After a good night’s rest at the Star Inn Budapest, we enjoyed a
breakfast buffet of long coffee, lox, multigrain breads, assorted
pastries, jams, fresh sour cherries, and yogurts. After the bus was
loaded, we departed for Vienna at 10:00am.
The rolling landscape through Hungary and Austria was beautiful. We
passed fields of sunflowers, wheat, and corn and patches of forest. Wind
turbines and clusters of red tile roofed houses dotted the land.
Dr. Keyes led us in a devotion on the ride to honor the Sabbath. He read from John 1. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was a not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”
He encouraged us to consider ways that the light of God was reflected to us and/or through us
in our work in Romania. Amy spoke of the importance of authenticity. The true light is best reflected when we live lives consistent with what is true for us on our own journeys. Cheryl expressed gratitude for the prayer and financial support that made the trip possible. Christi shared her experience of God’s peace and sovereignty. She was reminded that God is in control and brings purpose and meaning to life. Lastly, Sarah reflected on a theme she has been studying in Galatians. We see God now only in part. She was impressed by the vastness of God as she witnessed how other people in very different cultures know him. God is revealing himself to us on this trip in ways that help us know and reflect the light.
We arrived in Vienna mid-afternoon and were free to explore the city on our own for the rest of the day. Small groups of us rode bikes along the Danube, attended a film festival, explored museums, attended the opera, dined in Viennese cafés, and soaked up the rich history and culture of the magnificent city. Today we moved an hour closer to Eastern Standard Time, switched our currency to Euros, and experienced a modern Western city. Although we are slowly transitioning back to our lives in the US, the people and work we experienced back in Romania remains a part of us.
Dr. Keyes led us in a devotion on the ride to honor the Sabbath. He read from John 1. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was a not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”
He encouraged us to consider ways that the light of God was reflected to us and/or through us
in our work in Romania. Amy spoke of the importance of authenticity. The true light is best reflected when we live lives consistent with what is true for us on our own journeys. Cheryl expressed gratitude for the prayer and financial support that made the trip possible. Christi shared her experience of God’s peace and sovereignty. She was reminded that God is in control and brings purpose and meaning to life. Lastly, Sarah reflected on a theme she has been studying in Galatians. We see God now only in part. She was impressed by the vastness of God as she witnessed how other people in very different cultures know him. God is revealing himself to us on this trip in ways that help us know and reflect the light.
We arrived in Vienna mid-afternoon and were free to explore the city on our own for the rest of the day. Small groups of us rode bikes along the Danube, attended a film festival, explored museums, attended the opera, dined in Viennese cafés, and soaked up the rich history and culture of the magnificent city. Today we moved an hour closer to Eastern Standard Time, switched our currency to Euros, and experienced a modern Western city. Although we are slowly transitioning back to our lives in the US, the people and work we experienced back in Romania remains a part of us.
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