“All theology or discourse about God proceeds in the basis that God has revealed himself. The initiative is his alone. Our knowledge of God is dependent upon his own self-disclosure. So theology is not philosophy: it is neither speculative in nature nor esoteric in content. All theology must be the fruit of serious engagement with the Bible. Theology, properly understood, is an encounter with the living God in his word.” -Tim Chester, Total Church, pg. 150

Here is the main conference room, where we heard three talks a day, from speakers like Roland Helsten, Erik Thoennes, Larry Thompson, Steve Douglas, as well as others who have served long term in Eastern Europe and Russia. 

but like any good conference there was time to hang by the lake and play on the swingsas well as spending time with friends serving all over the world! Here are some friends in Israel, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia.

Upon returning to Budapest from Tihany, most of my team stayed the day and went shopping. While we were in Budapest I decided to buy a coffee table at Ikea. No big deal, right. Wrong. This is one of those things that you have to carry. And I don’t mean out of the store and put it in your trunk. No, I mean out of Ikea, to the Metro, on the Metro, to the train station, on the train, off the train, to the tram, on the tram, up five flights of stairs, and then it still needs to be assembled. But, in almost no time I had it assembled and ready to use as a functional coffee table. Last night we played phase 10 on it, and I’m sure much more to come.

I have two conferences in Hungary in the next two weeks. The first in Vajta (STINT midyear) and the second in Tihany (Area of Affairs). Although I don’t know exactly where those two cities are, I found out something much more important. It takes 7 hours and 51 minutes to go from “here to there”, according to google maps. I’m packing right now and this is what my room is looking like.

I went to Dara and Jeremy’s wedding and reception last night. We stayed till 4 in the morning! I’ll upload pictures and videos soon so you can see the festivities. It was a very culture-rich experience. I wish I could describe all of it to you. Maybe I’ll attempt that sometime soon.

Even though this is completely embarrassing and revealing about my character, I hope you’ll still choose to love me.

Here is the American part of my team performing Crank That in my flat.

Happy New Year! I hope you are doing well. It’s so hard for me to believe that I am halfway through my year here in Slovakia. I am really thankful for all that God has taught me over the course of these 5 months. Since mid-December we’ve been to 2 conferences (Slovakia Staff Conference and Winter Conference) and we head out on Monday for conference #3 (STINT midyear) and #4 (Area of Affairs) in Hungary! In this update I explain the conferences and all that God did at our recent winter conference. Thanks for your prayers and support. It humbles me as I think of your dedication to the gospel.

You can find the update here.

After 4 and a half months of filling out paper work, taking trips to random prisons in Vienna, having the police visit our language school and our apartment, we finally have the prized visa we’ve been waiting for. This video explains it all. Notice the background music, “Never Gone Get it” by Brick & Lace.

january

.

february

march

april

may

june

july

august

september

october

november

december

I’ve never been much for trying to understand all of this, but I will say that the value of the dollar and George Bush’s push to increase exports has greatly affected me as a missionary. Here is the current break down as of  today:

With the Euro to come into full effect in ‘09 here in Slovakia, no doubt it will be more expensive to live here, but also Slovakia will gain respect in the EU.

For most of you, I’m sure that it doesn’t affect your thinking, but please pray that the value of the dollar would increase, for missionaries (sent by the US) everywhere. And make sure this is an issue  you are informed on in the next presidential election.

America is not the only country in the world, there are many countries with economic and political power. Living in Europe at this time in history has really shown me a lot about ethnocentrism and the reality that most American’s don’t even think about other countries, or the reality that America does not rule the world.

Earlier there was Miss. South Carolina (which is still a team favorite) but now, there is Kellie (a famous country singer, another good reason NOT to listen to country, as if you needed one). She is really showing off stupidity here, I mean really showcasing it.

So, in anticipation of my next Hungary trip in 8 days, I had to post this video. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juOQhTuzDQ0]