Spain

After arriving at the Madrid airport Friday night we were whisked away to a meeting of the church women. I began to try out my years-old Spanish and enjoyed getting to know some of the women there. The next morning I visited the Roman aqueducts in Segovia with some of the college students.
Segovia was also home to a beautiful castle. Here, on one of the walls surrounding the city, we spent a while taking fun pictures. Later that evening we all went to a youth meeting at the church building. We each shared something that we had read in the Bible that week followed by a game where each person had the name of a famous person taped on their back. I was able to figure out mine (Napoleon) by asking questions in Spanish! Later we sang Karaoke (also entirely in Spanish), watched some of the college students practice Capoeira, and danced.
The University in Alcala de Heneres is the second oldest in Spain. On Monday morning I visited it with some new friends. One of the highlights of my day came as we sat around a table in Starbucks overlooking a beautiful plaza. On the rooftops we could see enormous crane nests. Alcala is home to more cranes than any other city in the world. As we sat there we shared the stories of how we came to know Christ and enjoyed remembering what he has done.
Alcala is also famed as the birthplace of Cervantes (the author of Don Quixote).
After my wallet was stolen in Madrid on Sunday, I had the pleasure of locating a police station to file a report and going to the US embassy to get a new passport :). Later that evening I had the opportunity of visiting the church's service. To my surprise, at the end I was asked to come on stage and explain my work in Germany (thankfully translated by Alex Gonzales). Afterwards we sang Happy Birthday to Lori and shared a potluck that the women had prepared. What a wonderful way to end my trip to Spain and my time in Europe.

last days in Germany

Yu learning how to juggle as guests at my going away BBQ relax on the grass.
Martin's new grill was delivered about 30min before the party was set to begin! Here you can see some of the guys trying to figure it out.

Last Thursday we had a poker night and I won big (just pretend money)! Although I was really tired at the end of the evening, it was a good time.

Recent Happenings

This week has been very nice. On Sunday 26 people came to church. That evening I went to Dortmund with the Ford family to help them pack for their upcoming move. Innes and I were able to sort through a lot of things and I think that it was an encouraging time for us both.

We returned from Dortmund at about 6PM Wed. night for my going away party at Aachener Weiher park. The weather was nice and about 35 people were able to make it. We did not leave until after 11PM, which would normally be hard, as we have a prayer meeting at 6AM on Thursday mornings. Thankfully, Thursday was a holiday here and we were able to postpone the meeting until 8. Later in the day Martin, Daniel, Thomas, and Ramona came over to help move the furniture out of my room. I cannot believe how much stuff is still here even after moving out all of the large items!

Thursday night about 12 of us had a poker night at the Bonnet's house. Although this is the first time that I have played poker, I won handily at my first table. This was a result of getting some really great cards, but it was still encouraging. The only challenge was that we did not get home until after midnight and I needed to get up early .

Today I found out that my housing company found someone to take over my lease! After cleaning out my room a bit more I printed out and copied Bible study posters and Jenilee, Nathan, and I went through the dorms to distribute them to all of the mailboxes and bulletin boards. Tomorrow I expect to hang more at the University.

Praise

Charlie passed his semi-truck driving test yesterday, and today his family was accepted at an apartment in Huerth (very close to where the Goerings and Thomas Lobe live)! It should be a great help to the church to have them here.

Pfingsten (Pentecost)

This past weekend was spent at "The Promised Land" campground in the Netherlands. Their grounds boast a children's swimming pool, petting zoo, fitness equipment, and many well-designed playgrounds. Here Diana shows off the sign, written in Nederlandisch. We shared meals together at tables in front of our tepee style tents (which covered three small inner rooms with mattresses for 6 people on the wooden floors, a small kitchenette, and picnic table). I slept in a normal tent with Kiko (the Ford's dog) to reduce crowding in the tepees. We also came together here several times over the course of the weekend to hear the stories of how members of our group made the decision to follow Christ.
On Saturday we visited the Ten Boom Museum. You may remember that we watched "The Hiding Place" with our English conversation group a couple of weeks ago. This movie, about the Ten Boom family's work in hiding Jewish people during the war and their aid to German collaborators afterwards, was partly shot here.
After many hours of card games, singing around the campfire, water fights, sitting on the beach, and sightseeing in Haarlem, we loaded up in our rented van for the trip home.

Gut Yontiff

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel as a modern state. In recognition of this, Köln invited musicians to perform in one of the main public squares. Marina, a woman who contacted me a few months ago to ask if I would be interested in hosting (spiritually-themed) movie nights with her at the University, invited me to go and hear her sister sing Hebrew folk songs. I really enjoyed her performance. The following act consisted of two young Jewish men decked in Israli flags and wearing yamulkes who rapped alternatingly about mid-east politics and more amusing themes such as the benefits of going out with a Jewish guy.

