My First Week

I've now been in Germany just over a week. What a whirlwind it's been! I feel like I'm slowly adjusting day by day. Considering this is my first really big move to an entirely new place where a different language is dominant, this is a lot of change for me. It's exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time.

My family at church the day before I left

I left the US on October 31st, driving to Winnipeg, Manitoba to fly out of there since the flights are so much cheaper. I had an extremely quick layover in Montreal that left me running from one side of the airport to the other. I thought for sure I was going to miss my plane since I heard the final boarding call twice over the loudspeaker, but I made it to the gate just in time. I'm still thankful and more than a little astounded my luggage made the transition on time, too.

Once I arrived on German soil, the first thing that happened was I broke my favorite Life Factory glass water bottle. I had been so delighted to find it in a thrift store a few months prior since they aren't cheap to buy brand new. I considered this an important thing to bring along, given that free water is hard to find in Europe. I like to stay properly hydrated! At least I was greeted with smiles and my first German pretzel at the airport by Brice and Benjy, who I'll be working with during my time here.

In this first week I've had the opportunity to meet both the middle and high school club groups. Unfortunately, the numbers for both were a little low due to it being a long weekend with no school on Friday. I hope to meet more kids in the following weeks. The kids I did meet are great! I look forward to getting to know them more. I'm looking forward to hearing their stories as I'm able to share mine. I know they'll have plenty of wisdom to share with this newbie about living abroad.

I've been planning on doing some substitute teaching at the school once I can get my work visa squared away. I know this will open up some more doors to meet more kids, other adults, and bring in some extra money. My schedule with Youth Compass (under the Youth For Christ umbrella) is very open and self-directed. With fewer set tasks to complete, it's up to me to fill my time wisely. This is why the more involved I can be with the school, the better. And I do believe I can put my background in education to good use here, too.

I'm currently living alone in an apartment in Oberursel, which is a suburb north of Frankfurt. The Frankfurt International School is located here, so it makes more sense to live here. My host family will be away for the next 5-6 months, I believe, in Indonesia. I do sometimes wish I had someone here to answer my questions about how to do this or that, but it's also nice to have more of my own personal space. My introverted heart likes her alone time.

Part the Old Town center of Oberursel (Photo courtesy of: petegorkiewiczabroad.blogspot.com)

An Introduction

Hello!

This is a start of a blog intended to document and share my experiences as a missionary and expat in Germany. Reflecting the name of this blog, I intend to seek out new experiences as I soak up a new culture and continent. I intend to seek out a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father. I also intend to serve my new community with the knowledge and gifts God has given me. I'm so thankful for Youth For Christ and this opportunity they have given me to make a difference in kids' lives!

Me!

The beginning of this adventure all started with a dream I had about 3 years ago. In this dream I was leading a Bible study in my cute, little house somewhere in Europe. Picture a Thomas Kinkade-style home or that charming English cottage from the 2006 Nancy Meyers' movie The Holiday. I was hosting a small get-together in this cute, little house, serving up treats to this diverse group of people. I then led this group in a Bible study, sharing my stories and teaching them about Jesus.

Prior to this dream I had the usual fantasies about traveling abroad like your average American girl. Nice thoughts to carry you through the mundane times, but not something exactly attainable for most without lots and lots of careful planning and saving. But what kept bringing me back to this dream instead of dismissing it as a silly fantasy was this idea of leading a Bible study while building relationships with such a diverse group of people. This was something I hadn't ever desired. I realized this had to have come from God, a sort of divine inspiration. It was then that I began searching for open doors to make this dream a reality.

In one week I make the biggest move I have ever experienced. I'm equal parts nervous and excited for all of the changes to come! In the meantime, I'm enjoying my remaining time with my friends and family. I do want to thank all of my supporters who have brought me to this point, notably my church, Trinity Free Lutheran. I'll always appreciate the people met and the experience gained while working with Lutheran Social Services. And last, but not least, I'm so glad I got to spend the last year hanging out with the kids from the local Youth For Christ club. I wish I could bring you guys with me!

The Youth For Christ clubs of North Dakota gathered in the mountains of Montana for a week-long adventure camp.