Winter in Vienna and Prayer

Updated class photo...isn't 5th grade awesome???

Dear Friends,

Thank you all so much for the continual outpouring of prayer and love that hold me up daily here in Vienna.  I'm in my 8th month living here in Europe and every day is a new lesson, a new blessing, or a new adventure.  I can't claim that I'm an expert (just ask anyone about my German) but I can claim to love being here, and to know that I am doing what God has called me to do in the best way I know how.

For those that follow me regularly, you are probably aware that the reason for my radio silence recently has been because my computer developed a heretofore unknown type of rare computer cancer (okay so I dropped it over Christmas break) and the hard drive became nearly useless from January until it bit the dust unceremoniously at the end of February.  I got to experience the many joys of learning how to ship a package here, and wasn't entirely sure that I sent it to the right location until I got to pick up the dear little troublemaker just last week.  I picked it up at a tailor's shop.  It was under a sewing machine.  Yeah...long story...

So now, here I am, still alive!  I've missed updating you regularly and have lots of pictures to share of things that have been going on here in Austria lately!

January:

A fourth grader pauses for a moment to encourage me to join her
on the paths

     Okay this one is especially fun and harrowing for fellow teachers from the states and moms who want to picture this...Every January-February ALL of the ICSV elementary students (and students from all over Austria) take 3 or 4 half day field trips to the Rathaus to go ice skating!  And we're not talking small ice rinks....we're talking two GIGANTIC rinks connected to each other by a maze of intricate high speed paths that students can chase each other and play tag in.  So we take all of the students (yes including the kindergarten) on public transportation, get their ice skates on, and send them zooming out on to the ice!  Thankfully there is a learning area for the younger kids...but it's a ridiculously fun activity that is actually a required part of school here in Vienna.  And very fun!  I discovered that I'm not as terrible at skating as I thought too :-).  And, most importantly, I can now officially report that no students were harmed in the making of these memories!

Two of my students...being themselves the student on the right
is the one who is from Mauritius!  That's the new
country I learned about this year :-)   

Third graders stopping to say hi!

5th graders are kings and queens of the ice rink of course
Three continents are represented in this picture!

The whole 5th grade troupe with their fearless leader

February:

Jerry teaching the kids a silly song.

Spiritual Emphasis Week came upon us!  Jerry Jacoby and his wife Mackaela came to visit us from Michigan.  They have been coming to ICSV to minister to students for over 10 years and their heart for these kids is amazing.  They present skits, songs, and stories to the kids in a way that is very engaging and they never forget a name.

Jerry with his "son" Popcorn the chicken

Another great thing that comes out of Jerry's yearly visit is a family concert every year.  He invites all of the families of our students and the community of Vienna  to come share in a concert where he presents the gospel.  And it goes over GREAT!  At the end of the week Jerry explained the gospel to the kids and many prayed with him to receive God.  Praise the Lord!

Singing songs with Jerry

A beautiful 3rd grader modeling her Hanbok

March:

After Energy Break (a fantastic invention which America should totally consider for the sanity of all involved) spent exploring Vienna we returned and celebrated International Family Fun Night.  This is a great tradition where parents from ICSV get together to create rooms that educate students about different countries that the student body comes from.  This year you could visit Korea, Brazil, Ethiopia, or the Netherlands.  After stamping your passport at each room families were able to enjoy a potluck dinner downstairs full of treats from all over the world. The best part of this evening is the opportunity to show respect for and learn about where our students come from.  Many students wear traditional clothing from their country.

One of my very favorite 2nd graders in traditional Iranian garb.
She just started learning English this year and is doing so well!
She also recently asked for a Persian Bible she can study.

America was also represented this evening...gansta style ;-)

Ethiopia!

America and Japan!

  

All in all it's been a very busy time full of learning, sharing, and new experiences.  I could add hundreds of other pictures and stories, but I've been told that sometimes less is more so I'll move to prayer requests :-).

Prayer:

     - ICSV could really use prayer and support at this time.  We have so many fantastic kids and teachers and are poised to grow in so many ways but fiances are a huge part of the picture.  Please pray for wisdom and blessing in the administration as they work to keep ICSV financially healthy and growing.  Our financial manager compares a mission to a vine growing on a trellis.  Our teaching and the things that we do with our kids are the vine.  We are working to grow and minister for God.  But without a well structured trellis this wouldn't be possible.  

     -  On the same note, I am in prayer to be fully funded entering into my second year here.  ICSV is certain of my calling and so is supporting my being here but I am burdened by the prayer that I would be able to raise more support going into this new season so as to support the healthy ministry here at ICSV.  If you would like more information about how you can be a part of this please feel free to email me (abrown1429@gmail.com) or just check out the links above for more information on supporting me.

     - ICSV is also hiring for several positions next year.  Pray that the right people to be led to the school and for wisdom as the school makes decisions.

I love you all and am praying for you in your ministries at home!  May we all continue to be where God has called us to be, following his leading in our lives and learning and growing in him more and more every day.  If there is anything specific that I can pray for over and for you please let me know!

Love,

Amy