Catch Up's the Name of the Game

Let's see. I've been back three weeks now. I got back. I got sick. I stayed sick. My sister visited. We had Vacation Bible School at church. I attempted to get back into a schedule of Skype calls, etc. I had to make a decision based on finances that I couldn't do the Counseling Class this Fall at Gordon Conwell, even though I was accepted-bummer. I finally got better from the sickness crud 2 1/2 wks. later- yay! I started contacting pastors again to start the supporting raising process again- boo(I'll write more about this process later). My great aunt died very suddenly and we went through all of that this week with my grandmother- hard. I started back to Zumba and riding again- my muscles complained. I switched health insurance companies. I know, I know, it doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but I really need a personal secretary to handle reading all that detailed info. and making those kind of decisions, b/c it just stresses me out.  I finally painted all of the trim in my room after painting the walls back in November- procrastination, I know. It looks so good now! I did a bunch of other random things, also, but won't bore you with those details. They're the etceteras to this list.

The 6-8 yr. old group at VBS. Mary and I did all the music and she was such a huge help to me, since I was still sick and didn't have much of a voice for a couple of days.

The finished product! It took me forever to decide to do the trim, but it sure does look great now!

Country #5- an unexpected stop

Looking back at the Central Train Station in Amsterdam

  Amsterdam was a completely unexpected stop for me...well, I knew that I had a layover, but I didn't remember that it was a long layover, long enough to explore a bit. When I realized that I had a five hour layover and that I could get to the center with just a 20 minute train ride, and that the train departed right from the airport, well, that settled the matter for me. I put my backpack in a storage locker and headed right out without a map, having no idea where I was going, and hoping that I wouldn't lose myself in the process. Well, losing yourself would be quite a difficult task, but you know what I mean. I digress.

It seems like everyone rides bikes in almost every country in Europe(except Ukraine)

So, by the time I got off the plane, pottied, went through security, got a train ticket, put my backpack in storage, and got on the train, I calculated that I would have approximately an hour and a half to explore before getting back on the train to head back to the airport, collect my backpack, and go back through security again. I needed breakfast, also, since I had left for the Warsaw airport at 4am and arrived in Amsterdam at 9am- so that cut into my time, as well.

The beautiful old church from the 13th century

As is normal for my wanderings, they don't always turn out as one would expect, and this one was no exception. When you wander without a map, occasionally you see things that you wouldn't normally see. In this case, I headed out of the Central Train Station in Amsterdam and immediately saw a beautiful old church in the distance. Well, that seemed like a no-brainer for me to go check out, so I set off, taking pictures along the way. After some time, I started to wind my way back through little cobble stone streets chock full of beautiful old buildings, with gorgeous flowers hanging in the windows. What was incongruous with what I was seeing in the buildings was what I was smelling, and attempting to walk around. Filth covered the ground, and the odor of alcohol and urine was all around. Small street sweeping machines were busily brushing up all the evidences from the previous night's events. I realized that I was obviously in an area that was known for partying- bars abounded and I began to see gay flags, sex shops, and other stores dedicated to debauchery, basically. As I turned the final corner to the old church, I saw two well worn women in their underwear standing in doorways under redlights that were turned off. And it instantly hit me...I had wandered right into Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District- the district famous the world over for legalized prostitution.

The main street of the Red Light District

But, since it was 10am, and nice and sunny, and seemed fairly safe, I kept exploring. The main street of the district runs along a beautiful canal, and if you didn't know what the red lights on the buildings signified, and you were only there during the daylight hours, you'd really have no reason to suspect what occurs there at night. I wandered for about 15 minutes before the thought came to me that I was alone in an area famous for sex trafficking, and that there were many more men wandering near me than women. At that point I made a hasty exit for the main streets to continue my wandering.

