Spring Break in Milan

Some of you may remember my trip to Milan, Italy in the summer of 2007. I was there as part of the first summer project there, pioneering a way to start up a campus movement for the students of Milan. For the past few days I returned to Milan to help out with a spring break trip of 7 Dartmouth students to continue the exploration of Milan and bring the gospel to the very friendly Italian students. It was a great experience for me to be back in the city and be reminded of the huge need there. I was also really stretched from my comfort zone as Italian culture is very different from both American and German culture. It was a joy to meet and minister to these students, even if only for a short time.

I've met many American students in the past 3 weeks and I've been extremely encouraged by how they have all taken steps of faith to go and bring Jesus to people who have never really heard or don't really understand. I'm reminded of Romans 10: 14-15,

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" "

Whew...

Wow! So far, this month has been quite the ride. First of all, Campus Meets Berlin went really well. One day last week Amanda and I went to TU to go sharing and we saw them there and I was just so encouraged to see German students sharing their faith on my campus - awesome!!! At the last evening session of CMB, the students shared a little of what God taught them that week. I was amazed as I heard students say how their hearts have grown for evangelism and how they wanted to take what they learned this week back to their universities and also share their faith with their friends. It doesn't get much cooler than that. Praise God!

Part way through CMB, five students and two staff arrived from Illinois catalytic Crusade back in the states. The picture is of Andy, me and their team. This great group of people chose to invest their Spring Break in eternity and come to Berlin to reach German students as well as gain a vision for international university ministry. Andy and I lead them this past week in navigating the city, culture/evangelism training and taking them sharing on the campuses. I had a blast getting to know them and was so encouraged by their fresh perspective, willing hearts and boldness. I saw God do a lot in their lives this week and it was definitely sad to say goodbye. This week we have about 35 people from IU, Bradely and Purdue doing the same thing over their Spring Break. How exciting to have so many people reaching out to the students of Berlin this week - please pray for God to do big things.

Kreuzbaby!

At 11:59 pm last night, Krista had her baby! Her name is Avery Elizabeth and she weighed 7 lb. 13 oz. I just got back from visiting them in the hospital and she is so precious! They're all doing well and everyone is excited to have this new addition to our team!

Freiburg

A bunch of us just returned from a short visions trip in Freiburg (southwest Germany). It's a really nice little city in the mountains and it happened to be covered in snow while we were there making it extra pretty. It also happens to be the home of one of the biggest student movements in Europe. The International Campus Staff in Freiburg were kind enough to let us stay with them. We got to experience the University of Freiburg's weekly meeting (also called "Fire-Abend") - it was their last one of the semester. It was really encouraging to see so many students not only attending the meeting, but leading it as well. They were so friendly and we had a good time chatting with them and seeing their passion for their movement and for their university - so cool. Talking to the ICS girls was also really helpful, just to learn about what has worked for them and what hasn't. The biggest encouragment was imagining that some day Berlin will have a movement of students as great as Freiburg's. Just keep praying! :) It was also really awesome just to explore and enjoy the city. I think it was a great ending to the semester.

Speaking of the end of the semester, I have some special prayer requests for this "break" between semesters:

- I will be doing a lot of traveling in the next two months for various reasons and I would love prayer for smooth and safe traveling.

- Krista's due date is Feb. 25th so this baby is ready to come any day now! Please pray for her and Dan as they wait for the big day and for a good delivery.

- Campus Meets Berlin begins in early March. Pray many students all over Germany will register to come.

- Also, Andy and I are leading the ISU spring break trip in the beginning of March. They'll be sharing their faith on the Berlin campuses and seeing what international college ministry looks like. Please pray it would be an awesome trip for the students and that they may even obtain a heart for coming on Summer Project or STINT in the future.

- Pray for wisdom and direction as we plan for the next semester (starts in April).

A Few Observations

I just returned from seeing my first movie in the theaters since living in Berlin and there a couple things I have noted:

1) I have never been one to watch a whole lot of TV, movies and be really into pop culture, but since living here, I realized tonight that I have been rather isolated from mainstream media. It was actually weird for me to watch the previews for coming movies and see amazing special effects as well as the trailer storylines that just seemed really bizarre to me. What have I missed since being in America? I guess a lot. Apparently the movie world evolves at a fast rate.

2) The movie we saw tonight was Valkyrie (which is about the closest assignation attempt of Hitler) and it was rather striking. First of all, it's a good movie that (even though you already know the ending) makes you desperately want the plan to work and your heart drops during the last third of it. Second of all, it had a special meaning for me to watch it here in Berlin where most of the movie takes place. Of course it was cool to recognize buildings, but it was just realizing the incredible history of this place and these people that was really moving for me. These things happened here, right here, where I live and work everyday! I've definitely been inspired to relearn the history of Berlin. There have been many brave and honorable people who sacrificed everything to do the right thing in this city and we need to remember them.

I don't know if it's out of theaters in America yet, but if you haven't seen Valkyrie, see it!

By the way, I love your accent...

University students (I think) are seriously some of the coolest and most interesting people you can meet, no matter where in the world you are. They all have their own stories from their past, most are in super-smart thinking mode, and they live more in the moment more than anyone other people group I know. Dave and I met a student yesterday from Spain and he was quite the character. Spaniards of course are quite different than the average German, but this one was to the extreme. I seriously don't know if I've met a happier person in all my life. As we approached him in the TU cafeteria, he had the biggest brightest eyes and a huge smile. He invited us to sit down and we chatted for quite a while. As he talked about his thoughts on the differences between Spanish, German and Americans cultures as well as his thoughts on spiritual things, out of nowhere, he pipes up and says to me, "By the way, I love your accent". I could hardly control my laughter.

The TU outreach we had on Thursday night went really well. About 80 people attended and we obtained a few contacts of students who are interested in learning more about the TU Christian groups or starting a discussion group about faith and science - really cool. Please pray for the students who heard the talk and that we'll have wisdom on figuring out what to do with this potential discussion group. Thanks!

Back from Spain

Mid-year in Nerja, Spain was sooo great! It was wonderful atmosphere to relax and get recharged for coming back to campus ministry. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my team and other STINTers from different locations and hearing their encouraging stories about how God is working in their cities. On our free day, I got to take a day trip to Gibralter. It was probably one of the most bizarre places I've ever been, but it was a really cool trip. We explored the Rock of Gilbrater's caves and tunnels and I even had a monkey (well, actually an ape) jump on my head. Crazy!

But anyway, we're back in Berlin now and ready to hit our universites strong until the end of the semester in February. Please pray for an outreach we're doing at the TU this Thursday, that many students will come and that they'll have interest in learning more about God and spiritual things.