Life is good

Today was a beautiful day in Herrnhut! Our scheduled speaker for this week was unable to to get a visa from South Africa, so today we did some individual and group processing—I really needed, and enjoyed spending some time quietly sitting on a bench in the sunshine, listening to the wind in the trees. It has been wonderful watching the autumn colors swell to a vibrant peak, and now to watch the leaves blow away. I almost feel bad for those who's work duty is to rake leaves: it seems so futile while there are still leaves on the trees.
My time has fallen into a daily routine; morning lecture with a coffee break, lunch, work, and whatever is on the schedule for the evening. I am a part of the local outreach team that will be focused on connecting with residence of Herrnhut—I felt the most drawn to this group as I live in town, and I think it makes sense to develop relationships here. I am also pretty curious about the town's perceptions of the constantly changing hordes of students that swell the small towns population. Are we more of a blessing or a curse?
I have just realized that I neglected to share a bit more about the historical background of this place. Herrnhut was the location for the beginning of the Moravian church, and started the missionary movement. This community dedicated to spend one hundred years in 24/7 prayer. All of this was more than a hundred years ago, and the East German village, while still known for it's heritage of the Breudergeminshaft (Moravian church) the church is not as vibrant and active as it once was, and the local community still remembers the abuses of communism. For example, there as an anti-Nazi rally in Dresden this last weekend, which would undoubtedly have drawn the retaliation of the Nazis if not for the heavy presence of riot police. It is hard, as an outsider, to contemplate what it must have been like here just 18 years ago. Or to imagine this place devastated for years by war. The beautiful via duct, bridge that I have already posted pictures of is the only structure that I can see was effected by the war (the two center spans were destroyed to keep the reds from crossing via rail)-it was repaired by the next year.
Tomorrow we hear the mini outreach locations, and I am curious to see what the leaders have on their hearts, and where the Lord directs my heart for that time. Next week we hear more about Outreach! My heavens, time goes quickly.
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I can never seem to complete a post when I sit down to write it. So it is already tomorrow (the 21st of October) and we've been given about 24 hours in which to pray and list our top three choices for mini outreach locations. There are several locations within Germany and the Czech Republic, and also trips to Poland and Hungary. I wish that we had a little more time...
One of my housemates, McKenna, has started Tuesday night dinner at our house, so when everyone finishes our small group/local outreach connection and prayer times, the now-quiet kitchen will be a mad house.
The main point that I have taken from the times of teaching thus far has been an emphasis on relationship. Our main focus should be on pursing a greater understanding of God's character, plans and love for us. It is through this dynamic relationship that we grow more like Him, develop the gifts He has given us and reflect Him to those around us. None of this is exactly news to me, but it is one of my main reasons for being here. Of course I still face the same challenges, of setting aside time to be with God in the word, and waiting on Him.
Okay-the pack is here now, and one of the Germans, Lukas, who also has an Eee PC fixed my internet-so I can just put this in the blog!!! You have no idea how excited I am about this! I love you all, and have you in my thoughts and prayers.