Thursday, January 25, 2007
“These are the days that we’ll remember…”
I have been back in the states for a week and a half now. After the relief of not being in the airports any longer wore off, I felt like the last month was a dream. Did I really just fly off for Christmas break and go to Germany? I went to work with people that I had never met? My parents let me go do this? Wow…the joys and pleasures of growing up. Life changes, God grows us, and we are able to do things that we never thought we would a few years ago.
This trip can be summed up by saying that God had His hand in every part of it. From how quickly support came in and having almost exactly the right amount of money for tickets to traveling there and having the strength to do the work.
When I left, God gave me a special gift, a special friend, Debby Weiser. Because of an assignment from school, we had gotten to know each other better of the semester. Then we found out we were flying together. She was heading to Louisiana as I was flying to Germany. We were on the same flight from Lynchburg to Atlanta. In Atlanta, we were able to spend a little bit of time together sharing with each other over lunch before we parted ways. Then I was off on my adventure with God. I spent most of the flight from Atlanta to Paris journaling about the trip and what God was teaching me just on that flight. Overall, I journaled more on that one flight than on any other trip before.
When I got to Basel, Switzerland (after another flight), Carey and Holly met me at the airport and took me to the house we were going to work at, before taking me back to their house. Because I got their on a Saturday, we went to Black Forrest Christian Fellowship for church the next day, and then started work on Monday. I loved attending Black Forrest Christian Fellowship. It was a little awkward the first week, but as we got to know some people, the awkwardness went away. In recent months I have come to understand that I am very visual. I understand things better when I can connect a story or a visual picture with them. As I look though my journal at that first Sunday, I come across one of those word pictures. Imagine the story of Mary and Joseph today? Having to travel back to their hometown would be like me having to travel home to NY, or even if we were to go further back, to Lanesville for me to pay my taxes. One of the questions the pastor asked that day was, “It’s not Christmas without what?” Some answers people would give would be presents, specific traditions, or family. That really caught my attention, as this would be my first Christmas away from my family, or specific family traditions. Yet, although it didn’t feel like Christmas yet (partly from the rush of cramming and writing papers for finals was just over), it would still be Christmas no matter where I was because it is not Christmas without Jesus Christ.
Monday morning, we got up to go to our first day of work. We spent the day tearing down a wall, or more literally, hitting it with a hammer, and then kicking it down, and tearing down a ceiling, and part of the kitchen. I wrote in my journal that all that was fun, but dry wall tastes nasty! The rest of the month was spent doing mostly demolition. The farmhouse is being split between two couples. Carey and Holly Holmquist will have the first floor and half of the 3rd, and Vic and Fran Konecny will have the second floor and the other half of the third.
By the end of my month working, we had town our sheetrock walls and ceilings, de-wall-papered 10 rooms and a hallway, dug out a floor of a room, dug part of the hole for sewage, de-tiled walls in the kitchen and bathroom, tiled a floor, plastered walls, stripped beams, leveled floors and ceilings, pulled up floors, cut out new doorways and covered up others, pulled out huge boulders from a wall, jack-hammered a hole in the old outhouse, and much more. Now I did not do all of this myself. While I was there, we had many individuals and a family come. Carey, Holly, and Vic were working on their house, and Carey had recruited, two girls named Holly, Dasha, myself, Gene and his wife and two teenage daughters, and Dougie, and three other people that came the day I left, then Vic had recruited two more people that are yet to go over there.
Highlights, Special Memories, and Challenges
• Traveling – We took day trips into France, Switzerland and other parts of Germany. Often the trips into France were combined with going to a hardware store or other places to look for specific things in regards to the house, but we also go to small towns and see a different kind of life.
• Toliets – I know that sounds weird, but how many different ways can you think of to flush a toilet. I think I learned 3-4 more ways than the American way!
• Different products – Pictures sure help when there is a language barrier, but Happy End brand toilet paper? Hmm….
• Tea – I fell in love with a kind of tea that I bought in Belarus, and will search the world over until I can find it again, but in the meantime, I found a lot of other fun teas. I think I will start a tea collection from everywhere I go, both bag and loose leaf teas… J
• Iron work – I love the iron work on the doors and gates. It is all SO SO beautiful!