My day was, as a whole, very full. It began at 6:15AM when the church has a bi-weekly prayer meeting. Arriving at the Uni around 10, I had several meetings with students followed by repeat trips to the student registrar, my internet provider, and my insurance company. The most encouraging moment of my day came when, Julia, a woman from one of my classes last semester, approached me in the cafeteria. I did not remember her, but she clearly knew me. Her first words to me were "Bist du Glaubig?" (are you a believer?). I answered in the affirmative and apologized for not remembering her. She proceeded to explain that she had thought about contacting me ever since the course we had taken together because she had been impressed by my knowledge of the Bible and the fact that I had the courage to stand up to some of the things that our professor said in class. She asked for my contact info and I hope to meet with her next week.

Prayer Request: Just a reminder, tomorrow (Friday) we will be heading to Holland to go camping with students we have been in contact with. We will be gone until Monday afternoon. Please pray that those who will be sharing their testimonies would find the right words and that the students would be open to hearing, that the weather would be good, and that everyone would have a good time with one another.Jenilee and Nathan, from Kansas, will be visiting us until the 25th. They stopped by the fair for a few minutes on their way to try out a Kolsch.

1. Mai Wanderung

Culture Note: In Germany, May 1st is Father's day. Traditionally men take this opportunity to gather together, bringing wagons of beer along for company. Many churches also choose to use this nationally recognized holiday (all businesses are closed) to go hiking with one another. In the photo above, you can see that we chose to do just that.

Women's Retreat Pictures

Ramona, Diana, and I were able to spend a lot of time walking in the woods, playing board games, and just talking with one another.

Each morning we woke to the sound of recorded "convent"music. This was followed by breakfast, time with God, lunch, a teaching, coffee and cakes, breakout sessions, dinner, playing games, snack time (you may have caught on that talking with and about God and eating were the main activities for the weekend)

Here Innes, Chrisitne, Lori, Petra, and Ina can be seen waiting for breakfast to begin.



The grounds were immaculate with gardens that were overflowing with fountains, topiaries, and wildlife. To sweeten the experience, we were surrounded by forests littered with trails and a riding stable was just to the north of us. Here you can see Ramona and I enjoying a stroll to the bookstore run by the Diakonissen.









The teachings for the weekend, by Christina and Lori, centered around the idea of "holding on to the good".

Faith, Hope, and Love

I took the stairs two at a time, hoping to reach the train stop in less than five minutes. If Ramona and I missed our train, we would have to wait another half-hour for the next connection. It was still possible, so as I breathlessly explained what I had planned for the Sunday School lesson, I kept our pace fast. As we rounded the corner the crossing gates lowered and our hearts sank just as fast. We could see Thomas already in the train and waved to him forlornly as he passed us by.

Even walking briskly, we would likely be late to church. As we started to walk in the direction of the Goerings, I explained to Ramona how I had occasionally hitched a ride in the States. In the back of my mind I began to pray that somehow, someone would offer us a ride to church in this instance. What I had in mind was that one of the families from church would see us and stop to pick us up. Instead, without our having done anything, a car pulled over in front of us and a child jumped out and ran to the grass embankment (he had a bloody nose). His father than stepped out behind him and turned to us to ask for some Kleenex. As Ramona dug in her purse, I took the initiative and asked if he might be going in the direction of our church. He was. As a result we were actually there before almost anyone else. As the others began to trickle in, I gathered things together for my Sunday School lesson on the "narrow path" and how we need Christ to walk it. Soon we began an especially nice worship time thanks to Florian, who, although he was visiting us for the first time, had brought a guitar with him. He joined Charlie and Martin like a pro.

After church we had a movie night with the English Conversation group. Everyone was asked to bring a movie and we would then vote on what we would like to watch. I was pleasantly surprised that The Hiding Place, a movie about a Christian woman who hid Jews during the Second World War, was chosen over films like the Matrix, the English Patient, Fried Green Tomatoes, and A Beautiful Mind. Corrie Ten Boom, her sister Betsy and their father illustrate the challenges and rewards that come with trying to love our enemies (even from within the confines of Auschwitz) and trust in God's love for us and control over the situations we find ourselves in. Afterwards Daniel tried to lead a conversation about the movie, but unfortunately it did not get very far. Please pray that there might be opportunities to talk about the themes presented in the movie some other time.Ophelia and Simone.Ramona and I considering how The Giving Tree could be used to illustrate various theological ideas.Florian, Thomas, and Patrick.

Prayer Requests

-With my return to the States looming on the horizon, it is tempting to furiously attempt to cram everything possible into the remaining weeks or go to the opposite extreme and do nothing. Please pray that I would find a healthy balance.

