Getting Ready...

My dear friends --

Kenny is getting used to his new surroundings

It's getting close!! It's only a couple more days until I will leave for Hawaii to start my mission trip with YWAM. I am incredibly excited and, I must admit, a little scared. But doesn't it always include a leap of faith to get up and follow God's calling? Who would have ever thought that I, a German girl who grew up atheist, would ever go on a mission trip? Well, I've learned that God is always full of surprises :)

But I would never be able to do this alone. Thanks to all of you who have helped me get to this point, who have supported me mentally and financially and who have made me understand that loving your neighbor as yourself can be more than a line, it can be a lifestyle.
Thanks to many of you, I have been able to raise $9,235.00 thus far, which brings me incredibly close to my goal of $10,710.00!! It still seems like a miracle to me... And it is: it clearly points into the direction of the greatest miracle there is: Christ.

Home Sweet Home

The past couple of months back home in Germany have been wonderful. I got to eat great home-cooked meals (my mom's the BEST cook, of course!), I've been working and dancing at my old dance studio (where I once learned to dance), and at night, I've watched countless black-and-white movies with my parents :). It's been a long time since I have been able to spend time with my family like I have these days. However, even though I have enjoyed being back home, I have been eager to start my mission trip. Everything had fallen into place and it seemed like nothing could go wrong. But then the devastating news: Japan.


The world has been shaken by this tragic catastrophe and I cannot believe the immense sorrow and destruction March 11th, 2011 has brought to the people in Japan. Please make sure to think of them when you say your good-night prayers. And also since that day, my parents have become very worried about me going to Hawaii for the training part of my mission trip. The news channel N24 uttered that not only Japan, but also Hawaii and the U.S. west coast might be hit by further earthquakes or even possible tsunamis over the next couple of months. And then there is the terrifying possibility of higher radiation levels... Of course, Hawaii is not exactly "close" to Hawaii but it is close enough for parents to worry about their daughter. However, I am still convinced that going to Kona, HI to work with YWAM is the right decision and God's plan for me. Against all odds (mostly because I never believed that I would be able to raise enough money to go), I have got my visa and my flight tickets, my bags are packed and I am ready to take this new step in my live: going out into the mission field!
Please keep my parents in your prayers that they will not spend too much time worrying about my near future - and that their worries won't come true.

Beautiful North Sea

Thanks again to everyone of you for joining me on my journey.

In the Beginning...

Hello Everybody!

Even though this is my first post, it's already been a long and exciting way that has led me to this point! Without my friends, family, and "adopted family" (as in the people who I am not related to by blood - but in basically every other way :) ) I would have never made it this far. And even though many of you have been there with me along the way, let me remind you of how I got here:

In 2004, I came to Calvin College as the German Assistant for a 1-year program. Little did I know that I would become a Christian that year and that my life would be changed forever.

In 2005, I had to return home to Germany because I was not able to afford Calvin's tuition. For a year, I attended a German university that provided the students with great academics - but not with a life style like Calvin did.

In 2006, I experienced a miracle when I was offered a great scholarship through Calvin and when an anonymous sponsor agreed to help pay for my tuition and I got to return to Calvin once again.

In 2009, I graduated from Calvin with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Media Design. During my years at Calvin, I interned with several Christian organizations (Wedgewood Christian Services, GIFT), was involved in many student organizations and even started my own (Calvin's Ballroom Dance Club).

In 2010, I worked for a real estate company in Grand Rapids (Eenhoorn LLC) as the executive and marketing assistant when another miracle happened: One of my coworkers asked me if I had ever considered going on a mission trip and she introduced me to YWAM.
For the remainder of the year until today, I have been working hard to collect the funds that would allow me to join the program PhotogenX that sounded like it was made for me. Since my family is not Christian I did not grow up in a home church, fundraising was and is exceptionally hard for me. With the great support of my friends, I organized pop can drives, street performances, taught German and dance lessons, did babysitting, functioned as a romantic date planner, hosted ballroom dance events, garage sales, wrote letters and emails to churches and friends, sold my moped etc.

Now, in 2011 I am living back home in Germany until April to be with my parents and to continue my fundraising. I have gotten closer to my financial goal of what I need to raise but there are still some holes I need to fill before April. However, this journey has started, developed, tested and strengthened my faith - as well as my friendships - in a way that I had never expected. I now know that there are people who I can rely on and who will stick with me in good as in bad times. And I have learned that being a Christian does not shelter you from hard times or disappointments. But I have also learned that being a Christian assures you that there will be better and even greater times ahead. Looking back at my journey thus far, I have been amazed by God's patience and graciousness time and time again.

And if God is for us, who can be against us, right :)?           [Romans 8:31]