fizzy meds

You know, there are a lot of things about Austrian and European life that I'm gonna miss.  Today, I'm already missing dissolvable vitamins and aspirin with vitamin C.  I mean, I'm not really a medicine taker, but I could, very easily take an aspirin with vitamin C every day by dropping the little tablet into a glass of chilled water.  or, when I have a stuffy nose, the best medicine is another tablet half the size that works better and faster (and tastes better!) than any other cold medicines I've ever ingested.  the vitamins/minerals are flavored differently.. Multi-Vitamin tastes like citrus juice, Magnesium tastes like pineapple, Vitamin B tastes like something purple.... it's genius, I tell ya!  

I'm gonna miss the little tablets... Yep, I sure am.  

The Deal Remixed!

In the summer of 2008, I worked with Grace Adventures Day Camp in Fulton, MD. That was my last job in America and will be my first job upon re-entry!

A couple weeks ago, I booked my flight to return to the Old Line State. An hour after finishing the booking process, I received an email from one of these former co-workers, asking me if I wanted a job at the camp. Without a second thought, I replied, "YES!"  We are excited.  I cannot yet describe exactly what it is that I will be doing, but it is fixed that I will be working with GADC again this summer.   It is such a joy and an honor to work with this team and I am so looking forward to what the Lord will do in the hearts of the kids this summer, as well as developing within the community.

As I wrote before, my intentions are to stay in MD for the summer. I am researching a few grad school options, and will likely take trips throughout to look into select programs first hand. Other plans: a trip to Harrisburg and Ephrata, PA is already in the works for my first weekend State-side.   A good friend was zealously willing (thanks Tschay!) to take some of my belongings back to the States with him today, and I will go to get these things and to spend time with my friends who are there at the time. These are some of the friends so highly spoken of back in this September 2009 post.. I am working on a trip to NC that will be multi-faceted, as I'll catch up with the Silvas and also check out an appealing masters program in Charlotte which will (HOPEFULLY) include time with Jo... we'll see how it all comes together.

My heart's desire is to invest everything I can into my church family there.  They sent me off with such love and blessing, and I want to return to them as much as I can with everything I've received and learned here.  This is beginning to sort out a little more specifically already, but I can't explain yet how these opportunities will appear.

I hope everyone is a little more satisfied with the details now.  Thanks for being patient!

The Deal

This is the busiest month of the first quarter, so finding time to properly update is not so easy.

Here's the basic outline:

May 26th, I will return to the States. I'll be in Maryland for sure until the end of August. I have to make some mini-trips in the MD area, but other than that, i will be there with my family. I'll be working throughout the summer and readjusting. In August, I will decide about what is next and where to settle - it could be MD, NE, anywhere new, or even returning to Austria, I am completely open.

Job details will have to come later...

The "why" is simple to answer- because it's what the Lord showed me to do. My life here is GREAT and it hurts my heart to be preparing to leave my family and the home that has been created here. I have nothing but love, respect, and honor to reciprocate to Franz, Blast, Exousia, and my dear friends.

Again, more details to come later.

Sorry, I really don't have the time nor the capacity to be more specific. Maybe pray for a revelation and you can get all the details that way?

I Have A Voice

I find advocating the dire needs of human slaves beyond urgent.  

As a Western Culture, we are too far unaware of what is happening in the sex slave industry on a national and international level.  In recent conversation, I was told, "..there are no REAL slaves any more."  It was then argued that if slavery DOES exist today, then it only exists in the developing countries.  However, it is the wealthier nations that provide the capital for such a crime; a crime that is predicted over take international drug trade within the decade.

*Some facts:

Human trafficking is the world's  THIRD largest crime industry!

The rate of Human Trafficking is INCREASING!

It is argued that as many as 60,000 people are trafficked into the US every year!

Estimates in 2005 say that human trafficking had annual profits of $31.6 billion!

80% of human trafficking victims are women and children.

Human trafficking is an issue that is difficult to track and prosecute, lending even greater room for growth.  It is a very real problem in today's global society.  A number of non-profit advocacy programs around the world are doing their best to raise awareness of this social injustice and to provide a means for decreasing and eventually ending this criminal activity.  

If you are interested in taking action, check the following websites.  Though only sources in CA and DC are provided, I ASSURE you that there are agencies in every state and major international city.

In CA:

http://www.castla.org/

http://www.bpsos.org/

In DC: 

http://www.breakthechaincampaigndc.org/

http://www.ayudainc.org/pages/page.cfm?id=1

http://www.polarisproject.org/

If you are interested more specifically in the domestic issues of prostitution, please contact my friend Laurie Ishii, founder of After Hours Ministry.

*All facts were gathered from the following websites:

http://www.thefuturegroup.org/id20.html

http://www.worldvision.ca/ContentArchives/content-stories/Pages/human-trafficking-statistics-global-and-canadian.aspx

http://www.humantraffickinged.com/