Author: hannahyoung810

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!

Dear friends and family, I am long overdue for a blog update. 

To say these past couple months have been crazy would be an understatement. 

November and December were hectic: from Covid lockdowns, a visa saga of epic proportions and traveling twice across the globe…it has been a wild adventure. Needless to say, praise be to God who carried me through in the highs and the lows. 

To be honest, there were times in these past months were I felt very discouraged and uncertain as to what the future might hold. In these times, I could have surrendered to the fears and doubts that plagued me. I could have so easily given up in my despair and missed the good things my Father had for me. 

Yet, through it all God was, still is, and always will be FAITHFUL. When complications arose with meet visa paperwork here in Austria, I was faced with a massive uncertainty. I would have to leave the country and I had no clue what I should do next. Yet in these moments of doubt I found myself surrounded by the most compassionate mentors and friends. These people offered a shoulder to lean on, built me up, and gave me guidance and godly counsel. Despite the stressful and incredibly inconvenient situation, I found strength in God and the confidence to put my hope fully in him.

In these difficulties, I was reminded of God’s truth though a song we played for worship: 

I will praise you on the mountain

And I will praise you when the mountain is in my way

You’re the summit where my feet are

So I will praise You in the valleys all the same

No less God within the shadows

No less faithful when the night leads me astray

‘Cause You’re the heaven where my heart is

In the highlands and the heartache all the same

Highlands, by Hillsong United

Spending so much time in the mountains these past months, I found this song very fitting for my current circumstances, as it compares the metaphor of a mountain and a valley to life. 

There were days during my time at Bible School where I found myself standing on a mountain (both literally and figuratively). These mountain-top moments were awe-inspiring experiences I thank God for. To a certain perspective, spending a year abroad in Austria seems like a mere highlight reel. I certainly wasn’t expecting many difficulties when I decided to take a gap year to come here. 

In addition to these mountain peaks, there were also days when I felt as if I was stranded in a valley (again, this also applies literally as we were stranded on campus during Austria’s three week Covid lockdown). Yet the deepest valley was definitely the visa process. It seemed as if there was always another paper to file and another document to complete (in German, to boot!). After all the time, effort, and money put into the process you can imagine my disappointment when the visa didn’t work out. I received a letter from the authorities saying I couldn’t stay, and had to leave Europe in less than 3 weeks. In light of my personal plans, I found myself in a great valley. 

David uses this same valley metaphor in Psalm 23: 

He leads me beside still waters, he leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk thought The Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me. 

When I encounter valleys, it is easy to focus on the current moment overshadowing my life. It is so easy to forget the road that let me here. In Psalm 23, the very same path that leads through the darkest valley was the same path that led beside still waters. I have a Good Shepherd who leads me with such loving intention. 

Only when we take the time to look back, do we see God’s faithfulness. I can see these patterns of faithfulness throughout my whole life leading me up unto this point. In the summits, in the valleys, in the highlands and in the heartache, he was, is and always will be faithful. 

By his faithfulness, he lead me though the valleys and lowest points of my life. He also led me beside the still waters, some of the most enriching and life-giving seasons. It is his faithfulness that leads me to the place I am today. And I know, that he holds tomorrow in his hands. The same path that winds though the Valley of the Shadow will lead me back to still waters once again. 

Having crossed though The Valley I can look back and testify of God’s faithfulness firsthand. I had to fly back to the states, reapply for my visa in California, then returned home for Christmas. While it wasn’t the initial plan, being home for the holidays ended up being such a unexpected blessing. A few days before Christmas, I received my visa in the mail. I returned to Austria on January 3rd to start the next chapter of my year here; serving on staff at the Bible Center! Being on staff has been a new adventure with it’s own ups and downs, but I paise the Lord for his faithfulness in bringing me to this point, and I look forward to seeing how he continues to work in my life this coming year. 

Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks!

Keep looking unto Jesus,

Hannah  

And, just like that, October has flown by. So many wonderful memories were made during this golden month. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by so many amazing people here in these breathtaking mountains. God is so good! 

That being said, here are a few highlights from October:

Hikes

Every weekend, there is an option to participate in an outing. Most of the time, this means a very intense hike up to the mountain peak, led by our hard-core sports instructor. This past month, I’ve had the chance to experience several awe-inspiring hikes in the Dachstein mountain range. 

I’ve quickly learned that the alpine weather can be pretty versatile in the fall. One moment it may be sunny and nearly 20 degrees….then just a little higher up we are venturing though snow, ice, and wind. Tackling the mountains has been a crazy physical challenge, but 100% worth it! When we reach the peak, we often read a Psalm, or stop along the way to take time to pray and reflect on the beauty of creation around us. I love the values of the Tauernhof leadership– each activity is led with intention, keeping a spiritual focus in mind.  

Often, there are chances to stop at mountain huts for a break to enjoy the view & some delicious Kaiserschmarnn (traditional Austrian dessert). After the hikes, it has become a regular custom to go to MacDonalds to replenish our calories, then spend a relaxing evening in the Sauna. Definitely a rewarding feeling! 

Mitterberghaus Trip  

Another highlight of October was the school trip to Mitterburghaus, an alpine hut in Hochkönig, a mountain group containing the highest mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps! 

We stayed at the hut for four days. It was refreshing to get away from the busy schedule of classes and have some personal time to spend in prayer and reflection. Each night we did a big bonfire under the towering mountain range and twinkling stars…it was so amazing to spend time in worship, standing in awe of all God’s creation. A few other highlights of the trip included many stunning hikes, baking and eating homemade doughnuts and Apfelküchle with coffee, and many group games. The most notable of which being rugby…the trip ended with 3 concussions, among several other injuries. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be playing rugby again anytime soon.

