Hope for Germany - A Refugee Crisis
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My name is Eric Smith. I was born and raised in Germany. At the age of 12, I moved to the US where I would spend the next 13 years of my life. It has been a time of growth, transformation, and many incredible experineces. I consider it a priviledge to have grown up in a place like Oklahoma, where I finished my degree in Finance at Southern Nazarene University. I just turned 25. I make great money working in the oil and gas industry. I have lots of friends, and I have nothing to worry about. Who in their right mind would give that up?
I have recently been offered an opportunity to work with Church in Action Frankfurt (Kirche in Aktion), a Nazarene Church Organization in Frankfurt, Germany. http://kiafrankfurt.de/en It is their dream to see how heaven breaks into our lives, into our cities, and into this world. They are doing amazing work sharing the love of Christ, and bringing hope to thousands of refugees in the Frankfurt area.
I realized that no amount of money, job security, or comfort, could bring true fulfillment and purpose to my life. It has always been in the back of my mind, that I might be called back to Germany one day. This day has come. I have separated myself from the cubicle. I quit my job a week ago, and I am currently in the process of selling all my belongings. I have accepted the call to Germany where I will be moving at the end of August, 2015.
In the midst of the uncertainy, the unknown, and the fear, I know only one thing to do and that is to GO. I'm reminded of Peter. He didn't know why he should step out onto the water. All he knew to do, was trust and take that step.
The support I have received up to this point in this journey has been overwhelming. I knew that making a continental move would be difficult, stressful, and expensive. I also knew that I wouldn't be alone in the process. This is where I need YOUR help.
1) I would like to ask you to partner with me in prayer. Uprooting from a place I've called home for 13 years and integrating into a culture I haven't known since I was 12 will be tough, but I know God is faithful.
2) You guessed it. Of course I wouldn't leave you without asking you for finacial support. Even though I will be working, I will be taking a 70% decrease in pay. Finacial support will allow me to get on my feet the first few months of being in Germany. Transition costs will include; plane ticket, extra baggage costs, accomodation, public transportation, cancelling current Verizon contract, continued college loans, renewal process of German citizenship, and a used lap top suitable for work.
*Donations will be striclty used for transition costs. Should there be any finances over the necessity of
covering transition cost, they will be going directly to the Church of Action, which will benefit the ministry.
I want to say thank you to every single person that has supported me, encouraged me, mentored me, and walked with me through this journey. This is not about me, but about a greater purpose to bring hope and light to a world that without God is dark and hopeless.
Love you all.
In Christ Always,
Eric
I have recently been offered an opportunity to work with Church in Action Frankfurt (Kirche in Aktion), a Nazarene Church Organization in Frankfurt, Germany. http://kiafrankfurt.de/en It is their dream to see how heaven breaks into our lives, into our cities, and into this world. They are doing amazing work sharing the love of Christ, and bringing hope to thousands of refugees in the Frankfurt area.
I realized that no amount of money, job security, or comfort, could bring true fulfillment and purpose to my life. It has always been in the back of my mind, that I might be called back to Germany one day. This day has come. I have separated myself from the cubicle. I quit my job a week ago, and I am currently in the process of selling all my belongings. I have accepted the call to Germany where I will be moving at the end of August, 2015.
In the midst of the uncertainy, the unknown, and the fear, I know only one thing to do and that is to GO. I'm reminded of Peter. He didn't know why he should step out onto the water. All he knew to do, was trust and take that step.
The support I have received up to this point in this journey has been overwhelming. I knew that making a continental move would be difficult, stressful, and expensive. I also knew that I wouldn't be alone in the process. This is where I need YOUR help.
1) I would like to ask you to partner with me in prayer. Uprooting from a place I've called home for 13 years and integrating into a culture I haven't known since I was 12 will be tough, but I know God is faithful.
2) You guessed it. Of course I wouldn't leave you without asking you for finacial support. Even though I will be working, I will be taking a 70% decrease in pay. Finacial support will allow me to get on my feet the first few months of being in Germany. Transition costs will include; plane ticket, extra baggage costs, accomodation, public transportation, cancelling current Verizon contract, continued college loans, renewal process of German citizenship, and a used lap top suitable for work.
*Donations will be striclty used for transition costs. Should there be any finances over the necessity of
covering transition cost, they will be going directly to the Church of Action, which will benefit the ministry.
I want to say thank you to every single person that has supported me, encouraged me, mentored me, and walked with me through this journey. This is not about me, but about a greater purpose to bring hope and light to a world that without God is dark and hopeless.
Love you all.
In Christ Always,
Eric
Organizer
Eric Smith
Organizer
Oklahoma City, OK