upon arriving, i found out my luggage was lost, but over the next few days it was amazing to see God provide all i needed.... including toothpaste, clothes, deoderant.....
it was astonishing to see the views from the airplane... the undescribable image of flying over the ice cap with half the sky nighttime with stars and the moon, and the other half with colour from the beautiful sunrise taking place. all the while looking down upon land masses covered with ice, and a select few people who choose to make life an adventure, still shining their lights into the dark night around them.
enough describing what won't do justice....
berlin is beautiful. and the people are different than i have ever imagined.
obviously they have their differences from americans, but it's evident they have had a hard life, though at the same time, there is a joy that shines from the hope that God brings.
a quick description of the place....
the area of berlin that the base is in is called Lichtenberg, the neighborhood being Hoheschönhausen. Lichtenberg is famous here in other countries because it is where the belated location of stasi headquarters.... secret police. and some of the elders who live in the now high rise flats located here, may very well have been a part of this organization in their earlier days.
when the flats (apartments) were build many years back, they made it a point not to build any churchs, and discourage any church activity. but for some years now, a recent cafe has been the building for the church here. it couldn't be in a more perfect location. last year there was a revival with the youth here in Hohenschönhausen, where many felt the presence of God for the first time and accepted Jesus in their hearts, but since then the majority of them have back slid. It's obvious that God has a heart for these people, and that their is another set of spirits here instead.
so...
if you would like anything to pray about, pray for God's presence to rest on this place. for His Spirit to fill this place. pray with expectation that it will happen, and that it will happen soon!
shortly from now, the other JMEM (YWAM) students and i, along with staff, are joining up with the Jugend Kirche (Youth Church) for an Öster freizeit (Easter retreat) for the weekend. i believe that God is going to lead us to His moving Spirit! and i'm stoked to see how God will continue to move in the hearts of everyone here.
being here has been a struggle, with growth of course.
i am the only student from america, which makes it hard sometimes to be included in on coversations, but i have been blessed with God in this position. the language barrier is being torn down, and humbleness is being brought forth.
it's fun to see everyday things that are different. for instance, people here don't seem so fixed on style... they have it!, but it doesn't run their lives. people walking down the street are paranoid and look confused when they hear a hallo or guten tag from a complete stranger. it seems that everyone has a small dog, and they poop everywhere (not as bad as it sounds). it's very very beautiful here, and the birds sing extra loud when you take note of them. the squirrels have pointy ears with fur on them that look like tall feathers, and are a red-brown. and a billion other things that i won't list for the sake of your eyes! but i do enjoy seeing local and frequent Bäckerei for fresh yums.
the keyboard i type on now laughs at me because of my stumbling to find the keys that aren't where i'm used to them being.
public transportation here is great, and ford does still make the fiesta.... but only Europe.
a few days back a couple of us decided to go swimming at a lake here... es war sehr kalt!
i couldn't breathe due to the temperature.... but the weather wasn't as cold as it was before we went in. then we enjoyed some swiss Schokolade from die Schweiz. Mmmmmm...
thank you all for your prayers, and thank you for following!
i'm sending out some Postkarten noch mein blog.
oh... and still short on funds, it's amazing to be so encouraged to continue to believe for the rest of the funds needed.
and here is my new address too!
israel boyce
c/o JMEM BERLIN
Sandinostrasse 11
Berlin, Germany
13055
please send support to my mom's address, but all yums and smiles is strongly encouraged to go straight to me!
Father, may our eyes be kept on You. help us see the bigger picture. i pray for Your Spirit to move in this place, in the lives of these kids, and across the globe. You have us here for a reason, make us part of Your plan.
thank You for providing and caring for our needs. help us grow in You as we seek to see Your face! please be with all who are hurting and lost.
I want to see Your face.
amen.
tschüss und viel liebe, israel
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