First half year in our new place
Almost 7 months have passed since we moved here. And we really love this place! Indeed, I only miss my son (I do miss him a lot...) and our former church. But thanks to the internet and Skype, it is easy to keep in touch! The people from our mother church here in Vilsbiburg (a town around 50 minutes drive away) are all very nice and caring and we are having good contacts. Every first sunday morning, we celebrate worship service together and each thursday, we meet for prayer and teaching. Our church belongs to the German section of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
| Our church plant project here in Muehldorf though runs VERY slow, much slower than expected. But it DOES run, praise be to our good Lord for it! The previously mentioned room that was offered to us, did not come to pass. Pitty, because it looked pretty positive. But this is life with God: if one door falls shut, He opens another one! Thus, we were offered another cheap possibility and for about 4 months already, we can celebrate our worship services each 2nd and 4th sunday evening in a room of a public building here in town. It's a lovely room with many chairs, tables and a tea kitchen. A particular hightlight is the fact that the backside of the building is built against an original part of the former city wall!
Impressions
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Somehow we can't help but get the impression as if God wanted to give us a sign: a city wall surrounds the city, the whole city (at least in former times) and with this picture we knew that God really wants to reach out for Muehldorf!
And also something else became clear to us, He showed us how things should be in the first phase: He wants our worship! This is for several reasons; the main reason of course being to glorify God. And the other reason is that by worship the foundations of the enemy will be shaken. For psalm 22 says that God inhabits in the worship of His people. It really seems like there is no other beginning here - this area has to be cleared first before whatever else can take place. Okay, this last sentence is my personal interpretation of the whole aspect, yet it is a very strong impression.
Spiritual war doesn't help anybody here. We have to get it clear: although we are standing at the side of the victor and are redeemed, Satan is always stronger than us as long as we are living on this side of live. Waging war against evil would cause us to get involved with powers we don't have any abilities and strengths for. So we have to do it God's way. And regardless of the enemy, who in this area here is very strong at work, it means in our case to worship and praise God; accepting who really is Lord of truth and life; giving all glory to Him! Concentrating on Jesus in such a way will open the Heavens and give chance to the Holy Spirit. Toward this, the enemy is powerless and will have to yield!
Difficulties
I had been thinking that this will happen overnight. But just like almost everywhere, this was not the case. It's understandable as deep as the enemy is at work here... Yet our worship has already shaken at his foundation and the "result" did not keep behind, for he cannot stand it if someone gives glory to Jesus; after all that would mean his definite death in that area. As to his favorite trick, there have been some very unpleasant situations already in our small congregation (which is really very small). His hope then would be for us to give in, what apparently had happened here already several times before.
But we won't give in! More and more I feel the Lord saying; "Don't focus on it!" Well, I have to admt that this is not always so easy to accomplish... we are all human. And because the 'aftermath' of this burnout I suffered about 3 years ago, is still quite strong, I am not able to stand a lot of stress. This is often very difficult for me to bear. But the Lord does not commit mistakes; He knows how I am and what's the matter with me and even so has sent us here! And I know all the same what He wants: He wants us here and do exactly what we are here for - pave the way for our Lord! Hallelujah!!!
Bright Spots
And so there have already been some bright spots! God even used WAYS OF LIFE to lead a highschool student to come to our church services! It turned out that she is leading a prayer group at her school - awesome how God is doing things! In the meantime, she comes more or less regularly and even brings some of her brothers and sisters along. We also have some Sinti women joining and praising our Lord together with us; what an enrichment they are! And there are also other guests coming every now and then.
Lately, we also have got in touch with the few other churches here in this area. Apparently it isn't easy for anybody. This is why it is so vital for all of us to have unity, just like Paul told the Philippians. Now for the first time, we had a joint meeting of leaders in our home. We are thankful they have accepted us and that they want to work together with us.
And some other events also add to our bright spots. I know it's God giving them to us! We had Angelika Walker come with a girl of her ministry Mercy Mission in Colombia (read about it under Ministries). They started their tour through Germany here with us. It was overwhelming to hear first hand of how so many thousands and thousands of young folks are living in misery there. But also how God at the same time is using people like Angelika to help them, first by meeting their most important needs and then by giving their dignity back to them, making them lead a responsible life and even get to know Jesus!
End of October '06 was another such bright spot: we had missionary Felix Dexel, one of Andreas' former Bible students, come here with three filippino brothers - Pastor Bobot Almasco and two of his church members. Pastor Bobot is leading a big church in Puerto Princesa, capitol of the island of Palawan, a church consisting mainly of former street gang members. I was overwhelmed by learning how big those gangs can be: 500 to 1500 members, incredible! And one more brutal than the other. What Pastor Bobot is experiencing there, is absolutely close to what David Wilkerson, author of the bestseller "The Cross And the Switchblade" and also founder of Teen Challenge was experiencing! By God's intervention, he was able to stop several gang wars already; the gang leaders have come to Jesus and changed their lives drastically; they are responsible now and do great jobs for the Lord!
About 2 weeks later, we had another highlight: Canadian Christian singer Rob Berg performed at our place! Unfortunately, he is not yet that much known in Germany, but he serves as "musicianary" (as he calls himself!) already for quite a number of years. He writes and sings the most beautiful folk/rock style songs about Jesus and life with Him. With his 9th album "Life on purpose", he was being nominated six times at the Canadian "Maja Awards" in August 2007 and won 2 prizes: one for the best music video and the other one for being the best producer of the year!
Closing Remarks
Well and it looks like there will be more bright spots to come in the next future. But I will not talk about them now, so wait for reports to come when they are due! This article is a summary of our first half year here. Although there are still several things that are not yet they way we'd like them to be (tell me of a place where this would be so!!) but on the whole, it is good and we feel carried by our good Lord - thanks be to Him! Even our financial situation is not yet like it should be. But God has definitely proven Himself as our provider and so we have experienced great help from several sides. Thanks be to you, dear Jesus and also to all those that have heard the Lord speak!
We'd be very glad to have your prayers. Firstly for us as a married couple, knowing how much the enemy loves to destroy just that... Then also for us as leaders; also this realm is often being attacked. Also please pray for God to put some helpmates at our side, as for us alone it sometimes is quite rough. But first and foremost pray for God to proceed with His Kingdom here and we can reach as many souls possible to join the family! Thank you so much!
In His service and love,
Birgit
