Merry Christmas everybody! It's been a fun, silly, and joyful season here in Salzburg. The picture above is from our all American ugly sweater party that we invited our new friends to. Even though the concept was weird and a little confusing to most Austrians, understandably because it is an odd concept, all participants had a good time. Jonathan swept the competition with his epic pullover constructed out of multiple scarves bought from a flea market. Totally crafty. There was food noshing, cookie decorating, and a spontaneous dance session.
Another exciting December event was the arrival of Sarah, Jonathan's sweet sister. She's spending three weeks with us here in Austria during her winter break from university. It has been so lovely catching up with her and sharing this time of our lives together. She has joined us for a night of Street Buddies and is really connecting with our little community here.
Street Buddies has been really good this month. Most nights have been fight free which is always an encouragement and an answer to prayer. Two weeks ago our group was walking on the street scanning the crowds and keeping their eyes open. Micah and I spotted a girl across the street who was sitting on the ground and looking a little out of it. We crossed through traffic and crouched down with her. The guy standing next to her told us he had just met her 30 minutes ago and didn't know what to do now that she was basically unconscious. An ambulance had already been called by the bouncer of the closest bar but Micah and I stayed with her until it came. We helped her stay upright and, as Micah predicted, she woke up for just a couple minutes in order to throw up. I held back her hair and tried to keep the mess away from her clothing. Shortly after the emergency services appeared, asked us a few questions, and then whisked her away. I wish we could have met her or known her name but it was still great to be there in that moment and help her. Its for those people, who are completely alone, that we really want to be present for. I feel like that's the person that Jesus reached out to. The ones who felt alone.
It has felt a little bit odd being without family during Christmas but we've loved all the messages and cards from people! We are wishing all of you a wonderful and Christ filled season. We'll be praying for the new year that God brings you revelation and joy!!
Prayer Requests:
1. A group of us Street Buddies are going out on New Years Eve. Its a crazy night here with TONS of fireworks and possibly dangerous situations. So we would love prayer for safety on this wild night.
2. Continued inspiration from Jesus about our lives here in Salzburg.
Street Buddies has been really good this month. Most nights have been fight free which is always an encouragement and an answer to prayer. Two weeks ago our group was walking on the street scanning the crowds and keeping their eyes open. Micah and I spotted a girl across the street who was sitting on the ground and looking a little out of it. We crossed through traffic and crouched down with her. The guy standing next to her told us he had just met her 30 minutes ago and didn't know what to do now that she was basically unconscious. An ambulance had already been called by the bouncer of the closest bar but Micah and I stayed with her until it came. We helped her stay upright and, as Micah predicted, she woke up for just a couple minutes in order to throw up. I held back her hair and tried to keep the mess away from her clothing. Shortly after the emergency services appeared, asked us a few questions, and then whisked her away. I wish we could have met her or known her name but it was still great to be there in that moment and help her. Its for those people, who are completely alone, that we really want to be present for. I feel like that's the person that Jesus reached out to. The ones who felt alone.
It has felt a little bit odd being without family during Christmas but we've loved all the messages and cards from people! We are wishing all of you a wonderful and Christ filled season. We'll be praying for the new year that God brings you revelation and joy!!
Prayer Requests:
1. A group of us Street Buddies are going out on New Years Eve. Its a crazy night here with TONS of fireworks and possibly dangerous situations. So we would love prayer for safety on this wild night.
2. Continued inspiration from Jesus about our lives here in Salzburg.