Information Overload

These first few days in Sweden feel long enough to be two weeks! I have learned so much - from really simple things like names and how you're supposed to bag things at the grocery store, to more complicated things like computer programs. Dealing with a new culture, a new job, and all new people at once keeps my mind busy all day long so the morning sun (rising at 4:30) hasn't bothered me at all.

My first realization (and the best thing about Sweden) was that the people here are going to be both a blessing and a lot of fun. With people ranging from grandparents to infants,I am glad I have 2 more months to get to know them. The kids are especially welcoming and I've had a lot of fun with the other interns.

The next best thing about Sweden is fika. Fika just means coffee but it's really so much more than that. It represents a culture where you get to eat at least 4 or 5 times a day. Fika happens between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, or after dinner, or a combination of the two, or maybe all three times. There's always coffee (strong and black for most, but with milk and sugar for beginners like me), tea, and saft (some kind of sweet juice for the kids.) In the first fika of the day there will often be sweet rolls, cookies, pound cake, etc. In the afternoon or at night there might also be bread, butter, cheese (really really good cheese,) vegetables, jam, etc. Good thing we walk and bike so much.

I've gotten to start right in on helping with the finances and I've really enjoyed it. I'm still at the stage where I have a lot of questions, but I think that within the next few days I'll be able to relieve the guy who's been doing it (and hating every minute of it.) Most of the people here enjoy working with big-picture ideas and projects, but don't enjoy the details.

My other jobs will include organizing music for the kids, playing on Sundays, finishing setting up the library, keeping track of receipts, and helping with younger interns when they get here.

Please pray that I will balance my different projects well. Projects are getting handed off to me and I have quite a bit of independence with how/when I get them done, so I need to stay on top of things. Also, that I will quickly adjust to normal living things here so that I can use more energy for work instead of for figuring out ordinary tasks.

Have a great weekend,
Amy Lane

Amsterdam

I'm writing from the Amsterdam airport. A three hour delay leaving Houston gave me an unexpected eight hour layover in Amsterdam. At the suggestion of my team leader, I decided to get out of the airport. A 15 minute train ride landed me in downtown and I asked for directions to a cafe Thomas told me about. There is a trend in how people give directions here. This for example, was, "when you go out, go straight (yes, Michelle, go straight) and you'll find the main road and walk that direction about 10-15 minutes and it will be there.” Somehow, I stumbled on the history museum before I got to where I was trying to go, so I left my heavy satchel there and ventured off in pursuit of lunch at La Place. I walked through the main shopping area, along a canal bordered by cafes and a few art galleries, and through the flower market. I got back to the Amsterdam History Museum by 4 (when I could get in for half price) and walked around until it closed at 5. Now I’m back at the airport, enjoying some Starbucks (comped by my airline), and glad to have my feet up.

Few people here dress as casually as Americans and almost everyone my age wears skinny jeans a nice jacket, and rides a bike. Traffic is pretty different as well. From what I gathered, the pecking order is trams, bikes, pedestrians, and then cars, but there are times when I’m pretty sure it’s just a free-for-all.

All in all, it’s been a good day (great weather here!), and I got another stamp in my passport. Hopefully my next post will be from Sweden!

I'm off to Sweden tomorrow! I have only had about three days in Houston since I got home from school, but feel ready and excited to go. Here is a brief synopsis of what I think I'll be doing while I'm there, as well as a few specific prayer requests.

My internship has two main parts – business administration and music. I will be managing receipts and expenses for the other four interns and possibly helping the missionaries and church with their financial affairs as well. I will also help with administration for the various sports camp ministries the team will be putting on throughout the summer. This aspect of my work will fulfill an internship requirement for my management degree at Baylor.

My parents told me years ago that they started us in music with the hopes that we could use our training to serve the church. I have enjoyed being able to play cello at my church in Houston all through high school, at church in Waco during the school year, and look forward to playing both cello and piano in a Swedish church this summer. I will accompany the hymns, lead weekly practices with other string players, and teach and tutor several kids on piano, cello, and violin. I will also lead a week-long string ensemble camp with the help of Jenny Oliver, an excellent pianist and good friend from Houston.

For now, please pray for…

- T Traveling safety for myself and my cello - we leave Monday, May 19. While I’m not afraid of flying, it’s a little harder on instruments.

Creativity in teaching - I will have students ranging in age from 4-14. It is difficult to prepare music and teaching tools without specific knowledge of their skill levels and abilities.

A quick learning curve about the team’s finances – so I can understand what needs to be done and relieve the missionaries of that time constraint.

Thank you for your prayers!