Happenings

Hey friends! So today I managed to successfully make it to the office by myself on public. Woo-hoo! I've had friends and co-workers keeping careful tags on me which is comforting, but there is a great feeling of achievement when you can say that you've mastered (lies) public transport in a different language. Siiiiigh ... my head is growing as I type.

Yesterday I went to an international church in downtown Vienna with a couple from the office. It was quite the experience. The church is mostly Filipinos, Africans and only a handful of Austrians and Americans. A Filipino man gave the sermon in English and then a Swedish man translated it into German! It was a fascinating cultural explosion! On top of that I went to a Turkish restaurant following and ordered food in German. My brain was so scrambled when I got home.

Today in the office I mostly typed up interview transcripts and then edited them for publication. I hate cutting good quotes, but the word minimum was 600-700 and I had about 2,270! It was a great interview too - I was really touched when I listened to it. I also got to tinker (I'm not sure why I ever use that word, but I do quite frequently) around with the office camera and get familiar with it so I can use it when I travel. I was able to take some beautiful pictures of Perchtoldsdorf, but when I went to upload them the digital cord was missing! I was hoping to get some pictures up of the area, but I'll make sure to take plenty when I go into Vienna with my own cam.

Right now I'm literally chilling in my apartment. It's about 50 degrees out and rainy and windy. And of course (since I'm quite smart) I didn't pack any warm clothes except for a few sweaters and only one pair of closed shoes (which don't match anything so I look hilarious). My supervisor saw me standing at the bus stop today when she was leaving work and gave me her jacket and scarf. I don't think that was good enough for her because she drove me all the way home on the other side of town. It meant so much to me and as I was thinking about it later, I remembered the verse in James 1 - "every good and perfect gift is from above."

So many people have made me feel warm and welcome here and it is such a blessing to my soul, but I forget that those blessings are ultimately from my heavenly Father. Every good thing that I'm experiencing here is a special gift from Him and I am so grateful for His care and provision in my life. He is a good and gracious Father and that alone is more than enough motivation to glorify Him.

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11).

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Week One in Review

Hey guys! So week one in Vienna was awesome! My time at the office has been mostly training and orientation so far, but next week I'll be able to start the real work! I'll be taking pictures, working on some interview transcripts and getting ready to travel!

I found out yesterday that I'll spend some time in Bratislava and a few days in Lithuania and the Czech Republic interviewing and taking pictures. More details to follow ;)

Besides work, I've been able to get to know some of my co-workers this week - really precious brothers and sisters! Already, I'm dreading having to leave them! The staff meets first thing in the morning for devotions and we pray for other offices, stations, partners, co-workers, etc. It's amazing how involved TWR is within the organization. It's not just independent offices scattered all around Europe, but rather a connected web that stays in close contact. My aunt says it's a family and she's absolutely right! I really think it's a wonderful picture of not just a successful organization, but the church itself.

Everyone has really gone out of their way to make me feel welcome here (so Mum, you can stop worrying about me being alone ... yeah, I'm talking to you woman!). I went over to a couple's house for pizza last night and we just chilled and watched a movie - something I really appreciated; I felt right at home! And I spent today in a neighboring town with another family from the office. Another nice time to just relax and learn a little bit more about the city and culture.

On a side note, I had quite the fiasco at the grocery market today. When I was paying, the cashier said something in German and my immediate response was PANIC! Fortunately, a woman I knew was with me and she explained to me that the cashier was simply telling me how much I owed. Seriously, what a spazmatoid I am. Ahhh ... another terrifying culture lesson under my belt.

I think that's all the news for now. I'm watching fireworks and drinking coffee on my balcony right now. I think that's a lovely way to end the week, don't you?

P.S. Don't make fun of my office picture. I am very proud of my very own desk! Besides, it gives the post a sort of "reporting from the office" feel. That sounds like something Michael Scott would say.

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You" (Is. 26:3).

