tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37729050162099894072012-02-16T03:28:25.736-06:00Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-30251204618616648902011-08-15T18:27:00.004-05:002011-08-15T18:57:45.318-05:00

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Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-5937960575772500202011-07-28T18:14:00.004-05:002011-08-12T09:51:28.482-05:00

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Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-60154998418106046542011-02-08T10:50:00.004-06:002011-02-08T11:54:57.725-06:00

It's a chilly wet overcast morning. I'm dodging puddles in front of my apartment building. Before I get 10 strides out of my stair way, I slow for an elderly woman walking ahead of me. Judging by bundles swinging from her hands I could tell she was on the same assignment as I: Throw out the trash. My apartment's dumpster site is on the way to the language school where I teach. Today I left a few

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-16725419500991340602011-01-23T09:56:00.007-06:002011-02-09T00:12:34.586-06:00

OY DA! (Russian slang meaning OH MAN! or GOLLY!)So today my post begins with OY DA! :)January alone was full of learning, challenges, and hopes fulfilled. And 12 months have passed us since my move to "Narnia". To remember and share months of life here is an overwhelming thing to attempt but I will take a few threads and unravel them for your information and (hopefully) benefit!The ValleyThe

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-83759738479687453612010-08-19T03:56:00.004-05:002010-08-19T04:21:15.979-05:00

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Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-33997445484797041132010-04-25T07:43:00.003-05:002010-04-25T11:35:56.676-05:00

This city was built upon desert. The plants living in its soil are either too young and fresh for the adversity of living in this place to affect their petals. Or they have retained their footing and held their ground - fighting off punishing winds and patiently relying on their occasional shower from above. This month they are showing how much beauty Their Creator blessed them with. And boy do

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-29655716406166628402010-03-05T08:13:00.000-06:002010-03-05T08:14:43.094-06:00

Women's Day Season is here!During language class we were sent out of the room to practice in the situation we just learned to articulate, looking at people through windows and saying "Do you know who that is? No I'm not acquainted with them." Four of us went toward a doorway with a window into a classroom. A very boisterous and friendly national spotted us. His wife and he met me at the Meeting

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-88504117168693077942010-01-14T05:51:00.003-06:002010-01-14T05:57:43.236-06:00

Things I expected...but found different when I got here: Mustard isn't common, but an import store will sell you a bottle for $4-5The common Clothing Hangers are chunky weird shaped. Don't always have strap holder things.Milk is usually 3.4%! And $6.00 for a Gallon! But it's sold in LitersToilet Paper is pricey because, unlike us who view it as a necessity, Narnians use spray nozzles attached to

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-15496404039195567462010-01-03T12:35:00.005-06:002010-01-06T13:57:34.483-06:00

Narnia – Where I am.Narnian – a person from here AND the name of their language. IE: the English speak English. :)Imagine This:You’re huddled with four people who don’t speak English, one is holding a cell phone set on Speaker. They blurt out foreign words into the phone. From the phone a stranger poses a question to you in English. You respond, as the four glance between you face and the phone.

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-91645501227250189112009-12-13T14:23:00.004-06:002009-12-13T15:35:35.128-06:00

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Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-78363901642890935932009-12-07T00:12:00.006-06:002009-12-08T12:08:31.174-06:00

Here is a recent encounter that I sense God's hand in arranging:Here in KC I've been able to spend time with a woman we call "Ginger". She's a divorced middle-aged woman who came to Kansas City to visit relatives. She's very religious but her understanding of the Gospel includes doing good deeds - not motivated solely by the love we receive from God - but to help you pay off the sins you and

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-61413114112870722612009-11-21T12:30:00.002-06:002009-11-21T12:51:16.855-06:00

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Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-51098296287836134782009-11-10T20:35:00.006-06:002009-11-11T20:08:54.979-06:00

While it could be looked at as an illustration of spiritual realities, it contains inappropriate material (the scenes you fast forward or look away during), The Matrix movie gave me something. Words. "The real test for any choice is having to make the same choice again, knowing fill well it might cost." The Matrix RevolutionsLAST YEAR the Lord placed indications before me, that I prayed about,

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-51267111490028849192009-10-05T13:02:00.005-05:002009-10-05T14:52:24.655-05:00

