Just The Beginning

Wow, five days in Herrnhut already. Seems like I got here just yesterday, but it kind of seems like I’ve been here for a year now.  I don’t even know where to begin really! I has been an amazing few days as well as challenging.  Once I met up with classmates at the Dresden airport we made our way in groups of five to the main station to catch a train to Lobau. To get to the main station you have to buy a ticket, hop on a bus headed for the main station. Simple right? Yeah, not with five Americans who know absolutely no German, at all. A maybe twenty-minute bus ride took us two hours. We did a lot of pointing and hand movements, but we finally made it to the train station and off to Dresden! Unfortunately it wasn’t near as Hogwarts-esque as I envisioned, but it was still pretty awesome. Definitely got a work out in carrying my backpack and massive suitcase, chasing buses and trains. I could hardly keep my eyes open on the train ride. It was incredibly beautiful moving outside of the city, flying past the green grass and openness.

Pause.

I would just like everyone to know that I am sitting in a room of our apartment in a circle as a friend plays guitar and sings with 10 other girls from all over the world.  Just because! Amazing!! =)

Ok, on with the adventures.

It is so surreal being here. Something I have been dreaming of and working towards for a year and a half or so and I am finally here. Believe it or not, Satan can still attack you and tell you dirty, dirty lies when you are across the world “living the dream”. In fact he probably attacks you even more, because he knows something is about to go down in Herrnhut! After the plane rides, bus rides, train rides, long walks, the unfamiliar surroundings and ridiculous frustration of not knowing anyone or the different languages. I was very fearful, uncomfortable and very much missing home and everyone there. It makes me laugh and smile thinking about it now, because God is so good and ALWAYS in control. Satan has to ask his permission to tempt us and try and trip us up. So that he can get the glory when we choose to run back to him! And it blows my mind that I have been blessed with six months to worry about nothing, but running towards him. Not long after the doubts and fear started forming inside me did he use two girls I just met. Athonette (An-ti-net) who is now a staff member, but is not staffing our DTS. She did MOTA and went on to the Y.W.A.M. secondary school for worship. She was so welcoming and encouraging . She spent a lot of time with a few of us showing us around, giving us pointers and teaching us some German even though she is from Seattle. Haha. Our sarcastic personalities and constant laughing really work well together and made me feel at home. The second girl, Terrel. Who also happens to be from Seattle. We totally connected by talking about how much we were going to miss out on American football haha Agh, she is such a sweet sweet girl and so chill. I love it! I told her a little about my story and worries being here in Herrnhut. She did her MOTA last year and is now in the secondary school for biblical world view. Such good conversations with her!

So many adventures and things learned already!

Random things.

-Germans very clean and efficient. I feel as if I will be struck down if I litter. And I stand in front of the the 4 or 5 trash bins for 10 minutes to figure out which bin my wrapper should be thrown in.

-They are ridiculous drivers! Super narrow streets with European cars flying by not really acknowledging signs or signals until the last second haha

-Germany is gorgeous!

-Y.W.A.M. kids love being barefoot! Yes! It doesn’t matter what you wear, everyone has their own style and I love that too!

-The BBQ is not like Texas BBQ. Haha

-Herrnhut has quiet hours at 8 and 10pm that are enforced by the law

-you can drink at age 16 legally

-I like that their money is all different sizes and pretty

Athonette showed us this fun hangout spot on top of the bridge along old train tracks. So much fun. We ate junk food while it sprinkled =) 

two friends and housemates, Nicole from Floriday/Italy and Gretchen!

Trip to Lobau!

Riding the bus from Lobau back to Herrnhut. Yes we were the obnoxiously loud, giggly Americans.

We took cover under the bridge once the sprinkles turned into pouring rain.

The lovely Anthonette.

Absolutely loved the lighting on the tracks that evening. And these boots are lifesavers. 

Beautiful stone bridge that I walk by to get to the castle sometimes. The train tracks run across it.

I love sitting and journaling or writing letters while listening to her sing and play. 

New friends in front of the castle.

Officially a student! 

world map in the dining hall. proclaim the name among all nations!

the beautiful evelyn in our kitchen. has the voice of an angel.

taken by Anthonette at the BBQ. haha Had so much fun!

 My first run in the forest! Absolutely incredible!

Jessie! aka Cousin Jessie. We have a running joke that we are related. She is a red head from Tennessee and some people may or may not believe us.

 One of my favorite spots in the castle

First night of worship. If you notice their is a spot on my boot. Jesus was already doing work on the first night!

I don't even know what this is about. at the BBQ

 Going to miss this sweet girl!

The not like Texas at all BBQ. But still yummy. We hadn't had like legit meat until this night.

Worship in German. So cool. 

This is how we spend our evenings. Worshipping our God. mmmm yes! 

We often eat along the bridge of the castle for lunch and such.

MOTA staff! 

First day of orientation like things. Everything is translated from English to German, or vice versa.

 Terrel, from seattle!!! Absolutely love this girl!

Well boys and girls. It is near time for first days of classes and lectures. So stoked for what God has in store. From prayer, worship and prayer with others I feel like he is just waiting to unleash an insane potential within me and this school. 

DTS is a group of people who are not content with life. Who are hungry. Who want more Jesus. More Jesus for ourselves, more Jesus for our communities and families and more Jesus in this World!!!!! We see things that aren't right and aren't ok. We see hurting people and lost people. And we are crazy enough to hop on a plane and do something about it!

Lets gooooooo!

Mucho carino amigos!!!