As I've mentioned before, I spent the majority of my summer in a foreign country... Or countries, rather. In June, I drove to Illinois and met with 45 other people that I had previously not known and that I was to spend the next 6 1/2 weeks with. We had a grueling week or so on a hayfield in Illinois to train us for our summer away that included waking up at 5:30, having 3-5 minutes to get ready, obstacle courses, being hot and sweaty, no showers for 5 days, living with strangers, etc. It was definitely extremely hard, perhaps the hardest week of my life, but looking back it was good for us-- extremely good. After that, we drove to Chicago airport and flew to London.
In London we stayed at a church (Trinity at Bowes). The people there showed us so much hospitality! They fed us amazingly, all the time. We had a couple tea parties as well as meals after services, etc. and there was always so much food! So much good food. It probably did not help the whole fat-American stereotype, but we couldn't help ourselves. But I digress... Their hospitality really blessed us, but yet they said that we blessed them. They went on and on about how much we blessed them and we hardly even did anything with them-- which was really cool. We also went into the city and did surveys to people-- asking them questions about their beliefs, etc. which helped lead into a conversation about Christ. London is definitely a very lost place, as I soon saw. People would allow us to do the survey, but the second we tried to talk about God they would literally walk away or else retract into this shell and not want to discuss it... It was hard to see, as well as frustrating.
Next we headed off to Germany, spending one night in Luxembourg on our way. We did one performance in an amphitheatre at the campsite we were staying at, and a few in this cute little town called Rothenburg a little ways away. It was hard because a lot of people only spoke German, so there was a definite language barrier. Thankfully, two or three people on the team knew German pretty well and so at least they had some good conversations with people. Germany was a really beautiful country, which surprised me; I never thought Germany was all that pretty. It definitely was!
After Germany we went to Prague, Czech Republic. The architecture there was gorgeous! Sooo beautiful. But the people were so lost... And so turned off from God. We had our first run-in (of several) with the police here-- and the worst. Thankfully, we got through one performance just fine. Then, half-way through another, the police drove up to us, inches away from me, came out of the car and started pulling one of the drama performers away (a guy named James, who was a d-group leader.. Thankfully not a student). Our team leader, Curtis, quickly came up and tried to remedy the situation. They said we were a "disturbance" and had to pay a fine. So we payed the fine, but we're guessing the money was just kept by the officers. The experience was frustrating; we couldn't finish the performance (which was one of the hardest ones for drama and one that never went well... This time it had been going perfect, so we were so frustrated to be interrupted!) and by that time most of the people that had watched had walked away so we couldn't talk to them about it. But God still worked that day, and taught us a good lesson. God did something totally great for me while I was in Prague! Everyone else went on about how they had been shut down by everyone and how people had been so unresponsive... But everyone I talked to was really open and received my message well and was genuinely interested! Which was cool because this was the first time I really did surveys... Before this, I had been too scared and held back. It was a big step for me just to go with people who were doing the survey... But here I totally just went out and talked to people and God totally did something amazing with that.
Our next destination was Poland. Krakow, Poland. The thing I most remember about Krakow is the slugs... They. Were. Everywhere. It was terrible! I never thought slugs were that bad, but they are when they are crawling all over everything. While we were in Poland, we traveled to Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Which was really tough... But it was a good experience I guess. It was sort of awkward because I was the only one crying... But... I couldn't help it. Looking back, it sort of frustrates me how the others acted. Some people seemed like they didn't even care, some didn't seem phased at all afterwards, etc. I guess it's hard because we sort of had to jump right back into normal life, as we went shopping in the city right afterwards, but it just seemed like people weren't effected that much. They probably were, I guess, but they didn't seem like it. Anyway... The concentration camps were pretty different. The first one, Auschwitz, was pretty small. It mostly consisted of buildings where the people stayed and barbed wire fencing and guard buildings. The rooms had been converted into sort of museums, showing what happened to the people, etc. and had a lot of artifacts; hair, shoes, brushes, glasses, baggage, etc. There was also this dungeon-ish area they took us into where people were tortured. They showed us cells and these little places where groups of people were crammed into and forced to stand for days on end, and some suffocated due to lack of oxygen. There was this smell down there... A smell of death and of decay. I don't know if it was just from being underground and wetness, or a smell still lingering from the deaths that occurred there. We also went into a gas chamber-- very bare and depressing. The second camp, Birkenau, was extremely desolate. It was just empty and had an air of despair. It was much, much larger than the first camp. We were informed that the roads we walked on most likely had human ashes from the people mixed in, which was... Gross to hear. Gross and sad. All the occurred in those places is just so disgusting... Ugh. I don't know how something like that could have actually happened, it's crazy.
