It was a Saturday and I had been spent the whole week volunteering at a new church building construction project in Vienna. A friend of mine invited me to a contemporary art exhibit in Vienna of all Austrian artists. So we took the train into the city and caught a bus that ran right along the Danube river and a steep hill overlooking the city. Like the feeling I get from most modern art, I left the gallery confused and inspired. The day however, was magnificent. It had been pretty chilly throughout the week but the sun was out and there was a soft comforting breeze.
From the gallery we traveled back into the city and stopped at a outdoor market called 'Naaschmart'. On Saturdays, it turns into a jam-packed flea market where anything goes, there really is no rhyme or reason to what is sold there. It was mostly Eastern Europeans who had stands there, but it was the most diverse sampling of people I have ever had to squeeze through! It was completely overwhelming. Some people find beauty in movie stars and celebrities, but personally, I am moved with awe seeing the deep wrinkles in the weathered face of a 79 year old Bosnian woman (for example). There was so much culture at this market and my inspiration level nearly topped out. Seriously, you only can stay there so long because of its chaotic atmosphere. Here's a few pics, however, they really do no justice to the real thing...
From Naaschmart we traveled to a small gathering of a messianic Jewish fellowship. We ate lunch there and everything was in German and it was the first time I was in an intimate setting by myself as the only American. It was very difficult to communicate, but it was a good experience for me to face. I began talking to an Austrian girl there who spoke english and found out that we both shared common interests and even knew some of the same groups and communities in the States (She was good friends with some of the Psalters, and also really into Shane Claibore) It was awesome hearing her insight into the Austrian culture and her point of view on the church in Austria. She told me of the complete gap in Christian communities of believers age 20-45. Anyhow, our little gathering was led by a Phillipino messianic Jew (don't ask me how that happened!) he gave a message and we sang a few songs in German, English, and Polish.
When the time there concluded, a Polish fellow asked us if we wanted to go evangelize, dance, and romance (those were his exact words) at a Polish Disco. I thought it sounded like a good idea, but we had to get going to our next destination. I think there's still hope for the Polish Disco someday... But instead, we headed on to a rougher side of Vienna with one of the guys who was at the fellowship. His name is Stephan and he works for the Salvation Army. He coaches a soccer team that consists of either young homeless guys, recovering drug addicts, and/or immigrants who are still trying to get on their feet. They play in a league vs. other teams of people in similar predicaments. Anyhow, they won the championship of the league and were having a celebratory dinner and award ceremony. We were honored to be invited to this gathering. It was so great seeing Francis, a young Kenyan guy, proudly beaming after he received his medal and trophy. He told me how he had been in Austria for 9 months, he had to leave his family in Kenya after all the crazy stuff went down last January. This was also a very rich experience.
(The dinner, some of the players, and Francis receiving his medal)The day as a whole was jam packed with activities. But I really had the chance to thank God for this day. I had been feeling a slight uncertainty creeping up inside my heart about what the heck my time in Austria will look like. I acknowledged on this day that "No one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame." (psalm 25) All of my hope is in Him for my time here. I can trust Him and know that whatever happens, God controls everything. Over and over and over again, I find that this hope does not disappoint!
I got that Love-Joy-Peace-Righteousness in the Holy Spirit!
