Step By Step We’re Getting Older & Wiser
Hello! und Grüezi mitenand!
We have had an amazing week and händs unglaublich gnosse! (We enjoyed it) Two weeks in already. Time flies when you are having fun. This week was filled with activities, nature, Bible studies, good conversations, laughter and again …. Singing. (Several original songs being written)
The week started with a special event, Emelie reached half way to 40!!!! A week before the six of us plotted a secret birthday plan involving a kiwi (bird) and Dubai chocolate.
We have been thinking and talking a lot about our lives and what led us to be the person we are now. And also how our story is part of God’s bigger picture. By doing this we could grow more together as a team and now we have a better understanding for each other. We discovered more about God’s unconditional love and we are learning to love like Jesus by serving each other. We spend lots of time thinking about what is separating us from God and how we can remove them so that we can have a more intimate relationship with God. We want to learn how to follow Jesus with everything we have and trusting His plan over ours. This will help us to strengthen our faith so that when we face trials we can lean on the Lord.
As we were going on an adventure that appeared to come straight out of a movie, we enjoyed God’s creation on our second hike. The team worked together to encourage each other through difficult moments and still had smiles on our faces when we reached our first hut (but still Rinatya and Salome (both Swiss) decided to sleep outside anyway). Everybody in the hut tried to sleep when the Burgermeister visited with big loud steps. (I don’t know why they thought it was Rinatya and me?- Salome).
After a second hike we were all exited to jump into a river (so the ice bath this week is not needed). The only annoyance was the sandflies bitting at us. This problem swiftly drifted away after we lit a fire and sat down to eat the best tramping meal yet. (it was so good Rinatya’s trousers wanted to try some =)
We asked everybody in one word how would you describe this week ?
Salome (Switzerland) - intense
Katy (UK) - exploration
Emelie (Germany) - insightful
Andy (Hong Kong)- introspective
Ye jin (Korea) - thinking
Leonie (Germany) - marvellous
Rinatya (Switzerland) - sandflies
We also gave everybody an opportunity to say something:
Salome (Switzerland) - It’s really the adventure I was seeking and I’m looking forward to tell you about it! (So be prepared family and friends)
Katy (UK) - I’ m glad I bought my googles the water here is amazing
Emelie (Germany) - I liked my birthday
Andy (Hong Kong) - I am doing well, getting fed and feel really God strong here.
Ye jin (Korea) - Please keep praying for me!
Leonie (Germany) - I’m enjoying the peace and being outside in the nature
Rinatya (Switzerland) - It is very beautiful here
Saturday, we had the opportunity to invest in a project at OTG Basecamp to help the garden stay weed free & tidy for the next team that will arrive in January. We pulled weeds and removed two trees, which allows healthy plants and trees to grow.
We have all been improving our leadership skills such as public speaking. This Sunday 5 of us spoke at church talking about our experiences and what we have learned. It was very encouraging that the congregation found what we were saying beneficial and intriguing.
Prayer Requests:
For us to work together as as a team when we face challenges on the next tramp
That we can grow in our relationships with Jesus and each other
That we can learn more about God’s plan for our lives and who He wants us to become
Thank you for praying for our team!
Written by Katy (UK) & Salome (Switzerland) on behalf of the entire OTG Team!