By DaNae Thomas
The 2001-2002 Moore Haus family has had an addition of 10 new Heidelbergers this semester. Coming into a pre-established group can be difficult, but the stories of how these new students are adjusting is encouraging and inspiring.
The new students are currently finding their place in Moore Haus, but it has not been an effortless feat. “It takes a long time to really get to know people,” new student Michael Wong said. “It concerned me coming into a group that was so tight knit.”
However, in a spiritual sense, Wong said he realized last weekend that he did not want the experience to be easy. Wong said, “I want God to make it hard so I can grow closer to Him and learn to do His will.”
Living in Europe makes people appreciate the small things like sitting in a sunny park with a canal. “This last weekend I watched the sunset and realized that the sun sets in Europe the same way it does at home,” Wong said.
Junior Jennifer Hahn said she was a little bit apprehensive about coming into the group halfway through the year. She said she was encouraged because everyone in the house was so welcoming, but it was still hard to leave everything that was in Malibu.
Hahn misses her close friends in California. However, she said that traveling wherever you want to go by train, to whichever country you choose, is an experience she would never want to give up.
Sophomore Robby Sagers was especially enthused about being in Heidelberg this semester. He did not find out he was going to be coming until this past Thanksgiving. “If God were to bless me with the opportunity to come to Heidelberg, I knew he would bless me with ease in transition into the program,” Sagers said.
Sagers had no fears about being welcomed into the group because he knew people were going to be encouraging. “In hindsight,” he said, “my expectations about the people here have been even truer than I thought.”
Sagers said the spiritual environment in the house is especially encouraging. “I came here for spiritual feeding and that is what I am getting from so many people in the house who I see the Holy Spirit shining through.”
While some students come overseas with their focus on travel, Sagers thinks friends are more important. “I quote the great philosopher Dave Matthews when I say, ‘Turns out not where, but who you are with that really matters.’” Sagers said. Although Europe is an incredible “where,” the people here blow being in Europe away.
Each of these 10 unique individuals have already added so much life to Moore Haus. They have given returning students, a fresh sense of exhilaration and enthusiasm for the overseas experience. It wouldn’t be the same without them. To those back in Malibu, thanks for sharing them with us.
January 31, 2002