Hello again!What a sweet time at home with family and friends! There's something different about this visit home. Perhaps it's because I'm about to leave for two years, I dunno. But coming up this weekend is something I am bursting to invite you to!Vision Night: Central AsiaThis is a unique gathering where I will disclose details of what I will be doing and where. Raising awareness and getting

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-20777718515587451092009-09-01T16:12:00.004-05:002009-09-01T19:10:46.218-05:00

Hello from the Pacific Standard Time Zone! San Jose has been pretty hot, just in time for me, eh? If only I could have fit my Oscillating Fan on the flight from Minnesota! Thankfully we're seeing cooler days now.I titled this post "Only Two" because I only have two months in San Jose. 2011 is the earliest I'll get to be here again.That's eight Sunday morning services at COTC, eight SJSU Tuedsay

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-41902937231432453092009-08-21T08:34:00.006-05:002009-08-21T23:52:24.641-05:00

It's begun."I can't believe the hopes He's grantedMeans a chapter of your life is through."-Michael W. Smith, FriendsA chapter is closing. I'm in the midst of packing and paperwork, getting packages in the mail that I've been putting off, multiple last minute Walmart runs, and that's just the task side of it.I've gained several dear friends and been reunited with old friends. Last night my eyes

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-15203398710935946502009-06-19T19:18:00.007-05:002009-06-21T01:41:42.861-05:00

We reached the expired meter by the time we realized the keys to the car were in a purse three+ blocks away! While one of our group went to retrieve the keys, my two friends and I waited by the car. That's when Arthur showed up.Arthur greeted my guy friend, and asked for spare change. A conversation ensued between them and before long the keys were brought to us. God gave one of my friends an

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-67613974483523982182009-03-23T10:29:00.007-05:002009-03-31T09:28:05.592-05:00

Two hours of lamenting anddistressful staringat the computer,and my phone…"What is ahead?When will this be fulfilled?"These questions weretoo big for me soI went to prayer.While praying I remembereda message given by Bob Sorge.Why did Esther give two banquets?(based on the book of Esther, Old Testament)It's a Fact: King Xerxes removed Queen Vashti (whom Esther eventually replaced) from her

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-32781773435380285002009-02-10T13:45:00.000-06:002009-02-15T21:18:06.958-06:00

I just spent 30 minutes in Austria. Well, not exactly. Thanks to webcams, mics, and speakers, I joined my team's prayer time. What is 1:30 pm for Minneapolis works out to 8:30 pm for Stockerau. It was refreshing to bow our heads together and lift each other up in prayer to The One who is both in Minneapolis and Stockerau.He has been good to me.Yvonne

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-59799896614938761332009-01-20T09:04:00.000-06:002009-01-20T16:14:17.773-06:00

God gave me the pleasure of joining two friends on a day trip to Stillwater, MN. We spent the afternoon browsing antique shops and bookstores and eventually settled in at a coffee shop to read the books we brought along. Beside the coffee shop's fireplace were four cozy looking chairs. PERFECT, right?Aside from the young man sitting in one of the chairs, it was perfect. :) We thought we'd sit

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-69351232685943000862009-01-07T18:11:00.000-06:002009-01-07T18:35:58.186-06:00

We made it, and made many good memories along the way. By we, I mean, my San Jose State University friends. And our destination was Kansas City, Missouri.After attending a prayer conference and spending time with my family living in Kansas City, I hitched another ride with friends from Bloomington, Minnesota.Wind has not whisked the heat away from my hands and face so mercilessly in a long time!

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-78857339522221393812008-12-24T12:22:00.000-06:002008-12-25T16:29:48.000-06:00

"I have never received a gift in my whole life!"That was one response from one of the CSW (commercial sex workers) that Ulla and her friends gave a Christmas gift to last Friday night! They visited many brothels in Vienna that cold night and gave out 76 Christmas gifts as a way of reaching out to these very lonely gals. In each package was a candle, hairpins and some little things that they

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-33945315699504164492008-12-24T12:01:00.000-06:002008-12-24T12:47:34.925-06:00

