October 13th: Traveling Home

Statue at Schloss Hof in Vienna, Austria

It was really hard to sleep that night knowing that I would be getting up at 4 AM to head to the airport but also the fact of pre travel jitters.  I always get anxious for trips and especially flights.  I am not a huge fan of airplanes but I do enjoy airports and mostly just sitting there watching people go by from all different cultures and just their demeanor.  Airports can be interesting places with so much going on and how they are mini cities pretty much with their own personality sometimes.  It is always interesting making multiple flights and how only a few hours ago you were in such a different and diverse group of people.  It was nice in the morning having Tom and Louise on the shuttle to the airport in the morning and being able to say goodbye to them at the airport.  It was so great to meet all the other short term workers and some amazing people of God they are.  I really enjoyed getting to know this couple and the short time we got to spend together.  After our goodbyes I soon start the 22 hour journey back home which would leave me tired and jet lagged once I arrive.  The flight to Zurich was pretty quick and have never seen so much fog in once place flying in as Zurich.  The airport was very interesting and expensive, I could not live in Switzerland even though it is very pretty but nothing like the culture of Austria that I enjoy so much.  The flight to Chicago was very long and not one of the best overseas flights I have had.  I am beginning to feel worse and just ready to be home.  Once landing in Chicago the process of customs, security and airports begin and not off to the best start.  Everything was going smooth until the final security when I forgot about some duty free stuff that I was not allowed to bring on the plane.  It was a hassle to see if there was another way but in the end I had to just throw it away or pay 100 dollars to check my backpack.  Sometimes things are just not that much of a hassle and it was hard to keep my patience with airport people and made my entry back into the United States not one of the most pleasant.  It made me appreciate Europe and just realize some of our cultural differences with people and business in the States.  It seems like a lot of people are caught up in that fast passed environment and not taking the time to “just look up” and realize that there is much more to life and the beauty of what is around them.  The final flight I slept through most of it but we did experience some of the worst turbulence I have ever had and was a little scary but another one of those moments that you just pray to God and trust him to bring you through the storm safely and he will not fail you.  What a travel experience that took about 25 hours before I was finally back at my grandparents house safely and exhausted.  Back to the grind of things and pray that I do not loose focus of everything this trip taught me and the experiences it provided as I move on and go about daily life with others.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.  Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exhalted as head above all.” - 1 Chronicles 29:11

October 12th: Final Clean and Vienna Dinner

Blessing from the church on the door frames of the Haus

It was our final day of clean up since all the students left early this morning.  It would be a long day of cleaning rooms, kitchen, dining rooms and classrooms.  One of the most important days to have a servants heart for the Lord.  Most people were very tired and some of the workers were beginning to get sick but I know the Lord was with us for the day keeping us strong, healthy and motivated through the day.  I am getting more anxious to get home as it gets closer and just wanting the day to come to an end already when I wake up.  I was able to say goodbye to a few of the Russian students who I got to hang out with and get to know a little better during their time here.  It was quite different being around the Russians and Bulgarians for so long with some of them not even knowing any English.  Once morning items were complete we began our duties as housecleaners and took over the Cow Barn to clean it.  It went by fairly quickly with all of the people and before I knew it we were back getting ready for lunch.  Since the students were gone we had a buffet style of all the leftover meals which was more than expected.  I knew we were going to have a good dinner later tonight so limited myself to some of the items.  The cookbook was a great gift for everyone and excited to go home and make some of the dishes and the pumpkin soup that Austria was so famous for.  The afternoon was spent with more cleaning duties and the final packing for my early departure.  This trip was amazing and seems like just yesterday I was arriving in the airport in Vienna with an open heart and no idea what to expect on the trip.  It was so much more than I thought and feel so blessed to have experienced it and all the people I was able to meet and fellowship with.  I look forward to the future and what will come of this trip, hearing the stories of the students and other workers lives changed and hopefully more trips to come back to Haus Edelweiss.  It was such a renewed experience and love to see God at work blessing his people and how others touch lives and continue on with his Great Commission across all of his lost nations.  The dinner in the evening was very nice with a drive through the vineyards of Vienna on the way there and a great evening view of the city of Vienna.  It was very foggy and overcast the entire day so not much was seen of the city.  The final night of fellowship around the table was perfect and low key, just the way a final night should be.  After saying a few more goodbyes back at the Haus when we arrived I finished up my packing and was very anxious for 4 AM to arrive so I could begin the journey home.  What a blessed trip and life God has planned out for me and I continue to be amazed at his work and miracles that he provides.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

