Okay, this is more for your entertainment (unless you can understand German, then I'll be really jealous). Here is a link to the interview with Katrin:
http://www.crosschannel.de/christliche-themen/international/8861-bible-belt-meets-baltikum.htm
We talked about how I was from the "Bible belt" in Virginia and my observations of the differences between Lithuanian and American believers. If you listen to the MP3, you can slightly hear my voice under the German voice-over. I wouldn't recommend it, it's quite confusing.
Truthfully, I didn't know she was recording the interview and when I listened to the MP3 I could just make out myself talking about how I felt out of place amidst the dignified Lithuanians with my North American style and other things. Seriously? Why was I even talking about that? Oy vey. Who doesn't enjoy knowing that thousands of people are listening to you make stupid comments on a major radio station? Ah, yes. Another notch in my belt of international embarrassments.
But I'm glad that I got to share about the GNC team in Lithuania. Remis was also in the interview and Katrin noted that he and I and another Lithuanian, Robertas, all made the same observations concerning Christianity in Lithuania.
I think I'd like to go back ... to stay. *nervous laughter* Prayers anyone?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Czech Article!
Okay, my Czech article appeared on the TWR-Europe page today. Here's the link if you want to check it out:
http://www.twreurope.org/stories/story-archive/115-twr-czech-republic-celebrates-20th-anniversary.html
Sometimes I get really paranoid about people reading my articles. It's so ironic and ridiculous that I always want to be hidden from the public eye but that I ended up being a journalist. Someone didn't plan that one out too well...
http://www.twreurope.org/stories/story-archive/115-twr-czech-republic-celebrates-20th-anniversary.html
Sometimes I get really paranoid about people reading my articles. It's so ironic and ridiculous that I always want to be hidden from the public eye but that I ended up being a journalist. Someone didn't plan that one out too well...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Lithuania Revisited
I just got off the phone with a woman named Katrin from ERF Germany, TWR Vienna's partner organization. She's doing a special project about the spiritual state of Lithuania and wanted to ask me about my reflections of the country. I felt like I was gushing and gushing information the whole time, but I don't care if I talked her ear off because revisiting Lithuania only reinforced my memories of experiencing the Lord in the new light that I did there.
I never want to forget it. I know that the Lord is at work there and to see it first-hand was the reminder of how sovereign and mighty my God is. Even now, as I sit here and think back over my time in Lithuania, the Lord is showing me things I didn't see before.
I was telling Katrin about the Christians that I met in Vilnius. I could see how they were discouraged, how the enemy was trying every tactic he could to find a way to stop them. The ministry through GNC is powerful and Satan knows that. But I believe that the Lord hand-picked GNC to minister to Lithuania and that surpasses any power held by the enemy.
The Lord has brought GNC so far and used them so greatly, but they've been through the fire during it all. And not just in Lithuania, but all around the world. We have to remember our global family in prayer.
I realize how many resources I have as a Christian living in America. The believers I met in Lithuania have only their personal relationship with the Lord, but it's enough to keep them going. I learned in Lithuania that I rely more on the Christian religion than on my relationship with the Father. He is enough. He is more than enough!
Will you pray with me for GNC? The Lord has used their ministry beyond Lithuania, into Pennsylvania and - I pray - through my life, into the world.
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3: 14-21).
I never want to forget it. I know that the Lord is at work there and to see it first-hand was the reminder of how sovereign and mighty my God is. Even now, as I sit here and think back over my time in Lithuania, the Lord is showing me things I didn't see before.
I was telling Katrin about the Christians that I met in Vilnius. I could see how they were discouraged, how the enemy was trying every tactic he could to find a way to stop them. The ministry through GNC is powerful and Satan knows that. But I believe that the Lord hand-picked GNC to minister to Lithuania and that surpasses any power held by the enemy.
The Lord has brought GNC so far and used them so greatly, but they've been through the fire during it all. And not just in Lithuania, but all around the world. We have to remember our global family in prayer.
I realize how many resources I have as a Christian living in America. The believers I met in Lithuania have only their personal relationship with the Lord, but it's enough to keep them going. I learned in Lithuania that I rely more on the Christian religion than on my relationship with the Father. He is enough. He is more than enough!
Will you pray with me for GNC? The Lord has used their ministry beyond Lithuania, into Pennsylvania and - I pray - through my life, into the world.
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3: 14-21).
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Hello From Lynchburg!
Hello dear friends and family! I hope your days are going well and that you're experiencing rest and satisfaction in the love of our Savior! I've been blown away by God's amazing grace for the past week and I'm loving the opportunity to abide in Him with no distractions. I was pretty distressed about not having a job for the first few days back in Lynchburg, but now I'm realizing that every day is a precious opportunity to just draw close to Jesus and experience absolute rest in Him.
I'm seeing more and more how I just needed to be quiet and get back to the state of worship I had before the craziness in Vienna. I think I forgot how to be calm and how to meditate on all of God's goodness! It's incredible what He'll show you when you just stop and shut up! Haha! Sorry, that's the unrefined portion of my personality popping out. Sometimes I have to use it when I can't describe my feelings with "ideal" wording. But anyway, I'm wondering if the Lord has something up His sleeve with this whole unemployment thing. I don't have any excuse but to get to know Him better each day. I can see where I've gotten off track and the things that He wants me to work on and I'm so refreshed by His enlightenment. What a loving and gracious Father we have!