After Poland we went to Austria. Man, if I thought the slugs in Poland were bad it was nothing compared to Austria. One or two actually worked their way into our tent... Onto our sleeping bags and pillows. Ew. And every time I woke up in the night, there was always (no joke) a slug on the outside of the tent right next to my face. Nasty... I kept salt in my backpack for the sole purpose of killing the slugs and used it liberally and without mercy! Anyway... We were shut down again in Vienna. (There was another time in Poland I believe... Forgot to mention that.) The third time, and a frustrating thing. It's hard to get told to stop right in the middle of a performance and be driven away and have to do something new, but I think it was good for us to rely on God to lead us in new directions. We did get two shows in before we had to stop, so that was good... After one, I had a good conversation with two girls who were Christians. It was very encouraging as I had not yet spoken to any Christians. They were really happy to see us as well, so I'm glad we could encourage them also. They were really sweet and I'm glad I got to talk to them. Vienna, the city, was not as pretty as I expected it to be... There were some gorgeous spots, but I expected more out of it. So that was a little disappointing... But oh well. I was there for God, not for the sights!
Next we headed out to Croatia. It was soooo gorgeous! Our campsite was right on a beach on the Adriatic Sea. One day we got to go swimming and the water was pretty much perfect for swimming... And it was extremely clear and beautiful. The beach consisted of rocks, not sand, which I didn't like so much, but it was fine. I kept a couple rocks-- not sure if you're supposed to, but I did. We got the opportunity to just chill with the other people at the campsite-- we started up some games (basketball, soccer, etc.) and played with the people, which was really fun. I played soccer and had a blast! I haven't played in so long... I had so much fun that I would probably have joined soccer at school this year if it wasn't for my arch. We also did a performance at an amphitheatre that was there and quite a few people showed up. Again, a lot of people didn't speak English and so we didn't have a lot of good conversations. The balloon animal makers were completely overwhelmed, as many children were there and wanted some. When we were done performing, we watched the stunning sunset... It was beautiful. God really is an artist and he is an amazing one. We also got to perform in the city, right next to a temple that was built about 3 A.D. which was incredible. To think that people from Jesus' time walked in there... People that might have even met Jesus! Crazy.
All too soon we left Pula, Croatia and headed out for Italy. Plans changed a little, so we went to Verona instead of Milan-- I was extremely happy with the change! I've wanted to go to Verona for a few years now and was absolutely stoked the entire ride. We got to see Juliet's balcony and I (and several others) wrote letters to Juliet. We couldn't find the place to put them, however, so we ended up putting them in a random wall outside the city. We had to really book it while we were shopping because we only had like four hours in the city and we weren't coming back. So that was a little frustrating, but it was okay. I got pizza and it was absolutely delicious. We didn't perform in Italy and soon we were heading back to the campsite. We got there with a lot of time, so we swam in Lake Garda... Which was an amazing experience. The water was a little chilly, but it was similar to Minnesota lakes so I was a lot better off than most people who weren't used to cold water. It was so cool, though, because there were mountains right next to the Lake. Plus, it was in Italy! Totally amazing and I wish I could have gotten a picture-- the place was sooo beautiful. Some swans came out of seemingly nowhere and swam with us as well, so that was cool. But then we had to go back to camp, way too soon, and then the next morning we were on our way to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.