October 11th: Students Departure

TCM Haus Edelweiss Tony Twist Apartment

This was the final day for the students and they had final exams, presentations and reports due in the morning.  It seemed like they all did very well and are all excited about what they have learned and their time here at Haus Edelweiss, but ready to go home and see their families.  I know I am ready as well and excited to be heading home soon also.  It has been a long few weeks but some of the most rewarding weeks I have had in a long time and have enjoyed every moment of the work, fellowship with the students, staff and other volunteers and the special outings that we were able to go on.  Today was mostly spent cleaning up and wrapping things up with the students and preparing for the final clean tomorrow.  It was such a blessing working with our group and the group leader Kevin who is such a Godly man and have learned so much from him.  I really enjoyed everyone else in the group even though sometimes it was frustrating but it really helped me to just stop and listen and talk to God giving that up to him.  Everyone here is seeking God out with all their heart and love the stories of people driving by and just stopping to admire this place.  God does bless people and his commission with the perfect tools to fulfill that including places like Haus Edelweiss and Tauernhof.  I am so encouraged by the students and getting to meet some of them more and hear their stories.  God is doing some great work in these countries and the students are going to be such great lights in some of these dark places in the World.  When we think of Europe we tend to think of places like Germany, France, England mostly the big tourist areas but Eastern Europe gets forgotten and there are places where persecution still exists and some extremely poor living conditions but God still exists in these places and the people who come to Haus Edelweiss prove that and continue to make a difference in this world and fulfill his Great Commission.  After dinner we had a short time of prayer, worship and some story telling.  One of the professors said that the part that was the most powerful was when everyone started singing on Sunday worship in that first song with all the different languages and I would have to agree.   That is something that will stick with me for a very long time and just proves the depth of God’s love and his workings across the World.  It is going to be hard to leave this place and go home but I know that this is only just the beginning of some great things to come and Haus Edelweiss is truly a little piece of Heaven.

“The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” - Psalm 23:1-3

October 10th: Working and Stift

The Stift cafe in Heliegenkreuz, Austria

Today was our last full day of working maintenance since we will begin to clean up from the session once the students begin to leave tomorrow.  Time has flown by and it seems like we were just getting here and settling into the rhythm of things.  My time here has taught me many things and God continues to amaze me at how lucky I have been and blessed with an amazing family and friends.  The opportunities he has given me are one of a kind and could not have asked for anything more.  I know that through all the things God puts us through is for a certain reason and only he knows our plans and some of the deepest desires of our heart.  Our devotion today was on Prayer and what it really means to pray.  I have always considered prayer as sometimes just talking to God in a normal relationship and just letting him know our desires even though they may be different from his.  Prayer can be out loud, with a group of people, by yourself silently or by any other form of worship.  I enjoy running and just spending time with God and speaking to him about things while enjoying the beauty of his creation all around.  That is another thing though to work on is prayer and just spending more time with God whether it is in his Word or just time of prayer and just speaking to him more about life and entrusting him with everything through all the good and bad times.  Sometimes we tend to just pray when things are bad and ask him to provide or why he is doing this to us.  It is hard to remember that we must pray through all the good times and bad times and rejoice in him with everything knowing that he has a magnificent purpose for everything even if we don’t see it at the moment or may never understand it until we are home with Him.  After work today I was able to go on a longer run toward Baden and just some worship time with him on the path and just be amazed at the surrounding area and that I am here in Austria again.  We had a wonderful dinner with the students and more fellowship with some of the Bulgarians and Tessa who is the translator for them and her bubbly and happy personality with life.  The final part of the evening was spent at the Stift once again with some of the short term workers enjoying some coffee and more deserts and carrying on our fellowship with one another.  It was a great time to reflect on the past few weeks and what to expect when we return home and advice for the traveling.  I am very excited now to return and be able to share my trip and experiences but not just that but the rejuvenated body and soul that I was able to recommit to Christ.  It is such a blessing being around all these Christ centered people and I know it will be hard back home but I know that God places me in certain areas for a reason.

“A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?” - Proverbs 20:24

October 9th: Work Day

The best lemonade in Austria

Only a few more days left of work and serving here at Haus Edelweiss before returning home.  My patience continues to struggle with some people and I am working very hard on that and trusting the Lord to continue to give me the strength and patience I need to continue.  Today was pretty relaxing since we only worked on the detail of the balcony and painting the red and green.  I also struggle sometimes with my OCD and how I tend to be somewhat of a micro manager with certain tasks.  I have to learn to just let things go and not worry over the small details sometimes and how others work.  Without people like that this world would be a very boring place and we all bring our own special talents to the world.  The devotion this morning was about how we must be aware of who is leading us, our path that we are taking and to look up every once in awhile to make sure our direction is leading the right way otherwise a slight change can lead us “miles” from our destination.  This is very true with keeping our eyes focused on the Lord and His way that he lays out for us.  The smallest thing can set us back and be diligent on who we are trusting and what is being taught to us by leaders in the church.  The fellowship here continues to be very supportive and encouraging for everyones walk with the Lord.  I am very encouraged by what is going on and the students that attend here, seeing all their faces and what their plans our when they return home.  As the last few days wind down I am looking forward to being back home and “resting” somewhat and seeing everyone.  It has been a long but amazing few weeks here in Austria and love the places and things the Lord provides for us just at the perfect time.  This trip was recharging and a great break from the everyday life back home and something to continue that push for something greater with my life.  I know the Lord has plans and look forward to experiencing them in the future.  Some things I plan on working on when returning home is that most importantly to give all my worries and fears up to the Lord and know that he will provide in times of need and take care of the basic necessities.  I also want to be a light for others and be encouraging and not so negative about others but be there to talk with and help others.  With work at the coffee shop and the ski team I would like to find time to be able to continue pursuing other careers that the Lord places on my heart and attend small groups and church on a regular basis.  I pray that I continue to have the strength and accountability from others to maintain these things.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4

