baptisms in 3 countries!

What a fun, memorable day at the beach! Here is my friend Beth & darling niece Gwendolyn!
Here's my dad, ham-ing it up, in a pavilion at Ft. Desoto Park where my family's church, Christ Fellowship, had a beach baptism yesterday! My 3rd outdoor baptism of the summer- super exciting, I can tell you!
Here I am with Heather, my sister in love, and Gwendolyn, my niece.

Melissa got baptised; I'm so proud of her. I used to speak to her girls' missions' group on visits home, on Wednesday nights. Once she and her mom donated some goodies for me to take back!
Here is my brother, along with another staffer, Matt, baptising a couple. It's cool when families follow Jesus together!

Braunschweig outdoor baptism

My good buddy Jake came for one Sunday the end of June, to visit me in Braunschweig (here we are outside a hospital). He is doing a study abroad this summer (we'd originally met in Sevilla, when he studied there 1 year). Well, God worked in some amazing ways thru hardships. He got very sick, suddenly, with some sort of virus, & couldn't keep anything down that day. This was especially bad because he is diabetic, so he landed in the hospital for 2 nights!
Photos from 2 days before the above shot: this Sunday in June our church had a lakeside baptism, and here I am with Anja's mother, Renate.
That day about 13 people showed their commitment to Christ by baptism! Very special! (the ministers are Baptist, but for some reason they wear a collar, ONLY for baptism!)

just add water...?

Two weeks ago was a really GRAND day, in Spain! My super good friend, Abraham, got baptised at the beach near Matalascanas. He was baptised by a mutual friend, Jake (normally does not have a beard), who was a key student in our group from 2009-2010 while studying abroad. He attends Moody Bible College.Anja G. from Germany was with me to celebrate this event... and we got to share some seminar time with our Connexxion team serving there.
Here is the whole group from Connexxion that attended Abraham's special day.

David is the church starter, in the middle, who has devoted so much blood, sweat and tears over the years to make a difference in this city! Here are the 4 who got baptised: Abraham (2nd from left), Olivia Acton, Carlos (by Hendrik, serving with youth at the church & on Connexxion staff), and Carlos.

extravagant

Today I was pondering the idea of "extravagance" ... showing people you care, even in small ways, can truly make a difference. We usually don't have enough hours in a day to do things up BIG. I'm not saying I'm good at going beyond my "duty" or the smaller things that people should expect, to really FULLY and GRACIOUSLY show love .... but I applaud and notice it when someone does acts of extravagance-- I think this reflects the character of God-- his love, his mercy, his forgiveness, his kindness, his generosity, his "attention to detail."

What about when we really "go for it" and mirror the profound depths and breadth of God's love-- by going out of our way for someone... Doing something that normally is not "necessary." Beyond our duty. Not playing it safe. We could even "waste" perfume (like the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus).

• a kind word said in passing is lovely & can hit the spot -- but what about if you mailed a super, creative card with 10 lines of encouragement? extravagance.
• the value of a gift does not matter. We say: "it's the thought that counts." But what about if you gave a really generous gift (monetarily speaking, if you have the funds)? Or one that showed you had to plan to get it more than a couple of hours ahead? extravagance.
• it's truly nice to send a text message, just to show someone they were on your mind! - What about if you offered to skype, and give the gift of extravagant time? (Hmmm... after all, it's not that convenient, is it?) Or take them to dinner and coffee for a few hours? extravagance.
• asking "is there anything I can do to help?" is a gracious offer. How about the next time asking probing questions or observing this friend's life, and noticing something they need-- then meeting that need in a timely fashion?! extravagance.

Whether it be words, gifts, time or acts of service -- I think God really smiles when we sacrifice and imitate Jesus.

"Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

My bike has been in the basement "out of commission" because I don't know where my bike lock's KEY is. Ugh! I was fully surprised today when Anja told me, beaming from ear to ear, that she'd asked a friend of ours, who is good at fixing things, if he had some bolt cutters. Basically, she was giving me a heads up, "We may be coming over on Saturday, to free up your bike!" Now, that is the definition of extravagance, on the part of both of them!