-That doors would be opened for me in the States to gain internationally transferable job skills, that I would have no trouble meeting housing needs, that I will quickly find a place within a US church, that I am able to effectively re-build strong relationships with friends in East Lansing, and that I am able to use my time in the States to strengthen my relationship with God.

-So many new people have been coming around lately. Pray that we would have wisdom in knowing how to best invest our time and efforts into those God has brought into our lives and that they would come to know Christ or deepen their relationship with him.

-That a strong Christian presence would grow on the Uni Koeln campus. Specifically that there would be groups of Christians meeting to pray with one another on campus, that anti-Christian professors would find themselves with groups of committed Christians in their classes who are able to support one another, that respect and tolerance would be shown for our beliefs, and that active dialogging about faith issues would take place on campus.

-Every day I hang a small (1/4 page) bible study poster on the notice board in my building. Every day it is taken down, while the ads for beer bashes and sex sites remain. It is a small thing, but please pray that I would not be discouraged by it and that I might somehow run into the person who keeps doing this and make a good impression on them. The same problem exists en masse at the university where Christian posters have little chance of remaining for very long.

-The Ford family (Charlie, Innes and their kids Hanna and Jordan) needs housing and work in Koeln.

-The Bonnets (Martin, Heike and their kids Jonathan, Johanna, and Pia) are still looking for a house closer to the Goerings and Heike continues to have problems with her sight.

-That our upcoming trip to the Netherlands from May 9-11 would lead to deepening relationships within our team and also with all of the students that we have invited.

-That we would quickly be able to find a new place for our Bible study to meet which is attractive to the students who live in the Student dorms in Huerth-Efferen (it is in my room now, and most of the students who come live in the buildings around me).

-That those with whom I have shared the gospel in the last few weeks would make clear decisions for Christ.

-That the kids in our church would soon understand and accept the gospel.

Frauenfreizeit 2008

About 45 women congregated at Bleibergquelle in Velbert for the annual Women's Retreat which brings together sisters from the Dortmund, Duesseldorf, and Koeln churches. Lori, Innes, Heike, Ramona, Diana, Britta, and I (from Koeln) were all able to go, which made it a really nice time of fellowship. The grounds are beautiful and I was disappointed to learn that they will stop accepting guests later this year because they need more room for a new school that they are building. When I get a chance I will post some more pictures from the time.

New career as a Postal worker?

Early Monday and Tuesday morning, as I do several times each semester, I distributed Bible Study and English Conversation Club invitations. This involves going around to about 1500 mailboxes (in ~30 buildings) and hanging up about 200 posters at the University. Because most of the buildings are locked, bringing a book to read while waiting to get in is a must. As always, I felt a sense of awe as I read the names on the mailboxes. The entire world seems to be represented here in this small complex of dormitories!
At English conversation we played a game called "apples to apples" with students from Russia (3), Camaroon, Columbia, Mexico, and, of course, Germany (5) plus Daniel, Lori, Thomas, and I. Above is a picture of some of the people who have been coming to the Bible study at my place.

Thinking of Africa

Last semester Sandra, a student, began coming regularly to our church. She is doing an internship in Africa this semester, and we have all missed her. Here is a picture that she sent demonstrating the proper technique for carrying things Cameroon style.

More Awaken Photos

As we began the journey to Hohegrete, the Henson's rental car broke down. Here everyone is praying for the situation. I was in the car with Jordan and 3 year old Hannah who wanted to know "is Mommy going to push the car to the swimming pool (Hohegrete) now?"
The older children had an "armor of God" theme for Sunday school. My group of 2-5 year olds, on the other hand, had the (unplanned) theme of "I want Mommy"
On Friday about 100 people went into Cologne for tours of the city led by Daniel, Martin, Heike, and myself. I led a huge group from Spain on a tour of Roman artifacts.
Here Jana and I hand out information packets to the conference guests on the first day. I spent most of the conference manning the registration table/help desk.

Awaken Conference Photos

Roasting "Bread on a Stick", a German camping tradition.
Open mic night in the Awaken coffee house. Here children perform a skit. Later in the evening we were treated to music, dance, and poetry readings.
Charlie Ford, Dieter Schade, and John Goering playing for us in the Coffee House.

Recent Happenings

Meeting to establish a non-profit organization with the German government (11.11.07). We decided to ask for the name "Die Bruecke", the Bridge.
Teaching Sunday School: ''Build your house on the Rock''
Sandra's going away party (she's in Cameroon for the semester)

Team Retreat in Holland

Auf wiedersehen. . .und Willkommen

Today we had a sending off ceremony in the Dortmund church for the church in Koeln.

The Goerings have arrived

As of Thursday the Goerings officially live in Köln!

Im Letzter Zeit

Martin and Daniel in Florida for a Global Great Commission meeting.
The Goerings, Hendersons, Martin and I check out a location for the next Awaken conference.
In December the Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Köln churches came together for a weekend retreat.