Děkuju Evan Edwards

So, I was just thinking about how I really need to get better at updating people about my trip here in Europe because I do have many things that happen to me out here, but Im a lazy blogger. Evan just wrote on my facebook wall and told me to blog more...which just further validated what I kept hearing God tell me, so i shall!

Wow, well we went to Vienna on Saturday....and it was my happy place. I've been feeling oppressed in Brno. I'm not trying to bash on the people of my ancestors, seriously, I know many great Czech people! But, I've had an awful time getting help in the Czech Republic. Perhaps, it's just the service workers?! In Vienna, people were awfully smiley, and would stop and talk when we asked directions. It was a beautiful thing- so now Wein (Vienna in German), you hold a special place in my heart. We took a 6am bus to Wein, and ended up getting there around 7:30am. We were kind of freaked out because we were in the skeazy section of Vienna, and I was starting to get nervous. I prayed to God that He would lead us to someone, and this Jewish man walks by, and says "Can I help you?" in perfect English. And I go, "Hi sir, do you speak English?" (I know, I know) And then he pointed us in the right direction! I was also looking for the "perfect breakfast spot." I'm really kind of weird about stuff like this- I wanted to eat in a quintesential Vienna breakfast spot, and I was getting a little stressed looking for "the one." Finally we passed a place called Cafe Melange, and we all decided it looked good. The menu said, "Cafe Melange-the typical Vienna coffee house." I literally laughed out loud.

I was so excited to eat at this lush, quaint cafe...and then we got the waitress from "you know where!" She was this old lady who DID NOT like Americans. (I feel like a lot of people don't, ha!) She said she knew English, but only spoke in fast German, and was purposely avoiding our table. It was kind of funny actually. Then Jeongmin, my friend from South Korea, didn't get what she ordered, so she took her plate to the lady who just exploded at her in German. The whole ordeal was strange, and it was hilarious, because Jeongmin goes, "She's so scary, I'm gonna poop my pants!" I guess when we left, this old couple had been glaring at us the whole time. I bet the whole restaurant breathed a sigh of relief when the loud Americans left!

We decided to just walk around the city and not use the trams. I saw a man standing on the sidewalk with a bomber hat on. I think I asked him how to get to the Naschmarkt where they sell fruits and veggies, and he pulled out a rosary and tried to give it to me! I freaked out and laughed, "I already have one with me!" And then he persisted, and give one to all of us. Then he told us he was a missionary. Then, another woman walks up, both of them are American, and she told me I was standing in front of the largest abortion clinic in Vienna. They were missionaries for an organization called Human Life International. Even weirder, was the fact that on my plane ride from Omaha to Detroit, I sat next to a man on the plane who worked on a baord for a pro-life group in Omaha, and he mentioned Human Life International to me. Strange. Then the lady gave me all her info and had to go do sidewalk counseling. I was so inspired and couldn't believe God led me to them.

Then we continued walking and ended up talking to a wonderful man who makes puppets. They were the coolest puppets ever, and he said he didn't even care if we bought one, we could just play with them. I think we played with them for an hour...and THEN, another missionary and her parents came up to us. She told me she was sent by God to Vienna, and I was just amazed. She was also American, and it was just very amazing how many American missionaries i met in Vienna...

Then we ate at this famous hotel called the Hotel Sacher. It was apparently an Imperial Hotel where only the richy richs went, and we got the famous Chocolate Torte. It's like a 200 year old recipe and they still make it the same as they did 200 years ago. I think we were all buzzing from the food, because we had ate a Kasekreiner (A huge sausage filled with mustard and ketchup, and yes I did get it on me) right before this. My favorite part about travelling is the food. I'm afraid I'm gonna spend all my money on it...

So, I mentioned the Naaschmarkt earlier. It was where i wanted to go all day long, and by the time it was sundown, we actually found it. All the stands were starting to close up for the day, and then I saw him. It was a crippled beggar standing right in front of us. He was shaking violently and only had a stick to hold himself up. He looked straight out of the bible. I froze, and searched through my purse, and then I found it- the rosary the missionaries had given me. I held it out to him, and he grabbed it with his shaking hands. The expression on his face was of pure gratitude mixed with....oh I can't even try to describe. He was beautiful. He kissed the rosary and then he pressed it against his heart. I walked away, and just felt my heart break. He was walking away, and Jeongmin ran after him and gave him some money. All I could say was "Jesus". Mother Teresa once said that when she held the crippled and deformed in her arms, she would say, "My Jesus, My Jesus." I saw Jesus in him, and I KNOW He will use that rosary.

The day was great, and I love Vienna. It was exactly what we all needed. Brno can be hard to live in sometimes, and it was nice to be in a new place. I can't wait to see where else I am led to go. I'm really hoping to go to Scotland, and Rome...and Medjugorje. But, that is something I know God will have to do for me, because I have no clue how to get to Bosnia by myself.

Before, I go...I feel like I must share my other story about a homeless man. There is many homeless here, and they are way more heartbreaking than back home. (I hope that's not a horrible thing to say) But yeah, it's real poverty out here. I've seen women dig through frozen trashcans, and girls my age sitting on the streets with their dogs to keep warmth, and another woman kneeling on a mat in front of a church begging. All of them break my heart, but I've learned there is shelters out here, its just a matter of dropping addictions at the door. Well, I was having a bad day, and all I wanted was to go in my favorite church and just pray- or try to pray. Well, I'm sitting in there with a few other people, and I hear a man shuffling up to me. "Oh great..." I'm thinking. It's an old man, about in his sixties, and he is staring at me and trying to get my attention. I'm pretty sure I glared at him! I was angry really, I wanted to be alone with God, and this bum is poking me. I wasn't even scared, just irritated. I looked at the tabernacle and just said, "Why aren't you helping me?! Make him go away!" Haha, well, I told the man I spoke English, and he knew English. Dang it. He asked me to help him, over and over and over. And I was firm and said, "No, I'm praying." Ha, wow- seems kind of contradictory huh. Well, he kept saying "You can, you can." How did he know? It was deeper than just "your american, you have money", there was a look in his tired eyes that softened me. Finally after I scolded him about bothering people who are trying to pray, I relented and gave him money. His reaction...I hope I can do it justice. He started to weep, and his face broke my heart. It was the kind of cry where you surrender. Did God tell him to come to me? He got down on his knees, and grabbed my hand and kissed it. He stood up and said, "I'm Peter." And I said, "I'm Rachael." Then he patted my shoulder and said, "Friend." And he did the sign of the cross, and hobbled away. Well, I was shocked, and slowly turned my head to look at the tabernacle. "Oh Jesus, what are you trying to teach me out here?" I suppose he is teaching me about generosity and trust. Trust that some people truly do need help, and that yes, I am blessed in every way. In the eyes of the poor, I see Christ. I hope I never close my eyes to it again.

I better keep writing on here, because it's good to get all this out...maybe i'll have funnier stories next time :)

Nashlee!!!