Hey!
I made it to Hungary! The GO Conference was amazing and extremely helpful as I move into the missionary part of my life, but it is really good to finally get here!
The last few days of GO were really good, but I started to really get worn out. I am good with large groups for a few days, but after a while the introvert inside of me starts screaming to get somewhere quiet for a while...so the last few days took some patience, and thankfully I found a prayer room on the top floor to get mentally back into it! At first I wasn't sure I wanted to do the GO conference because I just wanted to get to the field, but during it I realized that I really needed it! It gave me a great opportunity to get grounded on why I am doing missions in the first place. OM is really taking good care of me, and I couldn't be more thankful for the organization I am going with!
The travel today was great because it almost fit with a movie title! I took a train, plane and automobile...if you don't get the reference go here... (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093748/) I found out a couple nights ago that I would also be helping a Korean guy get to Stuttgart, which made me laugh cuz I really didn't know where I was going...not only that, but he didn't speak very much English! Almost everyone else was flying out of Frankfurt, but I found a cheap one out of Stuttgart and thought it would be easier to get to, but alas we made it! We walked a half mile to the train station at 5:45, then hopped on the train (which I was never fully confident with it being the right train), transferred in Stuttgart, and made it to the airport with an hour and a half to spare! It turns out there is no English on the trains, or near them, so that is what made it all fun, but I was very thankful for my Korean companion even if we couldn't talk much it was a huge blessing to have someone around for those early hours! My highlight of the morning is when someone walked up to me and asked me what way the subway was going...I even gave him the right answer!
Anyway, my flight on germanwings was fantastic! I was in the very first row and couldn't even touch the barrier with my legs stretched out! Oh, and the row was all mine, so not a bad experience for all 1.5 hours! Then I met Josh at the airport and we headed to my apartment. Turns out I really enjoy unpacking when I have been living out of a bag for a month! Its an above average feeling for sure!
The next few days I will be working to settle in here in Erd. Tomorrow I am going to church, then Monday I start language school in Budapest! Please pray that I would have the passion to really learn the language (or try) because its really tough and I will probably get discouraged at some point over the next few months. I will also work to share any words that make me laugh, for any high school students that may read this... also, please pray for the team here, Josh is moving to a small town this Wednesday, so pray for his transition, and also pray that God uses us in his own way.
Thanks again for all of your prayers! Travel isn't my favorite thing, but it all went well and I have God to thank for that!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A Week In
Hey all! Don't know why I always say hey, but I enjoy it...
Anyway, things are going pretty well here in Germany! Its been a very eventful week for sure and I have had countless new experiences! Oh and I finally got my first non-drug induced full night of sleep last night! I have tried a couple other times and ended up waking up at 1:30 in the morning and staying awake for 3 or 4 hours, woohoo jetlag! Oh well, its nice to be on a sleep schedule now!
A quick overview of the week: I came to this conference expecting to have a bunch of practical dos and don'ts of missions, but instead it has really had a heavy focus on getting us all grounded in our walks with Jesus, and I couldn't be more thankful! There has been practical information, but the main focus has been to REMAIN in Jesus wherever we are heading. The few weeks before flying out here life was so hectic and crazy between moving around and having a broken car that I wasn't putting an emphasis on getting spiritually ready for this adventure! My focus was so much on the physical preparations that I seemed to forget the other aspect...I felt a little guilty and like a bad missionary, but after talking to people here I have been really encouraged that most people struggled with that. Its interesting that even though my whole job and focus is to reach people for God and to show them the love of Christ, I honestly forget him sometimes. This week has just been encouraging though because I have been able to hear from many long term missionaries and other newbies like me that have/are going through the same things, and talking about the ways to deal with the struggles.
The other lesson has been dependence on God, complete dependence. I know this whole year is going to be a test and challenge as I am away from most people I know and in a new uncomfortable environment...well not necessarily uncomfortable but new and tiring as I try and learn so much. I could use your prayers that I would fully trust God with my fears and doubts and struggles to depend on him, because that will be a challenge at some point.
Besides meetings, we had the amazing opportunity to go to Heidelberg and visit the castle! Its the first one I have seen and, being a history nerd, I really enjoyed seeing the castle and town! Oh and I got some schnitzel! So. Good.
