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Global Mission
Taylor Johnson

This year the Oregon Synod has two young adults participating in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program; Rachel Dexter and Sarah Davis. They are sharing their experiences with us. Taylor Johnson is currently a volunteer giving us insight in his work experience in Germany.

Young Adults in Global Mission-
is a one year international opportunities designed for ELCA young adults, ages 19-30. This program provides a one-year service opportunity in leadership development, service, spiritual growth, global awareness and understanding.

To assist these young adults wanting to experience international opportunities, the Oregon Synod (in conjunction with the Oregon Synod Global Mission Committee) has established a scholarship. If you would like to contribute or get more information on the scholarship fund,please contact Dolores Vilstrup at 503-281-1032.

Taylor Johnson
In September I moved to Germany to spend 10 months working at a Lutheran church in Lutherstadt Eisleben. Here I am an observer, learner and teacher. I offer free English lessons everyday to connect with teens. I help with the towns only youth group. We are 20 strong and rely on each other everyday because Eisleben is less then fourteen percent Christian. Most of my day is spent in the church that Martin Luther was baptist where I study and wait for an occasional tourist to come in.

Taylor's Blog
Thoughts from Taylor Johnson
Sorry I haven’t written for a while… I have already loaded myself with more then I have time for.  As long as I keep busy I don’t get homesick, but some days I get so tired of hearing German I just want to crawl in my room and be alone.  It is hard to find a good balance of work here because there is such a need for help.  There is an endless amount of work to do.  I really don’t know how the pastors would get by without me here.  They pastor one congregation and the call is only for one pastor who is supposed to work 54 hours a week.  They work about 70 each. 

I love it though… everyday is different.  This week I gave a weekend tour for a group of Americans through all our church’s, a castle, and we went to an onion festival.  Last week… an all women’s breakfast, moved about a hundred chairs, cleaned a church like it was my room at USAFA, made a video for the youth group, choir, learned to drive a manual and got locked in the parking lot.  The last three days I have been working bible school (that’s the pictures and video… kids everywhere are the same).  I am learning to say no… this Saturday is my first day off in three weeks.  Hope to hear from you soon!  
Take care -Taylor



 
503-413-4191 Oregon Synod 2800 N. Vancouver Avenue Suite 101 Portland, Oregon 97227-1643