It is hard to believe that in a week from today, I will be back in the United States. It is hard to believe that in a week from today, I will no longer be living with over 30 people that I have gotten so close to. It is hard to believe that in a week from today, my summer project in Berlin will be over.
I'm just beginning to process all that I have learned this summer, and it certainly is a lot. It has been an amazing summer, truly amazing. It has not all been fun, but it's amazing how close I have been pushed toward God. There have been some mornings that I do not know how I was able to roll out of bed without God's help, anticipating a day full of intellectual discussions and discouraging conversations. But it has been truly incredible to see how God has used me, in all of my weaknesses and fears, in order to change German students' perspectives on Christians.
After most days on campus, I am completely exhausted. It is hard to feel successful after going on campus and not usually having tangible results. This drains me. Even really good conversations can be draining, which made this problem even harder to overcome. It makes it really hard to love students when you are tired and just want to leave campus for the day. However, I came across a passage in Matthew that has been really encouraging:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
By loving the german students, I am not just loving them, I am loving God too. That is so much more motivating to me than thinking about trying to love someone that wants nothing to do with me. I no longer need to look at the faces of students and see an intimidating, serious student, but rather I can look at Jesus and how he died on the cross so I could be redeemed and truly live.
When I think about it like that, how can anything but love pour out of me?
We have two more days on campus, then Wednesday night we leave by train for Switzerland where we will be til the 17th relaxing in the Alps and processing all that God has taught us. I know that there is still a lot that I need to uncover.
Please pray:
-That I will love God with all my heart, strength, soul and mind.
-that I will gain wisdom from all that God is teaching me
-Safe transportation to Switzerland
Thanks again for following my journey. Feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Photo Update
Here are some pictures from my time in Berlin so far. They go in reverse chronological order, so sorry about that, but I hope it gives you some good images of what my time has been like. Enjoy!
All of the Northwestern students in a tower that overlooks part of the Berlin Wall.
A part of the Berlin Wall that is still intact and part of a memorial to people who were able to escape from East Berlin to West Berlin.
A beautiful sunset that we were able to experience after visiting the Pergamon Museum.
The university where I have been spending just about every Monday to Thursday. Most of my pictures are taken during our leisure time, but this is really where most of my time and energy gets invested.
Standing in front of the door where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses (which was unfortunately under construction)
Martin Luther and I hanging out in Wittenburg.
The view from the top of the Berliner Dome.
Eating my all-time favorite food...Burger King!!!
Kale, our project director's son, and I have become good friends!
Doner is some of our favorite food in Berlin. All of the guys are obsessed with it.
Some friends and I in front of the Brandenburg Gate
My dinner one of the first nights: pork knuckle
My teammates and I after finishing a scavenger hunt through the city one of the first days, an activity that helped us learn how to navigate the city.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Update!
Hello Followers!
I am now entering week 3 of my time in Berlin, and it has been truly amazing how I have seen God move in my life and the life of many others. My first full week on campus was filled with wonderful conversations where we were able to share the gospel to people who were interested in the hope and joy that it has to offer. I had some really encouraging conversations that brought me joy and excitement that there are people that want to hear what we have to say. However, I also experienced some really difficult conversations that really put my faith to the test and forced me to explain why I believe what I believe. One conversation was with a pretty hardcore atheist who not only disagreed with just about everything we had to say, but was also determined to disprove our beliefs. It was a really challenging conversation, but I really think God was using it to strengthen my faith in Him and challenge me to grow in my reliance on the Holy Spirit. So many times I wanted to pack up and go back to the hostel, but it is amazing how the Holy Spirit has been working through me and just giving me strength and wisdom.
Today, I had a really encouraging conversation with a woman from the Netherlands. She was not a Christian, but it was truly amazing the way she encouraged us to continue having these conversations with students and continue to pursue what we believe. She seemed to truly be interested in how Christianity has affected our lives, and she asked about our testimonies and whether or not we felt persecuted for being Christian. I was astounded by her desire to learn more, and we hope to meet up with her again.
This weekend we went to Wittenberg and visited the town where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses and the church where he preached. It was cool to get to see a piece of history that has had an immense impact on the world over the past 500 years.
I have been reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan while on the trip, and this book has been convicting me in regards to my view of God. God loves me so strongly, so unconditionally, and so passionately, yet I struggle to truly love Him back. I want to be in a place where I am willing to stay up late talking to God, where I am willing to sacrifice my needs for Him, and where I am willing to give up my plans for God, and do all of these things completely out of love, not guilt or shame.
Please pray:
-For patience
-That I will continue to grow in my love of God
-Conversations on campus will always point to Christ and the work He did on the cross for everyone.
