back in Chi town

I'm back in Chicago! Below is my solo email sent out to everyone during my first week in Germany - I was unable to send another out - less time to communicate than i had previously expected =(. I WILL, though, post about the trip and send out a concluding email about the tour by next week - hopefully - time permitting (I just pulled my luggage out of storage before training a couple hours ago). The trip was sweet - that's all I have to say about it right now. =) We are transitioning into another phase of the ministry. For the next 5 weeks we will be holding 2 clinics in Wheaton, 1 in Chicago, and 2 in Wisconsin. During our free time we will be training on mon, wed, and fri, games on saturdays, and ministry/outreach/community service on tues and thurs. Let's just say the next month and a half is going be mad packed.


Dear Friends & Family,

I made it to Deutschland! We arrived in Frankfurt early this morning and were shuttled to a villiage town just out of Haiger by a handful of Germans who knew little to no english. Although the language barrier can be annoying and often incur a headache, it's been sweet to find creative ways to relate and communicate.

I am staying with the Triesch family in what I have dubbed "the brick mansion". There are 3 kids in the fam - Sammy 21 (although married and not living in the house), Becca 19, and Isa 15. Becca's boyfriend, Mario, is fluent in english so it was nice to have a buffer during meal times. They have been exceptional hosts - we are being spoiled here in Haiger.

This village community is incredibly cute and quaint. Today there was a mini parade where the entire villiage walked through the country roads behind the 'Mayman' - definitely spelled wrong, but it is some tradition where a man is covered with branches and walks around on stilts as a big bush. I asked Sammy what the tradition was for but he said he didn't know, "we just do it". I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the beginning of a season like that of Spring.

Although we lost an entire night of sleep - due to the time change - I have been exceptionally awake and energized today. After the walk through the villiage there was 'eating and drinking.' A lot of beer and bratswursts. Every beverage here is bubbly - or sparkling - including the water. I have yet to drink regular, or tap, water. Also, everyone drinks and smokes excessively (don't worry, none of the Eagles are drinking).

We brought out the puggs - mini soccer goals - on the street to kick the ball around with the local children. It was a great turn out - I'm pretty sure nearly every kid in the villiage came out to play. These youngsters are talented too, it was a sweet time.

Tomorrow we visit a local school and are putting on clinics for two class periods. I believe that it serves as their physical education for the day. We are able to initiate conversation with them and share the gospel. Later we have a friendly match with a local German team. The young men of Haiger asked to scrimmage us after they watched us kick it around. Tomorrow night we are hosting a youth group at the local church. I am hopeful that we will build strong ties within the surrounding churches here. These people are very loving.

There's a ton of activities planned for this coming up week and I will try to update here and there. My goal is to send at least 3 Germany updates. We leave Haiger on Sunday and will be leaving in a new area. By the way, we are informed of our itenaray on a day-to-day basis, so the truth is I have no clue as to what is in store for the next couple weeks. I do predict a lot of soccer and a lot of relationships being cultivated through it.

Continue to keep us in your prayers! Thanks guys, God bless!

In Him,

Nicole Collins