Matt's Many Adventures

Grüß Gott,

I apologize for the delay in writing another post to my blog. Part of the reason I went into engineering is because I only had to take two English classes. So I’m not real good at writing, and sometimes it takes me a while to think of a good topic to write on. Anyway here goes.

I was reading through 1 Cor 14 last week, and started seeing how important building others up was to the apostle Paul. This got me to thinking,”if it was important to Paul, it should be important for me as well.” Being that I tend to be a pessimistic engineer the glass isn’t half full, or half empty, it’s twice as big as it should be, I sometimes struggle with saying things that can build others up. Many times I make sarcastic comments, not noticing that what I’m saying can break others down instead of build them up. While it is good to have a sense of humor, I need to be able to better judge when it is appropriate to make a sarcastic comment, verses keeping my mouth shut, or complimenting people.

As many of you know, I also am not a huge people person, so I sometimes have a harder time talking to people when I first am getting to know them. Many times this can lead people to think that I don’t want to talk with them, when in fact, I don’t mind talking with them I’m just not always sure what to talk about. This is something that would be good to work on before going to Austria, as I will be going to a place were I don’t know anyone.

Well it’s getting late, and my sentences aren’t forming as well, so I should probably end this post.

I would appreciate your prayers that I would build people up, more then putting them down, and that I would work on getting to know people better.

Danke,

Matt

Guten Tag,

I’m going to take some time in this post to try and explain a little bit about why I think it’s important that we as Christians don’t forget to reach the people in Europe. I do not claim to be an expert, and having never lived in Europe I don’t have first hand experience.

As many of you know Europe has a strong Christian heritage. Many influential Theologians have come from Europe, Luther, Calvin, Bonhoeffer, Augustine, etc. Roman Catholicism has also had a strong influence in Europe. Starting with Charlemagne, the majority of Europe was considered “Christian.” Now just like in the US you have to be careful in realizing what the definition of Christian is, verses what the Bible defines a christian as. We also know from our own history that many people came to America in order to be able to worship God freely.

Around the time of Darwin, Europe began to undergo drastic change. Not only did Darwin’s ideas effect Europe, but the ideas of Nietzsche, declaring that “God is dead,” started the move towards atheism, and agnosticism. This trend has continued, and in recent years there has been a large decline in the number of Europeans who attend church. There have been several factors involved in this trend, but the recent scandals  involving the catholic church, have lead many Europeans to search for something else.

An example of this trend is the country of Czech Republic. According to an article in the USA Today, Is God Dead in Europe? , in 2006 only 19% of the population believe in the existence of God. From the 2005 Eurobarometer we have the following picture showing how many people in Europe believe in God.

As you can see, Europe is moving further away from a belief in God. Just like in America, most of politics now is devoid of God.

So just like other parts of the world it is vitally important that we continue to reach people in Europe. Freeing them from the chains of works in religion, and showing them how God desires a personal relationship with Him. He doesn’t desire their works, because no matter what their works will never be good enough. But through Christ they can be given freedom from trying to work for their salvation. Please remember to pray for the people of Europe, and that God would open their eyes to see Him.

Finally I found an interactive map on twreurope.com showing the different areas in Europe, and also you can listen to some of the stations online.

TWR Europe Interactive Map

Bis nächste Woche,

Matt

Here are some phrases that I have come across and will probably be useful.

Wo ist der Bahnhof? – Where is the train station?

Wo ist der Flughafen? – Where is the airport?

Wo fahren Sie hin? – Where are you going?

Wie geht es Ihnen? – How are you?

Mir es Gut. – I feel good.

Ich bin krank? – I am sick

Nett Sie kennenzulernen – Nice to meet you.

Wie sagt man …? – How do you say …?

Ich habe Hunger/Durst. – I am hungry/thirsty.

Bis bald – see you soon

Auf Wiedersehen – Good bye

Guten Tag. Wie geht es Ihnen?  (Hello. How are you?)

It’s about that time again, time for a new update to my blog.

As some of you know, this week, I have begun calling people up and trying to set up meetings with people to talk with them face-to-face. So far it has been good talking with people on the phone and meeting with them. I hope in the weeks to come to be spending even more time talking to people face-to-face.

Along with support raising, I have been trying to spend about two hours every day studying German. Right now my accent sounds funny, I want to try and record some of it, and post it on my blog, so I can spread some cheer around. It has been fun so far, and I have been seeing improvements. Right now I have a hard time with the German ‘r’ sound. It kind of comes from the back of the throat.

Also this week, I have begun working on scheduling out my time so that I don’t waste as much time, and can make sure that I stay productive.

Even though this all may sound a little dull and boring, I am excited and can’t wait to go to Austria and start programming! My goal is to be at 100% support by the end of the year, and to go to Austria the beginning of next year.

Please pray that I would continue calling and setting up meetings with people, and that God would give me the words to speak. Also please pray that God would continue to help me in learning German. The more German that I can learn before going to Austria the better. Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

We had to wear a suit for the second day of support raising training in Colorado Springs.

Danke und Bis bald,

Matt