New team. New challenges. Same Jesus

After another crazy summer full of transitions, we’re settling into the fall of the year here in Kaiserslautern. In our last newsletter, I wrote about the buzzing atmosphere in and around the Elim-Zentrum, where we live and work. We had two married couples from Iran living in the center waiting on immigration paperwork. They pitched in everywhere they could and were a gigantic help around the house and yard. We spent a lot of time with them making modifications to the building, drinking tea in the evenings, and trying to read the Bible and discuss the impact Jesus has had on our lives. I learned a lot from them and they have all become cherished friends. The thought regularly comes to my mind that, Americans and Iranians can easily become family because of Christ. We are both focused on him and his Kingdom. We’re glad that there are four new couples coming to Sunday worship meetings. It adds to the diversity among us. 

About the time both couple moved out in late summer, we welcomed a new co-worker, Salome, to help us out with the discipleship school. We have fewer participants this year and she has brought a lot of new energy and ideas on how we can market this discipleship school better. We’re all glad she’s on our team. Learning the ropes has been a challenge, but we’re a team and we have a common vision. I’m confident the program has a bright future.

Since September first we’ve had a new discipleship team in the house. They come from all corners of Germany. We have one gentleman from Hamburg in the north, and young ladies from Bavaria in the south, Saxony on the Polish border, and even one from Hessen about an hour away from us. After two weeks of seminars, they’re off to their workplaces trying to be a light in our city. We have had training days every Monday and will continue throughout the year. I’m always encouraged to see the next generation of believers hungry to grow. Recently we have been teaching Bible history and structure of the Bible. I have tried to lead from Genesis to Revelation with Jesus as the common thread that holds everything together. The narrative of our salvation is held together, from beginning to end by the Alpha and Omega himself, Jesus. Once our young people begin to understand and the “A-ha” moments begin to become deeper and more frequent, it gets to be a lot of fun teaching. I’m glad I get to do it.

As far as the family is concerned, our girls are weeds. Anika is 12.5 and almost as tall as Bird. She loves to make art. Her friends are increasingly important to her and she looks in the mirror more often. She is really a joy to watch grow. Yesterday she invited a friend and I helped her make a small gift for her in the garage before her arrival. Anika was giddy with excitement and I had to giggle myself at how she couldn’t hide it in any way.

Naomi is in fourth grade here and mastering her schoolwork like a champ. I wish I was as gifted at academics at her age as she is. She likes Royal Rangers with her sisters and is starting to play the piano. I’ll be glad when music begins to come out of that thing.

Madeline (Maddie) will take you up on any chance she can to get out of the house. She loves to run errands and be out and about. Not only that, she is now an expert reader and devours book after book like her big sisters. Although Maddie is the smallest of the bunch, no one pushes her around. She can hold her own.

So, thank you for reading this far. We appreciate your prayer and financial support. It means a lot. May Christ bless you for blessing us. We are very dependant on your support but we’re convinced we’re blessed people.

Peace and love,

Mike