Today was our last day together. The agenda was light – some processing and tour reflection, an evening meal together, and a classical music concert. Still, the students managed to get a lot out of it.

This was such a great group of students (they wanted to be sure that everyone knows that I feel that way! – which tells you something about the playful nature of this group – they knew when to focus and they knew when to, and how to, have a little fun with the group dynamics). They were so fully invested in the experience and they genuinely and wholeheartedly supported one another – the two-week-long experience is very taxing, on emotions and on bodies, but they picked each other up and made sure we were all in it together and we were all going to experience it together. I’m so thankful to work for an institution that attracts such wonderful young men and women.

This esprit de corps we enjoyed was also facilitated wonderfully by Liz Louden, my AU staff assistant on the tour. We are all deeply indebted to her – for everything from keeping financial records and doling out medicines and sunscreen to being Johnny-on-the-spot when a student needed an encouraging word and by finding all the right moments to help us all remember the lighter side of life. I’m so thankful for her work on this tour – she kept an ever-present eye on how the students were doing so that I could focus on content and leading. She definitely helped the medicine go down more easily.

Below are some pictures from the last day. The assembly features churches, some shopping, the Wieliczka Salt Mine (a UNESCO World Heritage site), a bit of group processing, a final diner, and a classical music concert.

I’m staying over here in Europe for a few days to do some exploring around Munich with my college buddy and roommate, Steve Gray. I’ll make one or two more posts covering that content in the next week to ten days.

Thank you for following along!