Romania 2012

In a few days, my roommate and I will be leading a team of 23 students to a small city in Romania.  Cornesti, Romania is a city filled with widows, orphans, abused children and women.  In Cornesti there is a ministry called River of Life run by Doug and Roberta Moore that predominately meets the needs of these women and children.  Our school will be going to this ministry in order to minister to the women and children, build a concrete driveway and floor, put on a VBS, and spend an afternoon with the elderly women.  We are very excited and somewhat nervous to take this trip. 

While we will be ministering to these Romanian people, I am looking forward to seeing the students changed.  Many of our students have never participated in a mission’s trip, VBS or service project.  Some of the students going are non-Christians or unsure of what they believe.  I believe God is really going to awaken many of the hearts of our students.  Generally when we go to serve, we ourselves end up learning more than the people being served.  As a team, we will be studying the book of James and with a focus in unity and obedience.   

I ask for your prayers for this trip and that Jesus Christ will transform the hearts of these students and they will find a new love in Christ.  In addition, many students are in need of financial support for this trip.  We also need to raise money in order to purchase supplies for making the concrete.  If you feel at all led to donate money to some of the students or towards the supplies it would be greatly appreciated by our students and the people of Romania.  It is very easy to give online and please let me know!  I personally, am in no need of money for this trip. 

God continues to bless, encourage, challenge and stretch me beyond what I have ever experienced.  I am constantly learning it is never what I do that secures my salvation, but by my faith and obedience to Jesus Christ!

To learn more about the ministry we will be aiding click here:  River or Life

Here are a few pics of our team!  

Took the students on a photo scavenger hunt

Boys team 

Part of the scavenger hunt was to all be on a statue

Becca leading the team

James 3:13-17

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

These verses are a theme for our team this week.  

Choose wisdom from the Lord.  

Be obedient.  Love.  

If Ms. Johnson went to Korea

One of my favorite things about teaching ELL are all the hilarious quotes and funny mixed up English phrases that I receive.  Lately, my students are learning too much English!  They are able to be sarcastic, funny and saying things I used to in High School (I don't know who's teaching them these things).  In addition, there are moments when I am just amazed by them and their understanding.  This past week two of my students had two great thoughts that I'd like to share with you!

Scene 1:  ELL Bible class

Me:  How can you explain to me that Jesus did not have a beginning nor does he have an end? 

Christian 6th grade student:  Well, I think that all depends on your understanding of the concept of infinity.  If you do not understand infinity you will never understand God.  

Buddhist 7th grade student:  But science teaches us there is a beginning and not a god

Christian 6th grade student:  Why are you living in closed box?  Don't you realize that there is more than just one box?  If you open the box you live in you'll see another box and yet another box etc.  God is outside those boxes and our minds.  

Scene 2: ELL Science class

6th grade Korean student:  Ms. Johnson.. if you went to Korea, people would think you're crazy!

Me:  I need to go to Korea.

Scene 3: ELL English Class

Me:  Ok kiddos, do you understand everything I say to you when I speak in English?
6th grade student: Yes
6th grade student: Yes, Ms. Johnson
7th grade student: Yes
6th grade student: Yes, except when you say you're pretty... he he he
Me:  I don't know if I should laugh or cry

My crazy kids (missing one)

Spirit Week

This past week our school had its Spirit Week.  "Spirit Week" is a time for the whole school to be unified through fun events and costumes.  Our Student Union designated a different theme for each day of the week.  Since I love to dress up, I gladly participated each day.  The students looked great too and it was a fun spirited week!

Twin Day

Becca and I just happened to have the same gym shoes

  

Fun game of musical chairs

 Crazy day

Teaching the kids how to play Gorilla, Gun, Ninja aka Rock, paper, scissors

Gorilla, Gun, Ninja in action

Super hero day

PowerPuff girls: Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup 

Our director, James, as Superman 

Looking for a teaching job?

Are you looking for a teaching job in Europe?  Perhaps Vienna, Austria?!  Well you are in luck.  The International Christian in Vienna is hiring for the next school year (2012-2013).  If you have a heart for Jesus, International students, teaching and Wiener Schnitzel, ICSV is the place for YOU!  We are looking for...

Elementary Classroom Teacher
Middle School/High School English 
Middle School/High School Social Studies
Middle School/High School Computer

Also, check out our website below for more information

International Christian School of Vienna

International Family Fun Night

Every year our school hosts an International Family Fun night.  All of the students dress up in their native attire and bring delicious food from their home countries.  Most of the classrooms are transformed to represent different countries from around the world.  Each classroom contains popular food, information, games and even some dance lessons.  The classrooms represented countries such as South Korea, India, Italy, the Philippines, Austria, Ethiopia, American and many more.  Later on in the evening, everyone gathered together to enjoy a talent show by the students.  I am still amazed by different cultures and love learning about them.

I decided to dress up as an American Indian to represent the Native American.  Ironically, I have more European blood in me but felt the need to represent the home land.  Plus, I love dressing up =).

¿Estás enfermo?

My Spanish 1 students continue to impress me everyday.  I have 16 students for Spanish 1 High School and I truly love teaching that class.  They enjoy learning the language, love speaking it and are always asking real good questions about the Spanish language.  For most of these students, this is their third or fourth language that they are learning.  They are more familiar with different vocabulary words, grammar structure and language in general than I ever was at their age.  I am able to challenge them and move pretty fast through the chapters which is exciting (well for their teacher at least)!

This past week we've been studying medical terminology.  I had them do a dialogue between a doctor and patient and then I had my TA video tape it.  Here is a little video of two of my students as well as a view of my classroom!

El video :)

Meet some students from my class!

Constant love

Last week a family from our school shared some great encouragement with our staff.  I found it extremely helpful and just something I could use to get through the day.  Many times stress builds up, fear invades and we just become discouraged in our walk with God.  However, another dear friend shared with me yesterday that there needs to be discomfort to allow room for the Comforter.  Once again, I am amazed by the peace that Jesus gives in great times of need and His constant LOVE that will NEVER let us go.

Isaiah 30:20-22

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.  And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.  Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images.  You will scatter them as unclean things.  You will say to them, "Be gone!"

Psalm 112:17

They will have no fear of bad news; there are hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  

My favorite piece of creation

Visitors are welcome!

One great thing about living in Europe is that people come and visit you!  This weekend we had two visitors.  One of our friends teaching in a public school in France and Becca's fourth grade elementary teacher!  Both were a sweet surprise but it was extra special seeing her old teacher, Mrs. Bostrom.  My brother had Mrs. Bostrom as a teacher so I had met her before.  Her and her husband are greatly involved in missions and were in Hungry for an education seminar for missionary kids.  They flew out of Vienna and we were able to spend an evening with them.  It's amazing how so many years can pass, yet it's so easy to reconnect.  Relationships centered around Christ truly are eternal.  We love having visitos and think you should visit us too!  

Mrs. Bostrom's grandchildren enjoying the Austrian food!

Original Viennese Veal Schnitzel 

Becca and Marian

Mrs. Bostrom and her husband

A sweet reunion