Besides the holy quiet, life in Lynchburg is going well (despite being unemployed). I can't tell you what a blessing it is to be with Chloe and Tudi again (all the while missing my big sis too!). I've never been apart from Chloe for that long and although it was extremely hard, we both agreed that if the Lord called either of us into global missions, we know He would give us the strength to be away from one another. This is pathetic, but sometimes we would email three of four times a day while I was in Vienna. Our bond is closer than anyone could imagine and I'm so honored that the Lord would bless me with the gift that Chloe is to me.
And of course, being with Tudi is always a pleasure. No one can make me laugh harder than that girl! I'm so happy that she's enjoying Liberty and that she's building friendships that (I can clearly see) are a true blessing to her. Last night we were trying to assemble a TV stand for my living room and we ended up giving in half way through to make brownies. Siiiiiiigh; I'm really looking forward to this year with my sisters.
I'm not sure if I blogged about this before but I must tell you in case I haven't yet! I've written before that I went into Vienna the Sunday before I left for the States. I decided to go to the Augustinian church to try and make it for the service (no, I couldn't understand it and yes, it's Roman Catholic, but I thought that I would still have my own time of worship). I had been wanting to hear a church choir all summer, but I could never make it to any concerts and I traveled on half of the Sundays during my trip. I was pretty upset that I had come all the way to Vienna and hadn't heard any church choirs during my entire time there.
Anyway, when I walked into the Augustinian church, the sermon was almost through and they were beginning communion. I stood in the back and began praying and just reflecting on what the Lord showed me over the summer. Then, out of the quiet rang out the sweetest, most beautiful note I have ever heard. A woman was singing from the loft. She sang alone for a few moments and then was accompanied by a full choir and orchestra. I closed my eyes and got completely lost in how beautiful it was. In fact (and this is quite pathetic), I was so overwhelmed that I was finally hearing a church choir that I got extremely emotional. It felt symbolic to me - like a special present from the Lord. I spent the rest of the time just praising God for His gift of music and His blessings in my life. My overwhelming emotions from the music were replaced by the overwhelming goodness of my God. I will remember those moments in the Augustinian church for the rest of my life :)
So, have I waxed poetic enough for you? I know it must be hard for you to understand my feeble attempts at conveying my emotions, so I thank you for your patience. And a special thanks for reading once more! Look for the blessings in your life today, friend! Our God is a good God!
I'm seeing more and more how I just needed to be quiet and get back to the state of worship I had before the craziness in Vienna. I think I forgot how to be calm and how to meditate on all of God's goodness! It's incredible what He'll show you when you just stop and shut up! Haha! Sorry, that's the unrefined portion of my personality popping out. Sometimes I have to use it when I can't describe my feelings with "ideal" wording. But anyway, I'm wondering if the Lord has something up His sleeve with this whole unemployment thing. I don't have any excuse but to get to know Him better each day. I can see where I've gotten off track and the things that He wants me to work on and I'm so refreshed by His enlightenment. What a loving and gracious Father we have!
Besides the holy quiet, life in Lynchburg is going well (despite being unemployed). I can't tell you what a blessing it is to be with Chloe and Tudi again (all the while missing my big sis too!). I've never been apart from Chloe for that long and although it was extremely hard, we both agreed that if the Lord called either of us into global missions, we know He would give us the strength to be away from one another. This is pathetic, but sometimes we would email three of four times a day while I was in Vienna. Our bond is closer than anyone could imagine and I'm so honored that the Lord would bless me with the gift that Chloe is to me.
And of course, being with Tudi is always a pleasure. No one can make me laugh harder than that girl! I'm so happy that she's enjoying Liberty and that she's building friendships that (I can clearly see) are a true blessing to her. Last night we were trying to assemble a TV stand for my living room and we ended up giving in half way through to make brownies. Siiiiiiigh; I'm really looking forward to this year with my sisters.
I'm not sure if I blogged about this before but I must tell you in case I haven't yet! I've written before that I went into Vienna the Sunday before I left for the States. I decided to go to the Augustinian church to try and make it for the service (no, I couldn't understand it and yes, it's Roman Catholic, but I thought that I would still have my own time of worship). I had been wanting to hear a church choir all summer, but I could never make it to any concerts and I traveled on half of the Sundays during my trip. I was pretty upset that I had come all the way to Vienna and hadn't heard any church choirs during my entire time there.
Anyway, when I walked into the Augustinian church, the sermon was almost through and they were beginning communion. I stood in the back and began praying and just reflecting on what the Lord showed me over the summer. Then, out of the quiet rang out the sweetest, most beautiful note I have ever heard. A woman was singing from the loft. She sang alone for a few moments and then was accompanied by a full choir and orchestra. I closed my eyes and got completely lost in how beautiful it was. In fact (and this is quite pathetic), I was so overwhelmed that I was finally hearing a church choir that I got extremely emotional. It felt symbolic to me - like a special present from the Lord. I spent the rest of the time just praising God for His gift of music and His blessings in my life. My overwhelming emotions from the music were replaced by the overwhelming goodness of my God. I will remember those moments in the Augustinian church for the rest of my life :)
So, have I waxed poetic enough for you? I know it must be hard for you to understand my feeble attempts at conveying my emotions, so I thank you for your patience. And a special thanks for reading once more! Look for the blessings in your life today, friend! Our God is a good God!
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