January/February Update

Liebe Freunde und Familie, I want to share some updates from the first part of this year. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. God’s provision in providing a way for me to be to be here right now is so astounding!

A Heart for Discipleship

Lately, God has planted a desire in my heart to focus on discipleship. 

In the Western world, the Christian life has become very personalized by our individualistic society. Everything is about our experiences, our personal time with Jesus, and our walk with God. While we do have a God who knows us individually and has bestowed his love on us with such intention, are we living out our faith alongside others, or just for ourselves?

We have a God who moves toward us. In fact, we move toward others because he moved toward us first. Discipleship is part of God’s marvelous design for his children. He created us with this heart filled desire to naturally move toward others. However, when sin entered the world, this desire became twisted. Man became lost, endlessly seeking their own desires –they still moved toward others, but the motive of “Christ” was missing. Hearts broke. Relationships got messy. We need to recenter our focus on Christ in order to redeem our naturally broken relationships. 

In Philippians 2:3-5, Paul writes: Do nothing from selfish I ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind amount yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. 

In this verse we find God’s design for discipleship is selfless, Christ-centered relationships, with our motive fixed on Jesus. Instead of praying that I would be blessed by God, I was recently challenged to pray that God would use me to bless others. This prayer is my theme of 2022.  This year, I want to take initiative of my faith in the role of discipleship. I pray that God would use me to bless others this year, as I center my goal on Him. I want to live out my life with Christ in me (Gal. 2:20), not just individually, but as a member of the body of Christ. 

Winter Season at Tauernhof

I am now volunteering on staff as a ski instructor here for the winter programs here at the Bible Center. The biggest difference between Bible School and the winter program is that the camps are run completely in German. Here is a run-down of a typical week at Tauernhof during winter season: 

Every Sunday, new guests arrive from Germany to attend the ski camps. As part of the welcome, we dress up in our Sunday best (traditional Austrian Dindel & Lederhosen). When Covid restrictions allow, we mingle with the guests and make introductions in the Bistro. 

Each morning we run ski courses. Part of my duty in the past weeks has been teaching the beginner classes. I have enjoyed learning how to teach, as well as adding new German words to my vocabulary to describe the ski tequniques. The coolest part of the programs at Tauernhof is the opportunity we have as staff to connect our faith to mountain sports. Along with teaching the ski lesson, we have the opportunity to lead short devotion on the mountains with the guests. Sometimes this looks like reading a Psalm and sharing a thought, worshiping together, or spending some quiet time reflecting while skiing on the Skiweg (forest ski trail). I am so thankful for this unique outlet that allows me to connect my passion for ministry & discipleship while spending time outdoors in God’s creation. 

Three times a day, I have the duty of Tischdecken (table setting) with the other ski instructors. This normally includes cranking up the beats and singing and dancing (while setting tables of course). Another responsibility for us instructors is Schneeschaufeln. This involves shoveling snow and spreading gravel in the mornings and afternoons.

Other miscellaneous responsibilities include playing with the worship team, leading short devotions during breakfast, making announcements, working shifts in the Bistro, and cleaning the ski rooms. 

Another highlight of the weeks have been German lessons. As one of the two native English speakers here, it has been an adjustment to be completely immersed in a new language. I have started a weekly class, and have throughly enjoyed learning more of the language and taking advantage of the opportunity to implement what I’ve learned daily. Thankfully, I have yet to meet a German who isn’t fluent in English, and fellow staff members are graciously willing to speak English with me.  

Needless to say it has been a crazy, yet fulfilling two month. I am filled with great joy & thankfulness for the opportunity to be here and serve alongside such wonderful & servant-hearted people. 

Prayer Requests

Praise Jesus that we have been able to host each week thus far! Even with complicated Covid regulations, guests have still been able to travel from Germany to attend the camps. Please pray that more guests would sign up to fill the places of those who have canceled, as the Bible center depends on guests coming to keep things running financially. 

Praise Jesus for the start of lifted Corona restrictions here in Austria, also praise Jesus that the staff are now recovered from the Omricron wave.

Please pray for Lothar, the husband of a staff member who is battling cancer. Pray for the radiation treatment and for strength for him and his wife Anna. 

Pray for the attacks in the Ukraine. Some guests and staff members have friends/family who are fleeing the Ukraine to Austria or nearby countries. Pray for their safety, along with all the refugees and those who remain in the Ukraine. 

For me personally, pray that I would seek God first as I make decisions for the future. Pray for wisdom and that God would direct me to the right opportunities in work & ministry that glorify Him. 

Vielen Dank fur diene Gebete. Thank you for your prayers!