• Swiss Alps – On a clear day, we could see the Swiss Alps from Carey and Holly’s house before leaving for work. Yet Psalm 97 says that the mountains will melt like wax before the Lord of the whole earth. What a sight that would be.
• The ungodliness – How else do I say it, pornography was everywhere. How does one not get used to seeing that all around him or her wherever they go? As one Holly said, I knew I was in Europe when I saw the porn in the airport.
Well, I know there is more to share, but it’s time to get ready for bed. Feel free to ask any questions about any part of the trip. I would love to type out my whole journal for you to read, but I wrote 67 pages. That’s a lot of typing to do! Coming later will be a picture page of some of the things, and a little more explanation of what went on.
I have been back in the states for a week and a half now. After the relief of not being in the airports any longer wore off, I felt like the last month was a dream. Did I really just fly off for Christmas break and go to Germany? I went to work with people that I had never met? My parents let me go do this? Wow…the joys and pleasures of growing up. Life changes, God grows us, and we are able to do things that we never thought we would a few years ago.
This trip can be summed up by saying that God had His hand in every part of it. From how quickly support came in and having almost exactly the right amount of money for tickets to traveling there and having the strength to do the work.
When I left, God gave me a special gift, a special friend, Debby Weiser. Because of an assignment from school, we had gotten to know each other better of the semester. Then we found out we were flying together. She was heading to Louisiana as I was flying to Germany. We were on the same flight from Lynchburg to Atlanta. In Atlanta, we were able to spend a little bit of time together sharing with each other over lunch before we parted ways. Then I was off on my adventure with God. I spent most of the flight from Atlanta to Paris journaling about the trip and what God was teaching me just on that flight. Overall, I journaled more on that one flight than on any other trip before.
When I got to Basel, Switzerland (after another flight), Carey and Holly met me at the airport and took me to the house we were going to work at, before taking me back to their house. Because I got their on a Saturday, we went to Black Forrest Christian Fellowship for church the next day, and then started work on Monday. I loved attending Black Forrest Christian Fellowship. It was a little awkward the first week, but as we got to know some people, the awkwardness went away. In recent months I have come to understand that I am very visual. I understand things better when I can connect a story or a visual picture with them. As I look though my journal at that first Sunday, I come across one of those word pictures. Imagine the story of Mary and Joseph today? Having to travel back to their hometown would be like me having to travel home to NY, or even if we were to go further back, to Lanesville for me to pay my taxes. One of the questions the pastor asked that day was, “It’s not Christmas without what?” Some answers people would give would be presents, specific traditions, or family. That really caught my attention, as this would be my first Christmas away from my family, or specific family traditions. Yet, although it didn’t feel like Christmas yet (partly from the rush of cramming and writing papers for finals was just over), it would still be Christmas no matter where I was because it is not Christmas without Jesus Christ.
Monday morning, we got up to go to our first day of work. We spent the day tearing down a wall, or more literally, hitting it with a hammer, and then kicking it down, and tearing down a ceiling, and part of the kitchen. I wrote in my journal that all that was fun, but dry wall tastes nasty! The rest of the month was spent doing mostly demolition. The farmhouse is being split between two couples. Carey and Holly Holmquist will have the first floor and half of the 3rd, and Vic and Fran Konecny will have the second floor and the other half of the third.
By the end of my month working, we had town our sheetrock walls and ceilings, de-wall-papered 10 rooms and a hallway, dug out a floor of a room, dug part of the hole for sewage, de-tiled walls in the kitchen and bathroom, tiled a floor, plastered walls, stripped beams, leveled floors and ceilings, pulled up floors, cut out new doorways and covered up others, pulled out huge boulders from a wall, jack-hammered a hole in the old outhouse, and much more. Now I did not do all of this myself. While I was there, we had many individuals and a family come. Carey, Holly, and Vic were working on their house, and Carey had recruited, two girls named Holly, Dasha, myself, Gene and his wife and two teenage daughters, and Dougie, and three other people that came the day I left, then Vic had recruited two more people that are yet to go over there.
