Consider it joy

Where to begin... the first day of class at the university was Monday. I’ll start there, because it was insane. I was supposed to take 3 different buses to get there, so I left about an hour and 45 minutes before I had to get there because I knew something would go wrong. I got the first bus and went to the stop where the next one was supposed to come. See, in Germany, several areas are called “something-platz,” which basically just defines the area based on a region of town. However, bus stops are named “something-platz 1,” “something-platz 2,” etc. I got off at 3 and needed to find 1. I eventually did (they’re not labeled on any maps) and waited for about 23 minutes. Buses are supposed to come every 20. Eventually a nice old lady walks by and tells me in German that buses don’t stop there anymore. Perfect. I figured I knew nothing better than to start walking to where I was supposed to make the next transfer, so I did. And yet more problems... The bus map doesn’t have street names, only stop names. So, I had no idea how to get to the next stop. I essentially got lost in an area where I was surrounded by graffiti, a gas station, and the interstate. I had no idea what to do or where to go for about 30 minutes. It was so awful. But then I heard a voice yelling nearby, and there was my host mom, in her car going to work, pulled over because she saw me. She gave me directions and drove me to the next stop (which I never would’ve been able to walk to). Incredible blessing. God was seriously looking out for me and I am so grateful and need to remember what happened and have more faith.

After class Monday was a walking city tour, and Tuesday we had class and toured the Mercedes-Benz plant. Holy cow, it was awesome. And huge. And it had so many robots and machines. Imagine the most high-tech and legit car factory ever, and that was it. Unfortunately I got one of my infamous migranes. Dr. Cothran noticed I didn’t look good, and she went and bought a Coke to surprise me with... it was my first Coke ever. But it did make me feel much better.

Today we took the train all the way to Essen to see the Villa Hugel, or the home of Krupp. It’s like the Biltmore House of Germany. I learned a lot and the scenery was beautiful, but there seems to be a common theme among our group that we all become ravenously hungry around 11am. Then we rode all the way to the Ruhr area, famous for industry, specifically coal mining. We toured the Zollverein coal mine and manufacturing facility. It reminded me a lot of my grandpa’s old welding shop, but the kinda creepy version. I’m not sure why.

Tomorrow is class and then a tour of an art museum. Hopefully I’m actually tired when I go to sleep tonight. Stupid jet lag. :( If anyone reading this wouldn’t mind, I’d really appreciate prayers for my homesickness. I am so blessed to have people and a place to miss, but I need to be more content with where God has me now. Also pray for solid fellowship among our group, and that I could see the opportunites God lays before me and take them and let the Spirit work. I really need more of the Spirit, and more faith. I really really do. And a hug.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 

James 1