Meine Klein Welt

Elementary SEW – Monday

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Monday

Yesterday was the first day of Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW). Our dear friends Jerry and Michaela Jacoby are back again this year to teach the students about the love of Jesus. This is the Jacoby’s seventh year visiting ICSV, and we are so glad they’re back! In reflecting on the years spent with the Jacobys, I’ve been feeling very encouraged by their commitment to the ministry of ICSV. In such a transient community, it is a true blessing to have folks who are willing to be a part of the students lives year after year. The kids get so excited when Uncle Jerry and Aunt Michaela come to Vienna because they know that these are two people who love them with the love of Jesus. That is a huge gift!

On Monday, Jerry talked to the kids about trusting the Lord. He compared the story of the Israelites creating a golden calf when Moses went to the mountain to the story of Paul on the road to Damascus. In both stories God remained faithful. The trust of his children makes the difference in how the Lord is able to use them. Regardless of our circumstances, God remains the same. He remains faithful. Our job is to trust him.

Jerry also gave an assembly for the middle school kids yesterday. He talked about the freedom that we have in Christ. My favorite thing that Jerry shared during this assembly is this:

“When you’re not worried about impressing people, you are free to dump class and respect all over everyone you meet.”

I love the concept of being so free in Christ that we can treat others amazingly well. Beautiful!

Please join us in praying for Jerry, Michaela, and the students of ICSV. Pray for wisdom for the Jacobys and the staff as we share the gospel and answer questions from the students. Please also pray for the students and parents to have open hearts as they hear the message of Jesus’s saving grace. Our verse for this week is Romans 1:17. Please pray that the truth of this verse speaks to our students.

You can see more pictures here: SEW

ICSV Bball Update: 2nd Place!

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BBall at QSI After a tough loss against the VIS A team (44-30), we rebounded at Saturday’s Festival to take 2nd place.

The Basketball Festival is an informal tournament against the teams in our conference. We cruised in our first game to a 27-7 win over the VIS B team, but it was in our 2nd game that we thrived. Against ICSB, the Christian school in Budapest, we really jelled as a team. We played great defense, moved the ball well on offense and emerged victorious with a hard-fought 24-20 win.

Winning our first 2 games placed us 1st in our pool and earned us a spot in the title game against DIS. Though we played hard and well, we fell behind early and never were able to catch up.  Even in defeat, they kept their heads up and played good basketball. I am really proud of all of them.

Highlights from the tournament:

  • 2nd Place!!!
  • Not one, but two bank 3-point shots made by our team.
  • “Coach Klein, isn’t that a demonic symbol? You know, a Pentagram?” “Um, no. That’s a Star of David.” (Our tournament took place at a Jewish community center).

Watch this space for another update in the coming days.

Fly, Eagle, Fly!

ICSV Basketball Update

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BBall at QSIMiddle School basketball is well underway and the team is playing well. We’re currently sitting 2-0, due primarily to a brilliant coaching strategy I’ve implemented. It’s a system I call “The > Offense”. It’s a complicated system based on a fundamental concept: When we score more than the other team, we win. Or, stated mathematically, “Our Score > Their Score = Win.” I’ve done a lot of research and noted that every winning team without exception implements this same strategy. I really don’t know why everyone doesn’t do it.

Seriously, though, I’ve been blessed with a very talented team with a great attitude. They have fun, work hard and it’s paid off for them. Our victories came against QSI Bratislava(41-6) and VIS – B team(35-19). These victories came despite the fact that we can only practice once a week on a basketball court.BBall at QSI

Next week we have a game on Thursday against VIS (A team) and a tournament on Saturday. Thursday’s game will be a big test for them, but I have no doubt they will rise to the occasion.

Please pray for us next week.  Check back for an update next weekend.

Excuses, Excuses

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So, it’s been more than awhile since I posted anything – even after I promised I would. I have lots of excuses for why I’ve been too busy. Here are some of the more important reasons:

In July, my mom & dad came to visit, and we all went to Prague. Prague is one of my favorite cities and I’m so glad we got to share it with them.

Prague '10

As soon as my parents left, I had to start getting things ready for the arrival of the new staff. This is one of my favorite things each year. Sadly, this year I was too busy to take any pictures. Fortunately, our friends the Johnstones took plenty.

After New Staff Orientation was over, Matt took me to Gmunden which is on the Traunsee. We celebrated our second anniversary and relaxed a little before the start of school. Traunsee is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been!

Trausee

As usual, school started at breakneck speed. One of the fun things I got to do in September was throw a baby shower for my dear friend Bethany whose sweet baby girl was born a few weeks later.

Bethany's Shower

Shortly after this fun celebration, the whole staff headed to the staff retreat. We had a great time walking in the Austrian woods and relaxing with our friends.

Staff Retreat '10

As soon as we returned, I began the planning for Fall Festival. This is our first big PTF event of the year and one of my favorite times at the school.

Fall Festival '10

So, these are my excuses for being a lame blogger. Hopefully, I’ll be better in the future. 🙂

You can see more pictures of all these events here: Prague, Gmunden, Bethany’s Shower, Staff Retreat, Fall Festival.

Breaking a Leg

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No, I’m not living a double life. I’m quite happy with the one I have. This is my stage family for the next 4 days. The school play runs from Wednesday through Saturday and sometimes I still wonder how it  happened that I’m a part of this.

Many of you are likely thinking, “I didn’t know you could act?” Well, neither did I. I’m still not sure I can, but I’m having a lot of fun trying. I play Calvin Taylor, head accountant for KittyKat Kat Chow and father of 3. In Every Babysitter’s Nightmare, I go to a nice dinner party with my wife leaving our three mischievous children in the care of an unsuspecting babysitter. Chaos ensues and much fun is had by all.