Von nach Deutschland!

Wednesday, we're off to Germany!

Thank you so much for the prayers already invested into this trip- your support is so humbling; I can't believe the number of you that have already asked how you can pray. Thank you, thank you!

I thought I'd give you a little bit of an itinerary so you could keep up with us and what we'll be doing while we're away if you wanted. The trip is a fortnight total- taking two days driving to get there and then two days to return. (Us Americans think that's hilarious- its only 12 hours! Just Orlando to Norfolk, VA. =)

The aim of the trip is building relationally. We would so appreciate your prayers along those lines. (And in case you're wondering, yes, most of them speak English.) The church in Hamburg, from my understanding, is wonderful, very large, and extremely interested in Sovereign Grace Ministries. We've been asked to visit and get to know the young people there in hopes that they'll come visit us and we'll be able to do conferences together, etc. (I say "we" as in "Christchurch" not "The GAP Team.")

Wed. we arrive in Dover and stay overnight at a local church there. (No idea how we know them.)

Thursday we drive to catch the ferry and go through passport control (please pray everything goes smoothly!) and arrive in Calais, France continuing on to West Dortmund where we'll stay in a hotel.

Friday we'll continue on to Arche Church (where we're staying) in Germany and do something that night with the teens/students/young people.

The next ten days we'll be serving at and attending youth meetings, Sunday morning's services, participating in evangelistic opportunities; with some canoeing, a trip to Berlin, and sight seeing around Hamburg thrown in too. Also on the itinerary is "Adventure Pools." No idea what that means.

On the 13th we head back the same way we came- arriving back in Newport late on the 14th.

And for the geographically challenged like myself, here's what that looks like:


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Auf Wiedersehen! Cheers!

Driving for the first time...

This week, Toms gave me my first lesson driving stick...on the left hand side. Apparently, I did ok...but...the lesson ended on a "down" note...

Next week's lesson? 

Parking!

Pictures from this weekend

GAP Team High School Musical. =)

This weekend the beautiful Walti girls (Bethany and Hannah) are visiting from Italy. Their family moved to Udine from Orlando last September and I stayed with them for ten days in April. I love them dearly.

Bethany is on her way back to the States- moving back. Hannah came to "send her off." We are headed to London for a looong day really early tomorrow morning and we can't stop talking about it.

These girls are amazing; such a joy. I am regularly challenged by their humility, joy, love for others, and maturity. I want to be like them when I grow up. I'm trying to convince them to move here.

Thanks for sharing them with me, Lee and Jeannette!!!

Leah the evangelist

Yesterday was our last day at Bettws- video footage to follow in another post.

We had our second (and last) lunch club. It began with asking Bethan, a girl who asked the most questions two weeks ago, if she'd thought any more about our conversation. She said yes, and that Leah told her about Jesus again when she spent the night at her house...and they prayed together. That Jesus would forgive her for her sins and help her to live for Him.

Big smiles. She can't wait to come to church on Sunday.

Please add her to the list of souls to pray for!!! (Thank you for the ways you rejoice with me!)

Go GAP Boys!

The boys go to footie every Monday night. (That's "soccer.") This week, we decorated our faces, brought oranges and cookies and went to cheer them on! They all scored a goal! We were so proud!!!

Ordinary GAP Family Life

Tuesdays in Pete's office. This particular day, we were listening to messages on eschatology. (All pictures compliments of Kat!)

Lately, we've had lots of fun times together as a GAP Team. I am getting sad that in a few short weeks, these friends will leave and won't be returning with me in September. Cherishing the last bit of time we have together. Family dinners at the Girls house, movies in our living room crammed on the sofa, going to the cinema, bringing couches in the back garden to sit in the sun and drink wine on a Sunday afternoon...ah, I love it.

The Uni dinner dance!

Last Friday we had fun setting up, decorating, getting ready, and then attending our "End of the Year" party with the Uni students. The theme was black and white.

After everyone had left at 1:00a, the GAP Team stayed another hour dancing just by ourselves! We had so much fun! Such a fun memory. (We then were at the Building at 9:30a the next morning to tear down and set up for Visitors Sunday!)