Spring here has been lovely and full of so much good stuff. It also carries with it new and exciting changes. We will be moving to a different area of Austria by the time summer is over! Another branch of Street Buddies is getting started in the city of Linz and we're relocating to help it achieve a healthy strong start. We are hoping to live near the city of Mauthausen which is close to Linz. God has given us such excitement about spending more time with the amazing people there. currently we are considering a house option that seems very promising. As always we need peace and wisdom as we proceed.
Last Friday night was hands down, unanimously one of the best Street Buddies evenings we've ever had. For one the weather was divine, a nice break from the recent string of downpours we've been experiencing the past couple of weekends. Added on top of that was the lack of sickness, unconsciousness, and only one fight (which the police quickly resolved). The most beautiful part was the powerful, hearty conversations that occurred. Micah and Jonathan were chatting recently about what questions they would like to start asking people out on the Rudolfskai. One suggestion came up that might seem unusual and a little strange at first: "If Jesus was out here on the Kai, which bar would he choose to go to?". The boys tested it out this weekend and the results were awesome, interesting dialogues. After the individual would say their answer we would also ask why that bar. It really revealed what their perception of Jesus was. Some people thought he is chill and would pick an Irish pub, others understood him as exclusive and said he would seek out a flashy dance scene, and many thought he is religious and would avoid the Rudolfskai all together and would only be in the church. This question always led to other topics and was such a neat avenue into really exchanging and sharing about perspectives and feelings about this Son of Man. It was such an honor to get the chance to hear from these young people and also get a new unconventional kind of opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Today Jonathan and I experienced our first Maibaumfest! This is a yearly tradition, customarily on the 1st of May, where a tree on the top of a large pole is raised up and there are all kinds of celebrations, eating, and merriment. Lucky for us the brewery 5 min away form our house was putting on a late celebration and we got to be a part of the action. The may pole was HUGE! Slowly every 20 minutes or so a huge group of strapping Austrian men would raise it a little higher until at last it was completely upright. There was traditional music, dancing, and people even got the chance to climb the pole to try and reach prizes that were tied on at various heights. Silas was one of the brave competitors! He did a great job and looked super cute while doing it :). It was a lovely opportunity to connect more with Austria's culture and to sped time with one another.
Lots of love and sweetest blessings!
Rachael
Last Friday night was hands down, unanimously one of the best Street Buddies evenings we've ever had. For one the weather was divine, a nice break from the recent string of downpours we've been experiencing the past couple of weekends. Added on top of that was the lack of sickness, unconsciousness, and only one fight (which the police quickly resolved). The most beautiful part was the powerful, hearty conversations that occurred. Micah and Jonathan were chatting recently about what questions they would like to start asking people out on the Rudolfskai. One suggestion came up that might seem unusual and a little strange at first: "If Jesus was out here on the Kai, which bar would he choose to go to?". The boys tested it out this weekend and the results were awesome, interesting dialogues. After the individual would say their answer we would also ask why that bar. It really revealed what their perception of Jesus was. Some people thought he is chill and would pick an Irish pub, others understood him as exclusive and said he would seek out a flashy dance scene, and many thought he is religious and would avoid the Rudolfskai all together and would only be in the church. This question always led to other topics and was such a neat avenue into really exchanging and sharing about perspectives and feelings about this Son of Man. It was such an honor to get the chance to hear from these young people and also get a new unconventional kind of opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Today Jonathan and I experienced our first Maibaumfest! This is a yearly tradition, customarily on the 1st of May, where a tree on the top of a large pole is raised up and there are all kinds of celebrations, eating, and merriment. Lucky for us the brewery 5 min away form our house was putting on a late celebration and we got to be a part of the action. The may pole was HUGE! Slowly every 20 minutes or so a huge group of strapping Austrian men would raise it a little higher until at last it was completely upright. There was traditional music, dancing, and people even got the chance to climb the pole to try and reach prizes that were tied on at various heights. Silas was one of the brave competitors! He did a great job and looked super cute while doing it :). It was a lovely opportunity to connect more with Austria's culture and to sped time with one another.
Lots of love and sweetest blessings!
Rachael