Hey everyone! I'm Erin, and I'm junior here at GVSU. I'm excited that you'll all be able to keep up with what is happening on this trip through this blog! Gotta love technology :)
My thoughts/feelings as the trip grows near? I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm stressed. I'm excited to fly, something I've only done once (and don't really remember). I'm excited to experience a new country, a new culture and to get away from our Michigan winter. I am most excited to see what God does through this trip - how he works not only in my heart and life, but in how he works in the lives of the team, and the lives of the people we will come into contact with overseas. I'm nervous to fly over the ocean. I'm nervous to be in such a different place. And I'm nervous to talk to people who have possibly never heard the name Jesus. That thought scares me ... a lot. Fortunately, I know God won't give me anything I can't handle, and it will be interesting to see how far He pushes me next week! Stress? Well, it's midterms. The stress is partially related to the trip, but it is mostly related to the craziness that is the next 3 days.
So that's where I'm at currently. I'm ready to GO. To be a light in a dark place - to SHINE.
In the words of Bebo Norman: Here goes nothing, here goes everything. Gotta reach for something, or you'll fall for anything. Take a breath, take a step, what comes next? God only knows... but here goes!
--Erin
Monday, February 28, 2011
Pre-Trip Thoughts: What I'm Excited and Nervous About
Hoi! (Hello)
My name is Curtis, and I am a senior at GVSU! I am eager to land in the Netherlands and stand on European ground for the first time in my life. WOOT!
As Friday draws nearer, I'm both nervous and excited. I am not a huge fan of flying on planes. To be quite honest, they scare me. (The ascending and descending is the worst of it.) I am, however, looking forward to the conversation that will take place on the plane with the rest of the team. I'm excited to see what God has in store for me, individually, and for our entire team. I know that He is going to use this week to draw me nearer unto Him. I'm trusting that God will display His mercy, grace, power, and glory in new ways this week to all of us.
As I sit here, writing this blog post, I can't help but be filled with joy at the thought of having the privilege to share the good news of Jesus Christ with other college students across the Atlantic. How many American university students will ever have this experience in the Netherlands? It's very humbling.
On a more practical ministry level, I am so anxious to learn more about post-modernism, post-Christianity, and what it looks like to minister to such a culture. I am a huge modernist, so I have much to learn about post-modernity and how it affects ministry and relationships.
And, finally, I'm looking forward to hanging out and talking with Dutch people. I can't wait to meet all of the staff and students involved in Agape. And I am looking forward to meeting new students I'm also looking forward to embarrassing myself as I fail at pronouncing all of their names. haha!
Please pray that God would prepare each of us individually prior to leaving on Friday. Pray for unity as a team. And that we would arrive on time in the Netherlands, safely. Thank you!
Pas goed op jezelf! (Take care)
-Curtis.
Ready, Set, GO!
my name is kelsey perras and im a junior at gvsu. im super excited to be heading to the netherlands on friday with an awesome group of people! i cant wait to see how God uses all of us throughout this trip. and, like many of us im sure, the excitement comes with some nerves. but i am trusting God throgh all of it and im confident that he will bring us peace in a place where we are experiencing so many new and awesome things! I look forward to the opportunity to get to know those on our team that i havent got a chance to spend time with yet and to grow closer to those i already have relationships with. as we get closer and closer to friday, i continue to pray that God will prepare my heart for this adventure as well as the hearts of my friends and those that we will meet overseas. this will be a trip that i will never forget and im so blessed to be able to be a part of a group that allows us these opportunities to grow most importantly in Christ, but in community as well. EUROPE HERE WE COME!
My name is Kate Mehne. I'm on staff with Cru. I'm super super excited to go to the Netherlands on FRIDAY! :) I think I am excited to learn a new culture and learn from Dutch staff and students. Something in my heart comes alive when I am overseas! And I hear that Dutch people really enjoy chocolate sprinkles-- so that will be fun to partake in! I am looking forward to having good conversations with the 13 other people on our team... learning about their story and how God is at work in their lives. I am also really excited to have good conversations with students on campus. Can't wait to see what God will do in and through us... -Kate
Introductory Thoughts...
Hello all!
My name is Alex and I'm a junior at GVSU! I'm super excited to be sharing a week with these 13 other people, sharing Jesus with college students halfway across the world.
In the past week, the reality that I'm going in less than a week has hit me really hard. Last minute preparations, including logistics and also making sure my heart is ready has been on the forefront. I hope that God will use me through this trip, and develop me more into the person He wants me to be. I am so excited for the small, tight knit community going on the trip, and I can't wait to mesh and gel as a group. Although I don't know each person equally, I'm sure after a week of bonding we will look back and trust all of each other as true brothers and sisters in the family of God (which is awesome). Also, realizing the scope and realm and power of God's Kingdom. That it extends beyond the United States and it's presence worldwide.
My prayer and hope is that God is glorified on this trip. Glorified by sharing Jesus with others, glorified by unity among 14 people in His Name, and glorified by having each of us look to Him as Savior and Lord and King.
I'll post again soon!
-Alex
My name is Alex and I'm a junior at GVSU! I'm super excited to be sharing a week with these 13 other people, sharing Jesus with college students halfway across the world.
In the past week, the reality that I'm going in less than a week has hit me really hard. Last minute preparations, including logistics and also making sure my heart is ready has been on the forefront. I hope that God will use me through this trip, and develop me more into the person He wants me to be. I am so excited for the small, tight knit community going on the trip, and I can't wait to mesh and gel as a group. Although I don't know each person equally, I'm sure after a week of bonding we will look back and trust all of each other as true brothers and sisters in the family of God (which is awesome). Also, realizing the scope and realm and power of God's Kingdom. That it extends beyond the United States and it's presence worldwide.
My prayer and hope is that God is glorified on this trip. Glorified by sharing Jesus with others, glorified by unity among 14 people in His Name, and glorified by having each of us look to Him as Savior and Lord and King.
I'll post again soon!
-Alex
Sunday, February 27, 2011
First Blog Post
From this blog, the students and staff will be communicating from the Netherlands about their experiences. This'll also be a great place for parents, family and friends to know about the trip (as they'll have limited internet and telephone access while in the Netherlands).
If parents or whomever, has any specific questions about the trip while the students are gone, feel free to email me or call me.
-Dennis
Cru Staff
dennis@gvcru.com
269-615-3341
If parents or whomever, has any specific questions about the trip while the students are gone, feel free to email me or call me.
-Dennis
Cru Staff
dennis@gvcru.com
269-615-3341
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)