Yesterday was the most challenging day of the week because they put us through a simulation in order to challenge everyone, but that would take too long to explain. All I can say is I'm glad I am just going to Hungary! =)
Today I was able to learn some German and European history from real Germans, and that was incredible! One of them was from eastern Germany and grew up on the other side of the Berlin wall, so it was really interesting learning about the differences and what Germany was like after the fall of the wall. I was also able to learn more about what Germans think of WW2, which has always interested me. I have always wondered how they treat their history, and I was able to learn that they all had to visit concentration camps in school and learned all about what happened during the war. I thought they might be completely ashamed or not want to talk about it, so I waited until they kind of brought it up then asked questions, and it was amazing to here their perspective. I really enjoyed hearing about the pride they have in Germany, and the deep sadness they had in that time of their history. Anyway, that was a rabbit trail, but I get excited about random things... =)
Tomorrow is a day of prayer, which may be a challenge to stay focused all day, but I am excited to get that time to really spend focusing on my relationship with God...cuz that always can use help! Thanks for your continued prayers, and I fixed the blog so now anyone can comment, so ask questions or anything! Without your prayers and support this wouldn't have happened, thanks!
Anyway, things are going pretty well here in Germany! Its been a very eventful week for sure and I have had countless new experiences! Oh and I finally got my first non-drug induced full night of sleep last night! I have tried a couple other times and ended up waking up at 1:30 in the morning and staying awake for 3 or 4 hours, woohoo jetlag! Oh well, its nice to be on a sleep schedule now!
A quick overview of the week: I came to this conference expecting to have a bunch of practical dos and don'ts of missions, but instead it has really had a heavy focus on getting us all grounded in our walks with Jesus, and I couldn't be more thankful! There has been practical information, but the main focus has been to REMAIN in Jesus wherever we are heading. The few weeks before flying out here life was so hectic and crazy between moving around and having a broken car that I wasn't putting an emphasis on getting spiritually ready for this adventure! My focus was so much on the physical preparations that I seemed to forget the other aspect...I felt a little guilty and like a bad missionary, but after talking to people here I have been really encouraged that most people struggled with that. Its interesting that even though my whole job and focus is to reach people for God and to show them the love of Christ, I honestly forget him sometimes. This week has just been encouraging though because I have been able to hear from many long term missionaries and other newbies like me that have/are going through the same things, and talking about the ways to deal with the struggles.
The other lesson has been dependence on God, complete dependence. I know this whole year is going to be a test and challenge as I am away from most people I know and in a new uncomfortable environment...well not necessarily uncomfortable but new and tiring as I try and learn so much. I could use your prayers that I would fully trust God with my fears and doubts and struggles to depend on him, because that will be a challenge at some point.
Besides meetings, we had the amazing opportunity to go to Heidelberg and visit the castle! Its the first one I have seen and, being a history nerd, I really enjoyed seeing the castle and town! Oh and I got some schnitzel! So. Good.
Yesterday was the most challenging day of the week because they put us through a simulation in order to challenge everyone, but that would take too long to explain. All I can say is I'm glad I am just going to Hungary! =)
Today I was able to learn some German and European history from real Germans, and that was incredible! One of them was from eastern Germany and grew up on the other side of the Berlin wall, so it was really interesting learning about the differences and what Germany was like after the fall of the wall. I was also able to learn more about what Germans think of WW2, which has always interested me. I have always wondered how they treat their history, and I was able to learn that they all had to visit concentration camps in school and learned all about what happened during the war. I thought they might be completely ashamed or not want to talk about it, so I waited until they kind of brought it up then asked questions, and it was amazing to here their perspective. I really enjoyed hearing about the pride they have in Germany, and the deep sadness they had in that time of their history. Anyway, that was a rabbit trail, but I get excited about random things... =)
Tomorrow is a day of prayer, which may be a challenge to stay focused all day, but I am excited to get that time to really spend focusing on my relationship with God...cuz that always can use help! Thanks for your continued prayers, and I fixed the blog so now anyone can comment, so ask questions or anything! Without your prayers and support this wouldn't have happened, thanks!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Arrival and some Random Thoughts
I made it with only a little adventure! I am currently in Mosbach, Germany doing almost 2 weeks of training before I head to Hungary!
I am still feeling exhausted even after sleeping 9 hours, but hopefully that will improve over time! it's also snowing and absolutely beautiful here, so no complaints there!