Transportation, Towers, TWR

Today was my second day at the office and a day of many firsts. A lovely co-worker of mine took me out and taught me how to ride the public transportation in Vienna. Besides not understanding any of the German words and names, I think I'm getting the hang of it! I live about 10 minutes away from a train station and I can easily catch a bus for the second half of my commute. All in all, it's about 45 minutes to get to the office from my apartment. I'm sure that as I get accustomed to the system, I can cut some time off of my trip. But for now it's pretty pathetic. All in good time, jah?

I also ate in a heuriger for the first time. A heuriger is usually a family-owned business that strictly sells its own food and wine. It's kind of a way for farmers to showcase their specialty wines while customers can enjoy a small buffet. I had a delicious spinach something (they called it a pancake) and gingerale, which tasted uncannily like the seltzer water they serve here. Another cool thing about heurigers is that they hang a green bush above the door when they're open. They don't operate on a specific schedule, so when you see a green bush outside, it's a real treat! I was able to eat with my supervisor and the MarCom director and a few other TWR colleagues which was a true blessing. I'm still rather shy with my co-workers, which I was hoping wouldn't happen, so if you think about it will you pray that I can just be comfortable with everyone? God has certainly brought me a long way, but it still requires humility and trust every day.

And I'm proud to announce that I used my first German today. A man in my apartment building held the door for me as I was coming in to which I proudly said "danke." Oh yeah. Big stuff, I know. Haha ... okay, pretty lame, jah?

Oh, by the way, the picture above is a turm (tower) in Perchtoldsdorf, the town where the office is located. The tower and its adjoing church and castle were all built in the 1400s - I love passing it every day.

I'm learning more and more about TWR and its ministry and I can tell you that God is using this organization is such a powerful way. Please pray for TWR, its workers and those receiving the gospel as a result of the good work. I'm so honored to be with such faithful men and women and the Lord is truly showing me what it means to serve Him. PTL (praise the Lord) as we say it in TWR-Europe!

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Cor. 15:58).

Oweee

Okay, so after my flight and a day of rest, my body feels like someone dropped a couch on me (for lack of a better example). I'm not really sure why. My ribs are killing me, my hips and upper legs are stiff stiff stiff and I have bruises all up and down my shins. Seriously, what was I doing?! The only thing that I can think of (at least for my upper body) is that I carried a 20 lb. backpack around for the majority of the trip. As for all of the bruises...?

But I know sleep will be sweet tonight and I'm just so thankful to finally be here that pain is certainly not an issue. Ahhhhhh ... the soothing balm of joy.

Wien Finally

Well ladies and gentlemen, I'm finally here. It was a hectic trip, but the Lord had His hand on me the whole time. I ran into some trouble in Frankfurt and missed my flight into Vienna, but by the grace of God I was able to reschedule my flight for free and I arrived only three hours later than expected!

Already I'm blessed by God's plan for me here. I've met the most fantastic people who have really been such a blessing - and I haven't even been here for one day! I live in a lovely apartment in Brunn, which is the epitome of a European town - I can't get over it! And downtown Vienna is only a short train ride away, so I hope to have pictures up soon once I can explore a bit. But God is certainly good to me and I'm just praising Him for His protection and provision.

I'm thankful that I've adjusted to the time change so well. I think staying up for 30 + hours helped a little bit (no sleep on the plane due to a very awkward seatmate situation - remind me to tell you about it). I slept about eight hours last night and woke up this morning feeling refreshed and I'm still feeling pretty good.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for my trip. I am so grateful for you. The Lord really worked for me and I could definitely feel your prayers.

I'll keep you updated this week about my work and other various sights, sounds and tastes (I had my first weiner schnitzel today) of Vienna!

Mary, Martha and Digital Cameras

A little while ago, I was invited to share about my trip with a ladies group in my church called Mary and Martha. I have never been so blessed in my entire life by the body of Christ. These faithful women prayed for me and encouraged me in ways that they couldn't know.