Another example-- last Saturday (June 11th!) when I came into breakfast, the whole room of retreat participants stood to their feet, sang "Happy Birthday" & then greeted me with handshakes & hugs. extravagance-- even in standing up versus singing while seated. I was led to a special birthday seat decorated with balloons & a "Snickers" cake (made by Anja & transported by car to the retreat center!). extravagance. Then I was asked to unwrap a box, in which were several smaller boxes inside each other ... (extravagance.) ...which finally opened to a tiny red (how fun!) iPod! It was the size I can use to work out at the gym. The group knew I had been missing mine; I lost it on the plane in February. extravagance. If that were not enough love, hugs, attention, honor and fun-- on the iPod was the engraved word: "gomartha," as well as the reference for a theme verse in my life:

"Das Volk, das im Dunkel lebt, sieht ein großes Licht. Die im Land der Finsternis wohnen, Licht leuchtet über ihnen." - Isaiah 9:1 (in English verse 2)

being team

Do Anja and Vera look like they're UP to something? They are--UP-- like dozens of meters up in a small cable car!
Ahhhh.... this was over the city of Thale, in the Harz Mountains...
I think Kris was excited and Birthe was trying not to rock the cable car! In addition to the crazy times of fun-- it is truly a privilege, in every sense of the word, to serve on a TEAM with great leaders and special friends in Connexxion, who lead students in 3 cities.

After having our student retreat, our Germany team stayed at the center for a mini- retreat together...

Our fantastic Germany Connexxion team:

Front - Antje, Birthe, Anja, Vera, Martha

Back: Stefan, Thomas (Anja was with their 2 kids in another city-- we missed her!); Kris

During our meetings, we talked about ideas such as fall plans & exchange trip ideas ... also about various concepts, such as the benefits of TEAM-- and how to think more "We" than "I." We also had a Bible study on how to pray better to stay strong in our walk with God despite the obstacles. Of course, we did exactly that-- prayed together for our campuses & each other.

Retreat, Freizeit, Retiro...

We had a marvelous 3-language Connexxion retreat last weekend in the Harz Mountains with over 40 attending ...

Here are our 2 main speakers, Mike Story and Thomas Koch, our team leader in Jena! My best buddy Abraham Rios came from Sevilla, who is doing a practicum with Connexxion and was able to represent our group there and share his story. That was a bit of a challenge for me (but a good one), to interpret for Abraham quietly during the sessions, sitting beside him. From the front, Conny or Stefan translated for Mike, from English to German. Thus, it was a very multi- lingual event!

We had 9 visitors from Oklahoma including our speaker, Mike, who leads the Baptist Campus ministry at OSU.

(above after winning a game-- Henning, Abraham, & Marc)

The theme was "Plug In" and Mike spoke about how our lives are planned by God & we can only discover His best for us as we "abide" 100% in Christ... and are connected and rooted in Him (John 15, and Colossians 2:7).

tables & learning

I get the chance some weeks to do a fair amount of teaching about God, & also blending that, I hope, with a fairly heavy dose of learning & soaking up ideas from others! (Caro & Birthe clowning around!)

Often it happens close to a TABLE ... Here are some shots of this week...I was privileged to lead an extensive Bible study time this week with students from our 2 discipleship groups, on the topic of dating & sexual purity (ideas on a blog post soon!). It was a holiday so we prepared breakfast together! Thank the Lord that I inherited a great wooden table from my grandmother that you can let out!
Here we are sharing a long table in the "Mensa" (student cafeteria) for Birthe's birthday this week.
Sitting around tables in my weekly Spanish class (usually I'm just a student but this time you see me in red at the front). I had to give a presentation this week, for a grade, about Sevilla!
Our Bible discussion groups always meet at a cafe where it's cozy around a table. This week the weather was so amazing, we sat outside at 2 tables. (from left to rt., Dodo, Janina, Niklas, Kris; and in the back, me & Lars).

From left to rt. around the top, foto below: Sören, Thorsten, Christiane, Elli, Oli, Anja, Meike and Miora. We had great conversations about the Love Chapter (1. Corinthians 13).

God said some interesting things & told stories about people around tables...

"They spoke against God, saying, Can God spread a table in the desert?" (Psalm 78:19)

God can & will provide, even when I doubt his ability to pay my rent, or put bread on my table, or give me the fellowship that I crave. Some more verses using "table"...

"While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table." (Matthew 26:6-7)

"But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table." (Luke 22:21)

"Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him." (John 12:2)Tables are places of relaxation, of being nourished. Of making new friends, and resolving conflicts. Of showing hospitality, and serving. What cool experiences have you had recently around a table? Do you have any special events that happen regularly in your schedule, around a meal time?

