Holidays and Adventures

Over the past month I have had the great priviledge to travel around Europe. I saw many things and met some interesting people. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I've still got a couple of weeks of school that I didn't talk about. So, onto those. The last week of classes we had Daniel Lewis teaching on Matthew. That week was one of the best that we have had so far, at least for me. He just came at the book from a different approach than most of the other teachers that we had had up to that point. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the other weeks but this one just fit my style and I enjoyed it.

When I had finished Matthew I got a little bit lost. For months I had been going hard at homework and suddenly I didn't have anymore. I realized it was a time to let things sink in and to remember and meditate on what I had learned. Reflecting on the things that I wanted to become an integral part of my life. This has become the focal point of my time in SBS now. Before I would have said that it was important to me but now it became the most important, it became a real key to this whole time.

Then, I said my goodbyes and off I went on my trip around Europe. First stop: Rome. Rome is a beautiful city that has a lot of history. December is a good time to go because it was still fairly warm but there was not a lot of people compared to the last time I was there, which was in October. There was almost no line to get into the Coliseum or into the Vatican Museum which normally you are waiting hours to get into. At night in the areas I went there were very few people. Which for me was nice. Part of the point of this trip was to be away from people and have a time of solitude. In a YWAM base it tends to be crowded with not a lot of privacy or alone time.

Next stop was Paris. For me Paris was the best, I’m not sure what exactly it was about Paris that made it the best but it was. It has wonderful architecture and historical buildings, great museums that hold uncountable objects, lovely cafes and stores. I was visiting with a friend, a local Parisian, who knew the city. Maybe that was part of why I loved it so much, with a local there was a connection that you could make to the city.

Then it was off to Ireland. Into a beautiful corner called Donegal. Ireland is one of my favourite places, there is just such a beauty to it that I love. I got to spend a wonderful time with family that I haven’t got to see that often which was a real pleasure. I spent Christmas there and it is a Christmas I will remember for a long time. In SBS we talk a lot about applying what we learn and living it out for people to see. My family there showed how that love works. Just the amazing peace and joy I felt there. Just everyday people walking out God’s love. It was encouraging to see that at work. Next stop: Dublin. I only had a bit of time in Dublin but it was a good time. I got to see more family and make more connections to people that I didn’t have before.

Next it was a short hop over the pond to England, specifically Manchester. As I traveled it was so interesting to see how each place was unique, even though we call many places “Western Civilization” the history and culture of each place comes through and I enjoy getting to know each city and country. In Manchester, you could still feel the industrial revolution that took place there. It is quite a nice city in its own right. I enjoyed spending more time with family quite a few of whom I hadn’t met before or met so long ago that I don’t remember doing so. Next stop: London. London is quite a nice city but I didn’t have much time there. I had planned on visiting a couple museums and walking around the city but then ended up spending 7.5 hours at the Imperial War Museum and was exhausted so that was the only thing I really saw in London.

Final stop before heading back to Switzerland was Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen is a really nice city but I felt like it wasn’t a real tourist city. Sure, there are some sights to see but I felt it was somewhere that if you lived there it would be more enjoyable. It is a place that you would work and when you got off you’d go find a nice café, or go explore a little area. Somehow, I feel it should be enjoyed in small doses while living there. But overall, I enjoyed myself and got to spend some quality time with some friends.

Overall my trip was a great success and I had a wonderful time. It became a journey that took me on an adventure with God. Slowly learning a little bit more about Him in the different places that I went. Some places it was about showing hospitality, generosity and love. Some places it was about serving and showing humility. It opened my eyes more about what it looks like to walk in a lifestyle that portrays God even as you are learning more about Him. It helps put for an importance of doing what it is that you have learned.

Apart from that there isn’t really anything to tell. I’m back in Switzerland and ready for what comes ahead. I’m praying that I keep a hold of the things I’ve been learning and don’t lose them in the information that is coming.  Until the next time.