-That I will continue to rely on the Holy Spirit, and that He will work through me in powerful and mighty ways.
I am now entering week 3 of my time in Berlin, and it has been truly amazing how I have seen God move in my life and the life of many others. My first full week on campus was filled with wonderful conversations where we were able to share the gospel to people who were interested in the hope and joy that it has to offer. I had some really encouraging conversations that brought me joy and excitement that there are people that want to hear what we have to say. However, I also experienced some really difficult conversations that really put my faith to the test and forced me to explain why I believe what I believe. One conversation was with a pretty hardcore atheist who not only disagreed with just about everything we had to say, but was also determined to disprove our beliefs. It was a really challenging conversation, but I really think God was using it to strengthen my faith in Him and challenge me to grow in my reliance on the Holy Spirit. So many times I wanted to pack up and go back to the hostel, but it is amazing how the Holy Spirit has been working through me and just giving me strength and wisdom.
Today, I had a really encouraging conversation with a woman from the Netherlands. She was not a Christian, but it was truly amazing the way she encouraged us to continue having these conversations with students and continue to pursue what we believe. She seemed to truly be interested in how Christianity has affected our lives, and she asked about our testimonies and whether or not we felt persecuted for being Christian. I was astounded by her desire to learn more, and we hope to meet up with her again.
This weekend we went to Wittenberg and visited the town where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses and the church where he preached. It was cool to get to see a piece of history that has had an immense impact on the world over the past 500 years.
I have been reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan while on the trip, and this book has been convicting me in regards to my view of God. God loves me so strongly, so unconditionally, and so passionately, yet I struggle to truly love Him back. I want to be in a place where I am willing to stay up late talking to God, where I am willing to sacrifice my needs for Him, and where I am willing to give up my plans for God, and do all of these things completely out of love, not guilt or shame.
Please pray:
-For patience
-That I will continue to grow in my love of God
-Conversations on campus will always point to Christ and the work He did on the cross for everyone.
-That I will continue to rely on the Holy Spirit, and that He will work through me in powerful and mighty ways.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Freie Universität
Today we were assigned to the universities that we will be devoting our time and prayers to. I, along with 9 other people, was assigned to Freie Universität, and I am really excited about it. I had my first day on campus today and was able to begin to get a feel for the campus.
Last week, on Thursday, I went to Humboldt University and had some really encouraging conversations with students that didn't know much about Christianity or Jesus. On Friday, I went to the Tech University and had some difficulty finding people, but had a lengthy conversation towards the end of the day.
On Saturday, we went on a long walking tour of Berlin and saw some of the really cool historical sites, such as the Berlin Wall, where Hitler's bunker was, and an American checkpoint into former West Berlin.
On Sunday, we went to a church service at the Berliner Dome, a very historic Lutheran Church. The whole service was in German so I couldn't understand anything being said, but it was a truly amazing church and it was definitely cool to experience another culture.
This week should be a pretty normal week of just going to campus, but I am excited to finally have a campus to really invest in.
Please pray for:
-Pure motivation in getting into spiritual conversations, and not motivated by checking something off my to do list
-Courage to step out in faith and initiate conversations even when I am not feeling up for it
-That I will remember that it is not me that is doing any of this, but is God that is working through me with the Holy Spirit
On a side note, I bought a very deep, yellow v-neck at H and M today, and I am very excited to wear it along with some rolled up jeans.
Thank you so much for following along with my journey and praying for me.
Last week, on Thursday, I went to Humboldt University and had some really encouraging conversations with students that didn't know much about Christianity or Jesus. On Friday, I went to the Tech University and had some difficulty finding people, but had a lengthy conversation towards the end of the day.
On Saturday, we went on a long walking tour of Berlin and saw some of the really cool historical sites, such as the Berlin Wall, where Hitler's bunker was, and an American checkpoint into former West Berlin.
On Sunday, we went to a church service at the Berliner Dome, a very historic Lutheran Church. The whole service was in German so I couldn't understand anything being said, but it was a truly amazing church and it was definitely cool to experience another culture.
This week should be a pretty normal week of just going to campus, but I am excited to finally have a campus to really invest in.
Please pray for:
-Pure motivation in getting into spiritual conversations, and not motivated by checking something off my to do list
-Courage to step out in faith and initiate conversations even when I am not feeling up for it
-That I will remember that it is not me that is doing any of this, but is God that is working through me with the Holy Spirit
On a side note, I bought a very deep, yellow v-neck at H and M today, and I am very excited to wear it along with some rolled up jeans.
