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...

and baby makes four...

that's right...our little family will soon become a foursome. We have found out that Rebecca is 6 weeks pregnant! There is definitely "something in the water" as all the families that live within our block have recently had a baby or are currently pregnant. Our baby will be the 6th baby born to ICSV staff in a span of less than a year (first one was born in early November and we will be welcoming our new addition in September). So, kind of unexpected, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless!

The day that changed our lives...

Today (Nov 10) is Justin's birthday. Obviously, the birthday of your child holds a special meaning. Over the course of the last three days, I have been reminded of how exciting a birthday truly is. His excitement reminds me of the excitement we felt in anticipation of his birth, and, I think the excitement that God feels as his children enter into relationship with HIM. Justin seems to think that we will forget that today is his birthday. I base this on the simple fact that he has reminded us no less than 5 times/day since Sunday. I'm not sure exactly why, he hasn't quite been this excited about his birthday in the past; maybe it has something to do with this being the first birthday in Austria...I'm just not sure. But the joy that he carries (and expects from everyone around him) in anticipation of this day is a bit infectious. As many of you are aware, Justin was born in the middle of our senior year in high school. We were so emotionally unprepared (being so youn...

Johnstein!

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