In an email from a young Albanian woman from our go4peace network who is studying in Austria, I read: "Looking back on my year, there were also big challenges. Some exams didn't go as I had hoped, and sometimes it was hard to stay motivated. But it was exactly in those moments that I realised that setbacks aren't defeats, but chances to work on myself. I have learned not to give up, but to keep going with patience and courage." – Last week, I had ice cream with Viktoria and Oskar. Viktoria has now arrived in Thailand for a voluntary social year after graduating from high school. Oskar is going to Namibia soon. Right now, Milena is on her way to Frankfurt. She is flying to New York City and will complete her voluntary social year there for a year, her boyfriend is going to Ohio for a year, and then yesterday I received a WhatsApp message from a student: "I wanted to let you know that I'm currently on a plane to New York City. It's about two hours until I arrive. On Friday, I'll be heading to my host family near Houston, Texas. I'm very excited and looking forward to my stay." And in a few days, two high school graduates will begin their voluntary social year at the Ivan Pavao II Youth Centre in Sarajevo. Peer wrote to me: "I'm doing really well, and my enthusiasm for Sarajevo is growing every day. Unfortunately, since it's quite a long way from my home to yours for us to meet, we won't be able to get together for a cappuccino. But I will gladly take your good wishes with me on my journey and send you my warmest regards in return." And once again this evening, I take all these young people with me in my prayers in the tent in our church and keep them in my heart.
