city arising from nothing carry through the open window of the classroom. It’s May, and the Discipleship Training School is heading into its 4th week. The eighteen students we get to work with this time around – 10 guys from five nations and 8 girls from Germany – are fun work with, but continually challenge me all the same. Just goes to show that I don’t need 68 students to feel challenged to grow – one is enough! (The picture: A glimpse of the classroom - say cheese!)But as we look out the windows of the Water Castle towards our field, we see a tent city arising. For in just a few days, 800 or so YWAMmers (with about 100 coming from our Base here in Herrnhut) from all across Europe will be descending on the “city” of Herrnhut. Since the normal size of the “city” is about 2,300, our presence alone will almost double the size of the immediate area – how fun!
And why, you might be asking, are 900 YWAMmers convening in Herrnhut? For the first time in quite a while, YWAM Europe has been called together for a few days to connect, be refreshed, and to seek out what the future holds. Even though this Festival of the Nations is quite a lot of work (I’m certain the coordinators will need 3 months off afterwards), I am looking forward to seeing already known friends, and friends yet to be made, from all parts of the continent.
Now if I could just figure out a way to keep them from all showing up for dinner at once…So, that’s a small glimpse of the world on this side of the water. The Discipleship Training School itself has been going very well, and the pace has been very different this time around since I have a school of 18 rather than 68. Whew! But, I’m still learning a lot, still being stretched in my understanding of God and also articulating who He is in all areas of life. God is intensely day-to-day, and He sees no separation in life between what is spiritual and what is practical, but walking Him out in everyday life proves to be the greatest challenge of all. (The picture: Daniel and Seokhwan, hard at work)
And the Festival of the Nations is just around the corner! As I already mentioned, I’m really looking forward to this time, and I look forward to seeing the fruit of months and months of hard work by the coordination team. We even have the privilege of having Loren Cunningham, the Founder of YWAM, speak to all of us during this time. I know it will be a time of inspiration, and I hope, the birth of new
things across Europe. I’m excited to see what happens. (The pictures: From this one tent...to these and with many more to come!)I myself am doing pretty well – feeling a little homesick at times (I won’t be coming home until the end of the year, and I miss shallow things like flavored creamer and flavored coffee - sigh), but still I know I’m where I should be, and I’m truly loving it. But, should you want to come for a visit, please do – it would be great to see you.
So, off I go for now. Thank you, as always, for coming with me. This is not a life I walk alone – your encouragement and support are so necessary. Thank you for all you give!
Until we type again,