October 8th: Working and Lecture

St. George stained Glass in Haus Edelweiss patio

A case of the Mondays surfaced today with many people in our work group and hopefully the students are doing much better.  Mornings are getting much harder to get out of bed now but I think that may be because of the weather and the colder temperatures outside.  It is always harder for me to get up when its cold outside and your laying in a nice cozy warm bed.  I can feel the fall weather hit me as I head to breakfast in the mornings and even when we start work later in the day.  The chilly fall days only mean that winter is just around the corner which I am excited for.  It is so beautiful here in Austria in the fall and getting to walk out the door and seeing the green hills around, the grass, leaves changing colors and just the landscape that God has blessed us all with.  The winters here are so pretty and I wish I could see snow again here and how it blankets everything in the small Austrian towns in white and looks like a cozy little town.  Only 4 more days left of work and we are all praying for strength from God in this “sprint” as they like to say as short term workers continue to prepare meals, clean rooms, maintain the grounds and other tasks to keep this place going.  Its more than just work though but the fellowship with one another and the blessing it is for the students to be able to come to a place like this and learn more about Him enabling them even more to take the Word back to their home church and country and people there.  Some people say this is like coming to a 5 star resort for them with the service, clean and warm rooms, and hot meals every day.  It is hard to realize how some people live when they come here because they are so on fire for Christ and just so nice and happy to be around that all they need in this world is God.  It is hard for us as Americans and the Western culture to experience this sometimes as the material things consume our desires and needs.  We always are on schedules, busy with work or whatever we can find to consume time, and the best technology.  It’s so great to be able to work with a smile on your face seeing the students here from all ages and cultures just praising the same God and knowing that one day we will all be together where there will be no cultural or language barriers preventing us from understanding one another easily.  I continue to build relationships with others here and maintain my devotion time of running and taking care of my body, reading God’s word and writing my thoughts down each day which I hope to continue when I return to the states.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” - Romans 3:23-25

October 7th: Church and Baden

Fountain in the town of Baden, Austria

Today was our church service where the Bulgarians lead worship and our message was from a Senior Pastor from a church in Chandler, Arizona.  It was such an emotional service and so amazing to hear everyone worshiping the same God in many different languages.  The experience of that service and really taking in how many cultures and languages was so powerful.  Some of the countries are so ravished from poverty and crime that it can be hard for some to believe in God and not understand why things like this is happening to them.  God is still present in these countries and you can see him working in amazing ways from some of the stories but still need all our prayer for them and their people.  We are so lucky in the United States and do not comprehend all that is going on elsewhere.  There was a great testimony from a student who grew up Muslim and how he came to Christ, his marriage at a young age, a daughter that was born blind and his battle with cancer yet through all this God was doing work and miracles in his life.  He was saved, then his wife was saved shortly after, their marriage improved, his daughter’s eye sight is slowly getting better and he won his battle with cancer and healed fully.  The message was about fear and how the disciples were afraid in the storm and did not trust that Jesus would save them.  Sometimes is takes a great revelation and being afraid of something to truly believe in its power as the disciples soon did after Jesus calmed the great storm.  The pastor lost a son at the age of 15 due to contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion since he was born with a blood disease.  It was such a sad story how his son died yet the last thing he said to his father was that he was not afraid because he knew he was going to see his real father.  It’s stories like these that we can be afraid of things whether they are finances or health but we must trust the Lord that he is there and will bring us through things.  After church we went to spend the afternoon in Baden which was a very nice little community only a few miles away.  It was a rainy day but we still enjoyed walking around a bit and enjoying a few cups of coffee in some of the cafes there.  It was such a relaxing day today and being able to enjoy the fellowship together with some of the other short term workers is so great.  I can’t believe we will all be heading off our separate ways in only 5 more days.  I continue to be amazed at the Lord’s work and what he blesses us all with in our experiences, friends and opportunities.

“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?” - Mark 4:39-41