As if their encouragement wasn't enough, they took up an offering for me to buy a digital camera. Those godly women - about 15 - raised $186 for me! A few days later, I found a great camera for $179 and after taxes it came to about $190. Is our God good?

I'm proud to announce that I'm the owner of a Canon SD1300IS. And it takes beautiful pictures! The camera is a special blessing to me and will always be a reminder to pray for those godly women and to appreciate the gifts of God. But more than anything, their faithfulness in prayer for me is the greatest gift. I am so undeserving to have such a wonderful and powerful force behind me. Thank you ladies!

"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" (Gal. 6:10).

Ain't No Stopping Him Now

I knew that if God wanted me to go to Austria, He would provide the money. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that it would all come in.

But the trip's total cost came to $4,700 and all that I could think was "How am I going to raise almost $5,000 in a little over a month?!" Okay, so maybe I was a little doubtful.

At first I took a indifferent approach. "That's God's responsibility. If He's sending me to Austria, then He'll just have to raise that money Himself." But if I wanted in on His glorious plan for my life, I was going to have to put a little effort in - and I found that out the hard way. With only a few weeks to go, I still owed a lot of money. I was so tempted to doubt His provision, His promises. Why would He send me and not provide?

He gently revealed to me that I needed to get in gear and get on top of the issue. I did, but even my best efforts were feeble. He allowed this so that I couldn't glory in myself. Every cent that was raised was a result of God's grace to me and I can't take any credit - not any. All the glory goes to God.

I have so many people to be thankful for! I still can't believe how many people reached out to me and gave - many of whom had very little resources. I am so touched and so humbled and I told God that the money would not go wasted. I could never earn what I've been given, but I'm certainly going to do my best.

I wish that I could make known every single person who helped me get to Austria. Not just financially, but through encouragement, prayers and challenge. I am so moved by the body of Christ. It's also the accountability that I need right now. To know that so many people have invested in me will be a constant reminder of His faithfulnes and a challenge to walk worthy.

If you have given in any way, I thank you. You just can't know how much it means to me. I admit, I'm moved to tears quite frequently when I meditate on God's goodness through His people. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I guess I should know by now that when God gets an idea in His head, there's no stopping Him. What a blessed reminder that He never goes back on His promises, that He is Who He says He is and that He does what He says He'll do.

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands" (Deut. 7:9).

Why Austria?

A lot of people ask me how I decided to go to Austria, to which I reply that the Lord chose Austria for me and that I had nothing to do with it.

In February 2010, a friend suggested I try to go to Turkey with her to fulfill our internship requirements. I thought that it was a marvelous idea, and without putting too much prayer into it, I applied for the position and was shortly accepted.

Not too far along into the process, I began sensing that this wasn't what the Lord wanted for me. But how could I turn it down? It was an amazing opportunity and everything was working out ... so far. I was confused. I think I genuinely wanted to serve the Lord using my journalism skills, but I had a narrow idea of how to do it. Turkey seemed the logical answer.

But God's way is best and it is He who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). I think I was defining my own terms by which I would serve Him but He graciously took my desires to use for His will and pleasure.

Well, about the time when I was seriously seeking an alternative to Turkey the Lord introduced me to Trans World Radio (TWR). I was on Facebook and received one of their stories in my mini-feed. My aunt had invited me to become a fan of their page a few months earlier (one of many sovereign acts of God in my journey) and I loved reading the stories of how the Lord used the ministry to bring people around the world to Himself. Of course I never even thought of doing an internship with TWR. I kind of had this "they're way out of my spiritual league" opinion about them.

To make a long story short (kind of), the Lord compelled me to apply for an internship with the organization and according to His gracious will for me, I was accepted as a intern to work in Vienna, Austria for eight weeks this summer.

After this, how can I ever doubt that God's will is best for me? There is no other way outside of the Lord's. I can't be happy unless I know that I'm right in the middle of His will for me and that He is getting glory from my obedience and love for Him. All of the glory must go to God.

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).