Back out in a more mainstream touristy part of Amsterdam

As I was recounting my wanderings to someone, I was asked how I felt upon seeing the women standing in those doorways under the red lights. Here are my thoughts: I was heartbroken for these women, who for various reasons have found themselves in this position of needing to sell their bodies to support themselves. They may have possibly entered this trade willingly, but most of them enter by force. Their bodies are sold and traded by men and they're seen as nothing more than a means of gratifying a man's usually deviant sexual needs. They're stripped of their humanity, and told that their only value is in pleasing the paying customer. Even if they wanted to escape this life and had the ability to do so, where do they go from here? How do they start a new life? How do they believe that they can do anything else than be someone else's slave? I thought of all these who are out there all over the world, seeking to help free these lost souls from human trafficking and sexual slavery. And while I respect all those who work so hard to free these lost ones from sexual slavery, I particularly thought of those who know Christ and desire to bring these dear ones to know the Only One who can truly bring them ultimate freedom and healing from all that they have experienced. Please pray for those workers out there who serve everyday in much danger- to free those without any hope and bring them to know the One who loves them so incredibly much that He gave everything so that they might be truly set free.

Poland, city #3

Poznan was city #3 in Poland, an almost 6 hr. bus ride northwest of Warsaw. We used to have two staff couples serving there, one American and the other Polish, but now the young Polish couple are there by themselves. Amadeusz is the oldest son of the Shaded family that I spent time with in Warsaw. He and his brother, Filemon, went through our Odessa training center in 2009, which was my first class after moving there. I've stayed good friends with the brothers and after meeting Amadeusz's fiance in 2010 and doing a camp with them in 2011(where Monika and I were in a bible study group together), they invited me to visit them. My first trip to them was in Spring 2012, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Monika during our three days together. She's a real sweetheart, who's from an unbelieving family, and it's been quite an adjustment to marry into a very intense Polish/Syrian family composed of so many missionaries and pastors. Though she serves alongside of Amadeusz in many ways, she also has an accomplished career as an artist and art teacher in a university in Poznan. She's currently preparing for a sponsored exhibit of her work in Warsaw in October, plus preparing for the new school year, and just finished doing two English camps with Amadeusz. It's been a true joy to get to know her and be someone that she feels comfortable discussing some of her joys and struggles with- and also be someone that Amadeusz trusts her talking to.

 I had very little time with them this trip, due to their being at camps. They finished camp Sun. evening, I arrived Mon. afternoon, and headed back late Tues. afternoon, so I could be back in Warsaw and ready for my 6am flight on Wed. It was a bit crazy to make that trip out there, and we all wished it could have been longer, but all agreed that it was worth it. Monika and I returned to an amazing little cafe in Poznan, called the Green Veranda, where local art students blanket the entire cafe in beautiful hanging art installments that get changed every quarter. It's so beautiful there! We agreed that since this was our second time there, it should be a tradition for each visit. It's such a peaceful place to sit and have great conversation, and I felt like those last couple of days in Poland were just a beautiful time of fellowship and an example of how God brings the body of Christ together to encourage and lift each other up. Even though it took twelve hours of travel and we only had approximately 10 hours of fellowship time, it was completely worth it, and I'm so thankful for these two and the friendship that has been formed with them.

Sweet Monika

The patio of the Green Veranda

The beautiful artwork inside the cafe

Our great little sitting area on the patio outside

Poland, city #2

City #2 was Warsaw, though I had already flown in to Warsaw twice on this trip. =-) We don't have any interns in Poland right now, so all of these visits were to long term staff. My first stop was to the Warsaw portion of the Shaded family(the parents and three of the kids serve with IM in 3 different cities). I spent one evening with Moner, Stenia, and Filemon- mainly catching up on Filemon's ministry. Filemon and I stay in touch, so there wasn't a lot of new info., but it's always great to have good times of fellowship. He serves students in two universities in the Warsaw area and works with the youth from his church.

With Filemon and Moner

Then I spent a day with former intern, Szymon, who many of you are familiar with, as I call him my "Polish little brother." We had a great day biking to the Warsaw Zoo, checking out all the animals, riding to the city center, and getting Turkish food for lunch. As usual, it was great to see him, and hear how different things in his young life are going.

At the Zoo

 

 

 

 

With Jen

While I was in Warsaw I stayed with Jen. It was good catching up with her, and hearing how her ministry with the teens and young adults in her International Christian Fellowship Church is going. I enjoy visiting with her, because each time I go, I become more familiar with the people she serves and they welcome me back. It's easy going into an environment where people make you feel very welcome and as if you've only been away a short while. It also helps me get a feel for how well the body there is ministering to her, and not just her serving them.