Highlights, Special Memories, and Challenges
• Traveling – We took day trips into France, Switzerland and other parts of Germany. Often the trips into France were combined with going to a hardware store or other places to look for specific things in regards to the house, but we also go to small towns and see a different kind of life.
• Toliets – I know that sounds weird, but how many different ways can you think of to flush a toilet. I think I learned 3-4 more ways than the American way!
• Different products – Pictures sure help when there is a language barrier, but Happy End brand toilet paper? Hmm….
• Tea – I fell in love with a kind of tea that I bought in Belarus, and will search the world over until I can find it again, but in the meantime, I found a lot of other fun teas. I think I will start a tea collection from everywhere I go, both bag and loose leaf teas… J
• Iron work – I love the iron work on the doors and gates. It is all SO SO beautiful!
• Swiss Alps – On a clear day, we could see the Swiss Alps from Carey and Holly’s house before leaving for work. Yet Psalm 97 says that the mountains will melt like wax before the Lord of the whole earth. What a sight that would be.
• The ungodliness – How else do I say it, pornography was everywhere. How does one not get used to seeing that all around him or her wherever they go? As one Holly said, I knew I was in Europe when I saw the porn in the airport.
Well, I know there is more to share, but it’s time to get ready for bed. Feel free to ask any questions about any part of the trip. I would love to type out my whole journal for you to read, but I wrote 67 pages. That’s a lot of typing to do! Coming later will be a picture page of some of the things, and a little more explanation of what went on.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2006
Dear Friends and Family,
I have finished up my second week of work here in Kandern, Germany. So far my days have been filled with both work and travel. The first day I was here, I was able to relax and see a bit of the town. As I arrived on a Saturday, I was able to ease into my work week and recover from jet lag. Many of missionaries here attend an English speaking church which is located on the campus of the Black Forest Academy.
When we started work on Monday morning, our first couple days were spent tearing down walls and ceilings. That was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. However. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into as I heard a bit more of what we were going to be doing while I am here. My next job was to dig out the floor of a room, which has now been dubbed Charity’s Room. Most projects seem to take us three days to finish. Currently I have been stripping wallpaper off the walls on several rooms. There are eight rooms that we need to strip the wall off of. Right now all but two have them have been done.
Many of the times I don’t feel like I am doing important work. I feel like I am just having fun. But the work that we are doing has been so helpful and meaningful to the family’s here. Carey and Holly, who I am staying with, have joined with another family to buy a house. Greater Europe Mission (GEM) has bought the barn that is on the same property. GEM will use the barn as housing for short term missionaries as well as becoming their new office. Right now the house is being renovated so Carey and Holly and Vic and Fran can move into the house in February and March. They have split the house in half, so renovations must be done to update the 200 year old house and make it usable by two families.
But my time here has not been all work. We have been given opportunities to play as well. The first week that I was here, everyone was given a bit more time to play as Christmas was quickly coming. We took several evenings and went to Colmar, France to see their Christmas Market. Then a few days later we stayed in Kandern and enjoyed shopping in the stores that were open late that night. Then the weekend of Christmas we went to Lorrach, and Freiburg to go shopping.
Christmas was so much fun! On Christmas Eve, after their candlelight service, we had dinner with two other missionary families, and then spent Christmas day with two more.
Thank you for you many prayers and support. There is still so much more worked to be completed before I return to the states on January 15th. But every few days, more people come to help work on the house. Yes, many hands make light work, but also many hands allow more work to be done!
In Christ,
Charity Lane
December 31, 2006
Dear Friends and Family,
I have finished up my second week of work here in Kandern, Germany. So far my days have been filled with both work and travel. The first day I was here, I was able to relax and see a bit of the town. As I arrived on a Saturday, I was able to ease into my work week and recover from jet lag. Many of missionaries here attend an English speaking church which is located on the campus of the Black Forest Academy.
When we started work on Monday morning, our first couple days were spent tearing down walls and ceilings. That was a lot of work, but a lot of fun. However. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into as I heard a bit more of what we were going to be doing while I am here. My next job was to dig out the floor of a room, which has now been dubbed Charity’s Room. Most projects seem to take us three days to finish. Currently I have been stripping wallpaper off the walls on several rooms. There are eight rooms that we need to strip the wall off of. Right now all but two have them have been done.
