Euro Trip

I don't know where to start this off because I'm so excited about it.

In May, I crossed the Big Pond to visit family friends in Sweden. A month or two before I left, the idea of ministry in Sweden wiggled its way into my mind and took hold of my heart. For weeks, I prayed that the Lord would shed light on this desire, and while I was in Sweden my eyes were opened to so much.

I can hardly express my love for this country. It's beautiful-- from the natural beauty of the lakes and countryside to the awe-inspiring architecture-- and the people are equally as beautiful, inside and out. Every Swede I met welcomed me with a huge, bright smile and asked me question after question about my life and country. Immediately, I was charmed by their happy lifestyles and carefree demeanors. I mean, really-- there was a noticeable lack of sadness or ill moods. It's comparable to old Southern hospitality, but with a Scandinavian twist.

My heart was burdened, though, that the other, far more noteworthy absence was the lack of church. The total lack of ministry. As a country, the religion is Lutheran. In downtown Stockholm, there are many ancient churches. Most Swedes were baptized as part of their christening and would likely label themselves "spiritual," but there are no youth groups. There are no church fellowships or small group meetings. There are no Disciple Now weekends, no Vacation Bible Schools. And these are a people that absolutely love to love, and my heart breaks that they might know the Author of Love.

A couple of weeks ago, I met two of my sorority sisters for dinner. As we talked about how our lives had changed since we last met, we seemed to all be heading the same way with our thoughts: there's got to be more to life, there's got to be a higher calling, there's got to be a way God can use me. And as we continued down this path, the resounding theme was this: Europe. Europe needs God as much as Africa and South America and Honduras and all the other third world country. Don't get me wrong: I am absolutely not belittling the needs of those countries. But Europe is completely overlooked because there civilized, and the bottom line is they may not need clean water, but they need Jesus.

I don't know that I believe in coincidences, and it seemed to weird that we were praying about the exact same thing not to wonder if this wasn't some sort of calling. I wish I knew the answers; I don't. I don't know how to be a missionary; I don't know where to even start... But I know this, even a conversation with your waitress at the sidewalk cafe can plant a seed. Right now we're researching existing ministries and praying about just seeing what doors God opens for us, even if it's just working in a shop and sharing the Word with a co-worker or starting a weekly Bible study with new friends.

Maybe it'll happen and maybe it won't, I'm not sure. Like I said, we're just praying that our hearts' desires be lined up with His will and that the right doors be opened and shut where He sees fit. I still have a year left in grad school, but a solid year of prayer is probably about right for this kind of decision.

Very, very exciting stuff, folks.