week 1 is in the books...

we just finished dinner and i am now sitting on the patio with my laptop watching the sun set over the alps. nathan is sitting under me strumming along on his guitar... it is so beautiful and peaceful here. people are just hanging out having conversations awaiting our evening lecture. we are wrapping up our series on the gospel of mark, looking at the character of christ. next week we begin our lecture on 1 and 2 timothy. each week a different book and a different speaker. i have heard great things about all of the guest speakers coming in. im pumped!

this weekend they are also having a major youth event for austria... over 400 kids are supposed to show up for it, hans peter and another dude are speaking with numerous games, activities and bands going on. i am excited to see God at work with the youth in another part of the world. one neat thing is that we have outreach teams that get to go into the local schools and basically share the gospel. we have the whole period to use as we wish. austria is mostly a "christian" country, (majority catholic though) so they dont have a problem with folks coming in, actually the kids look forward to foreigners coming in and hanging out with them... it should be cool. we just had time today to meet as a group, and we have two weeks to prepare our "class" or whatever.

i have been a little busy this week, but i think that i will be able to get a routine down so that i will have a little more time for myself, or actually just time where i can go off and meet with God, one on one... we have got weekly assignments and readings and groups activities, duties, etc... so with only 8 weeks, (7 weeks left, thats crazy!) i really need to be disciplined with my time. there is tons to do here, and a lot of people to do things with (73 other students, 8 nationalities)

besides my outreach group, we also have a "family group" with about 8 people and 1 staff, which is for fellowship and bible study. we meet on monday nights at dani's house (dani is the head cook, she lives in a 100 year old little house that looks like something out of harry potter, i think...) myself and amber are leading next, we are responsible for the evening, providing refreshments and activity, the bible study etc. i got my memory verses done today and my summary of my new testament reading for the week.

i have so much to learn, but i was convicted while reading shane claiborne's irresistible revolution "some time back we had stopped living christianity and just started studying it..." i pray that all of the stuff that i learn does not just stay stored up in my head, but that is changes me, and continues to shape me into the man that God wants me to be, to further serve and glorify him.

*the internet here is kinda sketchy so im not sure how often i will be able to get on, but hopefully at least once a week, probably saturdays i will jot down a few thoughts and post some pics. pray for me that dont get so focused on my own agenda that i miss out on what God has for me here, and also for megan as i am away... (most of the folks here are kids straight out of high school, but a few scattered up through their mid 30's and many have said that they think its amazing that i decided to come here while i am getting married 3.5 weeks after i get back) shes got her plate full with wedding stuff, so pray she doesnt get stressed out too much... all that really matters is that we both say "I DO" but you know how girls are :) i love you megan... :)

all right, off to lecture. chow.