And just for fun: Coke in Poland is printing the bottle labels with Nouns at the moment. So you might get a bottle that says, "Sister." or one that has a name, "Monika." or this funny one, "Blond." =-)

Poland, city #1

On Wed., the 24th, I got up super early and flew from Budapest to Warsaw, Poland. Then I took a bus several hours to the city of Kielce, where one of our single staff members serves. She is not in my normal group that I'm responsible for(my group is younger), but is a serious cyclist and has asked me several times over the past year to come do a long ride with her. Sadly, I was too small for the bike that she had for me, so we were only able to ride a bit one day in the city. It was far too big for me and cut off circulation to my feet and I felt like I had almost no control over it. I felt bad b/c she so badly wanted to go on a long ride(45 miles, or so), but it just wasn't safe for me. I was only there two days, though, so we spent a lot of time wandering around the city and fellowshipping with those who serve in her church. I always enjoy getting to see where our staff live, and hearing more in depth about their individual ministries, and this was no exception. Janna has been in Poland 15 years and works with a church plant in music and youth ministry, and does some work with orphans, as well. The trip didn't turn out quite as planned, but I trust that God used it to encourage her heart, in spite of the disappointment that was there.

Bike riding the first day

The Bishop's Palace, where one of the rulers of the region used to live

Silliness at the palace

With the boar of Kielce. The city was named after the tusk of a boar, and is linked to an old legend about the prince who originally founded the city

The Cathedral of Mary, the Mother of God, built across from the Bishop's Palace

Hungary- country #3

And we're off again! Well, really, this update is referring to last week, but I'm getting caught up slowly here, so today I'm going to talk just a little bit about Hungary. It was a wee little trip, so you're getting a wee little post. Sunday, the 21st, I took the train from Baden, Austria, to Budapest, Hungary- about a four hour trip. I stayed the night in a hotel, and then early Mon. morning took the train another hour out to the small town of Orbottyan, where our youngest staff couple live.

Heading out again

Waiting at the Nyugati Train Station in Budapest

Abby and Bence

The amazing little home that Bence built before they got married

With Abby

 

 

Abby was in the MMT(our US training center)class right before mine and headed to the field a month before I did in 2009. She finished her internship at the end of 2010, just like I did, but then got engaged to and married a Hungarian national. I've not known her very well, but had a really good time talking with her for an afternoon at Staff Conf. back in April, and realized that a visit would be a good thing for her. It's kind of unusual for me to go to a country for only one person, but this was definitely a trip worth taking. I so enjoyed my brief, two day visit with Abby and Bence. It's always great to get to see where our staff actually live, and get a clearer picture of their lives and ministry. We had a great time talking about all kinds of things, and I am really looking forward to continuing this relationship via Skype.

 Sometimes, the best encouragement that can be given is a visit to someone's home, a listening ear, and being someone who's willing to just invest time in a relationship. When a staff member is completely immersed in a culture and has no other foreigners in their location, sometimes they don't realize how starved they become for being able to speak their own language with another native speaker, being able to pray and worship with someone else in their own language, or having someone else who can understand what it's like to be different. Many times, showing up on their doorstep, being in their home, sharing meals with them, taking walks with them, and just listening to their life story is all that they might need at that moment- just a little breath of fresh air- just a little whiff of how God chooses to use the body of Christ to minister to one another.

A break in Baden

I've dreamed about Kasekreiner for three years now, since I was in Austria the last time. So yummy!

Town Square in Baden

Right after camp, I flew out of Odessa the same day as the GBC team, except that when they flew home, I flew to Vienna. Some family friends live about 45 minutes from the Vienna airport in the beautiful old town of Baden. Baden is known for the hot thermal springs that run underground and for the fact that both Beethoven and Mozart spent considerable time living and writing music there. My time in Austria was pre-planned to be rest time before my staff visits in Hungary and Poland, and for the most part, I felt very relaxed and rested during my time there. I went to Baden three years ago for my first visa trip, and had a lovely week then with the Buccholz family, friends of my grandmother. It was so wonderful to get to see them again, and experience a bit of their amazing hospitality once again. I'm so thankful for friends all over the world!

Austrian ice cream is soo good that I had it every afternoon for the three days that I was there. Forget dairy allergies- it was worth it!

The Beethoven Temple at the top of the Baden City Park

Chris and Siegfried Buchholz