Lots of things have happened since my last post. I hope this catches you up to date on everything!
My Role: Lots of you have been wondering what exactly my job here is. Well, I am still learning but here is what I know so far. I am spending half of my time interning with a youth group and the other half working in the YFC office. My job at Westlake Church is the youth intern. It is Just like in mansfield. Friday nights are our youth nights. And then like twice a month there are activities. We are doing a progressive dinner for thanksgiving... A Troteenet (sound it out...it is French)...it is like a glorified scooter you ride down the mountain trails???? ...ski trip...biking around the lake...movie night...etc etc. so that will be fun. Basically I just will hang out with students and pour into their lives as well as help around the office!!!!! As far as in the Youth for Christ office i am going through the yfc altitude internship program. There are many different streams in YFC Geneva. One of them is Interyouth and it is a program created for us as youth workers to go into the school systems and have lunch time forums on things in topics like Personal life, interpersonal life, community issues news, global citizenship, politics etc. Everyone in switzerland is very educated and cares a lot about "issues." So that is our way to one, exercise our christian faith with social action in the world but two, a way for us to go where the kids are at. If we went in as YFC we couldn't because it would be religious bias type thing.
Runaway Weekend: This past weekend was my first youth event. We had a weekend retreat and it is called "Runaway Weekend." It was so great becaue it was my first chance to meet kids from Westlake. I felt like I made a lot of great connections as well as a good foundations for our friendships to further!!!
My Church: Westlake is the church I attend and it is in a town by the name of Nyon. You can see more about it at www.westlakechurch.com It is a really good fit for me. All of the families I have met are really excited I am here. It will be a great place for me to for a community! You can also visit our youth website at www.westlakeyouth.com it will contain all of the updates throught my year here...as well as pictures!
How I am getting involved: As far as life here....it is pretty much as if i was working in Dallas. I have my 40-50 hr/wk job and the rest of the time is mine. They encourage us to travel when we can. Right now i am searching in the Lake Geneva area for a place to get involved with a young adults group. Please pray for friends!!!!!!!
My visit to Geneva: I have included pictures above about my trip to Geneva. It is about a 20 min train ride from where I live. Geneva is a beautiful city and holds so much history! Unfortunatly my camera ran out of battery so there were some things I did not get to take pictures of. I will be back often though!
What I notice: I know many of you keep requesting more pictures and detials of what it is like to live in Europe. When I notice things I like to take note of them so I, one will always be able to remember what it was like to live here but two, so you can feel more a part of the culture with me! Here are some things that are different (not good or bad...just things I notice!) First of all, the first time I made a phone call I thought I did somethin wrong. The ring is a beep! Also, you can smoke most everywhere here so I am becoming aquainted with that smell quite often. Everyone here walks everywhere!!!!! It is nice though. I am about a ten min walk to the train station. I walk to work from the train station and then I walk to church from the train station. It isn't that pleasent when it rains though. I will soon buy a rain jacket and a much bigger umbrella..maybe some rain boots! I am also adjusting to the attitudes of the culture. One thing I have noticed is that it seems that people are more literal here. Example...if I say I am wonderful or fantastic...it really means that. I usually just say that in place of I am doing well.
The Whether: The weather has been so great. The first couple of days it spit rain. but now it is the most beautifl weather. mostly 70s. beautiful clouds on top of the mountains. Everyone calls the fall Autum. I think just by calling it that is makes everything so much richer with beauty!! ha! There is rain now for two days...o well!
Other Questions: I have been recieving your emails with lots of questions...keep sending them...I LOVE IT!!! Television...i probably won't watch much. They do have Grey's anatomy but it is in German with no captions...bummer!!!!! Football i am not sure????? Maybe they will show the super bowl (Especially if the Cowboys are playing in it!).
ok....i think that is a long enough and detailed enough blog entry! I love hearing from all of you!
3 comments:
yay! so wonderful to hear from you. and thanks for the REAL convo this morning too. you are wonderful. miss you tons and you're in my prayers!
wonderful...all this in 2 weeks!! i looked up some rain boots for you and there are some FABULOUS ones on delias..kinda pricey...but so cute...(random?)
love you marbalicious (will they call you that in switz?)
I was looking at your website..and decided you leave you a blog! I've never done this before..but looking at your pictures and being in Switzerland..you can really see Romans 1...you can see God in Nature! Have Fun!
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