Senoritis

ICSV

If there is one word I could use to describe the current state of our student mentality right now, it would be senoritis. The highly acclaimed Urban Dictionary states that senoritis is a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors/students. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as graduation. This is not uncommon once students are close to Spring Break and can see the light at the end of the tunnel to the school year. To be honest, I would imagine most teachers also suffer from this disease. Despite the mentality, a lot of amazing things have been happening at ICSV that I would love to share with you. 

Every Thursday morning the High School students head to our multi-purpose room and attend chapel. Chapel usually consists of school announcements, a few worship songs, and then a message presented by either the High School chaplain or a guest speaker. Our High School chaplain has been going through a series titled, A Theory of Everything and using the bible as a basis for it. He has covered a wide-range of topics that include creation, the trinity, relationships, and sex. Needless to say, a lot of interesting conversations and questions have arose from these messages. What's even more amazing is the impact it has been having on our student body. You might not be able to see it on the surface level, but God is working deep in the hearts of our students and leaving a mark on a lot of students we wouldn't think would care. Also, we have had multiple students approach our chaplain and ask if they can share their testimony or what God has been teaching them in chapel. I went to a Christian High School where most of the students were Christians and I can't even imagine doing that. I have just been very impressed with the questions the students are asking, the conversations that are being had, and to never be surprised by whom God chooses to pursue. Thank you to those that have been praying for these students because your prayers are being answered and God is pursuing these students.

Mission Trips

Kosovo Team

In about two weeks I will be heading to Kosovo with 8 students to partner with some friends who have started a ministry there. These friends used to teach at ICSV and moved to there about a year ago. We are very excited to not only visit them but to serve the people of Kosovo. The main focus of our trip is to build relationships with Kosovars and aid our friends in whatever needs they may have. Our theme for the trip is Blessed to Bless. We recognize that we have been given much and have been blessed incredibly. Our desire to is be a blessing to our friends and the people of Kosovo. Please be praying for our trip and that God would provide many ways for us to bless others.





Saying Goodbye
About 3 weeks ago I got a text from a former student saying that she was moving back to her home country in 2 weeks. She was a student I had taught, coached, mentored, traveled with, and spent many hours with planning various events at ICSV. Receiving this news was hard. A disadvantage to working at an international school is the high turn over rate of students and teachers. A lot of students come for 3-4 years and then return to their home countries for various reasons. The hardest part is you never know when you will see these people again. It is moments like these that I am SO thankful for the promise of eternity. The community that the Lord surrounds with is an eternal community and holding on to that promise is what makes these goodbyes a little bit easier. I have never thought about eternity as much as I have living here in Vienna. The promise of being in heaven with Jesus surrounded by a great community of believers and friends is enough to make me want to go there now. :)

Energy Break

Two weeks ago Becca and I got to spend our energy break (a week off of school in February) in the beautiful state of Tyrol. We were surrounded by massive mountains and fresh air. We skied, hiked, and enjoyed some quality roommate time.