Many of the times I don’t feel like I am doing important work. I feel like I am just having fun. But the work that we are doing has been so helpful and meaningful to the family’s here. Carey and Holly, who I am staying with, have joined with another family to buy a house. Greater Europe Mission (GEM) has bought the barn that is on the same property. GEM will use the barn as housing for short term missionaries as well as becoming their new office. Right now the house is being renovated so Carey and Holly and Vic and Fran can move into the house in February and March. They have split the house in half, so renovations must be done to update the 200 year old house and make it usable by two families.
But my time here has not been all work. We have been given opportunities to play as well. The first week that I was here, everyone was given a bit more time to play as Christmas was quickly coming. We took several evenings and went to Colmar, France to see their Christmas Market. Then a few days later we stayed in Kandern and enjoyed shopping in the stores that were open late that night. Then the weekend of Christmas we went to Lorrach, and Freiburg to go shopping.
Christmas was so much fun! On Christmas Eve, after their candlelight service, we had dinner with two other missionary families, and then spent Christmas day with two more.
Thank you for you many prayers and support. There is still so much more worked to be completed before I return to the states on January 15th. But every few days, more people come to help work on the house. Yes, many hands make light work, but also many hands allow more work to be done!
In Christ,
Charity Lane
Merry Christmas everyone!
Things are going well here. I arrived in Germany safely. We started working on Monday at the farm house. This week has been lots of demolition. In the evenings we have been able to go around to different towns and see the Christmas decorations and shops.
I have limited access to internet so I will write more when I can, but for now, Merry Christmas to all.
Things are going well here. I arrived in Germany safely. We started working on Monday at the farm house. This week has been lots of demolition. In the evenings we have been able to go around to different towns and see the Christmas decorations and shops.
I have limited access to internet so I will write more when I can, but for now, Merry Christmas to all.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Well, I am about ready to leave for Germany. I have a few last minutes things before I leave my apt for a month (take out the trash, make sure nothing in the fridge will go bad while I'm gone, etc.)
I can't believe this day is finally here! God is doing something beyond what I can even imagine. He has answered every prayer i have had for Germany, and some that I didn't even think to pray.
I'll be sending updates to some via email, writing Notes (and pictures if I can) onto Facebook and posting on this Blog.
By His Power!
Charity Lane
I can't believe this day is finally here! God is doing something beyond what I can even imagine. He has answered every prayer i have had for Germany, and some that I didn't even think to pray.
I'll be sending updates to some via email, writing Notes (and pictures if I can) onto Facebook and posting on this Blog.
By His Power!
Charity Lane
Well, I am about ready to leave for Germany. I have a few last minutes things before I leave my apt for a month (take out the trash, make sure nothing in the fridge will go bad while I'm gone, etc.)
I can't believe this day is finally here! God is doing something beyond what I can even imagine. He has answered every prayer i have had for Germany, and some that I didn't even think to pray.
I'll be sending updates to some via email, writing Notes (and pictures if I can) onto Facebook and posting on this Blog.
By His Power!
Charity Lane
I can't believe this day is finally here! God is doing something beyond what I can even imagine. He has answered every prayer i have had for Germany, and some that I didn't even think to pray.
I'll be sending updates to some via email, writing Notes (and pictures if I can) onto Facebook and posting on this Blog.
By His Power!
Charity Lane
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Well...9 more days until I leave for Germany. I will be posting things here and on Facebook as I am able. Keep checking back to see what God is doing in Germany.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Well, it has been quite a while since I've written. I've finished my freshman year at school and am currently working at a camp in upstate New York. God has shown himself to me in amazing ways. The trip to Belarus has changed my life. As a result of the trip, I am looking at changing my major to Philosophy with a youth ministries minor.
Abba, I have so many dreams. I know you are in control. I know you will work everything for my good and YOUR GLORY. Guide me Lord. Be my Shephard and guide me!
Abba, I have so many dreams. I know you are in control. I know you will work everything for my good and YOUR GLORY. Guide me Lord. Be my Shephard and guide me!