Here is a little look into my thoughts at the moment...
Lately I have really been seeing how afraid I am to fully submit to God in my heart. I have been doing all of these crazy things that I never thought I would do, and yet I'm not going all in with my heart because I am afraid. I'm not afraid that God won't move, but rather that he will move and will push me to my limits! A couple weeks ago at MPC I spoke on letting the holy spirit have complete control in our lives, and since then it has really been a constant thing in my mind. a lot of it has to do with fear that God will ask me to give up things I don't want to. From small things like comfort to big things like my life, it is difficult when I really think about it! He has proven faithful in the small things, so now it is just a matter of trusting him with the big stuff! this life I have is all his anyway since he gave it to me, and mentally I know that, but I am stubborn and forgetful of his dependability. God can work through anybody, anytime, and anyplace, but he loves it when we are fully willing and I want to get to that place.
anyway, I hope that makes sense and I could really use all of your prayers! also, feel free to post any insights or verses or even your own prayer requests so I can stay a little connected in this time! God is moving!
I am still feeling exhausted even after sleeping 9 hours, but hopefully that will improve over time! it's also snowing and absolutely beautiful here, so no complaints there!
Here is a little look into my thoughts at the moment...
Lately I have really been seeing how afraid I am to fully submit to God in my heart. I have been doing all of these crazy things that I never thought I would do, and yet I'm not going all in with my heart because I am afraid. I'm not afraid that God won't move, but rather that he will move and will push me to my limits! A couple weeks ago at MPC I spoke on letting the holy spirit have complete control in our lives, and since then it has really been a constant thing in my mind. a lot of it has to do with fear that God will ask me to give up things I don't want to. From small things like comfort to big things like my life, it is difficult when I really think about it! He has proven faithful in the small things, so now it is just a matter of trusting him with the big stuff! this life I have is all his anyway since he gave it to me, and mentally I know that, but I am stubborn and forgetful of his dependability. God can work through anybody, anytime, and anyplace, but he loves it when we are fully willing and I want to get to that place.
anyway, I hope that makes sense and I could really use all of your prayers! also, feel free to post any insights or verses or even your own prayer requests so I can stay a little connected in this time! God is moving!
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Plan
Hey all!
I have my plane ticket and I have my passport! Although there are a few changes to my plan. The main change is that I will be heading to Hungary for 12 months instead of longer like I was planning. With how fundraising worked out it going to be a little shorter time, but regardless I am so amazed by all of the support I have received and how God has continued to work! There were more than a couple times where I wasn't sure if I was actually going to be leaving in a week, but God always had someone come through and help when I wasn't expecting, and its been a huge blessing to be part of that work!
The last few months have certainly had their challenges, and here I was thinking that it wouldn't get tough until I leave. I naively thought the lessons and stretching would begin when I step onto that plane, yet God has already been pushing me in the preparation to trust him more.
A quick prayer request that I would have peace as time for leaving gets closer. I fly out of Portland on the 14th of this months and as of now I have a peace about it, but the nerves are sure to come, so I just ask for prayers that I continue to trust God in whatever happens. I know that this year will be incredible, but I know it will be the most challenging year I have faced to this point.
Thanks for all of your support, whether in prayer, money, or both!
-Brian
I have my plane ticket and I have my passport! Although there are a few changes to my plan. The main change is that I will be heading to Hungary for 12 months instead of longer like I was planning. With how fundraising worked out it going to be a little shorter time, but regardless I am so amazed by all of the support I have received and how God has continued to work! There were more than a couple times where I wasn't sure if I was actually going to be leaving in a week, but God always had someone come through and help when I wasn't expecting, and its been a huge blessing to be part of that work!
The last few months have certainly had their challenges, and here I was thinking that it wouldn't get tough until I leave. I naively thought the lessons and stretching would begin when I step onto that plane, yet God has already been pushing me in the preparation to trust him more.
A quick prayer request that I would have peace as time for leaving gets closer. I fly out of Portland on the 14th of this months and as of now I have a peace about it, but the nerves are sure to come, so I just ask for prayers that I continue to trust God in whatever happens. I know that this year will be incredible, but I know it will be the most challenging year I have faced to this point.
Thanks for all of your support, whether in prayer, money, or both!
-Brian
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