(This is an article detailing one dark facet of Vienna Culture. Some paragraphs are somewhat explicit. I want to increase your awareness of the terrain I am about to venture into. -Yvonne)By Mary Kreutzer and Corinna MilbornJoy sits on a chair; her long plastic curls hang down almost to the floor. She hugs her knees and rocks back and forth. Behind her the T.V. is turned on but muted: car racing

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-6389344279722797482008-12-19T16:15:00.001-06:002008-12-19T16:34:02.013-06:00

Conversation with a Swaziland MissionaryThis morning I was blessed to speak with a terrific woman named Dayna! She, her husband, and infant son just returned from 4 years in Africa. This was a chance to have a Missionary "sounding board" for some of my recent questions and my chance to hear from the heart of another missionary. What a great encounter :)With my days in California coming to a

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-10444255935529812712008-12-18T19:04:00.000-06:002008-12-18T21:37:53.865-06:00

I keep recounting the events of the past 48 hours, bewildered by how quickly things have fallen into place.If I could look God in the face, I'd be hard pressed to keep from gazing at Him with eyes bugging out and jaw dropped.Here's the scoop:A road trip invite to a New Years Prayer Conference called "OneThing" came my way recently. My sister lives in the city of this conference, so I made

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-50117770244126145862008-12-07T17:17:00.000-06:002008-12-07T18:05:06.253-06:00

Hello friends! Christmas time is exciting, festive and unifying. We definitely have Someone to celebrate, don't we? I haven't forgotten about keeping this blog current, so here's a little update amidst all the hoopla of the Holidays! No major change in Financial Support has taken place, but many are praying. The changes prayer brings are precious and just as necessary (if not more so) than

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-18509190595184349372008-11-23T17:10:00.000-06:002008-11-23T17:40:56.734-06:00

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.Months ago I expected to miss this American tradition, by being in Austria already. My parents are pleased at least :)I'm not exactly displeased, but I am eager to begin. So much of the woman God has been shaping me into will be able to operate in this ministry. I will get to lead, teach, and learn in a place I would only go by God's request. Asia makes more

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-62411923982421893082008-10-27T15:14:00.000-05:002008-12-01T01:25:27.422-06:00

Bethany's mentoring program was one of biggest blessings God has given me.Love is very powerful when it communicated in a real way.For my Birthday my mentor, Yvonne, remembered that my favorite flowers were roses. She hid roses all over campus with my name on them. I found them on my way to class, taped on the wall or on doors she knew I'd pass through. She left them on my desk and even in my

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-30246478490531271862008-10-26T15:37:00.000-05:002008-11-27T15:45:34.442-06:00

The mentoring program at Bethany College of Missions was life changing for me.At first I wasn't too sure about the whole thing.But the time that Yvonne took to see how I was doing, was one of the greatest things that happened for me that year. Yvonne was an amazing mentor. She wasn't afraid of the things that we (really, I) needed to deal with. And if she was, she didn't show it.Yvonne, along

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-49757018342659550732008-10-23T19:15:00.000-05:002008-10-23T19:30:20.075-05:00

Yes. All of my adult life has been "grooming" me for this opportunity to become a full blown missionary to another country. On the Right Side Bar, is a list of the way God got me started on this road.The 411 on This Two Year TermMy role will be 2 fold:1) Learn as much local dialect of German as possible, and reach out locally.2) Oversee female college students interning for the first time

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-85964836250098860202008-10-17T20:17:00.000-05:002008-10-17T20:51:30.922-05:00

This is a tremendous time for our nation, families, faith! I have complete confidence in God's heart toward us all. But that's not easy. His heart is for our full allegiance, not to be an add on to our agenda. He remembers that we are "dust" and shows compassion.A week ago someone leading a small group asked, "How has the financial shakiness of this week changed the way you connect with God? How

Training Students with a call to Cross Cultural Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14956061642876217423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772905016209989407.post-70135153269269327012008-08-13T09:41:00.000-05:002008-08-13T09:47:03.914-05:00

This is a breakthrough in so many ways. Yesterday I finally got the laptop I've been waiting years for. It's not only new and quick, but it's beautiful as well. :)I have so much to learn but one thing I've already begun building is my ability to reach out and connect to people. Accessing the web will be much smoother, and this computer is capable of Skype! My Skype name is ViaOnSkype.Here's to

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