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Charity Lane
Belarus was an awesome trip. If I had to describe it in just a few words, it would have to be “covered in prayer!” There is no other way to describe it. From the first day that Bo and Liz Kail talked about the trip, I started praying about the possibility of me going. Then after I had my parents blessing, I started raising support. I sent out letters asking for support, the first week in October 2003. That Sunday, Susan taught the college class a lesson on tithing. Being convicted, I took all the money in my wallet, and put it in the offering. Later that week, I had my first check. After that, the money just started pouring in. When I left to go home for Thanksgiving break, I had raised just under half of the $1,660. Over break, I had received around $700 from my church and friends. All the money was due January 4, 2004. When I left for Christmas break I was short about $150, which Susan agreed to supply from the AFM budget if I was not able to raise it by the January 4 deadline. During the break, I had received all the money for the trip, plus $500 extra to be used for school, the trip, and anything else I needed. That $500 was a blessing, because I had planned on closing out my savings account to pay for books, and any other needs I had during the spring semester. Right before the trip, I was sent another $100 for any needs I might have.
As we got ready to leave for Belarus, we were notified that the medical team and the apologetics team would not be in the same city. Although it was hard at first to know Bo , Liz and Amy would not be with us, I knew it was going to be a growing experience for me. I knew I was going to rely on God, and would not be able to rely on Bo and Liz. God truly did stretch me, and studying apologetics before we left was a true encouragement. I have learned that apologetics is truly my passion.
The trip itself was truly an amazing experience. I did not have any clue about what to expect. We got to Belarus Sunday afternoon. After going through customs, everyone on the trip was taken to the village of ?????? (pronounced Ha-team). It was a village that had been completely burned by the Germans in the Great Patriotic War (WWII). All of the elderly, the women, and the children were herded into a barn. The young men had been taken to serve in the army. The rest of the village was burned, and those in the barn were also burned. Any who tried to escape were shot to death. A few did manage to escape, and a statue was eraccted to one man who escaped carring his young grandson with him. (Ha-team) was a very sobering place. All throughout Minsk were monuments and statues commemorating great feats in the Great Patriotic War. One fourth to one third of the people lost their lives. A large part of Belarus is remembering those who died in the Great Patriotic War. Couples, when they get married, go around to the different memorials and statues and get their picture taken by them.
During the week, the apologetics team went to different schools during the day and spoke to the students. They shared with us about their lives in Belarus and asked us questions about our lives in America. Many had never seen Americans before. We learned to use gestures and speak slowly so they could understand our English. Many were scared to practice their English as they didn’t think they spoke the language well. By no means was it perfect English, and sometimes we had to ask them to repeat what they said because of their accents, but we were able to understand them. In the evening ESL classes, we often broke out into small groups to talk. One night I was in a group with one lady and two gentlemen. The lady said to me as we finished talking that it took the three of them to understand me. I had to reply back that it took me the three of them to understand what they were saying. The language barrier is definitely hard to deal with sometimes, but it is not impossible.
We had many opportunities to plant seeds in the hearts of these precious Belarussians. Just the fact that we would take our spring break when we could have been hanging out with friends, at the beach, or at home to go meet them and learn about their lives made a great impact on them.
Since Belarus, the struggle has now become to figure what to do in college, My dream has been to own a small bookstore/café, something similar to The Mustard Seed. At the same time, I want to study for the ministry, to work with Jr. High to college age girls to mentor them and also to share my heart and passion of apologetics to teenagers. One reason I know I am not bold in sharing my faith is that I was scared I wouldn’t be able to answer someone’s questions that they might ask me. Apologetics has given me that boldness, because not only do I have a faith in Jesus Christ, but I also have a reason for that faith (1 Peter 3:15).
