The rest of Amsterdam was really great, we met some fun people (Chris and Pat) and saw Haarlem with its many windmills and canals. After being there, we were ready to leave the smoke of the city and get to the fresh fishy air of Bergen Norway. It is beautiful here, but my teammates can say it better than I can. Here is what they have to say.

Here is Steph´s Update
Hei!
I apologize for not writing to you sooner, but this is the first time I've
been able to have time to sit down at a computer and compose a letter. Our
trip has been quite an interesting one so far- full of surprises and
adventures (and we've only been traveling for about 4 days!)! We arrived at
6.45 in Amsterdam last thursday morning. We couldn't check into the hostel
until 10 am, so we sat on the steps in the Dam (one of the main squares) and
just took in the sights, sounds, and smells (!). At first, I was a bit shocked
at how peaceful and quiet A'dam seemed, but (keep in mind that this is early
in the morning)on the way to the Shelter City hostel, which is situated in the
heart of the red-light district, we saw what this city is all about. During
our time there, we were able to go to some parks, take a tour, and explore the
city. It was beautiful, and many parts of A'dam are lovely and good, but it
was hard to escape the feeling that so many people in this city (mainly the
tourists, not the locals as much) are focused on the...sex, drugs, rock and
roll kind of lifestyle. The Shelter hostel, operated by Christians, really is
a shelter- it was a safe and comforting place literally two doors down from
the windows where prostitutes work. On friday night we took a prayer walk at
night through the red-light district, which was really difficult and
disheartening. The ministry in Amsterdam is a wonderful thing, and there is
much good that comes out of it. Please keep the workers and the guests to
these Shelters in your prayers. The positive part of the time in A'dam
was that I was able to spend time with people that I won't see for another
three weeks, and grow closer to the people I will be with all the time for the
next 8.5 weeks. I also learned some 'street smarts' for Europe, such as how
to NOT look like a tourist and look confident and self-assured (to better
avoid rude men, etc) and how to get tickets, book hostels, maps, etc. Since
our budget for food is roughly 4€ per meal, we've realized that food doesn't
come cheap- the average dinner costs about 13-17€ (up to 30$)- here in Norway,
a big mac at Mcdonalds costs 80 kroner (12 dollars!!!).
Thanks, mom and dad, for taking me out a lot around Europe as a kid- it's
really come in handy.
Yesterday, we took a 1 hr plane ride to Bergen, which was nice because we got
FREE food on the plane (we have been eating bread, nutella, and cheese every
day now). We took a bus from the airport and walked through the city to the
big white house- where we are staying for the next 3 weeks. It is gorgeous
inside- lots of space, tall windows, white walls, IKEA decor everywhere, trees
and flowers outside...there's a little cafe with expresso maker (which Devin
and I got really excited about), a boom box, cute aprons with flowers on them
(which I will wear when I try to cook), little candles, cacti, throw pillows-
basically what looks like stuff from an apartment of a 24 year old single
girl. The best part is that Becca and I have a little room and a kitchen with
dining room upstairs- when we saw it, we were jumping up and down because we
could not believe that we get to stay here. We were prancing around the room
putting all our stuff in drawers (we really took those for granted before!!)
and the books all lined up on the shelf.
We ended up waiting for a few hours because there was a miscommunication and
that someone(the guy in charge of this hostel) was still waiting to pick us up
at the airport. We also found out that the hostel is official closed until
June 10- so we won't be working for two weeks. When he arrived, we saw these
two kids-guys about 20ish. We were totally surprised because we expected
someone much older to be in charge of this whole operation! Their names are
Håkon and Christer, and they are students and also happen to run this hostel.
They took us out to dinner for kebabs and we all had a great time talking to
them about culture, interests, and Christianity. From what it sounds like,
there are not a lot of Christians here, so it can be difficult and lonely for
them at times. At our team Bible study/prayer and worship time (which we did
on the side of a mountain at 11.00 at night when it was still light out), we
prayed for wisdom to know what to do with all the time we have here. After
much prayer and reading 2 Timothy and the Psalms, we believe that we are here
to encourage the Christians already working here (some of whom we met last
night and are very nice and funny) and the Christians coming through here as
part of the organization based in this building (there are some people from
Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Norway). We also desire to get to know the city
and its people better, to find some sort of niche in this place for the time
we are here. Please pray for my team to remain focused, to stay in the Word,
to be a valuable contribution here, and for the opportunity to meet people in
this city and be able to serve the ministry well. Please write back letting
me know about yourselves and how you are doing, and please forward this to
anyone who would like it. Thanks for your prayers, and God Bless.
Much love,
Stephanie

This is Devin´s Letter:
God Dag,

Bergen, Norway is certainly a different city from Amsterdam. Here the only
red lights appear on halting automobiles, careful to give all pedestrians the
right-of-way. The people are tall, rich, and blonde. BigMacs cost the
equivalent of 10 U.S. Dollars.