Thank you so much for following along with my journey and praying for me.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
First Day on Campus
Today was the first day that we traveled to campus. Our goal today was to just get used to talking to students and developing connections with them. We really hope that we can meet with students more than once and develop relationships with them. I went to Freie University with some teammates and I had a great conversation with a man named Robert. Ir was really interesting to hear about how he views the church, and how it is so deep engrained in culture, yet many don't know what how faith can really have an impact on their lives. Their view of Christianity seems to be misconstrued. However, it was really great talking to Robert, and he was really really nice. It was really encouraging how friendly the students are to Americans and how much they are willing to speak in english.
We will be assigned to go to the same university each day, but before we are assigned, we are going to each university and familiarizing ourselves with the campuses.
We begin each morning with debriefing and learning good ways to initiate conversations, and prayer for our day and for the students. Then we go to campus to eat lunch in the menzas, or cafeterias, with students. After that, we will go around for a couple hours telling people about Jesus through conversations and surveys. It is really something that scares me and something that makes me nervous, but I know that God is really working through me during this time. Also, I'm not here to force anyone into anything or to make anyone believe something, so by no means are we street preaching or coercing people into believing. We genuinely want to hear what they believe and tell them what we believe. My hope is that I will be able to develop a couple of relationships over these 5 weeks and really just guide them down the path to love and joy.
Also, today we found out who will be in our bible studies, which was really exciting. I'm really enjoying getting to know the team, and I really think that God has blessed me with an amazing group of people.
Please pray that I will have great conversations over the next weeks, that I God will give me the courage to step out in faith, and that I will not be motivated by the sense of accomplishing something, but by wanting to share the same joy that I have in Christ.
(also, the y's and z's are in different spots on the german keyboard, along with a couple other keys, so I apologize if i missed any typos)
We will be assigned to go to the same university each day, but before we are assigned, we are going to each university and familiarizing ourselves with the campuses.
We begin each morning with debriefing and learning good ways to initiate conversations, and prayer for our day and for the students. Then we go to campus to eat lunch in the menzas, or cafeterias, with students. After that, we will go around for a couple hours telling people about Jesus through conversations and surveys. It is really something that scares me and something that makes me nervous, but I know that God is really working through me during this time. Also, I'm not here to force anyone into anything or to make anyone believe something, so by no means are we street preaching or coercing people into believing. We genuinely want to hear what they believe and tell them what we believe. My hope is that I will be able to develop a couple of relationships over these 5 weeks and really just guide them down the path to love and joy.
Also, today we found out who will be in our bible studies, which was really exciting. I'm really enjoying getting to know the team, and I really think that God has blessed me with an amazing group of people.
Please pray that I will have great conversations over the next weeks, that I God will give me the courage to step out in faith, and that I will not be motivated by the sense of accomplishing something, but by wanting to share the same joy that I have in Christ.
(also, the y's and z's are in different spots on the german keyboard, along with a couple other keys, so I apologize if i missed any typos)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Arrived!
All of us arrived safe and sound in Berlin! We are staying at the Amstel House Hostel in Berlin. We are all very tired and jet lagged, but we are excited to be going out to dinner in about 20 minutes.
Before leaving Chicago, we had a couple of days of debriefing where we learned more about what exactly our typical days will entail.
I can't believe that I am in Germany right now and I am getting really excited and nervous to move forward!
We have a great team of 30 students (15 guys and 15 girls) and it was great to meet them and I have really enjoyed getting to know them.
Hopefully my posts won't have to be so short in the future, but I wanted to let everyone know I'm alive!
Before leaving Chicago, we had a couple of days of debriefing where we learned more about what exactly our typical days will entail.
I can't believe that I am in Germany right now and I am getting really excited and nervous to move forward!
We have a great team of 30 students (15 guys and 15 girls) and it was great to meet them and I have really enjoyed getting to know them.
Hopefully my posts won't have to be so short in the future, but I wanted to let everyone know I'm alive!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
TWO DAYS
On Saturday afternoon, I will be meeting up with the team that I will be going with to Berlin. We are flying out of O'Hare on Sunday.
As it gets closer and closer, I can't help but get more excited. I AM GOING TO BERLIN FOR FIVE WEEKS?!?! It seems so crazy.
I am also getting nervous. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, and I am going to need to really trust that God is in control.
I hope that I will be able to update my blog at least once a week while in Berlin, but I have no idea what it will be like, so I can't guarantee anything.
Thanks for joining me in my journey!
As it gets closer and closer, I can't help but get more excited. I AM GOING TO BERLIN FOR FIVE WEEKS?!?! It seems so crazy.
I am also getting nervous. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, and I am going to need to really trust that God is in control.
I hope that I will be able to update my blog at least once a week while in Berlin, but I have no idea what it will be like, so I can't guarantee anything.
Thanks for joining me in my journey!
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