Awesome Trip to Vienna

Tom and I realize that before something goes from being a good idea to reality it must be experienced. Going to teach at Vienna Christian School was a great idea; an adventure, many said. True. But with three kids and a tanked economy, adventures don't just become reality because it is a good idea.

We just recently came back from our Vision trip to Vienna and Vienna Christian School. I think that now we have a reality and not just a good idea! I didn't want to just imagine we could all live in Vienna, I had to see it. I couldn't imagine the school even though we saw pictures, I had to see it, hear it, smell it, catch the energy from it. And boy, is there energy!!!!!

The students were excited to see Tom do some card tricks, some guys roaring with amazement while the girls screamed at times. Tom said, "it is a magicians dream come true!" Tom was able to eat lunch with the high school kids one day and I was able to get down to the lunch room as well to take pictures. The students seemed open hearted and eager in all the Bible classes Tom was able to sit in on (about 6 classes in two days). Tom loved meeting the teachers who are currently filling in the Bible teaching classes. They are all qualified teachers who love God and love kids and love being missionaries. We met some of the most amazing people. The staff were so incredibly welcoming towards us and really laid out the red carpet with the warmest welcome.

The 4th grade teacher did the most wonderful thing. Mrs. Bell compiled a book with each 4th grade student writing Andrew a short letter telling about themselves and welcoming him for next year. She had pictures of each child and also pictures of the 5th Grade teacher, Miss Stevens, whom we also met and are so impressed with! We brought the book home to Andrew who promptly read it cover to cover and even now knows the kids names and favorite things to do! We were truly blessed by her thoughtfulness. I know this will really help Andrew's transition.

We were welcomed by Nels and Sandi Pitotti in their home with a wonderful American style chicken dinner and the next night we experienced a delicious Chinese dinner at the Wok & More restaurant with the Director and his wife, Ken and Cheryl Norman. We had a true German lunch at a wonderful German resaurant in a smaller neighborhood. Carrot cream soup, Wiener Schnitzel, beautiful cream cheese dessert. We went there with Brett and JJ Howard, missionaries and school staff. We were graciously allowed in staff homes to get a feel for apartment life or what a home would be like. We did some great sightseeing with Tom and Kirste Johnson,(that is the way to see Vienna--with a brilliant history teacher who has a mind for details and stories!) and we had lunch at the Prater (huge amusement park that runs all year) with a pastor/part-time teacher, Scott and Leslie Walt. Sunday Tom went to an international church and then we hopped on the underground and then a streetcar to the 4th District to visit with friends from Florida who are now church planters in Vienna. We were able to reconnect with them and hear about their ministry and their adjustments in the last 18 months that they have been there. So very helpful!

Every family that we spent time gave us glimpses of life in Vienna and what will be great and what will be hard. We felt that we were able to piece together a pretty realistic portrait of what can be expected. Our thanks go to all those teachers that we briefly met and the students who were all so open and excited to have us come. You blessed us so much!!!

It was so amazing to be in Vienna and be a part of the things that were going on. We scheduled our trip to coincide with the Family Fun Night. All the students and families from many different countries were there...over 34 countries represented. Beautiful African native outfits as well as many Korean outfits made a colorful display of national pride. (I realized that America does not have such a thing---a native costume of our own. There are the immigrants with theirs, the Native Americans with theirs, but nothing that depicts our heritage unless you want to consider the football uniform!)

Tom and I were like sponges soaking up everything...details and nuances as important as the big issues. Probably was the reason I did not sleep most nights until 4:00 a.m.! But thankfully my health held up great and am just a bit tired now that we are back home.

Tom is heading to Germany Friday morning with his good friend, Dave Twite. They have known each other since 7th grade! And they are thrilled to be taking a trip to Bodenseehof Torchbearer School in Germany to teach 2 Corinthians. I am not sure how Tom does it, but he is just pumped to hop back on the airplane for another trans-Atlantic flight.

Meanwhile, back at home, the kids were well taken care of by a teacher from Cambridge Christian School, Rachel Newton. They had a wonderful week with her and I don't think they missed us too much for all the fun they were having. We were so thankful for her service to us and that we did not have one moments worry the whole time were gone. The kids were fantastic for her (no doubts there either!) and everyone got along great. Thanks Rachel! Thanks Kids!

So now that we are back and can positively say we are going forward with the huge transition of ministry in Vienna, we again ask for your prayers on our behalf specifically now for grace and strength and wisdom. So many decisions and so many details. And of course for the Lord to bring people into our lives to help us get to Vienna. We are so thankful for those that have said they will pray for us and for those that will financially support us. We believe that God will have to do a miracle to get us to Vienna by August 1. But we do have faith in Him and that He is able to accomplish exceedingly beyond what we can imagine!

We will post a link soon of a Picasa web album to see our pictures and some video of our time there.