Belarus was an awesome trip. If I had to describe it in just a few words, it would have to be “covered in prayer!” There is no other way to describe it. From the first day that Bo and Liz Kail talked about the trip, I started praying about the possibility of me going. Then after I had my parents blessing, I started raising support. I sent out letters asking for support, the first week in October 2003. That Sunday, Susan taught the college class a lesson on tithing. Being convicted, I took all the money in my wallet, and put it in the offering. Later that week, I had my first check. After that, the money just started pouring in. When I left to go home for Thanksgiving break, I had raised just under half of the $1,660. Over break, I had received around $700 from my church and friends. All the money was due January 4, 2004. When I left for Christmas break I was short about $150, which Susan agreed to supply from the AFM budget if I was not able to raise it by the January 4 deadline. During the break, I had received all the money for the trip, plus $500 extra to be used for school, the trip, and anything else I needed. That $500 was a blessing, because I had planned on closing out my savings account to pay for books, and any other needs I had during the spring semester. Right before the trip, I was sent another $100 for any needs I might have.
As we got ready to leave for Belarus, we were notified that the medical team and the apologetics team would not be in the same city. Although it was hard at first to know Bo , Liz and Amy would not be with us, I knew it was going to be a growing experience for me. I knew I was going to rely on God, and would not be able to rely on Bo and Liz. God truly did stretch me, and studying apologetics before we left was a true encouragement. I have learned that apologetics is truly my passion.
The trip itself was truly an amazing experience. I did not have any clue about what to expect. We got to Belarus Sunday afternoon. After going through customs, everyone on the trip was taken to the village of ?????? (pronounced Ha-team). It was a village that had been completely burned by the Germans in the Great Patriotic War (WWII). All of the elderly, the women, and the children were herded into a barn. The young men had been taken to serve in the army. The rest of the village was burned, and those in the barn were also burned. Any who tried to escape were shot to death. A few did manage to escape, and a statue was eraccted to one man who escaped carring his young grandson with him. (Ha-team) was a very sobering place. All throughout Minsk were monuments and statues commemorating great feats in the Great Patriotic War. One fourth to one third of the people lost their lives. A large part of Belarus is remembering those who died in the Great Patriotic War. Couples, when they get married, go around to the different memorials and statues and get their picture taken by them.
During the week, the apologetics team went to different schools during the day and spoke to the students. They shared with us about their lives in Belarus and asked us questions about our lives in America. Many had never seen Americans before. We learned to use gestures and speak slowly so they could understand our English. Many were scared to practice their English as they didn’t think they spoke the language well. By no means was it perfect English, and sometimes we had to ask them to repeat what they said because of their accents, but we were able to understand them. In the evening ESL classes, we often broke out into small groups to talk. One night I was in a group with one lady and two gentlemen. The lady said to me as we finished talking that it took the three of them to understand me. I had to reply back that it took me the three of them to understand what they were saying. The language barrier is definitely hard to deal with sometimes, but it is not impossible.
We had many opportunities to plant seeds in the hearts of these precious Belarussians. Just the fact that we would take our spring break when we could have been hanging out with friends, at the beach, or at home to go meet them and learn about their lives made a great impact on them.
Since Belarus, the struggle has now become to figure what to do in college, My dream has been to own a small bookstore/café, something similar to The Mustard Seed. At the same time, I want to study for the ministry, to work with Jr. High to college age girls to mentor them and also to share my heart and passion of apologetics to teenagers. One reason I know I am not bold in sharing my faith is that I was scared I wouldn’t be able to answer someone’s questions that they might ask me. Apologetics has given me that boldness, because not only do I have a faith in Jesus Christ, but I also have a reason for that faith (1 Peter 3:15).
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Well, my first year of college is quickly coming to an end. The final papers and speeches are due, final are quickly approaching. This year has been amazing. God has taught me so much. I will soon be on to the next adventure, my fourth summer working at a camp. This time, however, it is a new camp and instead of spending 9 weeks there, I will be there for 15. My first 7 weeks will be pre-season, just getting the camp ready to open. The next 8 will be working in my desired field, the nursery and the BOOKSTORE!!
Not much will be posted over the summer, just a bit here and there as I have the chance and the access to the wonderful wide world web. (ok, so its really only 3 w's).
Enjoy!
I Peter 3:10-11 "For the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
In Christ,
Charity Lynn
Not much will be posted over the summer, just a bit here and there as I have the chance and the access to the wonderful wide world web. (ok, so its really only 3 w's).
Enjoy!
I Peter 3:10-11 "For the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
In Christ,
Charity Lynn
