Over these last few weeks as I see my life flash before my eyes and a new one unfold right before my feet, I wonder to myself, "How the heck did I end up on this sort of adventure?" I look at the people that I have met here in Tubingen, my friends back in Boise, the other interns scattered throughout the world (on adventures of their own no less), my friends in Newberg and Arco, and I wonder to myself, "How did I get dragged into this crazy adventure?" I am not the same man I was two weeks ago. Over the last two weeks, I have laughed, cried, and felt just about every emotion that God has allowed man to feel. But as I look around me, I know that I am right where I need to be. Yes, I am scared. I feel the depths of loneliness in this new culture, I've wallowed in self pity (generally during the culture shock phases), and I have felt my own insecurities rising up around me. But through it all, what I see is not my own insecurities or pain. No, as I look, I see that God is doing something incredible in the lives of His people including me.
This last week, I have had the opportunity to become better acquainted with Unterwegs and what they do. It was kind of our orientation week because all of the students were out on a holiday week (I think it had something to do with Pentecost), so we got a crash course in Unterwegs history and practicalities. I learned how to shop in a Walmart sized German store (which was entertaining to say the least), how to run some events, and what Unterwegs is all about. This was all fantastic, but there was a part of this trip that affected me even more.
You see, we were given a lovely tour of Tubingen by some of the students who stayed in town during this holiday. It was a beautiful tour and these two did a fantastic job. But as we were exploring the town, we stopped by a church. Now this church, it is pretty old (like built in the 1100s old) and we decided to explore it. As we explored it though, I was struck with this realization though that the faith once held by many in this church is not something that is held by many today. It made me sad, sad that God's love is not felt by the ones who need it most. It continues to make me sad and I hope that this love continues to change the world.
We also explored an old castle and village in Tubingen which was incredible. I literally could feel the history of the place around me. The fact that people have lived their lives there for hundreds of years was incredible to me and it was humbling as well to know that life had gone on for hundreds of years before me and would continue to go for hundreds of years after me. It reminds me of the fact that I am not that big of a deal, so I need to get over myself.
Of course, one of the biggest international competitions of the year (besides the Olympics) has started this last week, that's right, the World Cup. It is such an incredible opportunity to sit with other people and watch one of the best sports in the world. Really, it is just a good time to get together with friends (whom I had no idea existed about 3 weeks ago) and eat and drink. It is a fantastic time that I would not trade for anything. Though I have to say, the Spain and Netherland's game was really sad for me, I was rooting for Spain and they got their butts kicked.
This last week has been incredible, getting to know these people, cheering for our teams in the World Cup, touring Tubingen, and learning about what God is doing in Germany. I hope to have more to show you guys as the weeks go on, but right now, I want to give you a glimpse into what God is showing me.
As I have followed God, I realized this week that I see God as an angry father. In my head I know that this is not the truth, but my actions show otherwise. This was pointed out to me by one of the Unterwegs team members, he encouraged me and told me "You being here is good enough. We need Jacob just as he is right now." What that means is, I do not have to complete a check list for God to love me anymore than he already did. When everything I did was contrary to who he was, God still loved me. Being here and being filled with grace and love is what God wants me to do. That's what he wants you to do as well, so if you are reading this, show love and grace to the people around you, whether you are in America, Germany, Kenya, Thailand, or Guatemala (You get the idea). Show love to the people around you and be filled with grace, because God showed grace to us first.
Until Next Time!
This last week, I have had the opportunity to become better acquainted with Unterwegs and what they do. It was kind of our orientation week because all of the students were out on a holiday week (I think it had something to do with Pentecost), so we got a crash course in Unterwegs history and practicalities. I learned how to shop in a Walmart sized German store (which was entertaining to say the least), how to run some events, and what Unterwegs is all about. This was all fantastic, but there was a part of this trip that affected me even more.
You see, we were given a lovely tour of Tubingen by some of the students who stayed in town during this holiday. It was a beautiful tour and these two did a fantastic job. But as we were exploring the town, we stopped by a church. Now this church, it is pretty old (like built in the 1100s old) and we decided to explore it. As we explored it though, I was struck with this realization though that the faith once held by many in this church is not something that is held by many today. It made me sad, sad that God's love is not felt by the ones who need it most. It continues to make me sad and I hope that this love continues to change the world.
We also explored an old castle and village in Tubingen which was incredible. I literally could feel the history of the place around me. The fact that people have lived their lives there for hundreds of years was incredible to me and it was humbling as well to know that life had gone on for hundreds of years before me and would continue to go for hundreds of years after me. It reminds me of the fact that I am not that big of a deal, so I need to get over myself.
Of course, one of the biggest international competitions of the year (besides the Olympics) has started this last week, that's right, the World Cup. It is such an incredible opportunity to sit with other people and watch one of the best sports in the world. Really, it is just a good time to get together with friends (whom I had no idea existed about 3 weeks ago) and eat and drink. It is a fantastic time that I would not trade for anything. Though I have to say, the Spain and Netherland's game was really sad for me, I was rooting for Spain and they got their butts kicked.
This last week has been incredible, getting to know these people, cheering for our teams in the World Cup, touring Tubingen, and learning about what God is doing in Germany. I hope to have more to show you guys as the weeks go on, but right now, I want to give you a glimpse into what God is showing me.
As I have followed God, I realized this week that I see God as an angry father. In my head I know that this is not the truth, but my actions show otherwise. This was pointed out to me by one of the Unterwegs team members, he encouraged me and told me "You being here is good enough. We need Jacob just as he is right now." What that means is, I do not have to complete a check list for God to love me anymore than he already did. When everything I did was contrary to who he was, God still loved me. Being here and being filled with grace and love is what God wants me to do. That's what he wants you to do as well, so if you are reading this, show love and grace to the people around you, whether you are in America, Germany, Kenya, Thailand, or Guatemala (You get the idea). Show love to the people around you and be filled with grace, because God showed grace to us first.
Until Next Time!
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