not everyone gets to meet their hero

        

(Julia and I in 2005 and now in 2012. Someone has grown and it's not me... )

My apologies on the absurd delay on this post. I have written it several times and still it's not quite right, but at last, here is the update on the work being in done in Vienna as promised.

It didn't hit me that I was going to Vienna or in Vienna until I walked past a large illuminated billboard for "the perfect Weinerschnitzel" in the airport between the arrival gate and the exit for baggage and ground transportation. I realize that sounds silly, but it is true. It's no secret, these past weeks have been crazy. A schedule I created and was so incredibly excited about the entire thing that it wasn't until each individual trip was practically already in progress that I could fully grasp where I was and what I was doing.

I got to the new place really late via taxi. After giving Reggy some sunflowers I had brought with me, hugs, and a glass of water, I collapsed into bed and woke up to the smell of freshly baked muffins in the morning. Though still groggy, I was jolted awake when I realized the huge outpour of God's blessings before my eyes. The new place is a MANSION. It is HUGE. It's INCREDIBLE. I couldn't stop thinking that all weekend.
As always, things are changing in Vienna and Reggy's direction and ministry is continuing to evolve as she tries to match needs and follow God's will. As you may recall, in the first few years of my trips to Vienna, Reggy had a room in a large building for what was essentially government subsidized housing. She used this room mainly for hosting activities for the children of the families living there and then began helping a small number of refugees from Africa on the side. In the most recent two years, Reggy had her apartment where several children were living with her at any particular time and she also had a youth center where several of the African guys lived full time and events were hosted regularly. Now, Reggy has moved into a house on the outskirts of the city where she is living full time with several girls. Since this is her home, there is quite an adjustment to be made on her behalf and as well as those who would attend bible studies etc. This new home will host "house church" every few weeks, but will also be large enough to host other events, though those invited will require some precautions unlike the "free for all" that was the youth center. All of the Africans are living on their own now, though some are still using aid from Reggy financially. This is amazing to me.
To see how these kids have grown... its ridiculous. For some perspective, my first trip, Michelle was 5. Now she is THIRTEEN!!! I know I have been "growing" too, but... jeez. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed!

The new house has great potential and I am incredibly thrilled to see what great things will happen there. I just closed my eyes and thought about this tiny room where we barely had sufficient room to sing VBS songs that required motions to a house with enough rooms to comfortably sleep ten people! WOW, our God is good.

Of course, there are still problems. Daniel is still not out of the woods with his immigration papers, so continue to think of him. One of the girls that I love the most from all the trips is pregnant, so that was shocking news. Reggy is taking care of her though and donations have been made for supplies for the coming baby. There are some other sensitive things going on that I will discuss in person when I am home. There are still kids and teens in real danger and a list as long as Santa's to being praying about, but what I want you to get out of reading this post is that God has been ridiculously gracious to this ministry. I am more confident than ever that God is doing amazing things in that place and I am honored and thrilled to be have seen it with my own two eyes.

As I worked furiously on my law school applications this year, I had a lot of essays to write. Tough questions were thrown at me and I had a word limit to explain why I wanted to go to law school, who I am, what inspired me, what diverse perspective I would bring to the law school classroom, etc. When working on these essays, it became clearer to me than ever how my mission trips have shaped who I am and what I want to do. I wrote about my relationship with Daniel, how we met, his struggles with immigration after his family was persecuted in Nigeria for their faith. It was a really amazing moment to be able to tell him in person how thankful I am for him in my life. Usually it is the other way around, when he sends his thanks for my Dad and my support. But this time, I got to tell him, through tears that I think a huge reason why I am going to law school is because of how much he touched my life. I was able to have a similar conversation with Reggy. One of the other Nigerian women asked me what my next step was and I was able to tell her I want to go to law school and she said, "so you can help people like us one day." And I told her, "yes, that is the plan!"It was a REALLY cool thing and all else aside, worth the trip. Reggy is certainly a hero to me and I guess its a pretty cool thing that not only have I met her and watched her work, but I've had this opportunity 7 times. These people are part of my heart and I intend to be dedicated to them the rest of my life.

If you would like to donate or help support this great work, please do not ignore that feeling. Let me know and I will be overjoyed to give you all the right information.

Of equal importance, please continue to pray for this incredible ministry and for all the lives they are touching daily.

  

Daniel and I in 2006 and then in 2012

at the best ice cream place in the whole wide world... 

the living room of the new place!

Jennifer and I in 2007 and this year, I was there when her and her sister were reunited after not seeing each other for 8 years. The last photo is of her son and I. She is pregnant with another one now! Hero is seriously the cutest thing ever. 

*Disclaimer: The details and facts provided are only as I have observed and interpreted them. There is still MUCH that I do not know about these individuals lives or about what is going on. If there are areas lacking clarity or leaving you with questions, ask and I will be certain to find the answer or look for more details.