Day 2: In the summer TeenStreet celebrates Christmas.

Hey guys. It's me again, Patrick.

After a bitterly cold night (I forgot my sleeping bag), I dragged myself into the shower. To my dismay this was also cold. Well what can you do? Quickly get dressed and on we go. I have to get the teens up out of their sleeping bags,  and when we are all ready we head off to breakfast.

I enjoyed breakfast together with my M&Ms and other coaches so we could exchange information and start the day with prayer.

From breakfast we went directly to the REAL.  programme in the Main Hall. But when we stormed into the hall with great anticipation, we were immediately confronted with a bit of a shocker! Overnight Christmas had arrived at TeenStreet and the Main Hall was decorated in Christmas style. An angel flew above the stage, biscuits were served and we joined together in joyous Christmas carols. It was kind of a crazy feeling at one time being in the middle of summer to celebrate Christmas. But that was all tailored to the theme of the day.

It was about REAL. JESUS. Jesus has become real and has given up this much. At this moment as God came into the world as a baby, he received two responses. The three wise men brought their gifts to lay down before him, but King Herod was fearful and worried about his own wealth and his position as King.

After the programme we had our first Shhh time.  This is 30 minutes of absolute silence, so we have time for us to concentrate on God.  I walked around the grounds and prayed for the teens and TeenStreet that something big happens here, and God moves the hearts of people. At the end of Shhh time music played. This meant for me it was time to gather my small groups for the first deep “NET1”.

We talked about the topic of the day and we shared where we are (Herod the wise men?) And where we want to go. It was really profound.

The rest of the day included lots of games, fun and excitement. Everyone had the opportunity to make his day according to personal preference and simply enjoy the real-life experience here on TeenStreet. I've made new friends, playing volleyball, I have a good time with the teens and then there was a special meeting for all leaders at TeenStreet.

After Supper was really the best time of the day: The Throne Room was waiting for us. It was time for a deep and personal encounters with God. The day's theme was taken up again and a long-time worship filled my heart with new love. I felt God with me, as he touched me again and met my heart. He gave me strength and love for TeenStreet.

After these incredible encounters for each individual, everyone could round off his day again according to personal preference.

I led my teens in “NET2” again and we shared briefly from what each individual had experienced over the day. Finally, we were praying for a blessed night and a new day of rich blessings.

So once again we are ready to sleep!

Your "Paddy"

Day 1

Hey Guys,  
TeenStreet is starting and I sure hope that you are as excited about it as I am! People have arrived from all over Europe and the excitement in the air is palpable. Before we go much further I think we should stop and thank God for getting us here safely. I know my journey was somewhat of an adventure!

I travelled alone and, honestly, the thought of travelling from Ireland to Offenburg by myself scared me silly! The night before I had to leave I couldn`t sleep and lay awake, fervently praying that God would keep me safe as I travelled. The next morning I had to get the bus to the airport. The bus was late. By the time I was actually on the bus I was physically shaking with nervousness. I should have had more faith!

The genuinely scary part of the journey was navigating the German train network from Frankfurt Airport to Offenburg. I had to get a bus within the airport from one terminal to the other and then catch two trains. While I was trying to figure out the ticket machine at the first train station a somewhat elderly couple from Ireland offered to help me. They were going to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, the same station as me, so they offered to let me tag along. While on the train we talked and they asked me where I was from. I told them the name of a tiny village in the West of Ireland and this is where it went far beyond the realm of mere coincidence. It turned out that their local policeman had recently died and had been from the same village that I had afore mentioned.  They clearly respected this policeman and said that the very least they could do for him was to make sure that I was safe. And that is just what they did.  Not only did they help me find the main station but they brought me to the ticket office, helped me get my ticket and even delivered me to the correct platform so that there was no possibility of me getting the wrong train. They were truly a Godsent!

I had lain awake all night with anxiety, desperately asking God to keep me safe and He exceeded all my wildest expectations. I was dumbfounded by such an amazing answer to prayer. I think it is something that we all need to remember this week, God can and will exceed our expectations. He will surpass our wildest dreams, because OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!!!

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful week and hope that the Lord does amazing things in your life.
God Bless,
Hannah (IRE)

Day 1: Departure, Arrival, TeenStreet

Dear Readers,

My name is Patrick and I’m happy to share the story behind the life of a coach at TeenStreet.

"Are we there yet?" is the question I asked most frequently during the trip to TeenStreet. After a six-hour car ride with wonderful conversations and fun, we arrived at the TeenStreet site.

There were many possibilities for us on arrival. However, our first stop was at the registration booth to pick up the most important information.

We received our badges, a bracelet and the TeenStreet xG (Explore Guides) providing all the information about our week.  From this moment life as a coach at Teenstreet begins - here we go!

First I find my sleeping accommodation. Actually I went there to drop off my luggage and to look for my small group. I was able to successfully deliver my stuff, but I could not find my small group. I spent quite a bit of time searching!

The first day is always a bit different.  I need to find a suitable location for my laptop so I could write my blog for you. So I went backstage in Main Hall to find the web team.  Then I dived  into the introduction meeting for coaches and M & M's.  This was a time to get lots of important pieces of information that we could pass on to our teens.

We met our small group during the Country Groups time. Finally I was able to get to know my teens. There was time to exchange information but also some time to rest during the first day. Unfortunately, this is not normal for TeenStreet. But for me it was a good thing.

We gained strength from the short supper (dinner) and then went off to begin the first evening.

The first REAL. programme gathered 3500 people from around the world in one place to make a big party for Jesus. There were games, fun and excitement for everyone. This is ultimate in real depth and celebration.

In the beginning everyone was given a paper bag (usually used for bread). During the evening, we had to write on the bag about the burdens in our lives that we had brought to TeenStreet with us. We could bring these things to God and trust in His work.  Throughout the week, we can collect the things that God tells us and put them in the paper bag.. At the end of the TeenStreet paper bags will be important again. So don’t forget them, dear reader!

The REAL teaching touched and moved me personally.  I am full of expectations about what God will do in the young people but also in me.

Afterwards there a cool "after-show party”.  It was time for personal meetings, but also simply to have fun

From 23.00 it was time to go back to the accommodation, to get ready for bed and finish together with our “NET2” group time. I chatted with my teens about the day and shared important information with them.

So the first day was already over at TeenStreet. Yet the second follows immediately!
I'm off to sleep!

Your Patrick "Paddy"

Meet our bloggers!

There’s a lot happening here, and there’s no way we could write about everything. But we want you to try to give you as much perspective as we can. That’s why this year, we’re introducing three bloggers to the website: three Service Team members with three different jobs who experience a day at TeenStreet in three completely different ways. Here’s a look at who they are!

Prisca (age 19) – Prisca is from Germany, and this is her third year at TeenStreet. Her first year was as a teen, and loved it so much she came back to work at the Cocktail Bar. She’ll be posting news from the Cocktail Bar and the latest, craziest recipes! 

Hannah (age 20) – Hannah is from Ireland, and this is her third time at TeenStreet. Her two previous years were spent in the kitchen, but this year she’s helping with the Inbetweens: kids too young to participate in TeenStreet, but their families are here helping. 

Patrick (age 20) – Patrick is from Germany, and this is his first time at TeenStreet. He is a Coach, so when he’s not blogging, he’ll be hanging out with his group of teens, helping them get closer to Jesus. He’s also training in media, design, and journalism.