fins, surfing & barry

In 2008 and 2009 our Connexxion group had the privilege of a few surfing lessons in Huntington Beach, from a Pro, Barry Marmion on the left.
Do you see that giant candelabra? The white tablecloth & view of the city? These were the "best seats in the house" overlooking the city of Braunschweig yesterday at Tiziano's! The occasion? Our "surf instructor" and friend, Barry, was visiting from Huntington Beach, California while on a business trip. Also he was checking out possible partnerships with our group in the future.
We ate delicious ice cream, as only the Italians can make! (with me are Christoph & Kris)
Barry was shocked (I'm used to it now) that you have cigarette machines at the street level for anyone to buy from.
He & his wife were hosts for our Connexxion group 2 different times, when we took trips to California to visit my former church, Seabreeze.
With friends at my place for brunch on Sunday (from the left, Miri, Henning & Nikola). Barry does marketing & sales for a surfing fin company, Futures., so we learned a bit about the world of surfing!
One night he got to experience European Champion League soccer (football) on the big screen (Barcelona won!) -- with students Nourdien, Marcel, Kris (intern w/ Connexxion) & Christopher.

sabine at lunch

Heute war ein schönes erlebnis, mit sabine zu essen in ihrem Haus... Gott hat mich gesegnet mit coolen Freunden! And now she has her very own blog, too!

House Warming

Last night I went to a lively home/apartment warming party & barbecue for 2 friends, one of whom is working now with Connexxion, Kris. A mega- barbecue... everyone pitching in & bringing bratwursts... connecting friends... (above are friends Oli, Stan, Jacky, Inga & Peter!)
Above... an after shot...

Now-- the BEFORE shot of the living room! I and our Connexxion team were part of the "story" building up to this special evening-- e.g., talking with the landlord before the contract was signed, driving over to Hannover to help them seek a used kitchen (which Marc & friends tore out & then installed themselves), picking up 2 chairs that were put on the street for giving away ("sperrmuell"), shopping at the local Home Depot type store, washing windows, etc.Must have been 40 + students, friends & new neighbors there. Here are some of our buddies, Peter, Richard, Alex and Henning.
My fun buddy Johnny and I had just met earlier in the day to work on his resume in English. He's looking for an internship in an English speaking country & studies industrial engineering.
The traditional house warming gift: necessities of life-- bread & salt! Oli (left) brought it to Kris and Marc, as did Peter. I love it how Germans have a strong sense of values & passed- down tradition!

More Views of Hamburg

We had a mini- exchange trip to Hamburg this month, where we encouraged the newest member of the Connexxion "Family"-- a new student group in a suburb called Harburg, at the Technical University (TU - click here for a virtual tour in English) . Above are Anja G. & Vera W. presenting a report on our weekend at Vera's church, which is also where we did some of our volunteer work & stayed in their building. (More info. on the new group here.)Above we are standing in front of the Rathaus, the town hall of this bustling metropolis, Germanys second largest city. Hamburg is a city- state founded by Charlemagne, and as a medieval city it was part of the Hanseatic League.
In this port city, someone rented this concrete post and put up a golden calf, in protest of a multi- million Euro project that ended up costing much more than expected.

There is a lovely lake created from the Alster River, inside the city center.

Anja, myself and Birthe-- a rare chance to don sunglasses & enjoy Starbucks. We're experiencing more & more of these kinds of sunny days! I have been privileged not only to work with them on staff, but also to call them really GREAT friends over the years! One could not ask for a more creative, visionary, like- hearted and talented team!

The pastor, Andreas, and church leaders have high hopes for growth-- the church auditorium is situated literally right beside the Technical University! Baptist/ Brethren Churches in Germany (there are 92,200 of them) are on average 97 members per congregation, and baptised an average of just over 2 persons per church last year. This church in Harburg is more established (the membership is older) & larger because Hamburg is the city where the Baptist church first took hold in Germany. This happened in the early 1800's, founded here by a man named Johann Oncken.

weekend exchange in hamburg

Twelve of us had the privilege of being with our special friend & Connexxion staff-er, Vera, in a suburb of Hamburg last weekend. I love it that you can pop into a city and students are so open-- we got to meet Rene on campus (by me), & he invited 2 friends, Silvan & Thomas, to our barbecue in the park that day.Here are some of us ready to go do surveys and pass on flyers to advertise our Barbeque that afternoon (Vera in brown on the far right) ...

Along with grilling in the park, we played ultimate frisbee & soccer/ football. Our goals were to visit & undergird our newest Connexxion group... & to do an exchange with them, from our Braunschweig Connexxion team.

We had various parts of a "long weekend" experience... We helped do "spring cleaning" at the church where we spent the nights. It is right alongside the TU campus.

We met lots of new friends while handing out flyers/ invites at the TU Hamburg- Harburg (Technical University where they have loads of difficult majors such as physics and industrial engineering and aeronautical engineering, etc.!). Here are Ryan (from Florida; working in Hamburg), Tim, Philipp (students) and Kris, working now with Connexxion in Braunschweig.

After our park afternoon-- full of fun & new friendships!... and before we headed to watch a DVD on the big screen at the church cafe area!