you all for your prayers. I hope to write more in a few days!