Holidays

Lucy has been helping in two schools by teaching English to the children. One school went on a field trip to a nursing home for Christmas. Lucy assisted the teachers and the class of second graders to pass out cookies the children made. Lucy did not make it into a picture, sorry. But the teacher did, her name is Christina Serafy from Columbus, Ohio.

We are in the middle of the holiday season. The Christmas markets have closed down, but many lights are still shining brightly. We had a Christmas Eve service at RB (Rock Berlin) which started at 4p.m. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve in Germany so the folks were looking forward to worshiping and getting home to family and gifts. Germany also closes down for two days following Christmas Eve. We spent most of the first day calling family via Skype.

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas in Berlin, but we have been told that New Year's is a different story. Fireworks are a major part of New Year's Eve. We were advised that large numbers of people are out overnight setting off fireworks anywhere and everywhere. We saw a church with long rockets set up like a teepee waiting to be set off! We will watch the fireworks from the safety of an apartment belonging to one of RB's members.

In the previous blog we mentioned recycling. Recycling is very important in Germany. There are special containers for every building and also along the sidewalks.

These three containers are for different colored glass, green, clear and brown. Cute, aren't they?

God is slowly stretching us - Dieter helped out during the service on the 29th by leading the music which included two songs in German (Shout to the Lord and I Love You Lord). Lucy was interviewed for an article about Forgiveness to be published in a German Christian magazine.

We also helped redecorate the church. Remember, we rent space on the first floor of an apartment building. We've included a few pictures to help you visualize Rock Berlin.

Rock Berlin has about 35-45 people that attend fairly regularly. The space can hold double that number.

Next week we will travel on the high speed train to attend a Great Commission Europe conference called Awaken. There will be six countries represented at this four day meeting, Jan.2 - 6. Please pray for God's blessing and that He is glorified. Thank you and may God bless your new year.

Legal in Berlin, Germany

What an amazing few days! This past Saturday was the first time I presented the message for the service. It was in English, but challenging, since I would say a sentance or two then wait on the translator. I hope to preach in German in the future, after more improvement with my German language skills. But God blessed the evening (our services at Rock Berlin are on Saturday evenings) and we were blessed by the responses we saw and heard in the congregation.

Today was our appointment for our visas to remain in Germany. We had been warned that we will probably have to go more than once to the government offices. Also, as with Pastor Dave, the government will require Rock Berlin to run a wanted ad for 30 days to give nationals an opportunity to apply for the job that I am here to do. And the entire process would take weeks.

But, God had different plans. Florence Deppe, a Rock Berlin member, had meticulously prepared all the paperwork and was able to answer the government officials questions thoroughly. God also gave me an opportunity to talk with the official in German for a minute. She even joked that since I was born in Hamburg, I was an American Hamburger:)

The net result was that we left with our visas! No waiting, no want ads, just the visas. So Lucy and I are legal, finally. Praise God !

On the lighter side of German life, we finally have a pic of Dave and Sandy Lennander to share with you. They are the couple we are living with and whose apartment we will take over when they leave Jan. 22, 2008. They have served at Rock Berlin for almost 3 years. Then came with no German language knowledge and have done an amazing job. They helped the Rock reorganize and refocus and have helped the Rock become a very healthy church. Dave has been a pastor for over 25 years and his experience made a difference here. Praise God for them!

Here we are with the Lennanders around the Christmas tree in the apartment.

Also, for those of you that think you are good parallel parkers, check out this photo.

This is a normal parking scene in Berlin. It's also the reason we are glad for good public transportation. We haven't gone for a drivers license yet, we may reconsider. But, here is a car you need if you do drive.

It's a SMART car.

Next blog will include something about recycling. Exciting isn't it?!:)

Starting Our 2nd Month

It's hard for us to believe that one month as gone by already. The month has been filled with the challenges of living in a different culture, connecting with a new group of friends, understanding a different church culture and keeping our walk with God our top priority. These challenges have not been easy, but it has been a blessing being in God's will.

In regard to the culture, we are glad we do not have to drive in Berlin. Besides watching for other cars, you must be alert for a lot of bicyclists and pedestrians and for the trams and buses. But to help with becoming legal in Berlin, Dieter will apply for a drivers license next week. Then on Dec.11 we have an appointment for a work visa. We continue to work on our language skills and hope to find out about starting language school in Jan.

Our new group of friends have kept us busy helping a couple of them move into and out of apartments. Plus, we have had to say good-bye to the Shafers, as Gene and Kathy went back to the states after serving the Rock Berlin church for 5 years.

Regarding the church culture, we are learning about church-hopping. It seems to be normal. Since RB meets on Saturday evenings, some of the attenders visit other churches on Sunday. This sounds okay except when the hoppers do not have accountability relationships. That is inviting trouble. Our enemy is on the prowl for loners.

The second month finds us attending administrative meetings at RB, ones we have not been a part of yet. There is also a need to schedule appointments with believers young in their faith for Bible study. Lucy has made contacts with an international group of Christian women. She met a diplomat for South Africa at the study. The diplomat reinforced with Lucy the need to meet with other believers to help with discouragement.

There are Christmas markets popping up in many places. They have booth after booth of food and things to buy. But there is very little mention of the reason for the season, our Savior.

Berlin is a huge city with a tremendous need for Jesus. There are churches doing God's work and reaping fruit and we give God the praise for that, but there is so much more to do.