Moving is a lot of work!
Late last month Christy and I decided to move to a better location for life and ministry. We really love our current location but a few factors helped us move toward this decision.
First of all our landlord has been negligent for the past 3 years on some major repairs. In the winter our windows let in so much air we can blow a candle out! And more disconcerting is whenever it rains heavily our basement leaks. We do feel fortunate because our other 3 neighbors say their basements flood every time and that they get water in their first floor rooms as well, ours has not gotten to that point (yet). We thought it is better to move when we don’t have to and in a few years it would get to that.
Second, Kati starts first grade and will be going to a bilingual school. Right now the commute one-way would be about 40 min. I know some people do that and don’t think about anything but we would have to walk about 10 min to a bus stop and transfer to a street car. At our new apartment the commute one-way is around 20 min. and the street car is about a five min walk.
A few added bonuses is that a major bus stop is at our front door and there is a good route to the BAO/EVAK office downtown. I am also getting more invovled with Greater Europe Mission Austria and will be eaiser to reach via public transportation.
Anyway, it is a really good thing. We have been slowly moving since returning from our GEM conference and will rent a truck next week to move the larger pieces of furnature. Now I remember why the last time we moved I said “Never again”. Moving is a lot of work. I am just glad that we are really looking forward to our new place and it almost makes moving worth it. Almost.
Greater Europe Mission (GEM) celebrating 60 years
This week the whole family is attending GEM’s annual conference in the Czech Republic which is only a 6 hour drive (with children) from our home in Vienna. Last year we were still in the states and could not attend in the conference and are glad to be here this year. Each year the annual conference provides us opportunity to reconnect with people in other parts of Europe and see how they are doing and hear how God is moving in their countries.
This year GEM is celebrating 60 years as a mission. Christy and I were able to be at GEM’s 50th annivesary when we were just beginning to see if overseas missions was where God wanted us. To think that that way 10 years ago and we have been in Austria for the past 7 is pretty neat. So far the conference has been quite good. We have gotten to know our new president of three years better as he has/is making some organizational changes with the hope of encouraging those of us on the field to make more decisions and he is also challenging each of us to grow in our personal walks with Christ.
I am excited about the things that I am hearing and gaining some new ideas from interacting with others about life and ministry in Europe. I find it refreshing to take a step back sometimes and take a breath to gain some perspective about life and ministry and this conference is providing that for me.
Tags: GEM