There aren't even words to describe the beauty of Switzerland. It is so extremely breathtaking there... I can't even put it into words and pictures don't even begin to capture it. This place was our sort of "spiritual retreat" and a place to rest up a bit. What a perfect place... God was so evident there and I easily felt His presence. On August 1st we went to a graveyard and, after a talk Curtis had, got to bury some stuff. It felt so good to let go of all this stuff that I had been holding onto, and it's nice to remember that they're buried there when Satan tries to bring them up. The next day, I had an unforgettable experience... Hiking the Swiss Alps. I woke up around 5:45 and by probably 6:15 or 6:30 we were on our way. We took a gondola to a town called Murren, partway up the mountain, then hiked all the way to the top of Schilthorn (the name of the mountain) then all the way back down. It was an extremely tolling experience. The way up was physically tiring, but the way down was just painful. The top should have had an amazing view, but clouds rolled in and blocked it. As we neared the top, the hike was pretty dangerous... You could have died pretty easily. In fact, I almost did when my foot slipped on some stairs! But we all made it safely to the top and rested and got some hot cocoa at a rotating restaurant (where a James Bond movie was filmed at). Then we headed back down... So painful. My arch was killing me, I twisted my ankle (on the opposite foot, of course), my knees were hurting from walking downhill, and my hips were popping out constantly which was really painful. I was waddling for the next two or three days from my hips and they still aren't right-- they don't hurt, but they're just different. So it was an interesting experience... I don't think I'd do it again, but I'm glad to be able to say I've done it.
Next we went to Paris. It was awesome because we did worship right in the middle of the campground and people would walk by and listen and see what we were doing and stand and watch... We also invited people over and got to talk to them afterwards. Well, I didn't, but others did. So that was really awesome. We went into Paris and did our last performances, which was a little sad. I talked to one woman, named Chloe, who really touched my heart. I'm not sure why, but I've felt a burden for her ever since... I wish I would have gone over and talked to her again because she hung around after I talked to her and then said good-bye... Alas, I didn't and now I'm regretting it. But our performances went well. We also went out and did more surveys, but I just... I felt like I couldn't talk. Like I literally couldn't go talk to people. It was so weird... And so so frustrating because I wanted to so much. But oh well. The next day we did some sight-seeing and shopping... I got crepes and a panini and it was delicious! When we met up again we went to the Eiffel Tower (it's not as pretty in real life) and circled around the Arc de Triumph 12 times in the coach. It was fun, but crazy!
After the couple days in Paris, we headed back to London for debriefing. We had 6 days there I believe. Mostly we hung out, did devos, memorized our butts off and had debriefing sessions where we talked about what it would be like to go home and what to expect. It was a bit of a depressing time because we all knew that in a few days we would have to go home and say good-bye. But we had a blast together!We got to go into London a couple times and sight-see... We saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Well, I couldn't see anything... But I was there. And it was stressful, with all the crowds and jostling... Ugh. We saw a lot of other things as well, and went on the London Eye. The next day we went in d-groups and explored the city. I went to Abbey Road first, then from there we went to a couple art museums, the Globe Theatre, did some shopping, got fish and chips, went to this awesome frozen yogurt place called Snog and overall just had a great time. All too soon the period of debriefing was over and we were packing up and heading to the airport to leave for Chicago and home. That day was probably the hardest day of my life... Saying good-bye to everyone was extremely hard. We had all gone through so so much together and we shared a bond that I'll never share with anyone else. We don't know each other's last names or pretty much anything about anyone's life, but none of that matters... We had spent a summer together and had seen each other at our absolute worst. It's the strangest and closest bond I've ever had... And I have it with 45 people. I miss them all so much... So so much.
So, being back has been so hard. And so weird. It's weird to be able to shower every day, or whenever I want... And to have choices... And to not have a schedule... And to be free to do pretty much what I want... And to not be going everywhere... To not have people constantly around me... To sleep in a bed, not a sleeping bag... And so many other things. Adjusting to the time change has been difficult and I'm still not completely there yet. And it's just been hard. I feel like no one understands me or what happened to me this summer, which is probably true. All I want to do is talk to the other people who were with me... Because, well, they understand. Like I said, we have that bond. And people back home just don't understand. So it's been really really hard... And it's going to be. Plain and simple. I don't want to be here, I don't want to be away from my family of 46, I don't want to be going back to this life, but I have to. So that sucks, but... It's how life has to be. I guess it's shown me that I have to rely on God-- He's been there with me all my life, all this summer, and He's still there. Even though I can't be with my other EQ family members, God is still with me. Even while I'm feeling completely alone, I'm not because He's there. And He loves me!
