SEW - Fall 2011 - Day 2 - Grace in the midst of Religion

One of the great things about this year's SEW is that the middle school and high school chapel is a combined event. Today, the middle school worship team led the time of worship...with Justin as the drummer! Although this isn't his first chapel playing...it's the first time I have heard him play as part of the worship team. Pretty proud moment to say the least. Incredible that Justin is part of a group young people helping to lead the entire secondary school in worship.

Our director James Devenish (aka The Guv) presented his testimony within the context of finding Grace despite the restrictions of religion. He told us of his childhood...and the juxtaposition of a very loving, pleasant upbringing, and the fact that his grew up in the Exclusive Brethren.

This was an excellent reminder that we are not called to a religion...rather we are called to live in joyful worship of the ONE who has extended this Grace, an unmerited gift, that allows us to live eternally. How amazing that we serve a God who is willing to offer himself as a sacrifice so that He will not see us for what we are...but rather what Jesus is.

Please continue to pray for all the students at ICSV during this week...the evil one is definitely trying to disrupt the good work that is happening here. Pray that staff and students alike will be protected from illness

Comments

Who are these kids at ICSV...

Hi everyone... The first week and a half of school has been absolutely amazing! We have had some great opportunities to begin building lasting relationships with the students that God has brought to Vienna to be educated at the International Christian School of Vienna. Rebecca has been adjusting well to her role as secondary secretary. She is learning quickly the many demands of her new role and is doing quite well in supporting us teachers and the rest of the staff. Rebecca hard at work I have been really enjoying my classes. I have a total of 43 students spread out over 4 periods. The students I have represent 14 different home nations, with many of the students who are "Austrian" are first generation, so they are of other nationalities as well. I have also had the opportunity to begin working with the soccer team...again, many nationalities are represented on the field, truly an international squad. Here are some pictures of the team training at the local club

Almost a Year - A reflective poem by Rebecca

It’s been almost a year since we got on the plane. Knowing that we were leaving friends and family; we would never be the same. What has it been like leaving everything we know? Laughter and tears; sun and snow. Up and down; love and fear. All while trusting God for the reason we are here. Relying on support and prayers from the ones you care for, Though scary, freeing, challenging; it means relying on God even more. I’m so thankful to be part of a team who sees that Christ is our need Whether they can see the impact first hand or not, they have blessed students at ICSV. The students and families are so precious, eager to learn and understand What it means to love the Lord with all their hearts and to follow His command. At times I feel so left alone and wondering why God has called me here But then I talk to a student, or go to a school event, that’s when it all becomes clear. God never said life would be easy or even how we think it might be We just need to rely on Him, as He

Clowns and Hospitals

Many of you might remember the 1998 film starring Robin Williams that chronicled the early career of Hunter "Patch" Adams. He began using humor as therapy in his sessions and opened a free hospital in West Virginia. Here is a clip from the film... Fast forward 13 years to a hospital in Vienna, Austria...to a children's surgery ward. As we were sitting talking with some visitors we noticed Justin had more visitors... They proceeded to hand out musical instruments; here's the problem...this was less than 12 hours after Justin's surgery. It really hurt him to laugh at this point...and he still felt horrible After that nonsense, the clowns made 2 more appearances; once when they delivered lunch, and once later in the day when we had our friend Tom Mason visiting. Tom is a fellow missionary serving as a pastor at a local church and a teacher at ICSV. He is also a amateur magician. Pictures of him doing tricks have found their way onto this blog

Johnstein!

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