Travel season is upon us

Our ladies in Lake Como

Spring has sprung here in Kaiserslautern and we're happy to see the sun. Winter has been mild, but it's nice to finally have some warm weather and begin to dig in the soil a bit. We have done some small trips over the past month or so. We sometimes go for long stretches without getting out of the city, so it's been nice. In March we planned some family time in a small village in northern Italy. We got a deal on a rustic room in the mountains. Some friends recommended we go for a visit. We thought it was a long way to Italy, but it ended up only being about 7 hours drive from our place. So we went. It was beautiful like our friends said and Naomi said it was our best vacation ever. I think she might have been right.

We stayed in the tiny village of Livo.

It was a welcome getaway from Germany. We were able to spend some time together as a family before I spend time on the road.

When we got back to Germany we got ready to host our friend Bob Phillips from Amsterdam. Bob is a colleague of ours with Eastern Mennonite Missions. He came for the weekend to preach at our church and teach a whole day about evangelism to our discipleship team (FSJ). Bob encouraged us to always be ready to give an answer to the people who want to know about the Hope that lives in us. We need to give our answer respectfully and gently. We always need to be ready to listen to people's stories, to share our own and if the chance presents itself, to tell the story of Jesus. So simple, yet so powerful.

The next weekend I and some co-workers went to a day seminar in Switzerland at a Bible college near Basel. There we heard Stuart Murray and Co. tell about their work in England planting churches in the cities. I was encouraged to have some teaching in English and resounded with their heart for Europe. Europe is not like it was 20 years ago. We have encountered an opening of hearts to discuss spiritual things. It's also true here in Germany. Please continue to pray for opportunities to share the Gospel in creative ways here. 

Then I was home for a couple days.

But not long. Our discipleship school paid for my ticket to Ohio to be a part of the annual meetings of Global Disciples. It's a network of missions/discipleship schools around the world. I'm always encouraged to be a part of those meetings. The small group recognizes the need for prayer and organized an all-night prayer marathon. I like to be a part of something like that. People who take prayer seriously are rare. I hadn't quite gotten adjusted to the eastern time zone and I was flying back to Germany. 

This week I have been getting ready to hit the road again. This time for a longer stint in Moldova with the FSJ Team. If you would like to see a short video about where we'll be see this link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTcRckijowo

I go every year, but leaving the family is always tough. They know I will return, but it doesn't make it any easier. You can pray for us as I am with our young people and Roberta is holding down the fort. We're doing this for the sake of the Gospel, so please pray that it has an impact here and abroad. 

Thanks again for supporting us. Good things are happening here!

peace and love,

Mike