Intermission--the hostel we're working-- doesn't open for operation until June
10th, affording us a whopping week to actually work there. In the meantime
we're connecting with leadership here and with the city of Bergen. We've got
a bit of prep work before the hostel opens, as well.

Bergen--and Norway as a whole-- despite being a Christian country (buisnesses
must close on Sundays, State Church for worshippers, etc.) is very secular.
New Norwegian friend Håkon says that in a recent poll, less than 5% of
Norwegian students attend church on Sundays. Yet here at Intermission we are
living with a dedicated band of Norwegian Christian university students, some
of whom live in the building, some elsewhere in the city, some who attend
university and some who work for the program. (similar to Intervarsity) There
is, in addition, a Serbian group of university students in the building
preparing for a collaboration conference in Serbia. God has got a lot going
on in this small hostel\house at the foot of a Bergen mountain.

hPrayer for team guidance will be appreciated, as our plan to actually work
with travelers in the ostel have been ruptured. Pray that God will show us
what now He'd like us to do in our YHMish plan's sted.

Peace
Team Nomads

Amsterdam

This is my second day in amsterdam. I went on a walking tour and got to see the highlights of the city, its is beautiful, but also very lost. Its very nice to be in a CHristian hostel in such a dark city. Truly, a light on a hill. Well i have to go, my minutes are up! but please be praying for our team and the whole group.

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

So after much planning, packing, and anticipation, I am finally leaving for Europe tomorrow at 4p.m. I am currently having a great time with Mindrebo- she treated me to a last Jamba Juice in America- I highly recommend trying Strawberry Nirvana. Well, I have to go to bed. Ciao!

Jump Start the Summer

The past few weeks have been a rush of many good memories in a hurry. Here's the recap:
The first week after school ended I spent in Georgia with everyone in my family except my dear sister Summer and brother in law Oliver (we miss you guys so much!) We were able to see where david works and meet some of his friends down there (we love you megan!), and we had a blast playing in the lake, watching baby Jaxon, and just being together. I was able to row with the lake lanier rowing club a few times and get some excellent help from the experts- all the rowers were retired and eager to teach me. I learned how to scull, or row with two shorter oars as opposed to the one long oar on either the port or starboard side. I'm looking forward to improving my technique next fall.
After Georgia, I was able to spend a few days at home resting and catching up with old friends. I had a birthday party for myself a month early, which was mostly an excuse to have a party and get together with everyone.



I went back to wheaton for two days in order to get some last minute europe supplies from REI- a backpack, pretty essential. I was able to spend the night with dear Emily, and also see Kenlee and Gisela who live in wheaton.


One of the highlights was the reunion between me and my dear friend Sarah, who has been in ireland with Taylor U's study abroad program. This has been the longest we have ever gone without seeing each other, and boy, it was so good to see her again!!



There are few people who can put up with our family as well and as long as Gary and Stephanie have. They have been a wonderful influence in my life during the 13 years we have known them. Last saturday, Gary generously took me and a few friends sailing aboard his boat, Blue Belle. It was a perfect day for a sail and we had such a great time (Thanks Gary!)



Now I am trying to get the rest of my things all set for my departure to Europe this Tuesday. I plan to continue updated this blog with my Europe adventures, so stay tuned. Also, one person on my team is in charge of writing an online journal during our trip, so if you are interested in receiving that please email me or comment on this blog with your email address. Please keep me in your prayers- for courage, safety, team unity, and contentment in Christ.

FREEEDOM!!!!!

This captures my emotions for the past week.

School is finally over!! I just finished my Philosophy Final, and am now starting to tackle getting my room in boxes. Whew! Tomorrow morning I leave to go back home to St. Joe, and then Saturday I leave with Dad to see Kendall, Jaxon, Ricky, Mom, and David in Georgia. I am really excited to be done, but I am going to miss my girls so much!!