Outreach

As students, we had the chance to participate in an outreach in the town. This was an unexpected surprise as we were’t originally planning outreaches due to Covid. It was cool to see God open that door and allow this ministry to happen! 

I joined the school outreach. Myself, along with a small group of four other students had the opportunity to share Jesus & our testimonies with a class of middle school students from the town. Thankfully, we had 3 native German speakers in our group to help with translation. It was cool to see the students engage and show interest in the gospel story. Please be praying for the students to come to know Christ, and for the future outreaches during the second half of fall school. 

What God has been teaching me….. 

God has taught me so much this past month. There have been so many good Bible classes, times of prayer, deep study, and conversations filled with truth. One of the assignments we have is to read most of the Old Testament over the course of 12 weeks. Reading though the Bible at such a fast pace has given me a greater perspective of the bigger picture of God’s plan. 

During my recent devotions, I read Psalm 106. This Psalm stood out to me as a remarkable example of God’s faithfulness toward me even in the times I fail to abide in His presence. I found this passage especially applicable alongside my journey reading the Old Testament, as it displays the bigger picture of how the Lord works though His people and imparts knowledge that is applicable to me in my relationship to God today. 

In the Psalm, the writer rehearses God’s mercy during Israel’s history in spite of their sinfulness. Time and time again, the Israelites forget God (v. 7). They did not consider His wondrous works, and they did not remember the abundance of His steadfast love. (v.13). In their neglect of their Creator, they even exchanged the glory of God for an image of an ox (v. 20, Ex 32, Romans 1:23). they were not living in awe –and thus missing out on the bigger picture God had for them.

Even though the Israelites forgot, God still remembered. And in his great mercy displayed His faithfulness: “Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love” (Ps 106:44-45). These verses are mind- boggling. He is still faithful in remembering, even when the Israelites have turned completely from Him. He looks upon their distress in compassion, and hears their cry. He shows his steadfast love time and time again! It is astounding to think that though I often forget God, not for a moment does he forget me. 

Yet how many times do I neglect to acknowledge God in my passiveness, forgetting to give him glory and thanks throughout my daily life? Is my mind continually dwelling on His word? Am I truly abiding in God, pursuing an intimate relationship with my heavenly Father? 

In each and every moment, I should strive to be present in the glory of God, continually abiding in him though prayer, dwelling on his word, and standing in awe of his mighty works and all he has blessed me with. And I can rest assured knowing I have a Lord who cares for me personally and will always remember me! 

Prayer Requests

Continue to pray for my visa. I have submitted all my paperwork and am awaiting the final approval. Also pray for some of the other staff who are also submitting applications. Pray for peace as we trust in the Lord’s timing for the completion of this process. 

Please be praying for the outreach, that the students’ hearts to be open to the God’s word and that the seed would be planted in their lives to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus. 

Pray for healing for the students who have been injured, and continued protection for the students and staff from sickness and injury, especially during the mountain sports. 

As always, thank you for your prayers and for taking the time to read my blog!

“Why Austria” is a question I’ve been asked by many a friend and family member. No, I am not going to the “land down under”, but the small alpine country wedged between Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. The town I will be living in is called Schladming, and is about an hour south of Salzburg. 

I first heard of Torchbearers International 5 years ago when I was a Junior in high school. It sounded like a once in a lifetime experience – to spend a year studying the Bible, involved in ministry & a Christian community, all while experiencing living abroad! At the time, I had started my first year of college, so I decided to commit to finish my degree and pocket the idea until graduation. 

Near the end of my senior year of college, I landed an internship that led to a full time job, right before the pandemic hit. I was in a great spot in life starting my career, and was quite comfortable with my life plan to get married and keep my 9-5 job. Plus, international travel was quite unrealistic. Aside from the pandemic, everything in my life was going perfectly as I had planned. 

However, sometimes our little plans aren’t always part of God’s grand plan. Instead of surrendering my life to God, I had been holding tightly to my own plan. In May 2021, I suddenly found myself single, unemployed, and without a plan. Throughout the course of the past year, God has taught me the importance of holding everything in my life with an open hand. When we cling too tightly to earthly things, we start to loose sight of God’s purpose for our lives. 

Something else happened in May 2021. Europe started to open back up to international travel. Isn’t God’s timing perfect? I began to pray and reconsider attending a Torchbearers School. As I was looking though the schools, the program Austria immediately stood out to me. I love the mountains, skiing, hiking, and have always wanted to visit the alps. 

After more prayer and consideration, I applied for Tauernhof’s Fall & Spring terms. Over the Winter, I will involved in ministry on their staff. I will share more details behind what exactly these programs entail in the coming weeks. 

Photo above: Planai in Schladming, Austria. A sneak-peak of my first day exploring the mountain with fellow students. 

Hello, and welcome to my blog –The Joyful Enthusiast. The primary reason I decided to start this blog is to update friends and family about my time abroad in Austria this next year. Long term, I’m hoping to continue this platform as a resource for travel tips, encouragement, and life in general.

The name The Joyful Enthusiast reflects my personality and identity in Christ. My life verse is Nehemiah 8:10 “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Throughout my life, I have learned the value of seeking JOY in the Lord in every circumstance, and radiating that joy to those around me. The word Enthusiast is defined as “a person who is very ambitious about a particular subject.” (Hello Enneagram 7s!) I consider myself an enthusiast in both my faith and in life in general. I thrive off of adventure and love to have fun while building lasting relationships and impacting Christ’s kingdom.

I’ll share a bit more about how God is working in my life in posts to come. Thank you for coming along for the ride!